The Golden Gate Casino marked its 120th anniversary this month, reaching a milestone as the oldest continuously operating hotel and casino in Las Vegas while undergoing a significant shift in its gaming operations. Founded in 1906 as the Hotel Nevada, the property celebrated its history with events that highlighted its role as the city’s first permanent hotel.
The anniversary follows a major operational transition completed in late 2025. Golden Gate Casino has removed all live dealer table games from its floor, replacing them with electronic table games and digital interfaces. This change was spearheaded by owner Derek Stevens, who also operates The D Las Vegas and Circa Resort and Casino. Stevens noted that the move to a fully electronic gaming floor was driven by evolving customer preferences and the success of similar digital formats at his other properties.
Despite the modernization of the gaming floor, the property maintains several physical links to its 1906 origins. The building still features the original ten guest rooms, which remain part of the hotel inventory. These rooms were known for being among the first in the city to offer indoor plumbing and steam heat. Other historical elements, such as the original second story windows and exposed brickwork from the early 20th century, have been preserved through various renovations.
The Golden Gate Casino has a history of pioneering developments in downtown Las Vegas. It was the site of the city’s first telephone and displayed the second neon sign in the area. In more recent years, it was known for introducing dancing dealers, a concept that has now been phased out in favor of the new electronic pit.
Management indicated that the shift to electronic gaming has seen positive financial results, with revenues reportedly exceeding initial projections. To coincide with the anniversary and the operational changes, the casino launched a new marketing campaign called The Night Starts Here, which includes a daily happy hour and promotional giveaways.
The 120 year celebration included a public event on Friday where guests received commemorative merchandise and birthday shots. Industry representatives noted that the Golden Gate Casino remains a unique fixture in the downtown landscape, balancing its status as a historic landmark with the technological trends of the modern gaming industry.
