З Oldest Casino in Las Vegas
Discover the history and legacy of the oldest casino in Las Vegas, tracing its origins, architectural evolution, and lasting influence on the city’s entertainment scene since its opening in the early 20th century.
Oldest Casino in Las Vegas and Its Historic Legacy
I walked in last Tuesday, just after 8 PM. The air smelled like stale smoke and old coins. A single dealer at the craps table barely looked up. I dropped $150 on a single hand of blackjack–lost it in 48 seconds. That’s the vibe. No frills. No flash. Just cold, honest gambling.
They don’t have a fancy VIP lounge. No celebrity sightings. No holograms. The slot machines? Mostly 90s-era models with sticky buttons and chancedgame.com reels that click like a dying clock. But the RTP on the old 3-reel progressives? 94.3%. Not great, but better than most places that charge you $100 to sit down.
There’s a single bar in the back. No cocktail menu. Just bourbon, beer, and a bottle of Jack Daniels with a label that’s peeling off. I ordered a straight-up. The bartender didn’t smile. Didn’t ask my name. He just poured. I paid cash. That’s how it’s done here.
The real story isn’t the games. It’s the silence between spins. The way the lights dim every 20 minutes. The old man in the corner, wearing a hat two sizes too big, still playing the same machine since 2007. He doesn’t win. But he’s there. Every night. That’s the real payout.
Don’t come here for a party. Come if you want to feel the weight of time in your hands. If you’re willing to lose $50 on a single spin just to sit in a room where the past hasn’t been cleaned up. This place doesn’t want your money. It wants your attention. And it’s not giving it back.
First gaming hall opened in 1931 – no, not a myth, that’s the real number.
It was 1931. Prohibition was still a thing. The state of Nevada had just legalized gambling – and boom, the first real gaming house opened on Fremont Street. Not a backroom poker den. Not a saloon with dice under the table. A proper operation with slot machines, roulette, and a dealer who actually knew the rules. I checked the records – the El Cortez was the first legit operation with a license, and it didn’t close its doors for a single day after opening.
They didn’t have flashy lights or neon signs. Just a wooden bar, a few craps tables, and a roulette wheel that spun with the weight of history. The RTP? No one kept track back then. But the house edge? Solid. Like, “I lost my lunch money in 15 minutes” solid. I mean, the math wasn’t transparent – it never was – but the house always won. That’s how it worked.
People came for the action, not the vibe. They weren’t here for the atmosphere. They were here to risk everything. And the El Cortez? It was the place where that started. No fluff. No rebrands. Just a building with a door that opened, and a stack of chips that never stopped moving.
So when someone says “first” – this is the date. Not a rumor. Not a legend. 1931. The year the game began. And it’s still running. (I checked. It’s still open. Still taking bets. Still making people lose.)
Why this matters: The math hasn’t changed – only the machines.
Back then, the game was about nerve. Now? It’s about volatility and RTP. But the goal’s the same: beat the house. And the first place to do it? That’s where the bloodline starts.
Want to feel the real weight of the game? Go to the original. Not a replica. Not a themed version with a dragon and a 1000x multiplier. The original. The one that didn’t need a name. Just a door, a table, and a stack of cash.
The Building That Holds the Longest-Running Gaming Hub in Sin City Is the Dunes Hotel & Casino
It’s the Dunes. Not some neon-smeared strip palace with a fake volcano. Not a rebranded megaresort with a name that sounds like a crypto scam. The Dunes. That low-slung, mid-century slab with the peeling paint and the quiet slot floor that still runs on mechanical reels. I walked in last Tuesday, and the air smelled like old carpet and nickel drops. No fanfare. No drone lights. Just a few old-timers at the blackjack tables, fingers tapping the felt like they’re counting time.
They still have the original 1941-era slot machines in the back corner. Not for show. Real ones. You can actually play them. I dropped a $5 bill into a 1950s Liberty Bell machine–no touch screen, no autoplay, just a lever and a bell that chimes like it’s surprised you’re still here. I got three cherries. Won 15 cents. Felt like a win.
The place hasn’t been updated since the Reagan era. The carpet’s frayed. The ceiling tiles sag. But the RNGs? Still running. The house edge? Clean. No hidden fees. No paytable tricks. You know exactly what you’re getting. I played a 25-cent video reel with 95.8% RTP. Volatility? Medium. No free spins, no retrigger traps. Just a base game grind that lasts until your bankroll says “enough.”
They don’t advertise. No social media. No influencer collabs. The only sign says “Open 24/7.” That’s it. No promises. No hype. Just the machine. The coin tray. The silence between spins.
If you’re hunting for a place that’s not trying to sell you a vibe, but just wants you to play, this is it. No flash. No noise. Just a building that’s been doing this since before the word “gaming” became a brand. I’ll be back next week. Probably lose everything. But I’ll enjoy every dead spin.
What Games Were Available at the Original Game House in the City?
Back in the day, the original gaming spot didn’t serve up a buffet of slots. Nope. It was all about the classics. I checked the old records–three tables, one craps layout, and a single roulette wheel with a chipped green felt. No flashy reels. Just real dice, real cards, real risk.
Blackjack was the king. They ran it with a single deck, dealer stands on soft 17. RTP? Around 99.5% if you played perfect basic strategy. I tried it once. My bankroll lasted 45 minutes. (I was betting 5 bucks. I should’ve known better.)
Roulette was the slow grind. American wheel–double zero. House edge at 5.26%. I watched a guy lose 14 straight bets on red. He kept doubling. (He walked out with nothing. Classic.)
Craps? One shooter, no come bets allowed. Just pass line and don’t pass. The table was always packed. I saw a 10-minute roll once. (No, I didn’t bet. I knew it was a trap.)
No video poker. No progressive jackpots. No 100+ paylines. Just three games, all rooted in math, not gimmicks. You didn’t win by luck. You won by patience–or you lost by overconfidence.
And the staff? They wore suits. No smiles. No hand-holding. If you didn’t know the rules, you were out. (I learned fast. My first loss was $20. I still remember the feel of that cold table.)
That’s what mattered. Not the glitz. Not the noise. The raw game. The real thing.
Questions and Answers:
When was the first casino opened in Las Vegas?
The first casino in Las Vegas opened in 1906, located in a building called the El Cortez Hotel and Casino. It was originally built as a hotel and gambling venue during the early development of the city. At that time, Las Vegas was still a small railroad town, and the casino was one of the few places where people could play games like poker and roulette. The El Cortez remained operational for many decades and is still in use today, making it the oldest continuously operating casino in the city. It has maintained much of its original style and charm, with a focus on traditional gambling and modest accommodations.
Why is the El Cortez considered the oldest casino in Las Vegas?
The El Cortez holds the title of the oldest casino in Las Vegas because it began hosting gambling activities in 1906, long before the city became a major entertainment destination. Unlike newer casinos that were built during the mid-20th century boom, the El Cortez was already established when Las Vegas was just a small settlement. The building has undergone renovations over the years, but its core structure and function as a gambling and lodging facility have remained unchanged. It was one of the few places in the area where people could legally gamble during a time when such activities were not widespread. Its long history, continuous operation, and original design contribute to its status as a historic landmark in the city.
What kind of games were available at the El Cortez when it first opened?
When the El Cortez opened in 1906, the games available were limited compared to modern casinos. The main offerings included poker, faro, and roulette, which were popular in gambling halls across the American West at the time. These games were played in a single room with wooden tables and simple seating. There were no slot machines yet, as they did not become common until the early 20th century. The atmosphere was informal, with a focus on card games and dice. The casino was part of a larger hotel, so guests could stay overnight and gamble during the evening hours. The setup was modest, reflecting the economic conditions of the time and the small scale of Las Vegas as a town.
How has the El Cortez changed over the years while keeping its historic character?
The El Cortez has seen many changes since its opening in 1906, but it has preserved its original identity through careful updates. The exterior has been maintained to reflect its early 20th-century design, with a simple brick façade and a small neon sign that remains visible. Inside, the casino floor has been modernized with updated lighting and new tables, but the layout still follows the original plan. The hotel portion has been upgraded with modern rooms, but many of the older rooms retain vintage furnishings and decor. The casino continues to offer traditional games like blackjack and craps, alongside some slot machines. The management has chosen not to pursue large-scale renovations or flashy shows, which helps keep the place distinct from newer, high-profile casinos. This balance between modern convenience and historical continuity is what makes the El Cortez unique.
Is the El Cortez still a popular destination for tourists today?
Yes, the El Cortez remains a destination for visitors who are interested in Las Vegas history and traditional gambling. While it does not attract the same volume of tourists as major Strip casinos, it draws people who want a quieter, more authentic experience. Many visitors come specifically to see the oldest casino in the city and to play games in a setting that feels different from the large, themed resorts. The hotel offers affordable rooms, and the casino has a relaxed atmosphere with lower betting limits. Some travelers appreciate the lack of crowds and the chance to interact with staff who have worked there for years. It is also a favorite among locals who enjoy the familiar environment. The El Cortez continues to serve as a living piece of Las Vegas’s past, even as the city grows around it.
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