Tuscany Suites and Casino

History

The Tuscany was conceived by Las Vegas developer Charles Heers, whose family also owned the Vacation Village hotel and casino. The Tuscany is located on Flamingo Road, east of the Las Vegas Strip. In 1988, Heers purchased 17.5 acre of the land from the Howard Hughes estate, and later purchased an additional 10 acre.

For over a decade, which never materialized because of high interest rates. As early as 1997, Heers had approached Gary Ellis, owner of the adjacent Ellis Island Casino, about the possibility of managing the Caribbean.

Heers eventually scrapped the Caribbean project, and began construction on the Italian-themed Tuscany hotel in January 2001, after interest rates fell to an acceptable level. An official grand opening was planned within two months, after the completion of convention space.

The Tuscany cost $100 million to build, including resort employees from the Las Vegas Strip. The casino was expected to boost the hotel's occupancy.

Negotiations with Ellis began in January 2004, to combine the operations of Ellis Island and the Tuscany. At that time, the Tuscany's casino had not been attracting its targeted clientele, partially because of competition from Ellis Island.

Brett Heers, the son of Charles, took over operations in 2009, Charles died 12 years later, at the age of 94, leaving his son as the owner of the Tuscany.

In 2011, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) launched an investigation into claims that the Tuscany had been discriminating against non-citizen job applicants for the past five years. In 2012, the DOJ filed a discrimination lawsuit against the Tuscany, which then agreed to pay a $49,000 fine to settle the suit.

A renovation of the hotel rooms took place from 2015 to 2017, costing $5 million. In 2020, the Tuscany entered a deal with Circa Sports, which began operating the casino's sportsbook the following year.

The Tuscany is located near the track for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, an annual racing event that began in 2023. The Tuscany signed a five-year deal to serve as the host hotel for catering and media officials affiliated with the race. In conjunction with this, the property launched a renovation that included new paint, carpeting, and elevators.

Features

The Tuscany has 716 suites,

The Tuscany is popular among locals and convention-goers, in part for its restaurants. followed a year later by Marilyn's, named after Heers' wife. A food court was also added in 2003, Pub 365, which serves food and 365 types of beer, was added in 2016. The property also featured an Italian steakhouse known as Tuscany Gardens, which was renovated and renamed as Bistecca in 2024.

The Tuscany is also popular for its live entertainment. The Piazza Lounge opened in 2003, featuring free performances nightly. The property also includes the Copa Room, which is home to paid entertainment. A tribute show, The Rat Pack Is Back, opened at the Tuscany's Copa Room in 2015, coinciding with the venue's name change, and has continued since then. Jew Man Group, featuring a trio of comedians, was also performed at the Tuscany.

In September 2025, impressionist Rich Little began a residency at the Copa Room.

References

References

1. (13 January 2003). "Little guy will battle Strip properties". Las Vegas Business Press.
2. Mikkelsen, Ginger. (29 January 2003). "Tuscany represents a dream come true". View News.
3. Fink, Jerry. (2 August 2002). "Tracy success story: From busboy to business owner". Las Vegas Sun.
4. Liz Benston. (January 17, 2003). "Tuscany hopes to find right blend of tourists, locals". [[Las Vegas Sun]].
5. Simpson, Jeff. (22 November 2002). "Panel approves licenses for Cannery, Tuscany". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
6. (30 January 2001). "New Flamingo Road hotel-casino under construction". Las Vegas Sun.
7. Illia, Tony. (2 February 2001). "Old Caribbean project becomes Tuscany Suites". Las Vegas Business Press.
8. (24 January 2003). "Tuscany has much to offer video poker players". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
9. Simpson, Jeff. (14 January 2003). "Tuscany casino aims for dual market". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
10. Benston, Liz. (2 January 2003). "Trio of 2003 casino openings begins tonight". Las Vegas Sun.
11. . (26 August 2002). ["New E. Flamingo casino to target locals, tourists"](http://lasvegassun.com/news/2002/aug/26/new-e-flamingo-casino-to-target-locals-tourists/).
12. . (12 April 2004). ["Ellis Island, Tuscany in deal"](http://lasvegassun.com/news/2004/apr/12/ellis-island-tuscany-in-deal/). *Las Vegas Sun*.
13. . (2 August 2004). ["Ellis Island sues over failed Tuscany Suites merger"](http://lasvegassun.com/news/2004/aug/02/ellis-island-sues-over-failed-tuscany-suites-merge/). *Las Vegas Sun*.
14. (1 July 2013). "Question of the Day". Las Vegas Advisor.
15. Katsilometes, John. (7 January 2021). "Las Vegas construction pioneer Charles Heers dies". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
16. Green, Steve. (4 June 2012). "Justice Department alleges Las Vegas casino discriminated against non-citizens". VegasInc.
17. (6 June 2012). "Government sues Tuscany hotel-casino over work documentation practices". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
18. Green, Steve. (10 October 2012). "Tuscany to pay nearly $50,000 to settle worker-bias suit". VegasInc.
19. (28 December 2017). "Tuscany completes propertywide renovation in Las Vegas, officials say". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
20. Stutz, Howard. (September 3, 2020). "Las Vegas-based Circa Sports to open a sportsbook at the off-Strip Tuscany next year". CDC Gaming Reports.
21. Shoro, Mike. (March 16, 2021). "Circa Sports opens 1st satellite book at Tuscany". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
22. Katsilometes, John. (29 July 2023). "For this Vegas resort, it’s time to cash in with F1". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
23. Hemmersmeier, Sean. (1 December 2023). "Off-Strip casino to bring back live table games". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
24. (6 March 2018). "Listing of Financial Statements Square Footage (2017 data)". [[Nevada Gaming Control Board]].
25. (17 January 2003). "Piazza Lounge serves as Tuscany's entertainment cornerstone". Las Vegas Sun.
26. Lilly, Caitlin. (31 May 2016). "Tuscany's new Pub 365 will feature craft and specialty beers". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
27. Lewis, Rebecca. (28 July 2016). "Pub 365 celebrates grand opening at Tuscany". KTNV.
28. Wright, Johnathan L.. (27 February 2024). "Started from the back of a car, Southern tamale eatery opens takeout shop". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
29. Miller, Ken. (15 April 2024). "Just a couple blocks off the Las Vegas Strip, Bistecca Italian Steakhouse combines Italian fare with classic steakhouse favorites". Las Vegas Magazine.
30. Miller, Ken. (10 June 2024). "Bistecca Italian Steakhouse in Las Vegas serves up your favorite classic". Las Vegas Magazine.
31. Katsilometes, John. (27 April 2015). "'The Rat Pack Is Back' eyeing new spot — T Spot at Tuscany; Penn shops 'The Slammer'". Las Vegas Sun.
32. Katsilometes, John. (10 November 2020). "Vegas staple ‘Rat Pack Is Back’ checks into ballroom at Tuscany". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
33. Miyasato, Kiko. (23 September 2022). "'Jew Man Group' is envelope-pushing comedy in Las Vegas". Las Vegas Magazine.
34. Miyasato, Kiko. (30 June 2023). "'Jew Man Group' brings no-holds-barred comedy to Las Vegas". Las Vegas Magazine.
35. (September 3, 2025). "Legendary Comedian and Impressionist Rich Little Joins Tuscany Suites & Casino’s Copa Room Show". Nevada Business.