Rampart Casino

Rampart Casino is a casino property in the Summerlin area of Las Vegas, Nevada. It operates within the resort complex now known as JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort and Spa, a large off-Strip hotel, gaming, dining, spa, and convention destination owned by Hotspur Resorts. The casino occupies approximately 57,610 square feet and offers slot machines, table games, bingo, and a race and sports book. The property originated in a luxury resort project announced in 1996 by Seven Circle Resorts, an American affiliate of the Swiss gaming company Swiss Casinos. The development was planned for a 54-acre site acquired from the Howard Hughes Corporation, the developer of the Summerlin master-planned community. Designed by architect Paul Steelman, the project was conceived as a luxury golf and spa resort intended to attract both visitors and affluent local customers. Construction encountered delays, community concerns over an enlarged plan, and substantial cost overruns. The completed resort cost approximately $276 million to develop. The resort opened on July 15, 1999, as The Resort at Summerlin. Its casino initially operated alongside a hotel tower called the Regent Grand Spa, under a franchise arrangement with Regent International Hotels. A second tower, the Regent Grand Palm, opened in January 2000, and the full property was soon renamed The Regent Las Vegas. The resort struggled financially soon after opening. It faced mortgage problems, sought additional financing, reduced staffing and restaurant operations, and ultimately entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November 2000. Hotspur Resorts acquired the property in 2001 for approximately $80 million and subsequently converted the hotel affiliation to JW Marriott, a brand that was expected to have stronger recognition among American travelers. In 2002, the casino was leased to Millennium Management Group, which renamed it Rampart Casino at the Resort at Summerlin. The new casino identity accompanied a strategic shift away from dependence on high rollers and toward local residents, a particularly important customer base for an off-Strip Las Vegas property. Millennium expanded the resort's food-and-beverage operations and added restaurants, while the convention facilities were enlarged in 2003. When the casino lease expired in 2012, Hotspur chose not to renew it and resumed direct management with consulting assistance from Affinity Gaming. Michael Gaughan Jr. became general manager. During the following years, the casino underwent a series of upgrades, including the addition of slot machines, changes to the race and sports book, a bingo hall, room renovations, convention-center work, new restaurants, and a replacement sports book. The property continued to face competitive and financial pressure from the broader Las Vegas market. Declining revenues and increased competition from newer Strip resorts contributed to another mortgage default, although the owners avoided foreclosure through a loan modification completed in December 2013. Later improvements included a renovation of the buffet, which reopened in 2019 as the Market Place Buffet, additional parking, and a property-wide renovation reported as completed in 2024 at a stated cost of $75 million. In December 2025, the hotel and casino announced plans to reunite under a property-wide identity based on the resort's original name, The Resort at Summerlin, effective January 1, 2026. This planned change would reduce the separation between the JW Marriott hotel identity and the Rampart Casino identity while preserving the property's integrated resort format. The casino's long-term operating status and branding should therefore be monitored as the announced rebrand takes effect.

Rampart Casino developed from a resort project created for Summerlin, a planned community in western Las Vegas developed by the Howard Hughes Corporation. In May 1996, Howard Hughes announced an agreement with Seven Circle Resorts, an American affiliate of Swiss Casinos, to develop a luxury casino resort on land near the community's golf facilities. The developers envisioned an upscale destination combining hotel accommodations, gaming, golf access, a spa, restaurants, and convention facilities. The project was intended to resemble resort destinations such as Scottsdale and Palm Springs rather than a conventional Strip casino. Seven Circle acquired a 54-acre parcel from Howard Hughes in August 1996. Plans were later enlarged to include a second hotel tower, prompting objections from some nearby residents over the project's scale and potential effects on the surrounding community. The revised plan was ultimately approved. Construction was underway by February 1998, with Paul Steelman serving as architect and J.A. Jones Construction involved in the building work. The project experienced delays and cost overruns, and its final development cost reached approximately $276 million, financed through a combination of Swiss Casinos investment and borrowing. The resort opened quietly on July 15, 1999, after a short delay caused by flooding in Las Vegas. It opened as The Resort at Summerlin, with a casino, the 286-room Regent Grand Spa hotel tower, and two restaurants. Several planned amenities, including the spa, pool, retail space, and additional restaurants, opened later because construction had not been fully completed. The 255-room Regent Grand Palm tower opened in January 2000. Within the following month, the property was renamed The Regent Las Vegas, and the two towers became known informally as the Spa and Palms towers. Financial difficulties emerged rapidly. The resort sought new financing in late 1999, suffered a credit downgrade, and was in technical default on mortgage debt by March 2000. Management attempted to make the casino more relevant to local customers, including by replacing some slot machines with video poker machines. By September 2000, the resort had defaulted on several payments. Cost-cutting followed, including employee layoffs and reductions or closures involving restaurants. The property filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November 2000 and began looking for a buyer. Several prospective transactions failed or were withdrawn. Peccole Nevada was selected as a stalking-horse bidder with a $150 million proposal but withdrew after a financing dispute. A subsequent $80 million bid from Maritz, Wolff also collapsed during creditor negotiations. Hotspur Resorts, the hotel affiliate of Canadian real estate firm Larco Investments, eventually acquired the property for $80 million in 2001. The aftermath of the September 11 attacks reduced interest from several potential casino buyers and contributed to the limited auction competition. Hotspur changed the hotel's affiliation from Regent to JW Marriott, believing that the JW Marriott name had better recognition among American travelers. The casino remained separately operated for a period. In 2002, Millennium Management Group took a 10-year lease and renamed the casino Rampart Casino at the Resort at Summerlin. Millennium continued the effort to build a customer base among local residents rather than relying principally on high-stakes players. The operator also added restaurants, while Hotspur leased portions of the restaurant and retail areas to other businesses. A 31,000-square-foot convention expansion opened in 2003 at a reported cost of $4.9 million. The casino lease ended in 2012. Hotspur did not renew it and resumed direct management, using Affinity Gaming as a consultant. Michael Gaughan Jr. was hired as general manager. A multi-year improvement program began around the same time, adding approximately 1,200 slot machines and revising the race and sports book. A bingo hall opened in 2014, room renovations were completed in 2015, and convention-center improvements were planned for completion in 2016. A new sports book replaced an Irish bar in 2017, followed by additional restaurant openings. The Rampart Buffet was renovated for four months and reopened in 2019 as the Market Place Buffet, with outdoor seating. Additional parking was also constructed. The resort continued to experience pressure from economic conditions and competition from newer Las Vegas Strip resorts. It again defaulted on mortgage payments, but Hotspur avoided foreclosure by negotiating a loan modification in December 2013. A property-wide renovation was reported as completed in 2024 at a cost of $75 million. In December 2025, the JW Marriott hotel and Rampart Casino announced a plan to unify the resort under its original The Resort at Summerlin name beginning January 1, 2026. The planned change represents another major stage in the property's branding history, which has moved from The Resort at Summerlin to Regent, JW Marriott and Rampart Casino identities over its operating life.

• 2026

  Planned return to The Resort at Summerlin identity

  [1]JW Marriott Las Vegasen.wikipedia.org

  The announced property-wide rebrand is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026.

• 2024

  Property-wide renovation completed

  [1]JW Marriott Las Vegasen.wikipedia.org

  A broad renovation of the property was reported as complete at a stated cost of $75 million.

• 2019

  Market Place Buffet opens

  [1]JW Marriott Las Vegasen.wikipedia.org

  The renovated Rampart Buffet reopened as the Market Place Buffet with outdoor seating.

• 2017

  New sports book opens

  [1]JW Marriott Las Vegasen.wikipedia.org

  A new sports book replaced an Irish bar at the property.

• 2014

  Bingo hall added

  [1]JW Marriott Las Vegasen.wikipedia.org

  A bingo hall was added during a broader program of casino and resort improvements.

• 2012

  Direct casino management resumes

  [1]JW Marriott Las Vegasen.wikipedia.org

  Hotspur resumed direct management after the Millennium lease expired.

• 2003

  Convention expansion opens

  [1]JW Marriott Las Vegasen.wikipedia.org

  The resort added approximately 31,000 square feet of convention space.

• 2002

  Rampart Casino name introduced

  [1]JW Marriott Las Vegasen.wikipedia.org

  Millennium Management Group began its lease and renamed the casino Rampart Casino at the Resort at Summerlin.

• 2001

  Hotspur Resorts acquires the property

  [1]JW Marriott Las Vegasen.wikipedia.org

  Hotspur Resorts purchased the resort for $80 million after earlier potential bids were withdrawn.

• 2000

  Second hotel tower opens

  [1]JW Marriott Las Vegasen.wikipedia.org

  The 255-room Regent Grand Palm tower opened in January.

Showing the 10 most recent.

An off-Strip Las Vegas casino and resort serving Summerlin residents, local customers, convention visitors, and leisure travelers, with an emphasis on full-service resort amenities rather than a high-roller-only proposition.

• Casino gaming · 2002

  Casino gaming floor

  The casino occupies approximately 57,610 square feet and has historically offered a broad local-market gaming mix. Reported facilities include about 1,560 slot machines, 28 table games, and a race and sports book. The property has periodically adjusted its machine mix and gaming presentation to appeal to residents of Summerlin and the wider Las Vegas area rather than focusing exclusively on destination high rollers.

• Sports betting

  Race and sports book

  The race and sports book is a core component of the casino's local-oriented offering. It was redesigned during the property's multi-year improvement program, and a new sports book opened in 2017 after replacing an Irish bar. The facility supports the resort's positioning as a neighborhood casino with recurring local visitation.

• Casino gaming · 2014

  Bingo hall

  A bingo hall was added in 2014 as part of the casino's expansion of gaming formats. Its addition broadened the property's appeal beyond slot machines, table games, and sports wagering.

• Dining · 2019

  Market Place Buffet

  The former Rampart Buffet underwent a four-month renovation and reopened in 2019 under the Market Place Buffet name. The updated venue included outdoor seating and formed part of the resort's broader effort to refresh dining and attract repeat local customers.

• 2006

  Plush nightclub advertising lawsuit

  The operators of Plush, a nightclub that operated at the resort from 2004 to 2006, sued Hotspur Resorts and alleged that the owner failed to provide promised advertising and promotion.

  Source

• 2000

  Chapter 11 bankruptcy

  The resort entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after financial distress, creditor payment defaults, layoffs, reduced restaurant operations, and unsuccessful attempts to restructure its debt.

  Source

Read more

• 2025Return to The Resort at Summerlin brand

  United States

  JW Marriott Las Vegas and Rampart Casino announced a unified property-wide rebrand intended to restore the original The Resort at Summerlin name.

  Outcome. The change was announced for January 1, 2026; implementation and its effect on the Rampart Casino name require confirmation.

  Source
• 2002Local-market repositioning

  Las Vegas · Summerlin

  After taking the casino lease, Millennium Management Group emphasized local residents and everyday Las Vegas customers rather than relying primarily on high rollers.

  Outcome. The local-customer strategy became a recurring part of the property's operating and marketing identity.

  Source

• 2025

  Unify the hotel and casino under The Resort at Summerlin nameStrategy

  Background

  The hotel and casino had operated under separate JW Marriott and Rampart identities for many years.

  Action taken

  The operators announced a property-wide rebrand returning to The Resort at Summerlin name from January 1, 2026.

  Aftermath

  The announced change may alter the future use of the Rampart Casino identity; implementation remains to be confirmed.

  Source

• 2024

  Complete property-wide renovationOther

  Background

  The resort had undergone multiple partial upgrades to its gaming, dining, hotel, convention, and public areas.

  Action taken

  Hotspur completed a reported property-wide renovation.

  Aftermath

  The property entered its next operating phase with refreshed facilities, although the sources do not provide detailed performance results.

  Reported renovation cost. $75 million (Completed in 2024)

  Source

• 2013

  Negotiate a mortgage loan modificationStrategy

  Background

  The property again defaulted on mortgage payments as a slow economy and new Strip competition affected revenues.

  Action taken

  The owners negotiated a loan modification and avoided foreclosure.

  Aftermath

  The resort continued operating while pursuing renovations and changes to its casino and hospitality facilities.

  Source

• 2012

  Resume direct casino managementStrategy

  Background

  The 10-year lease held by Millennium Management Group expired amid revenue pressure and increased competition in Las Vegas.

  Action taken

  Hotspur Resorts declined to renew the lease and took back management of the casino, supported by Affinity Gaming consultants.

  Aftermath

  Michael Gaughan Jr. became general manager and led a multi-year upgrade program.

  Source

• 2002

  Rename the casino Rampart CasinoStrategy

  Background

  The newly acquired resort needed a stronger casino identity and a customer strategy suited to its off-Strip location.

  Action taken

  Millennium Management Group renamed the casino Rampart Casino at the Resort at Summerlin and emphasized local customers.

  Aftermath

  Rampart became the casino's principal operating identity within the JW Marriott resort complex.

  Source

• 2025

  JW Marriott Las Vegas and Rampart Casino announce a return to The Resort at Summerlin name[1]JW Marriott Las Vegasen.wikipedia.org

  Campaign

  The hotel and casino announced a planned property-wide rebrand, with the original The Resort at Summerlin identity scheduled to return on January 1, 2026.

• 2024

  Rampart Casino completes major property-wide renovation[1]JW Marriott Las Vegasen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The resort reported completion of a property-wide renovation described as costing $75 million.

• 2012

  Hotspur resumes direct management of Rampart Casino[1]JW Marriott Las Vegasen.wikipedia.org

  Leadership change

  After the Millennium Management Group lease expired, Hotspur Resorts elected to manage the casino directly, with consulting assistance from Affinity Gaming.

• 2002

  Rampart Casino is renamed as part of The Resort at Summerlin identity[1]JW Marriott Las Vegasen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Millennium Management Group assumed a 10-year casino lease and renamed the casino Rampart Casino at the Resort at Summerlin, while shifting marketing toward local customers.

1. 1JW Marriott Las Vegasen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Rampart Casino official websiterampartcasino.com