Frommer's Las Vegas 2004

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CHAPTER 8 . ABOUT CASINO GAMBLING
The Four Queens The Four Queens is New Orleans–themed, with late-
19th-century-style globe chandeliers, which make for good lighting and a low
claustrophobia level. It’s small, but the dealers are helpful, which is one of the
pluses of gambling in the more manageably sized casinos.
The facility boasts the world’s largest slot machine: More than 9 feet high and
almost 20 feet long, six people can play it at one time! It’s the Mother of all giant
slot machines, and frankly, it intimidates even us. Here is also the world’s largest
blackjack table (it seats 12 players). The Reel Winners Club offers slot players
bonus points toward cash rebates. Slot, blackjack, and craps tournaments are
frequent events, and there are major poker tournaments every January and September.
The casino also offers exciting multiple-action blackjack (it’s like playing
three hands at once with separate wagers on each). 202 Fremont St. (at Casino Center
Blvd.). & 702/385-4011.
Fremont Hotel & Casino This 32,000-square-foot casino offers a relaxed
atmosphere and low gambling limits ($2 blackjack, 25¢ roulette). It’s also surprisingly
open and bright for a Downtown casino. Just 50¢ could win you a Cadillac
or Ford Mustang here, plus a progressive cash jackpot. Casino guests can accumulate
bonus points redeemable toward cash by joining the Five Star Slot Club,
and take part in frequent slot and keno tournaments. No giant slot machine,
though. 200 E. Fremont St. (between Casino Center Blvd. and 3rd St.). & 702/385-3232.
The Golden Gate This is one of the oldest casinos in Downtown, and
though its age is showing, it’s still fun to go there. As you might expect from the
name, old San Francisco (think earthquake time) artifacts and decor abound. At
one end of the narrow casino is the bar, where a piano player performs ragtime
jazz, which is better than the homogenized pop offered in most casino lounges.
Unfortunately, the low ceiling, dark period wallpaper, and small dimensions give
this a high claustrophobia level. 1 Fremont St. & 702/382-3510.
Golden Nugget Frankly, this is not the standout that other casino properties
developed by Steve Wynn (and recently sold by MGM MIRAGE to Internet
entrepreneurs Thomas Breitling and Timothy Poster) are. It goes for luxury, of
course, but there’s too much crammed into too little space. And compared to
most other Downtown properties, this is the most like the Strip. Despite the
overcrowding, it has a much cleaner and fresher feeling than many of the dingy,
time-forgotten spaces of Downtown. There’s no word on what the new owners
plan to do to the casino, but they’ve promised to bring back “Old Vegas” style
to Downtown. Stay tuned. 129 E. Fremont St. (at Casino Center Blvd.). & 702/385-7111.
The Gold Spike Despite an updating (after a serious fire), the Gold Spike
remains deliciously, or frighteningly (depending on your aesthetic views and
desires) dated; it may no longer have that ’70s-era shag carpeting and wood panels,
but it has the 2002 spiritual equivalent. It’s still one of those dingy, forgotten
Downtown spaces that we usually criticize. So what? Here, everyone is equal,
and everyone is having a good time, or at least they can sincerely join you in
your misery. Best of all, they have penny slots! (Not very many, to be sure, and
getting a seat at one can require patience.) Hey tightwads, take a buck and spend
a few hours. 400 Ogden Ave. (at Las Vegas Blvd.). & 702/384-8444.
Jackie Gaughan’s Plaza Hotel/Casino This is old Vegas, with an attempt at
’60s glamour (think women in white go-go boots). Now it’s worn. Cautious bettors
will appreciate the $1 blackjack tables and penny slots here. 1 Main St. (at Fremont
St.). & 702/386-2110.