New York-New York, the Paris, Caesars Palace, and The Luxor are well-known and popular casinos in the heart of Las Vegas. They’re opulent and unique, but they’re also just the surface of Las Vegas’ casino scene.
Stepping away from the glamour of the Strip, there’s a world of old-fashioned, weird, and downright unnerving casinos spread across the city’s outskirts. Some of these are more welcoming than others, but it’s important to note that many on this list are in dangerous areas, so you should exercise caution if you plan on visiting any of them.
From run-down local spots that immerse you in the authentic culture of Las Vegas, to vintage exteriors that have been relatively unchanged by time, here are some of the weirdest casinos in Las Vegas that you’ve never heard of.
1. La Villita
Location:
- 1775 E Tropicana Ave
- 821 N Lamb Blvd
La Villita is a chain of casinos that don’t actually look much like casinos from the outside, with a simple and basic architectural style and a colorful sign that makes it look more like a play area than an adults-only entertainment center!
One of the first strange things about this casino is that you need to be buzzed in, which can be a little off-putting given the location and surroundings of these spots and makes you question whether you should go in at all!
As soon as you step through the door, however, this brightly colored, well-lit casino is a pleasant surprise. It’s decorated like a birthday party, making it a cheery and fun spot if you’re not a fan of dimly lit spots.
La Villita is a down-to-earth casino with a decent and affordable menu featuring Mexican food and excellent drink deals, making it a cheap escape.
2. Jerry’s Nugget
Location: 1821 Las Vegas Blvd N
Jerry’s Nugget is situated in North Las Vegas, just down the road from La Villita. While the name may sound a little lacklustre and off-putting, this casino is quite fun.
It has a rich history that dates back to 1964, originally owned by two brothers-in-law, who were both named Jerry (hence the name of the casino!). Initially a small casino with a restaurant, bar, cafe area, one craps table, and just 100 slot machines, over the years Jerry’s Nugget has expanded to a 95,000 sqft casino, offering bars, 770 slot machines, a race and sports book and a bingo hall.
This was due to its many expansions over the years, and thanks to the original owners buying out their competitor, the Bonanza Club, located just across the street from the casino’s original location.
3. Longhorn Casino & Hotel
Location: 5288 Boulder Hwy
This unique spot on the Boulder Strip markets itself as a vintage Vegas destination, and it certainly delivers! The vintage vibe can be felt in its exterior decor, with old-fashioned neon signs and simple architecture reminiscent of the 1980s.
It’s a locals’ casino that sits just across the road from another locals’ casino, Sams Town, which makes it a great spot if you like casino hopping!
The interior of this establishment is nothing to write home about, but it does give off a cool dive vibe and is well known for its dining specials, including all-you-can eat pancakes for $4.49 between midnight and 6 am.
4. Poker Palace
Location: 2757 Las Vegas Blvd N
Found near Nellis Air Force Base, Poker Palace started as Bunny’s Bar in 1951 and was a popular spot with base employees. In 1974, it was sold to new owners, who transformed the little bar into a brand new casino, resulting in what we now know as Poker Palace.
It originally had only one blackjack table, two pool tables, and eight slot machines but was expanded over the years to result in what is now a 29,900-square-foot casino, home to 280 slot machines, seven table games, eight poker tables, a bingo hall, a sportsbook, a cafe, and an oyster bar. The interior isn’t much to write about, but it does give off a lovely rustic feel that can only be experienced at one of Las Vegas’ oldest spots.
5. Bighorn Casino
Location: 3016 E Lake Mead Blvd
Owned by the same company as Longhorn Casino, this small establishment prides itself on having a vintage vibe but surprisingly has many new, modern slot machines and games. It’s often quite busy, but it’s important to note that there’s quite a strong smell of smoke here that can take a while to get used to.
The Bighorn Casino claims to be a favorite amongst locals with a popular restaurant and $3 beers; however, reviews of this spot state that the dining isn’t the best in town and that the customer service at the on-site restaurant isn’t great.
The area around the casino is known for being rough, so it’s probably not worth a visit. That said, if you like old-school design and architecture and plan on hiring a car during your visit, it’s a cool spot to see as you pass by.
6. Joker’s Wild
Location: 920 N Boulder Hwy
Joker’s Wild is situated on Boulder Highway. It’s a small, quaint casino with a vintage look that somewhat resembles a theme park building facade from the outside. With old-fashioned glittering lights, it gives a taste of a true vintage Vegas destination that resembles what it was like to visit this charming city many years ago.
The interior is nothing to write home about, but it is brightly colored and feels like you’ve stepped back in time. It is home to over 400 slot machines and is great if you’re looking for a calm and peaceful spot to gamble without too many visual distractions.
If you’d like to visit Joker’s Wild, you may want to come relatively soon, as it has recently been announced that the owners plan on completely renovating and rebranding this casino into an entirely new establishment.
7. Klondike Sunset
Location: 444 W Sunset Rd
Not to be confused with its now torn-down sister property, the Klondike Hotel, this casino initially started life as Tom’s Sunset Casino, which was open from 1989 to 1998, closing down due to financial challenges. After a $5 million renovation investment by a new owner in 1999, it was reopened as the Klondike Sunset Casino that stands here today.
Though not much to look at, it’s extremely clean, has a modern interior, and boasts a decent on-site grill thanks to recent renovations. It claims to be the friendliest casino in town and is a popular locals spot with over 200 slot games. It is a small, safe, laid-back spot to game at.
8. Eureka Casino
Location: 595 E Sahara Ave
Located just off Sahara Avenue, a few blocks from the Las Vegas Strip, this basic-looking casino has garnered many split opinions. Some visitors hail it as a true hidden gem, whilst others have labelled it a ‘sketchy dump’ despite its somewhat modernized interior.
This establishment started as a spot named ‘Friendly Fergies’ in the early 1960s but was later renamed Eureka Casino. Over the years, this spot has undergone many renovations and has gained popularity amongst locals, becoming known as ‘The Original Neighborhood Casino. ’
Today, it boasts over 250 slot machines, a bar, and an on-site restaurant named Fat Choi’s. Despite being such a small casino, Eureka claims to have some of the loosest slots and highest payouts.
