October 22, 2026 - 3:15 pm

Christopher Ruffin, son of Circus Circus owner Phil Ruffin, was licensed as vice president of the company by the Nevada Gaming Commission Thursday.

But don’t expect him to uproot from his Wichita, Kansas, home to take over the property anytime soon.

Ruffin was one of two sons of Southern Nevada gaming legends to win final licensing approval in unanimous votes.

Sean Lanni, son of the late chairman and CEO of MGM Mirage, predecessor to MGM Resorts International, was the other and didn’t even have to make an appearance before the board because he recently was previously approved in a similar board action.

While sharing a similar path toward securing licensing as key executives, the two applicants are on very different trajectories.

Ruffin would be licensed as vice president of Circus Circus, but he told regulators he has no immediate plans to take that role as he currently serves as general manager of the Wichita, Kansas, Hyatt Regency and lives in Wichita.

After spending time…