Cactus Pete's - History

History

After Idaho outlawed all forms of casino gaming in 1954, "Cactus Pete" Piersanti moved his slot machine operations from Idaho to the Jackpot town site less than 1 mile (0.6 km) from the Idaho/Nevada border on U.S. Route 93. Piersanti's gaming establishment was named Cactus Pete's Desert Lodge. The establishment of Cactus Pete's and the nearby Horseshu Club in the same year is considered the founding of the town of Jackpot. Today the Horseshu property is also owned by Ameristar.

In 1991 Cactus Pete's completed a $22 million hotel and casino expansion making the property became one of the largest gaming facilities in northeast Nevada. The expansion included enlarging the casino to over 26,000 sq ft (2,400 m2), adding a 10 story hotel tower, restaurants, and an Olympic-sized swimming pool.

Although located in Elko County, Nevada, Cactus Pete's is one of the largest employers in southern Idaho.

In 1993 Ameristar Casinos, Inc. was founded as the parent company of Cactus Petes and Ameristar Casinos Vicksburg.

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