Jackie Gaughan

John Davis Gaughan, Sr. (October 24, 1920 – March 12, 2014) was an American casino owner and operator from the early 1950s in Las Vegas, Nevada. He had an ownership stake in many casinos throughout his career, but he is best known for his ownership of the El Cortez, where he resided until his death on March 12, 2014. At one time Gaughan reportedly owned more than 25 percent of the available real estate in Downtown Las Vegas.

Biography Gaughan grew up in Omaha, Nebraska. He served in World War II and earned a degree from Creighton University. During his time in the military he served at Las Vegas Air Force Base (now Nellis AFB), giving him his first exposure to the city.

He began his career in the gambling industry in Omaha, working as a legal bookmaker at horse racing tracks around Omaha. He relocated to Las Vegas in 1950 after passage of a 10 percent tax on the legal bookmaking parlors crippled the industry in Nebraska. Upon arriving in Las Vegas, he bought a stake in the Flamingo. John F. "Jackie Jr." Gaughan (November 24, 1947 – November 10, 2002) had minor ownership interests in the El Cortez and The Gold Spike. He died in his sleep at age 54.

Death Gaughan died on March 12, 2014, in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the age of 93. His funeral Mass was held on March 17, 2014, at St. Viator Catholic Church, Paradise, Nevada.