Golden Gate Casino Celebrates 120 Years while ‘The Night Starts Here’ Success Drives Slots Expansion

^{Golden Gate's last expansion was in 2017, mainly aimed at adding room for more slot machines. Expect more to follow later this year. (Photo: courtesy of Golden Gate Casino)} 

LAS VEGAS – Golden Gate Casino’s “The Night Starts Here” promotion is outperforming expectations and will lead to even more slot machines at the city’s oldest casino. We learned this and more directly from owner Derek Stevens while celebrating the 120th birthday of the historical hotel and casino in Las Vegas.

Much like last year’s 119th birthday, we got the chance to tour deep into the bowels of the casino. It’s amazing that there’s always something new hiding behind the walls and underneath the casino floor.

The property has changed a lot over the years. Stevens has always been focused on the property’s future while staying true to the hotel’s history.

The former Hotel Nevada still has the original 10 rooms from when it opened in 1906. It also has two large penthouses atop the hotel, a concept that wasn’t considered until more than 100 years later until Stevens and his brother Greg took over the oldest casino in Las Vegas.

Derek Stevens made simple updates to modernize the place when he purchased the casino, like cleaning restrooms and replacing a black-and-white TV with rabbit ears at the bar.

The property has come a long way in 120 years and even more since the Stevens brothers took over in 2006.

The Night Starts Here Exceeds Expectations

Last year, the casino removed live dealer games. While the media focused on the table games, Stevens said the real change was made because of the slot machines. Keeping a few live dealer tables and one dancer was possible, but that wouldn’t have made the statement he wanted. 

“I could have done the whole program, but I wouldn't,” Stevens said. “I wouldn't have had any negative publicity at all, but I also would have had no publicity.”

Golden Gate nearly reintroduced the $5 sexy blackjack that was popular at Gold Spike in the early 2000s, but Stevens decided against it.

The drastic change almost set the bar so low that naysayers could only be impressed. Stevens said about 200 people visited Golden Gate during the first month of “The Night Starts Here.” 

I was one of those hold outs before finally taking part in the event. Five months later, the crowd has grown to around 500 for the hour of open bar and free play, and Stevens says revenue is “way ahead of projections.”

Downtown Is All About Slots

The shift toward slot machines is no surprise. According to Nevada Gaming Control Board data, slot machine revenue in downtown Las Vegas is more than double that of table games over the past 12 months.

Stevens added, “Our table drop is higher at the D and Circa,” suggesting Golden Gate may have an even bigger revenue divide.

While keeping history intact is important, so is making money. This attitude led the Stevens brothers to expand by opening The D and then Circa. 

Casinos on and off the Strip have been upgrading high-limit slot rooms for the past few years. Stevens aims to turn Golden Gate into an entire high-limit slot destination.

The casino’s high-limit slot room includes a seating area overlooking the main casino floor. People-watching must be as much fun today as it was when my favorite craps table was just outside of the cutout.

The new seating area in the Golden Gate is like watching TV. An episode of Meltz plays craps would have been fun. Maybe. (Photo: Marc Meltzer / Casinos.com)

While the floor isn’t full of $5 minimum games, numerous machines offer huge jackpots. The secluded room with the picture frame view of the main casino floor features traditional high-limit games and will expand later this year.

During our tour, we explored the basement and a staircase leading to an unused section of Sal Sagev, one of the property’s former names. The high-limit room will expand into this area, giving Stevens even more slots for high rollers.

Marble Racing or Nah?

Golden Gate is all in on slot machines, but electronic table games (ETGs) aren’t going away. Changes and new ETGs may be added in the future.

I reminded Stevens about when he expressed excitement over Marble Run at G2E last year.

“There's an element about Marble Run…I love the race…I love the chase. There's a camaraderie element to it. There's a fun element to it. There's a kind of a different version of a Sigma Derby element, where we have groups together.”

Despite sounding giddy, he wouldn’t confirm whether Marble Run will come to Golden Gate. I think he was telling me there’s a chance!

100-Year-Old Rooms To Penthouses

Golden Gate has preserved the original 10 hotel rooms from 1906. While small, they appeal to guests who love Las Vegas history. Early rooms were also small because guests were generally smaller than they are today.

The hotel now has 122 rooms, including 16 suites and two penthouses added by Stevens. While larger than most downtown rooms, they don’t compare to those inside the massive Strip properties.

The penthouses each include a living room, two bedrooms, multiple bathrooms, a bar, dining area, and terrace with a BBQ grill, renting for about $2,000 per night on weekends. Suites feature large couches and living space next to the bed, similar to The Venetian, with rates around $200 on weekends. Both are often lower during weeknights.

From its humble beginnings with 10 rooms in 1906 to today’s high-limit slots and penthouses, Golden Gate continues to honor its history while embracing modern gaming trends. “A Night Starts Here” shows that even after 120 years, the casino can surprise both longtime visitors and new guests, proving that innovation and tradition can coexist in downtown Las Vegas.