California’s King of Clubs: Haig Kelegian

He cannot walk through any casino in Southern California without being recognized by dozens of players and employees. He is stopped by those who just want to say hello, shake his hand, ask advice, or share a story. He is not an actor or an athlete. Not politician or poker star. He is the Tommy Lasorda of casinos. The Dale Earnhardt Jr. of the felt. He is Haig Kelegian Sr. the most beloved figure in the history of California gaming.

Haig’s track record of starting or turning around five historic casino operations in California, operating nearly 600 tables combined, is not a story of privilege or wealth. His journey is forged by necessity, strength, and determination. He has the uncanny ability to put all the pieces together and leave everyone at the table feeling good about what happened. Not bad for a guy whose motto is “Hard work overcomes a certain lack of ability.”

As the son of an Armenian immigrant who came to America in 1919 after the genocide that ravaged his proud country, he was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Excelling in baseball and basketball, Haig attended the University of Wisconsin and Wayne State University. To this day, Haig can still give anyone a run for their money shooting free throws with either hand.

Always one to get away with a great bluff, he convinced Argine Bagramian to marry him in 1958. His very modest background is revealed in one of his favorite stories. “I was so broke, that during the reception, I sneaked away and took money from the wedding envelopes to pay for the honeymoon at the nearby Wagon Wheel Motel. In 1962, with two kids already in tow, and no savings, he left the Midwest for California.

Over the next 20 years, they had two more kids, and he built a successful commercial insurance agency. As is his way, relationships he formed during these 20 years proved to be instrumental to the future of the largest casino operation in the state. Despite his success, putting three kids through college, and two through law school, left little for investment or vacation. Some of his fondest memories are the caravans of his friends and their families going to a Lake Tahoe motel two weeks each summer. Haig says, “Living a long life is rewarding, but outliving most of your friends is bittersweet. If it wasn’t for my family, none of it would be worth it.” Luckily his best friend of over 60 years, Tommy Minasian, still works at Oceans 11 Casino and lives close by.

In 1982, he was approached by some of his long-time insurance customers and friends in the Armenian community, to invest $100,000 in a new casino called “The Commerce Casino.” Not a small investment for anyone. But for Haig it was a risk that could not fail. And yet, within months of opening it was poised to do just that. Over the next four years, Haig, and a few others, including George Tumanjian and Haig Papaian Sr., kept the casino alive. Although he knew nothing about gaming, his business acumen and personality proved useful as he served on the Board of Directors and various committees. Ultimately, he took the helm as Chairman of the Board of the largest casino in California.

Haig Papaian Jr., now the President and CEO of Commerce Casino says it best, “Over the last 30 years, and even before then, he was always the guy from the older generation that all of us younger guys said was the “cool guy.” He was the guy you could tell anything to. He also recalls multiple times when Haig kept Commerce’s doors open by borrowing money from one of his insurance customers to meet payroll.
During the next 12 years, Haig made quite a name for himself in the gaming industry. With others, he formed the Golden State Gaming Association (GSGA) (now the California Gaming Association)) and worked diligently to improve the casino industry, define its image, set regulatory measures, and streamline cardroom practices. After serving as its President for three terms, he still serves today as Vice President of the Southern California section. His deeds were recognized last year when he was named as the organization’s “Person of the Year.”

Kermit Schalytz, President of the CGA, recalls, “He was an icon 15 years ago when I attended my first meeting. I will never forget that he was a board member with the World Boxing Council, and when he found out that I was a boxing fan and had never been to a fight, I sat ringside at the next championship fight! And I was reminded recently what he is made of as he stood by his wife and son during critical health crises. He is a true family man.”

Despite these accomplishments, Haig will tell you that he is proudest of the personal and professional relationships he formed with other owners, industry leaders and politicians. Leo Chu, his partner in the Crystal Casino, and owner of the Hollywood Park Casino and others, says, “You have to take your hat off to him for what he has done for the industry, and especially for me. I knew him about 17 years ago and immediately wanted to be his partner. I was just beginning in this business and he taught me a lot. He is the jewel of the industry. He is my friend”.

Already a full casino life for anyone, his story was just beginning. In 1995, his good friend, Doug Dalton, Director of Poker Operations at Bellagio in Las Vegas, called and told him to check out a small club in Oceanside, California that wanted to expand. Under Haig’s reign, in 1997 that small club became Ocean’s 11 Casino, and with 50 tables of poker and table games, is now the largest cardroom in San Diego County. Ocean’s 11 Casino manager, Steve Gallagher, says “When Haig enters the room, he is mobbed by players and employees alike. Everyone loves this guy because they know he loves them right back!”

Never one to rest, in 1999, he and fellow Ocean’s 11 Casino partners, Robert Carter and Walter Lack, purchased the controlling interest in the famous Bicycle Casino. For many years, the once legendary casino had fallen under the control of the federal government. Haig assembled and led a new management team that within a short time restored the Bicycle Casino as one of the largest and most successful operations in the country.

Haig’s partner at both operations, Robert Carter, says, “For the last 15 years Haig has been my good friend and partner in several successful ventures. It has been my pleasure to work with him as he managed both operations until he recently turned over management to his team. His unique approach to business and the way he has handled his life and family has been a lesson to us all. True to form, Haig has more irons in the fire than ever before. Again, I ask him, “Have you ever considered retirement.”

Not done yet. In 2006, Haig purchased the Crystal Casino & Hotel in Los Angeles joining up again with Walter Lack, his sons, and longtime friend and trusted ally Leo Chu. In 2007, he also acquired an ownership in Club One, the largest casino in Central California.

Haig has always understood that each operation is unique. Each property has its strengths and its challenges. It is his ability to design a strategy that plays to each property’s strength that has truly made him a legend in the industry. “From the outset, I have always believed that the needs of every property and its players is different. [Recently stepping back from daily management of the casino operations] I have always made sure that the management team in place understood my philosophy and was geared to move the company forward.”

In most instances, management rests in the hands of trusted casino experts, most of whom owe Haig their careers. “In many respects, I am proudest of the accomplishments of those that I have mentored over the years”, said Haig. One of those beneficiaries, Hashem Minayi, CEO of the Bicycle Casino, says, “I was working at the Commerce Casino and Haig took me under his wing. He taught me everything he knew about the gaming industry. When he purchased the Bicycle Casino he gave me the opportunity of a lifetime. Together we brought the business back to its rightful position as one of the top California casinos. I am truly grateful for the time he invested in me, for the faith he had in my ability, and the friendship that he has shown to me over the years. It is because of his vision and trust that I am where I am at today.”

Bicycle Casino Director of Casino Operations, Zaven Esmaili, adds, “Haig has been a father figure to me. He helped me get my first home. The kindness and caring that he has shown me will never be forgotten and forever appreciated. I know without a doubt that I was learning from the best.”

Like most men of his stature, he has never been satisfied doing just one thing, and over the years has explored other passions. In 1979, then governor Jerry Brown, appointed him to the California State Athletic Commission and in 1980 he became its chairman. Haig saw this opportunity as a chance to reconnect with his passion for boxing that he developed while serving in the army during the Korea conflict. This assignment led to his appointment and tenure as the World Boxing Council’s International Secretary and Treasurer and United States representative for over 20 years. During that time, he had the thrill of officiating at some of the greatest fights in history, involving such legends as Mike Tyson, Oscar De La Hoya, Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, Roberto Duran and Julio Cesar Chavez. Haig has the distinction of presenting Muhammad Ali with the Congressional and Senatorial Awards for lifetime achievement. In 2007, he was honored by his induction into the California Boxing Hall of Fame.

A basketball star in his younger days, he is one of the Los Angeles Lakers’ biggest supporters, and has helped raise money for the many Lakers charitable foundations. He proudly displays his NBA Championship ring given to him by Jerry Buss in recognition of his support.

Despite his long history of success, his story would not be complete without his true passions – Armenia and his family. He and his wife have championed Armenian causes their entire life. In true form, they have committed more than just their money. For over 50 years they have given their time, heart and soul in a variety of ways. Haig has been instrumental in bringing Armenian national soccer teams to the United States and the national tennis team to play in Davis Cup and other matches around the world. “I am an absolute 100 percent committed Armenian. Not only am I proud to be Armenian, but I love being Armenian. I think we are different and not completely understood by the rest of the world. I have always tried and will continue to promote Armenia and the Armenian identity until my last breath.”

True to form, his personal accomplishments pale in comparison to his role as father of four, and grandfather to nine. A day does not go by that he does not spend time with some or all of them. Simply put, there is nothing that he would not endure for them, and nothing he would not give just to see a smile on their faces. “My family is my heart. They are my reason for life.”

These days, when not playing golf or enjoying his view from his Newport Coast home, he can be found at any of his favorite casinos meeting with other owners or management, or working on legislative issues. He is also a regular fixture at poker tables at both Crystal Casino and Ocean’s 11 Casino. Word to the wise, he plays a lot of pots, and is very lucky!

And there is no sign he is slowing down just yet. He embodies the old adage, “You can’t keep a good man down.” ♠