Final jackpots: Mirage Hotel and Casino to pay out $1.6M before closing
Closing jackpots FILE PHOTO: An exterior view shows The Mirage Hotel & Casino on December 14, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. MGM Resorts International has agreed to sell the Las Vegas Strip resort to Hard Rock International for USD 1.075 billion in cash. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
By Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
LAS VEGAS — The Mirage Hotel and Casino will close soon -- but not before it pays out its final jackpots.
The Las Vegas landmark will close July 17 after 34 years in business, but all those progressive jackpots that have been increasing over the years have to be won, according to Nevada Gaming Commission rules.
The Mirage opened in 1989 by Steve Wynn. At the time, the casino was the first mega-resort on the Strip and was the world’s most expensive resort. It was also Wynn’s first major casino on the Strip, Fox Business reported.
The resort was known for its 40-foot man-made volcano, a dolphin habitat, a 20,000-gallon front-desk aquarium and Sigfried & Roy’s magic show, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Now all eyes and hearts are focused on cold hard cash instead of the amenities.
There are still $1.2 million in slot jackpots and another $400,000 in table game jackpots that must be paid out from now until July 16, The Los Angeles Times reported.
The progressive slot jackpots have been happening every 30 minutes from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. beginning July 9. July 12 and 13 the jackpots will be $250,000 each. On July 16, it will be a $100,000 jackpot.
To have a chance to win, a person must be 21 or older and be a member of Mirage’s Unity card, using it while playing.
The drawings are all done randomly, “Good Morning America” reported. If a player swipes their Unity card within 2 minutes of a drawing, they are eligible for that drawing.
Winners will get a voucher that they can redeem for cash.
Pai Gow, Ultimate Texas Hold ‘Em, Three Card Poker, Let it Ride, Blackjack and Baccarat are the table games that are paying out the $400,000 money on Friday and Saturday.
Hard Rock International, the Mirage’s owners, announced the closing of the hotel back in May.
It will be redeveloped into the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and Guitar Hotel in Las Vegas.
The Mirage’s volcano will be replaced with an almost 700-foot guitar-shaped hotel, similar to one standing in Hollywood, Florida, The Los Angeles Times reported.
Hard Rock International said more than 3,000 employees will lose their jobs with the closing of the Mirage, with the company paying out $80 million in severance, according to Fox Business.
The Mirage LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 30: The Mirage Hotel and Casino is seen on May 30, 2002 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Robert Mora/Getty Images) (Robert Mora/Getty Images)
The Mirage LAS VEGAS - JUNE 28: The Mirage Hotel & Casino and the property's volcano attraction are seen June 28, 2005 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The Mirage LAS VEGAS - MARCH 24: A view of the Las Vegas Strip, including Encore Las Vegas, Wynn Las Vegas, Treasure Island Hotel & Casino and The Mirage Hotel & Casino, seen from the Voodoo Lounge at the Rio Hotel & Casino March 24, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The Mirage LAS VEGAS - OCTOBER 03: Roy Horn (L) and Siegfried Fischbacher of the illusionist duo Siegfried & Roy are driven outside The Mirage Hotel & Casino during their Las Vegas Walk of Stars dedication ceremony on Horn's 62nd birthday October 3, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The Mirage LAS VEGAS - OCTOBER 19: An aerial photo shows The Mirage Hotel & Casino October 19, 2005 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The Mirage LAS VEGAS - MARCH 14: Comic ventriloquist and impressionist Terry Fator performs during the grand opening of his show "Terry Fator & His Cast of Thousands" at The Mirage Hotel & Casino on March 14, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Isaac Brekken/Getty Images for The Mirage) (Isaac Brekken)
The Mirage LAS VEGAS - MAY 03: Three Atlantic bottlenose dolphins jump out of the water at The Mirage Hotel & Casino during a visit by "American Idol" contestants May 3, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The contestants were at the resort to see "The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil" show. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Cirque du Soleil) (Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Cirque du Solei)
The Mirage LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 14: Building wraps for “The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil” show are shown on the exterior of The Mirage Hotel & Casino as visitors watch the resort's volcano attraction as the coronavirus continues to spread across the United States on March 14, 2020, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Cirque du Soleil announced that it is temporarily suspending all six of its Las Vegas shows beginning tomorrow as well as around the world to help stop the spread of the virus. Several employees at MGM Resorts International, which owns The Mirage, have tested presumptive positive for COVID-19. MGM Resorts International employees who can will start working from home next week. MGM has closed all nightclubs, dayclubs, buffets, spas, gyms and salons at its properties in Las Vegas and on Monday, it will close 150 food and beverage outlets and furloughs and layoffs will begin. The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus (COVID-19) a global pandemic on March 11th. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The Mirage LAS VEGAS - MAY 03: "American Idol" contestant David Archuleta pets an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin at The Mirage Hotel & Casino May 3, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The contestants were at the resort to see "The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil" show. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Cirque du Soleil) (Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Cirque du Solei)
The Mirage LAS VEGAS - MAY 03: "American Idol" contestant Jason Castro kisses an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin at The Mirage Hotel & Casino May 3, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The contestants were at the resort to see "The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil" show. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Cirque du Soleil) (Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Cirque du Solei)
The Mirage LAS VEGAS - JUNE 12: Six-week-old tiger cubs are displayed June 12, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The cubs will take up residence at Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at The Mirage Hotel & Casino this weekend. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The Mirage LAS VEGAS - MAY 03: "American Idol" contestants (L-R) David Archuleta, David Cook, Jason Castro and Syesha Mercado, pose with an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin at The Mirage Hotel & Casino May 3, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The contestants were at the resort to see "The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil" show. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Cirque du Soleil) (Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Cirque du Solei)
The Mirage LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 26: Cast members perform during the grand reopening of "The Beatles LOVE By Cirque du Soleil" at The Mirage Hotel & Casino on August 26, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Cirque du Soleil) (Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Cirque du Solei)
The Mirage LAS VEGAS - JUNE 26: (L-R) Sir Paul McCartney, Yoko Ono, Olivia Harrison and Ringo Starr pose during a commemorative plaque dedication ceremony for John Lennon and George Harrison as part of the first anniversary celebration of "The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil" show at The Mirage Hotel & Casino June 26, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The Mirage LAS VEGAS - DECEMBER 11: The newly-redesigned volcano attraction in front of The Mirage Hotel & Casino erupts December 11, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The $25-million renovation features 150 choreographed FireShooters sending fireballs more than 12 feet in the air and a custom soundtrack created by Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart and Indian tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for MGM Mirage) (Ethan Miller)
The Mirage LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 14: An exterior view shows The Mirage Hotel & Casino on December 14, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. MGM Resorts International has agreed to sell the Las Vegas Strip resort to Hard Rock International for USD 1.075 billion in cash. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The Mirage LAS VEGAS - FEBRUARY 10: ***EXCLUSIVE*** Sports Illustrated swimsuit models Irina Shayk, Jessica White and Julie Ordon (L) attend the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 24/7: SI Swimsuit On Location at Jet Nightclub at The Mirage on February 10, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated) (Michael Loccisano)
The Mirage LAS VEGAS - JULY 9: ESPN/ABC NBA analyst Greg Anthony (C) checks on Actor Brad Garrett (L) and TNT NBA analyst and former NBA player Charles Barkley (R) at the start of the celebrity basketball "New School vs. Old School" poker tournament at The Mirage July 9, 2005 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event was held to benefit Operation Smile, the American Cancer Society and the Sports Dream Foundation. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The Mirage LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 04: Comedian Ron White performs during the 'Ron White's Comedy Salute to the Troops 2015' at the Mirage Hotel & Casino on March 4, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Bryan Steffy/Getty Images for CMT) (Bryan Steffy/Getty Images for CMT)
The Mirage DEC 1989: A general view of the ring outside the Mirage Hotel during the fight between Sugar Ray Leonard and Roberto Duran in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mandatory Credit: Ken Levine /Allsport (Ken Levine/Getty Images)
The Mirage LAS VEGAS - AUGUST 16: Recording artist B.B. King performs at his B.B. King's Blues Club at The Mirage Hotel & Casino August 16, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The Mirage LAS VEGAS - OCTOBER 03: Singer Courtney Love performs during a concert at the Bare Pool Lounge at The Mirage Hotel & Casino to celebrate the resort's 20th anniversary early on October 3, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The Mirage LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 26: Cast members perform during the grand reopening of "The Beatles LOVE By Cirque du Soleil" at The Mirage Hotel & Casino on August 26, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Cirque du Soleil) (Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Cirque du Solei)
The Mirage LAS VEGAS - OCTOBER 03: Singer Nicole Scherzinger performs during a concert at the Bare Pool Lounge at The Mirage Hotel & Casino to celebrate the resort's 20th anniversary early on October 3, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)