Old Casinos in Las Vegas | April 2024 Update

Old Casinos in Las Vegas

Las Vegas is home to some of the most iconic casinos in the world, but many of the city’s oldest casinos have been lost to time. Here is a look at some of the most notable old casinos in Las Vegas:

  • The Sands Hotel and Casino was one of the first casinos to open on the Las Vegas Strip. It was built in 1952 by the late billionaire Howard Hughes and was known for its lavish design and amenities. The Sands was also home to the Sands Showroom, which hosted some of the biggest names in entertainment, including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. The Sands closed in 1996 and was demolished in 2006.
  • The Desert Inn was another early casino on the Las Vegas Strip. It was built in 1950 by the late hotelier Wilbur Clark and was known for its golf course and swimming pool. The Desert Inn was also home to the Sands Showroom, which hosted some of the biggest names in entertainment, including Elvis Presley, Bob Hope, and Liza Minnelli. The Desert Inn closed in 2000 and was demolished in 2006.
  • The Stardust Resort and Casino was one of the largest casinos on the Las Vegas Strip. It was built in 1958 by the late casino mogul Tony Cornero and was known for its massive size and its signature starburst sign. The Stardust was also home to the Stardust Theater, which hosted some of the biggest names in entertainment, including Judy Garland, Tony Bennett, and Wayne Newton. The Stardust closed in 2007 and was demolished in 2008.
  • The Sahara Hotel and Casino was one of the most popular casinos on the Las Vegas Strip. It was built in 1952 by the late casino mogul Milton Prell and was known for its Moroccan theme and its signature camel rides. The Sahara was also home to the Sahara Theater, which hosted some of the biggest names in entertainment, including Sammy Davis Jr., Tom Jones, and Diana Ross. The Sahara closed in 2011 and was demolished in 2016.

These are just a few of the many old casinos that have been lost to time in Las Vegas. While these casinos are no longer around, they continue to live on in the memories of those who visited them.

What Happened to the Old Casinos in Las Vegas?

The closure of many of the old casinos in Las Vegas was due to a variety of factors, including changing demographics, economic conditions, and competition from newer casinos.

  • Changing demographics: The Las Vegas Strip has undergone a significant demographic shift in recent years. In the early days of Las Vegas, the city was primarily a destination for tourists from the Midwest and East Coast. However, in recent years, Las Vegas has become increasingly popular with tourists from Asia and Latin America. This shift in demographics has led to a decline in the popularity of some of the old casinos, which were designed to appeal to a more traditional American clientele.
  • Economic conditions: The Las Vegas economy has been hit hard by the recession, which has led to a decline in tourism and gambling revenue. This decline in revenue has made it difficult for many of the old casinos to stay afloat.
  • Competition from newer casinos: The Las Vegas Strip has seen a significant increase in the number of new casinos in recent years. These new casinos are often larger and more luxurious than the old casinos, and they offer a wider variety of amenities and attractions. This competition has made it difficult for the old casinos to compete, and many have been forced to close their doors.

What Are Some of the Oldest Casinos Still Operating in Las Vegas?

Despite the closure of many of the old casinos in Las Vegas, there are still a number of historic casinos that are still operating today. These casinos include:

  • The Golden Nugget: The Golden Nugget was built in 1946 and is the oldest casino still operating on the Las Vegas Strip. The Golden Nugget is known for its luxurious accommodations and its signature swimming pool, which is located inside the casino.
  • The Fremont Hotel and Casino: The Fremont Hotel and Casino was built in 1956 and is one of the few casinos on the Las Vegas Strip that has retained its original Art Deco design. The Fremont is known for its Viva Vision light show, which is the largest permanent light show in the world.
  • The El Cortez Hotel and Casino: The El Cortez Hotel and Casino was built in 1941 and is the oldest casino in Las Vegas. The El Cortez is known for its low-priced rooms and its friendly atmosphere.
  • The Binion’s Horseshoe Hotel and Casino: The Binion’s Horseshoe Hotel

[image_url_1] [image_url_2]

[image_url_3] [image_url_4]

[image_url_5] [image_url_6]

[image_url_7] [image_url_8]

SCR function already executed recently. It will run again after 4 minutes.


Explore the history of Las Vegas' oldest casinos, including the Sands, the Desert Inn, the Stardust, and the Sahara.


Nivesham

Nivesham

old casinos in las vegas