Kenny Epstein | Source

Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Kenny Epstein attended the University of Illinois until his family decided to move to Las Vegas in 1960. He continued his education at Santa Monica City College until 1962, when returned to the neon city.

His career started in both the insurance and real estate business, where he worked until Caesars Palace opened and offered him his first hospitality related job in 1966. After nine years at Caesars Palace, Kenny met a familiar face, Jackie Gaughan, who offered him a share in his downtown property the legendary El Cortez Hotel & Casino. Kenny invested in El Cortez Hotel & Casino, and in 1975 he left Caesars to work full time at the downtown property.

Presented with a new opportunity, Kenny and partners Michael Gaughan, Frank Toti and a few others opened the Barbary Coast on the Las Vegas Strip in mid-1979. This was the beginning of the booming Las Vegas growth. Soon to follow came the Gold Coast Hotel & Casino, The Orleans Hotel & Casino, the Sun Coast and The South Coast.

In 2008, the Epstein family purchased Gaughan’s interest, and he, along with his son and daughters, are now majority owners of the El Cortez Hotel & Casino.

Kenny worked full time from the Barbary Coast on Las Vegas Boulevard from 1979-2004 and the Plaza from 1999-2004 when it was sold to its current owners. In 2003, The Barbary Coast, Gold Coast, Orleans and Sun Coast were sold to Boyd Gaming.

Kenny dedicates his time to improving and revitalizing Downtown Las Vegas. He also is a founding member of Keep Memory Alive Foundation. In his free time he enjoys playing golf and spending time with his wife, Diane, children, five grandchildren, and his two Golden Retrievers. He is a self-proclaimed “professional eater” and loves to explore.