Construction began in April 1970, and the hotel portion opened on February 1, 1972, as the Holiday Inn Center Strip.

The land was sold to Vici in 2017, and Caesars continues operating Harrah's Las Vegas through a 15-year leaseback agreement.

The casino originally featured a riverboat façade, which was enlarged in 1990, as part of a $100 million renovation and expansion project.

In addition to a showroom, the property also has an outdoor bar and entertainment area known as Carnaval Court, and it featured a branch of The Improv comedy club from 1995 to 2016.

The resort has featured numerous entertainers, including singer Clint Holmes (2000–2006) and magician Mac King (2000–2021).

The Pyramids, a 20-unit motel, was the first project for Las Vegas real estate developer Irwin Molasky.

[33][34][35] During the groundbreaking ceremony, outdated gaming chips from the Holiday Casino – totaling $380,000 – were dumped into the addition's cement foundation by executives.

A spokeswoman said the chips would add "color and history" to the new structure, which was built by Marnell Corrao Associates.

[40] Ten years later, Holiday Inn's eponymous hotel brand was sold to Bass PLC.

In October 1991, Promus announced that it would end its franchise agreement with Holiday Inn and rename the Las Vegas property under its Harrah's brand.

[44][45][46] An early morning robbery occurred in April 1994, when four young men entered Harrah's and robbed the casino cage at gunpoint.

[47] A fifth man operated the getaway vehicle for the group, which consisted of Los Angeles gang members.

[62] In September 2007, Clark County building officials opened an investigation into unauthorized renovations that took place at the Rio, another Las Vegas resort owned by Harrah's Entertainment.

[63][67][68] Various fire safety hazards were uncovered, including some floors which lacked caulking, a material used to prevent smoke from spreading.

[66][64] The resort's chief engineer faced several misdemeanor citations, and Harrah's Entertainment closed a remodeling subsidiary which oversaw the unauthorized work.

[81] Like other casinos on the Las Vegas Strip, Harrah's closed its poker room in 2000, amid a decline in demand.

[84] The casino floor includes a humorous statue depicting a wealthy couple, Buck and Winnie Greenback, and their poodle Chip, surrounded by money.

[87] In 1990, the Holiday Casino added an outdoor shopping plaza, named and themed after Jackson Square in New Orleans.

Under the direction of the Holiday Inn company, Rissman designed the hotel portion as a plain, white-colored building, differentiating it from the separately operated casino.

[37] The 1997 renovation, by designer Henry Conversano,[54] removed the riverboat façade and added a Carnival/Mardi Gras theme to the resort.

[96][59] A 30-by-90-foot mural was added to the new façade,[97] along with several jester statues, covered in gold leaf and weighing 22,000 lb (10,000 kg) each.

Among the new restaurants was the Range,[56][100] a 12,000 sq ft (1,100 m2) steakhouse on the second floor overlooking the Las Vegas Strip.

[103][104] In 2004, Harrah's partnered with country singer Toby Keith to open a restaurant and bar at the resort.

[117][118] A Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux opened early the following year,[119][120] and was the first location to offer a breakfast menu.

[136][137] A branch of The Improv comedy club was opened at Harrah's in April 1995,[138] and continued operating for the next 21 years, until Caesars closed the space.

[139][140] In 1999, the Improv Showroom debuted Washington Sexcapades 2000, a political comedy show co-starring Steve Rossi and Sandy Hackett.

[150][151] Other entertainers at Harrah's have included Rita Rudner,[152] The Righteous Brothers,[153] Big Elvis,[154][155] Ralphie May,[156] and Tape Face.

The show previously played at Harrah's Reno, and its success there prompted the move to Las Vegas,[163][164] where it ended after a five-month run.

[108] Legends in Concert, one of the longest-running shows in Las Vegas history, moved to Harrah's in 2009, relocating from the adjacent Imperial Palace casino.

The show features singers who impersonate notable performers such as Elvis Presley and David Bowie.