CIRI’s Casino MonteLago, located at Lake Las Vegas Resort in Nevada, officially opened its doors to the public with a grapevine cutting ceremony and a special evening event for guests on May 8, 2003.
The intimate gaming property is situated in the upscale development of Lake Las Vegas and was developed directly adjacent to the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, another investment of CIRI’s. Casino MonteLago, which is designed in the style of a 15th Century Tuscan winery, is open to the public 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
The 40,000-square-foot casino offers 10 blackjack tables, two craps tables, 675 slot machines including 220 video poker machines, a roulette wheel, and a mini baccarat table.
Patrons also have the choice of one restaurant and two bars. The 120-seat Tenuta bistro is open around the clock and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner specials. Tappo is a multi-level sports bar overlooking the casino floor. It offers guests a selection of salads, sandwiches, and a variety of libations. The Sports Book features state-of-the-art HDTV plasma technology on all of its video screens.

Dan Reichartz, a former Caesar’s Palace president and head of the Casino MonteLago management company, believes the casino’s product range offers something for everyone. He is implementing an aggressive marketing campaign to attract locals from nearby Las Vegas and Henderson to the casino. The casino will also attract visitors from Lake Las Vegas Resort’s MonteLago Village and the Ritz-Carlton hotel.
CIRI is the first Alaska Native regional corporation licensed to conduct regulated gaming in Nevada. Due to Nevada’s strict gaming regulations, CIRI is subject to a number of special rules and regulations, including who may gamble in the new casino. In order for CIRI to maintain its license in good standing with the State of Nevada, a policy has been adopted prohibiting all CIRI officers, directors, employees, and shareholders and their spouses from gaming in Casino MonteLago.
“This rule departs from our normal practice of inviting and encouraging our shareholders and employees to use our tourism facilities. However, the concern of Nevada gaming authorities is to avoid even the appearance of collusion or improper conduct by owners and operators in the gaming industry. This, ultimately, is in our economic interest as well,” said CIRI President and Chief Executive Officer Carl Marrs.

Marrs adds that CIRI shareholders are more than welcome to tour the facilities when visiting the Lake Las Vegas area.