What Is the Oldest Original Casino in Las Vegas?

After reading today's QOD about the Golden Gate and its claim to be the oldest casino in Las Vegas, my question is what is the oldest continuously operating hotel-casino in Las Vegas that has remained in the same location with the same name?

That would be the El Cortez.

There's an argument to be made that it's Railroad Pass, which celebrated its 90th anniversary last August 1 (it opened less than five months after wide-open casino gambling was legalized in Nevada), but we're taking this question literally, as we usually do. Railroad Pass is in Henderson and at the far edge at that, almost to Boulder City, and the question specifically states Las Vegas.

The beloved EC opened in November 1941 and occupied a half-city-block a little beyond congested downtown on Fremont Street between Sixth and Seventh streets, just outside the original Las Vegas town site. Downtown's first major resort, it cost $160,000 to build, sported a Spanish Ranch theme, and boasted 59 rooms; those original rooms can still be rented today in the Vintage tower with stairway access from the casino floor.

In 1945, the builders sold the El Cortez to Meyer Lansky, Bugsy Siegel, and several of their partners for $600,000, thus also rendering it Las Vegas' first mob-owned hotel-casino. it was, in the end, just a training ground and only a couple of years later when the mobsters moved down to the just-opened Flamingo, one of the original owners bought back the property and invested a quarter-million to open a barbershop, swimming pool, night spot, and additional hotel rooms.

In 1952, the distinctive neon arrow, marquee, and sign were installed; 69 years later, they still grace the roof of the casino facing Fremont Street.

In 1963, Jackie Gaughan bought the El Cortez. In 1980, he built Tower II, bringing the room count to 297.

Gaughan and his wife Roberta Mae lived in a penthouse apartment on the 15th floor at the El Cortez till her death at age 75 in 1996; subsequently, he lived there alone. He owned the property till he passed away in 2014 at the age of 93. The suite is a time capsule, much of it preserved as it was since the 1980s. It can be rented now for around $500 a night.

In 2008, Jackie sold the El Cortez to long-time friend and partner Kenny Epstein, who runs it with his daughters, so it remains one of the few family owned and operated hotel-casinos in Las Vegas and has, over the decades, had an unusually limited number of proprietors.

On the National Register of Historic Places, the El Cortez celebrated its 80th anniversary last year by investing $25 million in renovations, including new carpeting throughout, a renovated high-limit room, and an updated hotel lobby. But it's still mostly the same old joint it's always been, which makes it beloved amongst veterans such as ourselves.

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Comments

Dave_Miller_DJTB Jun-26-2022

Timeline error?

One might think that there is a timeline error in the info above since it states that Jackie sold the place before his death while also living there until his death years later. 

His continued residence was part of the deal when he sold it.

If memory serves, the deal also included meals and that at one point the owners attempted to end that. I do not remember why or how that idea got killed.

Randall Ward Jun-26-2022

ECortez

haven't been in years, hard to believe it's become a  place people actually go. Back in the 90s you could die from the smoke levels in there

Ray Jun-26-2022

RP?

I know you were a little nit-picky because the question  "specifically states Las Vegas", but specifics in questions never stopped you from veering off before. And even though the Strip is not technically in Las Vegas, you don't disqualify it in questions about "Las Vegas". So please dig into the history of Railroad Pass, too. We like to stop there when we pass by. Since many readers probably know nothing about it, the RP could qualify as one of the "hidden gems" of the area.

Raymond Jun-26-2022

Every Trip

I love downtown, and I make time to walk down to El Cortez every trip for the "old school" vibe.  I rarely do well there, but the low minimums at the tables (and the time it takes to walk there from the other downtown casinos) make it a cheap excursion even if the cards or dice don't go my way.

P.S.  Randall--The smoke level is not bad, pretty much the same as the other downtown places.

rokgpsman Jun-26-2022

Railroad Pass

The Railroad Pass casino is a neat place to visit. But it's mailing address is Henderson, NV. When I read the QoD I didn't think it was referring to casinos in Summerlin, Henderson or other places outside of what people commonly call Las Vegas (which incl Winchester and Paradise).

Fumb Duck Jun-26-2022

Sweaty now, sweaty then?

In addition to being a dump, the El Cortez is known as a sweat shop. Single deck from a shoe! Has it always been a sweat shop or is that a relatively recent development?

Gregory Jun-26-2022

Customer appreciation

One thing that sets EC out in front of its competition is that they appreciate their customers.  They also appreciate their employees.  I'm a newbie and I've only been with them exclusively for about 5 years, but everyone is very friendly and they always say "Welcome back" when they see me.  Liz, one of the cocktail waitresses has been there for 51 years!  Other employees have been there well over 30 years.  The place seems well run and I see the same faces stay after stay.  If it was the crap hole that others have stated here, they'ed have a lot of employee turnover, which they don't.  I love the old school vibe and I will be sad if it ever changes.  Cheers to the El Cortez.

Deke Castleman Jun-26-2022

This in via email from Jeff

I believe Dave_Miller is conflating a couple of El Cortez stories into one with his comment regarding Jackie Gaughan's living arrangement near the end of his life.

After selling out to Kenny Epstein, Jackie Gaughan continued living on property with zero conflict the last few years of his life (he was considered part of the Epstein family). He was well protected and cared for by security and management staff. Because his memory wasn't as sharp as it had been, he kept a pretty regular and simple schedule. Security brought him down in an elevator around lunchtime. Jackie and senior management ate privately in the Fiesta Room. Jackie played poker at a regular table opened for him and his friends. He retired in the early evening.

Deke Castleman Jun-26-2022

Jeff cont'd

According to legend-in the early 1960s (after Jackie had bought the El Cortez from JK Houssels and others) Jackie was distressed to find out a person referred to as "Fat Irish" Green had been living rent free at the El Cortez since the late 1940s. Green was a Ben Siegel "assistant" who returned a bag full of cash to the proper people after Siegel was shot in 1947. His reward was free food and lodging downtown for life. Jackie learned that "Fat Irish" took meals daily at Binion's Horseshoe and decided to ask Benny Binion to house him, as well. Benny Binion is alleged to have said, "I feed him for free and you house him for free. Them's the rules."

Donnyco Jun-28-2022

Nice background info

Awesome info. Thanks for checking the history books. On my next trip to LV I'll enjoy visiting El Cortez even more.

Question of the Day - 26 June 2022

Comments