Essential Vegas Casinos: A Must-Visit List of Timeless Gambling Spots
Classic Casinos of Las Vegas: A Glimpse into the Past
Las Vegas, the city of neon lights and endless entertainment, has a rich history that is still evident in its classic casinos. One of the first casinos to make a splash was the Mirage, opened by Steve Wynn in 1989, sparking a boom in megaresort construction. However, the Mirage, once famous for its volcano attraction, is now closed and being replaced by a Hard Rock casino.
The roots of Las Vegas gambling go back much further, to the opening of the Flamingo casino in 1946, taken over by construction by Bugsy Siegel. Another vintage casino, the Sahara, opened its doors in the same year, while the Golden Gate and Golden Nugget followed in 1906 and 1946, respectively. Some of these casinos, including the Four Queens, Sahara, and Flamingo, still operate today, preserving a piece of Las Vegas' past.
Among the most historic and continuously operating gaming establishments are the Golden Gate Hotel & Casino, the oldest casino in Las Vegas, opened in 1906; the El Cortez, the oldest continuously running casino on the Strip, opened in 1941; Binion's Gambling Hall, known for its rich history in downtown Las Vegas, opened in 1951; the Fremont Hotel-Casino, an iconic casino in downtown Las Vegas, opened in 1956; and Caesars Palace, a landmark on the Strip, opened in 1966.
The El Cortez, briefly owned by Siegel and other gangsters, and the Binion's Gambling Hall, which attracted assorted rogues and renegades, are particularly notable. The Tropicana, known as the "Tiffany of the Strip" and featuring elaborate stage shows, was also a landmark, though it was demolished in 2024.
The former site of the Tropicana is planned to be the new home of the Oakland Athletics in 2028. Meanwhile, Circus Circus, located in a slower portion of the Strip, is up for sale, leaving many to wonder whether its days are numbered.
Larry Henry, a veteran print and broadcast reporter and editor, has worked with the Las Vegas Sun and KFSM-TV, and has experience with media outlets in states with gaming, including Tennessee and Louisiana. He also worked with the Fremont hotel-casino, currently operated by Boyd Gaming and featuring a FanDuel sportsbook.
In downtown Las Vegas' Glitter Gulch, the Fremont hotel-casino first opened in 1956. The Tropicana hotel-casino, which was once known as the "Tiffany of the Strip," was demolished in 2024. Caesars Palace, which was Mob-backed and featured major boxing matches and an episode of HBO's "The Sopranos," first welcomed visitors in 1966.
The demolition of legacy casinos in Las Vegas began in 1989, but a few historic casinos remain open for those seeking a link to its past. The top 5 classic Las Vegas casinos that still exist today are the Golden Gate Hotel & Casino, El Cortez, Binion's Gambling Hall, Fremont Hotel-Casino, and Caesars Palace. These casinos represent some of the most historic and continuously operating gaming establishments that maintain the classic Las Vegas vibe amid modern developments.
- The rich casino-culture of Las Vegas is evidenced by the continued operation of classic casinos like the Tropicana, which was once known as the "Tiffany of the Strip," and Caesars Palace, first opened in 1966, despite the demolition of legacy casinos starting in 1989.
- The Golden Gate Hotel & Casino, opened in 1906, and the El Cortez, opened in 1941, are among the oldest casinos in Las Vegas, preserving a piece of the city's casino-and-gambling history.
- Larry Henry, a veteran reporter with experience in media outlets in states with gaming, worked with the Fremont hotel-casino, a historic Las Vegas casino that still operates today and features a FanDuel sportsbook.
