Treasue Island owner Ruffin still has eyes for The Mirage

Apparently, Treasure Island owner Phil Ruffin still has an active shopping list for properties owned by MGM Resorts International.

Ruffin reportedly wants to buy the Mirage, which sits adjacent to Treasure Island.

Ruffin, who is from Kansas, told the Wichita Eagle he discussed a deal with executives from the rival casino operator, the same company that sold him Treasure Island in 2009 for $775 million.

“We approached them, and they don’t have anything on the market,” Ruffin told the Wichita Eagle.

The Mirage, Ruffin said, “hooks onto my casino here. They kind of go together.”

Ruffin also made an offer on MGM Resorts’ Beau Rivage in Biloxi, Miss.

Inside Gaming couldn’t reach Ruffin for comment. A spokeswoman for the Treasure Island said Ruffin is not looking at any additional casino acquisitions.

Ruffin told the Wichita Eagle he’s done shopping, for now.

“It’s hard to buy them when they’re not for sale,” Ruffin said. “And you never want to chase a deal. You’ll pay too much when you start.”

Ruffin said he has the money to expand his casino empire.

“We’re always interested in expansion,” he says. “We’re just going to bide our time. At some point, we will pick up another casino down the road.”