When Derek Stevens and his brother Greg relocated to Las Vegas after selling their successful Michigan auto parts company, he wanted to get a taste of the casino business that had brought him west so many times. After investing in the Riviera, the brothers bought half of the Golden Gate in Downtown Las Vegas, one of the oldest casinos in town. After a cram course in casino operations, they bought the former Fitzgerald’s casino. The renamed it the D casino (for the street where it’s located and the first letter of their former hometown, Detroit). Derek Stevens explains what they like about Downtown and their throwback operating principles of fun and excitement, along with a good gamble. Steven spoke with GGB Publisher Roger Gros at the D in December.
