Hi everyone
We wanted to share some exciting news.
We've made the decision to merge our operations at Casino Gold Tours with our sister-company, Grueninger Travel starting in 2025.
New name, same management.
We'd like to introduce you to Grueninger Gold Casino Travel - our next chapter
About Grueninger Travel
Grueninger Travel originated as a leisure travel company and was a chain of travel agencies across the midwest. in 1974, Jim Reffeitt (Joe's grandfather, Gary's father-in-law) purchased the rights to own and operate Grueninger Travel in Ft. Wayne, IN.
Grueninger Travel began sending chartered flights to Las Vegas back in 1993, and Gary was approached by Caesars Entertainment inquiring about interest in becoming an Independent Casino Host. He did, and Grueninger Travel quickly became a top-10 producer for Caesars Entertainment and the top producer for MGM's charter program. Grueninger Travel is focused on booking guests from the Midwest to casinos all across the country. In the beginning of 2020, Joe began working for Grueninger Travel and training under Gary.
About Casino Gold Tours
When Gary entered the casino business in the early 1990s, Tomm Cirone (original owner of Casino Gold Tours) became his first mentor, showed him the ropes, and helped him learn how to be great in this business. Tomm was the original owner of Casino Gold Tours, and focused on booking guests from the Southeast to casino all across the country. Tomm and Gary kept in touch, ran into each other over many trips to Las Vegas, and stay great friends to this day.
In 2019, when Tomm was ready to retire, Gary was his first call to see if he wanted to buy the business. Gary purchased Casino Gold Tours in the winter of 2019, and we (Grueninger Travel) have been operating that business, as well as Grueninger Travel since then. Joe began managing Casino Gold Tours in 2020, and in 2021, our team at Casino Gold Tours made the decision to expand, and book guests from all across the country.
Introducing Grueninger Gold Casino Travel
When Gary purchased Casino Gold Tours in 2019, he made the decision to operate the businesses separately. As time has passed, our teams have grown closer, and our operations have grown more similar. Both businesses have grown (thanks to you!), and we’ve recognized the opportunities for everyone who would benefit from the change.
Merging our teams allows us to streamline our operations so we can spend more time focusing on heightening your experience. Working as one team will allow us to better serve you, while also giving our team members more flexibility with their time off, as well as a few other perks that we're excited about.
We truly believe both of our companies are the best in the business, and we're the best option to manage and plan your casino travel. We want to take our services to the next level for you – and believe we can do so becoming one team.
Our mission is to be the gold standard when booking and managing your casino travel. We believe that merging our teams and working together as one will help us in that mission.
This merger is a celebration and recognition of the success of two companies that have grown, and succeeded to incredible heights. This is our next step as we begin a new chapter in our industry that we're excited to write alongside you.
How we picked the name
We chose the name Grueninger Gold because we wanted to honor both companies, and blending the names was the best way to do it.
Also, we thought it was a fitting name as Grueninger Travel celebrated it’s 50th Anniversary in 2024! We also believe we’re the gold standard in this industry, and if there was ever a time for change, this was it!
What will change
As you can see, the majority of these changes are in the name, and logo.
Can I book my trip through team members I have in the past?
Absolutely and always! You'll always have the option to book through Lisa, Katy, Carmen, Christian, and Melanie!
Can I still email your old Grueninger (@grueningertravel.com) emails or Casino Gold Tours (@casinogoldtours.com)?
Absolutely. Our emails will be forward to our new inboxes.
What's your phone number?
We will use 260-969-5626 as our primary number. Guests who previously called our Casino Gold Tours number (678-546-8700) will automatically be forwarded to our new phone number
Is this a good thing that’s happening?
We certainly believe so! The customer experience will improve, and we’ll improve the work experience for our employees. Everyone wins.
What’s your company named now?
Grueninger Gold Casino Travel. If you want to refer to it as Grueninger Travel, or Casino Gold Tours, that's more than fine with us
Has management changed?
No. Joe has been managing both companies for over five years, and will continue to do so.
If I have a current booking with you - do I need to do anything?
Not at all. You will receive confirmation and travel documents with the new name and logo when they are sent to guests.
This seems like a good change – why so much information?
You’ve been an important part of our journey, and we want to ensure full transparency as we begin this exciting new chapter.