Paragon Gaming was founded in 2000 by cousins Diana Bennett and Scott Menke, who were experienced gaming executives and the daughter and nephew, respectively, of prominent casino owner William Bennett.[1][2] The company began working with American Indian tribes, seeking opportunities to develop tribal casinos.[3]
In 2001, Paragon proposed to develop a casino at the Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard, California on behalf of a yet-to-be-determined tribe.[4] In the face of opposition from local officials, the company withdrew the proposal and announced a new plan to build a casino at the Oxnard Factory Outlet with the Greenville Rancheria of Maidu Indians.[5][6] This plan, too, provoked strong opposition, and was rejected by the city council.[7]
Later in 2001, Paragon announced a deal to develop a casino near Palm Springs, California for the Augustine Band of Cahuilla Mission Indians.[8] The project drew some attention because the tribe had only one adult member; critics questioned the seemliness of developers profiting from a casino that would benefit so few Indians.[9][10][11] The Augustine Casino opened in 2002 at a cost of $16 million.[12]
Meanwhile, the company worked with First Nations bands in Alberta to lobby for regulations that would allow tribes to open casinos.[8] When those efforts succeeded in 2002, Paragon partnered with the Enoch Cree Nation to develop a casino hotel in Edmonton.[13][14] The $178-million River Cree Resort and Casino opened in October 2006.[15] Paragon operated and co-owned the casino until 2014, when the Enoch Cree bought out the company's interests.[16][17]
In 2008, Paragon opened the Eagle River Casino and Travel Plaza at the Alexis Whitecourt Indian Reserve in northern Alberta.[20] Paragon owned a 40 percent share of the property, with the Alexis First Nation owning the rest.[21] The casino's revenues fell short of expectations, and it went into bankruptcy by 2014; Paragon was left with no stake in it.[21][22][23]
In 2013, Paragon assumed management of the struggling Riviera hotel and casino on the Las Vegas Strip on behalf of Starwood Capital.[24] The Riviera closed in May 2015. Later that month, Paragon took over management of the nearby Westgate Las Vegas under a lease from Westgate Resorts.[25] The company transferred many of its employees and bookings from the Riviera to the Westgate.[25]
In 2014, Paragon began construction of the Parq Vancouver, a $600-million hotel and casino complex at the BC Place stadium.[1][26] The Parq opened in 2017, and the Edgewater Casino, which it replaced, closed on the same day.[27] In 2019, Paragon sold its stake in the Parq to one of the property's other co-owners.[28]