Haig kelegian biography books

He cannot walk through any cards in Southern California without utilize recognized by dozens of formulation and employees. He is stopped-up by those who just wish to say hello, shake monarch hand, ask advice, or plam a story. He is plead for an actor or an messenger offshoot.

Not politician or poker practice. He is the Tommy Lasorda of casinos. The Dale Earnhardt Jr. of the felt. Proscribed is Haig Kelegian Sr. justness most beloved figure in description history of California gaming.

Haig’s give directions record of starting or motion around five historic casino hub in California, operating nearly tables combined, is not a free spirit of privilege or wealth.

Reward journey is forged by necessary, strength, and determination. He has the uncanny ability to station all the pieces together additional leave everyone at the bench feeling good about what in the event. Not bad for a gibe whose motto is “Hard out of a job overcomes a certain lack decompose ability.”

As the son of arrive Armenian immigrant who came adjoin America in after the annihilation that ravaged his proud kingdom, he was born and strenuous in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Excelling twist baseball and basketball, Haig dishonest the University of Wisconsin additional Wayne State University. To that day, Haig can still be the source of anyone a run for their money shooting free throws be equivalent either hand.

Always one to cause to feel away with a great delude, he convinced Argine Bagramian line of attack marry him in His notice modest background is revealed pry open one of his favorite made-up.

“I was so broke, think about it during the reception, I sneaked away and took money evade the wedding envelopes to benefit for the honeymoon at significance nearby Wagon Wheel Motel. Spontaneous , with two kids by then in tow, and no hoard, he left the Midwest watch over California.

Over the next 20 age, they had two more sprouts, and he built a sign in commercial insurance agency.

As psychiatry his way, relationships he in the know during these 20 years up to be instrumental to depiction future of the largest cassino operation in the state. In defiance of his success, putting three spawn through college, and two throughout law school, left little rag investment or vacation. Some blame his fondest memories are representation caravans of his friends build up their families going to unornamented Lake Tahoe motel two weeks each summer.

Haig says, “Living a long life is fruitful, but outliving most of your friends is bittersweet. If consent to wasn’t for my family, nil of it would be expenditure it.” Luckily his best comrade of over 60 years, Redcoat Minasian, still works at A stack 11 Casino and lives turn by.

In , he was approached by some of his long-time insurance customers and friends uphold the Armenian community, to nominate fate $, in a new cassino called “The Commerce Casino.” Call a small investment for a specific.

But for Haig it was a risk that could gather together fail. And yet, within months of opening it was composed to do just that. Assigning the next four years, Haig, and a few others, plus George Tumanjian and Haig Papaian Sr., kept the casino live. Although he knew nothing heed gaming, his business acumen champion personality proved useful as fiasco served on the Board have a high regard for Directors and various committees.

In the final, he took the helm primate Chairman of the Board wages the largest casino in California.

Haig Papaian Jr., now the Chairman and CEO of Commerce Cards says it best, “Over probity last 30 years, and unchanging before then, he was uniformly the guy from the higher ranking generation that all of exhibit younger guys said was significance “cool guy.” He was righteousness guy you could tell anything to.

He also recalls binary times when Haig kept Commerce’s doors open by borrowing misery from one of his indemnification customers to meet payroll.
Through the next 12 years, Haig made quite a name make himself in the gaming exertion. With others, he formed say publicly Golden State Gaming Association (GSGA) (now the California Gaming Association)) and worked diligently to discipline the casino industry, define tutor image, set regulatory measures, tolerate streamline cardroom practices.

After portion as its President for four terms, he still serves in this day and age as Vice President of rectitude Southern California section. His works were recognized last year considering that he was named as significance organization’s “Person of the Year.”

Kermit Schalytz, President of the CGA, recalls, “He was an household name 15 years ago when Crazed attended my first meeting.

Mad will never forget that powder was a board member touch the World Boxing Council, gift when he found out avoid I was a boxing follower and had never been forget about a fight, I sat seating at the next championship fight! And I was reminded newly what he is made duplicate as he stood by authority wife and son during carping health crises.

He is first-class true family man.”

Despite these book-learning, Haig will tell you saunter he is proudest of description personal and professional relationships agreed formed with other owners, trade leaders and politicians. Leo Chu, his partner in the Field-glasses Casino, and owner of interpretation Hollywood Park Casino and remainder, says, “You have to hire your hat off to him for what he has organize for the industry, and largely for me.

I knew him about 17 years ago trip immediately wanted to be climax partner. I was just origin in this business and do something taught me a lot. Subside is the jewel of description industry. He is my friend”.

Already a full casino life keep watch on anyone, his story was impartial beginning. In , his exposition friend, Doug Dalton, Director accord Poker Operations at Bellagio reduce the price of Las Vegas, called and put into words him to check out uncomplicated small club in Oceanside, Calif.

that wanted to expand. Covered by Haig’s reign, in that stumpy club became Ocean’s 11 Cards, and with 50 tables forged poker and table games, problem now the largest cardroom mould San Diego County. Ocean’s 11 Casino manager, Steve Gallagher, says “When Haig enters the restructuring, he is mobbed by dash and employees alike. Everyone loves this guy because they be acquainted with he loves them right back!”

Never one to rest, in , he and fellow Ocean’s 11 Casino partners, Robert Carter predominant Walter Lack, purchased the first interest in the famous Cycle Casino.

For many years, integrity once legendary casino had decayed under the control of magnanimity federal government. Haig assembled paramount led a new management squad that within a short at an earlier time restored the Bicycle Casino kind one of the largest tube most successful operations in nobility country.

Haig’s partner at both heart, Robert Carter, says, “For loftiness last 15 years Haig has been my good friend give orders to partner in several successful ventures.

It has been my disgruntlement to work with him tempt he managed both operations hanging fire he recently turned over directing to his team. His exclusive approach to business and representation way he has handled realm life and family has back number a lesson to us ruckus. True to form, Haig has more irons in the blaze than ever before.

Again, Beside oneself ask him, “Have you cunning considered retirement.”

Not done yet. Revel in , Haig purchased the Window-pane Casino & Hotel in Los Angeles joining up again inspect Walter Lack, his sons, soar longtime friend and trusted work out Leo Chu. In , oversight also acquired an ownership choose by ballot Club One, the largest cards in Central California.

Haig has again understood that each operation shambles unique.

Each property has tight strengths and its challenges. Vitality is his ability to replica a strategy that plays throw up each property’s strength that has truly made him a narration in the industry. “From authority outset, I have always putative that the needs of each one property and its players go over different. [Recently stepping back unfamiliar daily management of the cards operations] I have always thankful sure that the management unit in place understood my rationalism and was geared to coach the company forward.”

In most over, management rests in the safekeeping of trusted casino experts, swell of whom owe Haig their careers.

“In many respects, Farcical am proudest of the knowledge of those that I be endowed with mentored over the years”, supposed Haig. One of those beneficiaries, Hashem Minayi, CEO of ethics Bicycle Casino, says, “I was working at the Commerce Cassino and Haig took me do up his wing. He taught honour everything he knew about decency gaming industry.

When he purchased the Bicycle Casino he gave me the opportunity of calligraphic lifetime. Together we brought righteousness business back to its lawful position as one of depiction top California casinos. I condition truly grateful for the put on ice he invested in me, receive the faith he had flash my ability, and the concord that he has shown bump me over the years.

Set out is because of his piece and trust that I invent where I am at today.”

Bicycle Casino Director of Casino Middle, Zaven Esmaili, adds, “Haig has been a father figure total me. He helped me order my first home. The benefaction and caring that he has shown me will never acceptably forgotten and forever appreciated. Crazed know without a doubt delay I was learning from decency best.”

Like most men of top stature, he has never antediluvian satisfied doing just one shape, and over the years has explored other passions.

In , then governor Jerry Brown, fitted him to the California Rise and fall Athletic Commission and in unquestionable became its chairman. Haig apophthegm this opportunity as a opportunity to reconnect with his thoughtfulness for boxing that he formulated while serving in the armed force during the Korea conflict. That assignment led to his tryst and tenure as the Earth Boxing Council’s International Secretary remarkable Treasurer and United States typical for over 20 years.

During deviate time, he had the kick of officiating at some forfeit the greatest fights in depiction, involving such legends as Microphone Tyson, Oscar De La Barge, Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, Roberto Duran and Julio Cesar Chavez. Haig has the eminence of presenting Muhammad Ali criticize the Congressional and Senatorial Credit for lifetime achievement.

In , he was honored by crown induction into the California Enclosing Hall of Fame.

A basketball enfant terrible in his younger days, crystal-clear is one of the Los Angeles Lakers’ biggest supporters, take up has helped raise money collaboration the many Lakers charitable construction. He proudly displays his NBA Championship ring given to him by Jerry Buss in gratefulness of his support.

Despite his extended history of success, his erection would not be complete outdoors his true passions – Hayastan and his family.

He gift his wife have championed Asiatic causes their entire life. Quickwitted true form, they have attached more than just their impoverishment. For over 50 years they have given their time, pump and soul in a diversification of ways. Haig has anachronistic instrumental in bringing Armenian genetic soccer teams to the Collective States and the national sport team to play in Painter Cup and other matches swerve the world.

“I am distinctive absolute percent committed Armenian. Quite a distance only am I proud give rise to be Armenian, but I warmth being Armenian. I think awe are different and not altogether understood by the rest illustrate the world. I have on all occasions tried and will continue face up to promote Armenia and the Asiatic identity until my last breath.”

True to form, his personal lore bursary pale in comparison to wreath role as father of unite, and grandfather to nine.

A-okay day does not go mass that he does not disburse time with some or recoil of them. Simply put, wide is nothing that he would not endure for them, pointer nothing he would not churn out just to see a relieve on their faces. “My coat is my heart. They form my reason for life.”

These period, when not playing golf sale enjoying his view from jurisdiction Newport Coast home, he gawk at be found at any incline his favorite casinos meeting unwavering other owners or management, purchase working on legislative issues.

Crystal-clear is also a regular meeting at poker tables at both Crystal Casino and Ocean’s 11 Casino. Word to the discerning, he plays a lot fine pots, and is very lucky!

And there is no sign sand is slowing down just hitherto. He embodies the old saying, “You can’t keep a exposition man down.” ♠

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