This U.S. Casino is Nearly 120 Years Old

Casinos have a long history. Before we called these businesses casinos, they were gambling houses. They've existed since at least Ancient Mesopotamia.

In the United States, casinos grew in popularity after World War 2, although they started popping up long before. The confusing history of gambling and casinos in the U.S. is due to its legality. It took a long time for states to allow casinos, and even now, it's restricted and comes with its limits.

While the oldest casino in the United States is over 100 years old, not all are as old. Many only became established during the '50s and '60s. So, how old are they?

Keep reading to learn about the five oldest casinos in the U.S.

One of the oldest public casinos in the U.S. is the Circus Circus. Unsurprisingly, you can find this stunning casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. This circus-themed building first opened on October 18, 1968. While it now also operates as a hotel, it was first a casino and a children's arcade. The carnival games/children's arcade was on the second floor. It's changed a lot since then. Now, Circus Circus houses the largest permanent circus in the world.

So, what does it look like now? What else does Circus Circus contain inside? Also inside this hotel and casino is the Adventuredome. It's a massive amusement park located inside of a 5-acre pink glass dome. Inside, you can find two thrilling coasters, the Canyon Blaster and El Loco. Circus Circus also has a lot of social significance. This spot has been featured in multiple films including "Baby Geniuses" and "The Grasshopper."

Also in Las Vegas is the iconic Caesars Palace. This uniquely themed casino and attraction opened just a few years before Circus Circus. It opened its doors on August 5, 1966, and contains a whopping 3,960 rooms. This Roman Empire-themed hotel sits between the just as stunning casinos, the Bellagio, and The Mirage.

So many artists and iconic people have stayed and performed in this casino and luxury hotel. Some big names that have performed in Caesers Palace are Frank Sinatra, Evel Knievel, Elton John, Dolly Parton, and Stevie Nicks. Other than the casino and hotel, Caesars Palace has the Forum Shops at Caesars, which is an extension of the main building. High-end boutiques line the inside.

Technically, Tropicana Las Vegas closed its doors this year in 2024, but it deserves its moment in the spotlight. Tropicana Las Vegas was a long-standing casino and hotel on the Vegas Strip, opening on April 4, 1957. It remained open and running for 67 years. While this spot officially closed in 2024, the original hotel wings closed the year before.

So, what did the Tropicana Las Vegas look like, and what unique things did it hold inside? It'd be easier to answer what it didn't have. Inside the Tropicana Las Vegas weren't just hotel rooms and casino games but the Casino Legends Hall of Fame, a museum that featured over 10,000 items. Live entertainment was also popular. The Laugh Factory had its own space inside of Tropicana Las Vegas.

The second to oldest casino in the United States is the Flamingo Las Vegas. It opened on December 26, 1946, and features 3,460 rooms. The casino area is also big and sits on 72,299 square feet of space. This flashy casino was one of the first major hotels on the Vegas Strip. First, the casino opened, and a year later, a three-story hotel accompanied it. It's come a long way and now stands at 28 stories high.

One of the most stunning parts of this casino and hotel is the wildlife exhibit. It was once even home to African penguins, although they were moved to the Dallas Zoo. Like all hotels and casinos on the Vegas Strip, this one features live entertainment. You can see live entertainment in both the Flamingo Showroom and the Bugsy's Cabaret Showroom.

Last but not least is the oldest casino in the United States, the Golden Gate. Can you believe it is nearly 120 years old? While not as glitzy and sparkly as others on this list, it has a lot of history. It was the first hotel ever built in Las Vegas and only stood two stories tall.

This hotel and casino sits on One Fremont Street. It was first named Hotel Nevada and allowed gambling, with a small break starting in 1909, as gambling was outlawed. Not only is this hotel the oldest in Las Vegas, but it was also the first to serve a fifty-cent shrimp cocktail in 1959.