July 1, 1978, was a big day in Reno. Three casinos opened downtown at 12:01 a.m. that day - Circus Circus, the Sahara Reno and the Mapes Money Tree. The overall economy and the casino economy in Reno were much stronger then. Two other casinos - the MGM (now the Grand Sierra) and the Comstock - opened in town that same year.

The three that opened on July 1 had mixed success. Circus Circus is still in business at its same location on Virginia Street. The Sahara underwent multiple sales and name changes, becoming the first Reno Hilton (there were two), then the Flamingo Hilton, then the Golden Phoenix. The building is now the Montage condominium complex. The Mapes Money Tree, an expansion of the original Money Tree, later became Eddie's Fabulous '50s and is now a Japanese steakhouse.

Ironically, on June 30, 1978, the day before the biggest mass casino opening ever in Reno, Bill Harrah died. The founder of one of Reno's mainstay casinos died heart surgery at the Mayo Clinic. He always thought casino growth in Reno was inevitable, but he never got to see it.