Sir Richard Branson, second from left, founder of Virgin Group, laughs with Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak during the “Unstoppable Weekend” kickoff party at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas on Thursday, June 10, 2021.
Promotional staff dance during a media event prior to the kickoff of the “Unstoppable Weekend” party at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas on Thursday, June 10, 2021.
Sir Richard Branson, fourth from right, founder of Virgin Group, is introduced by Richard “Boz” Bosworth, owner of Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, during the “Unstoppable Weekend” kickoff party at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas on Thursday, June 10, 2021.
Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group, addresses the media during the “Unstoppable Weekend” kickoff party at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas on Thursday, June 10, 2021.
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Billionaire businessman and investor Richard Branson marked the opening Thursday of the new Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, promoting weekend events that kicked off with a show headlined by Christina Aguilera.
Branson, the English entrepreneur and founder of the Virgin brand, sprayed champagne at Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak and other notables gathered to mark what organizers dubbed the “Unstoppable Weekend,” Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.
The property and its centerpiece Mohegan Sun casino opened March 25 after $200 million and more than a year of renovations of the 1,500-room former Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
Branson thanked the governor, a Democrat, for deeming the remodeling an essential construction business and letting it continue during the pandemic-spurred shutdown ordered in March 2020.
“We would not be open for another 18 months unless you had the initiative of allowing us to keep on going, so thank you for that,” he said.
The 70-year-old aircraft magnate, hot-air balloonist and space exploration company chief said he decided against trying one of his trademark daredevil stunts during this visit to Las Vegas.
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