Treasure Island became under new ownership Friday morning. After months of a pending sale, Kansas billionaire Phil Ruffin was to take over the newly purchased property. The Nevada Gaming Commission approved Ruffin’s purchase of Treasure Island Thursday. Ruffin was to pay USD 600 million in cash by midnight and take possession of the former MGM Mirage property in the early hours of Friday morning.

Kansas businessman Phil Ruffin says he expects few changes among the employees of Treasure Island on the Las Vegas Strip after his USD 775 million purchase. Ruffin says he plans to keep management at the casino-hotel intact, as well as its Cirque du Soleil and pirate shows. He also says the move won’t affect the resort’s 3,200 employees, including their seniority, benefits and retirement. Ruffin, who bought the casino from MGM Mirage in a deal announced earlier this month…

Las Vegas (AP) — Casino operator MGM Mirage Inc. is selling the Treasure Island Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip to billionaire Phil Ruffin for USD 500 million, the company said Monday. Ruffin, whose interests include casinos and greyhound race tracks, purchased the property through Ruffin Acquisition LLC for USD 500 million cash and USD 275 million in secured notes issued by Ruffin Acquisition and secured by Treasure Island’s assets, MGM Mirage said. The combined value of the deal, including debt, is USD 775 million.