The property was renamed Harrah's Las Vegas in April 1992, and Promus would change its name to Harrah's Entertainment in 1995, before ultimately becoming Caesars Entertainment. In 1990, Holiday Inn transferred ownership of the resort to The Promus Companies, which then ended the franchise agreement with the hotel company. Holiday Inn purchased an interest in the casino operation in 1979, and bought out Williams entirely in 1983, although she would remain as chairwoman. After his death in 1977, his wife Claudine Williams took over operations. Shelby Williams was among the casino's investors.
The casino portion, known as the Holiday Casino, opened on July 2, 1973. Construction began in April 1970, and the hotel portion opened on February 1, 1972, as the Holiday Inn Center Strip. The property originally opened as a joint venture with Holiday Inn. It is owned by Vici Properties and operated by Caesars Entertainment. Harrah's Las Vegas is a hotel and casino centrally located on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. February 1, 1972 51 years ago ( ) (hotel)