Here are our choices of the "best" radio stations, as evidenced, in part, by their longevity, having been around while. For a complete listing of all the radio stations, both AM and FM, in Las Vegas, go to RadioLocator.com.
Oldies
The true oldies station, playing AM/FM hits from the '60s and '70s with an emphasis on Motown, is "KOOL" KQLL at 102.3 FM/1280 AM. We'd say this is the "best" (i.e., the most traditional) oldies station.
Another good one, however, is KNYE 95.1 FM, which plays some tunes you've heard only a 1,000 times, not 100,000.
A somewhat new format (over the past 20 or so years) is known as "rhythmic" or "jammin' oldies," with playlists from the 1960s through the mid-2000s emphasizing disco and dance genres. On KOAS, 105.7 FM, you'll hear everything from the Four Tops, James Brown, and Mariah Carey to Curtis Mayfield, Janet Jackson, and Rick James.
Classic Rock
There are also a couple of classic-rock stations (music ranging from the late '60s to the late '80s, focusing on commercially successful hard rock). KXPT at 97.1, also known as The Point, advertises itself as "Number One for Classic Rock." KKLZ at 96.3 plays similar music, though the rock is perhaps a little harder, from the '70s and '80s.
A couple other stations with oldies or classic-rock formats are KLUK at 97.9 FM, also known as Lucky 98, and KRRK at 101.1, or K-Rock. Both of these are broadcast out of the Laughlin-Kingman-Lake Havasu area and can sometimes be heard in or near Las Vegas.
Hard Rock
KOMP 92.3 plays the heavy metal: Metallica, Pearl Jam, Hellyeah, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Beastie Boys, Alice in Chains, AC/DC, and of course Megadeth.
Adult Contemporary
KYMT, 93.1 ("Mix"), plays a combination of classic and hard rock and pop: Cheap Trick, Duran Duran, Smashing Pumpkins, Jackson Browne, Motley Crue, Black Crows, White Stripes, and the like.
Hot AC
This is a hybrid of adult contemporary (the "AC") and Top 40, aimed at the female 25-49 market, with artists such as Katy Perry, Train, Taylor Swift, Imagine Dragons, Pink, Adele, Bruno Mars, and Coldplay. The three Vegas stations are found at KMXB 94.1, KHYZ 99.7, and KVGQ 106.9.
Public Radio
KNPR, 88.9, serves up NPR and all its national programming: Morning Edition, Fresh Air, Marketplace, and All Things Considered, plus some local shows, like State of Nevada, and weekend talk.
Classical
KNPR's companion station is KCNV, 89.7, which plays classical music, with various philharmonics, symphonies, and orchestras combined with the classics.
Jazz
KUNV, 91.5, is Las Vegas' jazz station, courtesy of UNLV.
Country
Country has two station in Vegas: KWNR 95.5 and KCYE 102.7.
Gambling
First, it's important to differentiate between "sports-talk" radio and "gambling" radio.
Sports-talk rules the airwaves and where there's sports, there's usually a discussion on gambling (or at least daily fantasy sports). Still, sporadic references don't qualify to be on a "gambling-show" list.
Also not qualifying are the ridiculous infomercial-style tout shows that run early mornings on Saturdays and Sundays during football season. The guys on these shows are charlatans, nothing but super salesmen who say whatever it takes to get your attention (and money). Steer clear.
Also not included are the myriad online podcasts that cover gambling in some form. Adding in all of those would run the list into several dozens.
All that said, there are nine gambling shows airing on Las Vegas radio, six of which are sports betting only. All (except where otherwise specified) run Monday-Friday.
Two, both on 1100 AM, fall right on the cusp of qualifying as gambling radio. "Gridlock" (11 a.m.) and "Cofield & Company" (3 p.m.) are basically sports-talk format, but gambling is a part of every show, often with credible experts -- e.g., South Point oddsmaker Jimmy Vaccaro, who's always a great listen -- coming on as guests. The hosts of both shows are engaging and fun to listen to, but the gambling is pretty much those guys' opinions on sports they follow and personally bet.
Pure sports-wagering shows include "First Preview" (10 a.m.) and "The Las Vegas Sports Line" (2 p.m.), also on 1100 AM, "Sportsbook Radio" (11 a.m.) on 920 AM, and the "EOG Sports Hour" (10 p.m.) on 1230 AM. These shows quote the lines, reference line movement and how it's affected by injuries and other information, and generally bring an informed sports-betting perspective to the conversation.
We're kind of partial to Matt Youmans' "Vegas Sports Line," but all of these are solid.
Filling the void for race bettors is "Vegas Track Talk" hosted by John Kelly, which airs Saturdays and Sundays at 7:30 a.m. on 1230 AM.
For good all-around gambling information, there's "The Mark Hoke Show." It airs on 1230 AM at 3 p.m. on Wednesdays only. The Hoke show is mostly poker, with Mark Hoke and Nate Downland both being well-versed in the game. But this show has a secret weapon in its third host, Joe Pane. Joe has been successful in gambling endeavors of all kinds for years, and has worked closely with LVA on many occasions. You can trust him.