Golden Gate Casino Las Vegas Review for February 2025

Nothing encapsulates vintage Vegas more than Golden Gate hotel and casino. Sin City’s oldest standing hotel and casino has a rich history that dates all the way back to 1905.

Located at 1 Fremont Street, the Golden Gate was a pioneer in the development of Downtown Las Vegas. Its own transformation is so woven into the fabric of the city it even owned the first ever telephone in Las Vegas. 

However, Las Vegas is a city that doesn’t stand still, not even for a minute. So how does an almost 120-year-old property compete with an ever-changing landscape of modern mega resorts around it? The answer is: it doesn’t. 

Instead, it uses its history and its stories to create its own charm that visitors seem to love. I wanted to see for myself what it’s like to stay and play at Golden Gate, so I went along to find out. 

The land on which Golden Gate stands was bought at auction in 1905 for $1,750 by John F. Miller. He initially erected a temporary tent hotel called Miller Hotel, which was then replaced in 1906 by the two storey Hotel Nevada - the first hotel structure in Las Vegas.

At the time, Hotel Nevada charged $1 per night and was considered ‘first class’ due to it having plumbing, electric lighting, ventilation, and steam heat radiators. In 1907, Las Vegas' first telephone was installed at the Hotel Nevada, with the number 1.

Although it originally opened as a hotel with a casino, it had to cease gambling operations in 1909 after a statewide ban was issued. It wasn’t until 1931 that gambling was reinstated, and it coincided with a hotel expansion and name change for the property to Sal Sagev, which is ‘Las Vegas’ backwards. 

In 1955, a group of Italian-American men including Italo Ghelfi leased the lower floor of the hotel and turned it into the Golden Gate casino, named after the Golden Gate Bridge. 

Ghelfi managed the casino for the next 40 years, introducing the famous 50 cent Shrimp Cocktail to Las Vegas in the meantime. Meanwhile the Sal Sagev hotel was managed by John Miller’s children Abe Miller and Helen Nugent.

In 1974, the entire property became known as the Golden Gate Hotel and Casino and continued under Ghelfi family ownership. That is until 2008, when Derek and Greg Stevens bought a 50% share. They became full owners in 2016. 

The Stevens brothers, in particular Derek Stevens, are renowned figures in Downtown Las Vegas as they not only own Golden Gate, but also The D and the recently built first downtown mega resort, Circa.

All three casino resorts sit within the popular Fremont Street Experience, but each offers a completely different experience to the other.

For Golden Gate, the focus is on blending its rich heritage with contemporary and upgraded facilities. It has undergone several expansions and developments over the years including a multimillion-dollar upgrade in 2017 which doubled the casino space.

It still celebrates its history in a number of ways though, including a historical artefact cabinet in the reception, a vintage slot machine display, lots of original features that are marked with plaques, plus you can stay in one of the original Nevada Hotel rooms called ‘The Original 10’.

Location 

Golden Gate is in the downtown area of Las Vegas at the corner of Main Street and Fremont Street. 

Due to its position, it is located within the Fremont Street Experience, which is a long pedestrian area covered by the world’s largest LED canopy video screen suspended 90 feet in the air. 

Because the downtown area of Las Vegas is fairly small, everything is within close walking distance including 11 other casino resorts, the Mob Museum and the Container Park.

If you want to travel between the Las Vegas Strip and Golden Gate, then it requires transport either by taxi, rideshare or bus. The Deuce bus is the cheapest option, and it travels the full length of the Strip to the downtown area. However, the stop is at the other end of Fremont Street to the Golden Gate, so be aware of that.

If you require transport from Harry Reid International Airport, then unfortunately, the fixed rate taxi fee doesn’t apply to downtown properties, so you can expect to pay up to $30 - $40 for the journey. The LASxpress transportation service does offer a fixed rate fee of $20 per round trip if you book directly through them or at the hotel reception.

Meanwhile, if you’re arriving by car, self-parking is available at the corner of E. Carson Avenue and Main Street. Hotel guests can also enjoy free valet parking.

Golden Gate casino is one of the smallest casinos in Las Vegas at just 12,243 square feet. For its small casino floor, however, it offers a lot of games with more than 400 slots and around 20 table games.

What that means is a very tightly packed casino with low ceilings and not a lot of space. 

You’ll also find very loud music, which is a characteristic of all Derek Stevens properties. 

The décor is a mix of contemporary and classic, but the atmosphere is lively, and on an evening, you’ll even find dancing dealers around the casino pit. 

If you look up, you will see the original two-way mirror on the ceilings which has a crawl space above it where employees used to spy on players to make sure they weren’t cheating.

Table Games Selection

The tables games area is in the middle of the casino, right beside the Prohibition Bar. 

All the classic casino games were on offer including blackjack, craps, roulette, plus some different poker pit variations.

The good news for blackjack players is that games pay 3:2 including double-deck blackjack. However, roulette players will have to be satisfied with double zero roulette, as I couldn’t find any single zero games. 

The smallest minimum bet I saw was $10 for live table games and I played a little roulette at this level. The table and chair were a little worn but nevertheless comfortable and the croupier was fun and engaging so it was a fun half hour. 

A fun fact about Golden Gate casino is that it is the home of the biggest roulette bet in Las Vegas history. A group of young men starring in an MTV show bet $250,000 on black and unfortunately it didn’t pay off.

Classic table games:

• Blackjack
• Roulette
• Craps

Variants: 

• Let It Ride Poker
• Three Card Poker
• Ultimate Texas Hold’em 
• Free Bet Blackjack

If you prefer playing electronic table games, then there’s a small selection at Golden Gate offering single and multiplayer craps and roulette games.

Golden Gate doesn’t have a poker room. The  only downtown casino that does is Golden Nugget, which is right next door.

Slots

Out of the 400 slots available at Golden Gate, the majority are modern video slots, but there is a small selection of classic slots too.

As already mentioned, the fact there are so many games in such a little area, means that spacing can be an issue. Games are in rows or back-to-back, which can make for a crowded gaming environment.

Some of the most popular games you can find at Golden Gate include:

• Huff n Even More Puff
• Buffalo Ascension
• Dragon Link
• Jackpot Carnival
• Wheel of Fortune
• Hot Stuff

I played a little Cash Falls on my visit and was lucky enough to hit the bonus, so I came out on top, which always makes you like the casino more!

Bar-Top Gaming

Bar-top games are available at the Prohibition Bar in the middle of the casino floor. This is the only internal bar at Golden Gate so it can get really busy.

You can play video poker, keno and a few other games on these bar-top terminals. To play, must pull up a chair, put some money in the game, and choose your game. Video poker is available from a quarter up to $5 denominations.

The bartender will serve complimentary drinks as you play, providing you are wagering enough through the game. If you aren’t offered one after playing for 10 minutes, then just ask the server. Don’t forget to tip too. 

Sportsbook

Golden Gate used to have a physical sportsbook but as of 2023 they no longer do. However, you can place sports bets at one of the Circa Sports Kiosks on site. 

Physical Circa Sports desks are available at sister resorts Circa, directly opposite Golden Gate and The D, further down Fremont Street. 

Waitress Service 

Waitress service is available at Golden Gate while you’re playing slots or gambling at the tables. Servers circulate the casino floor offering beer, spirits, cocktails, wine and soft drinks which they then serve to you while you play. 

I have found the waitress service to be a little hit and miss at Golden Gate on my visits, and without any real consistency. It sometimes depends on the time of day you visit and how busy the casino is. 

If you are lucky enough to get good service, be sure to tip your waitress, especially if you want them to return for more. 

High Limit Gaming at Golden Gate Casino 

A small high-limit table salon is available at Golden Gate just behind the main pit. The area has a speakeasy feel to it, and offers a more hidden and intimate gaming environment.

You will find a handful of high limit slots here and a few table games including the double-deck blackjack. The surroundings are a little more sophisticated in here with rich colours and luxurious furnishings.

Something special you will find in the high limit gaming area is historical features from the original Hotel Nevada building. The wood arches are from a part of the original construction, plus you can see some of the hotel’s original concrete wall behind a small peep-hole and a fountain that still has the original tile from the old courtyard area.

Cash and Payment Options

Cash is what you need to gamble at Golden Gate, card payments are not accepted when it comes to the casino. If you need cash, then ATM’s are available, however, they charge elevated withdrawal fees so they are best avoided if possible.

If you’re a slots player, just insert cash directly into the game and when it pays out, it will come as a voucher called a TITO (Ticket In, Ticket Out). This is the equivalent of casino currency and you can insert it into another machine to continue playing or redeem it for cash at one of the redemption machines.

If you want to play at the tables, you hand cash directly to the dealer and they present you with the relevant value in chips. When you want to cash out, just take the chips to the cashier desk to exchange them for money.

The main feature of Golden Gate Hotel is its historical relevance to Las Vegas. People come predominantly because it is an icon and because they want to experience a real piece of Vegas history.

It does have other positives, the location is good at the top of Fremont Street, it offers great value, top customer service and guests can share the amenities of its sister resorts, Circa and The D. But mostly, I would say it’s the name and the iconic status.

Golden Gate know it’s their USP and they celebrate it in various ways. The hotel lobby includes several historical pieces including retro slot machines from the 1940’s, original hotel room keys, poker chips, guest ledgers and gaming ledgers.

While renovating the building, some old whiskey bottles were found in the walls from the early 1900’s and these are on display as well as ornate mirrors from the 1950’s, and an old neon hotel sign that sits behind the registration desk. 

The historical references don’t stop in the hotel lobby though, walking throughout the hotel corridors, you’ll find old pictures, signage, and various plaques pointing out original features too.

Today, Golden Gate has just over 100 rooms over five storeys that include standard rooms, suites, two penthouses and the ‘Original 10’ that date back to the hotels 1906 opening. 

Golden Gate Rooms

I booked one of the Original 10 rooms on my stay because I wanted to experience the full vintage Vegas experience. I can stay in a modern room anywhere else on the Strip or downtown, so I wanted to book something unique to Golden Gate.

If you want to really embrace the history of this resort, then I thoroughly recommend it. However, if you want space and comfort then I’d book a standard room.

The Original 10 room I stayed in was exceptionally small, as you would expect. There was only space for one queen bed with one side close to the wall and a bedside table on the other side. The bedside table did have a lamp with USB charging ports on.

Opposite the bed was a set of drawers with a small TV on top, an armchair and a wardrobe space. There wasn’t room for anything else other than a mid-sized mirror on the wall.

The room was decorated plainly with grey and white walls, dark carpets, white bedding and patterned curtains. The design was modern rather than retro and it was very clean throughout. There was a small window with a single latch that looked like an original feature too.

The bathroom was probably the biggest issue in terms of size. The door wasn’t a full size door and not only did it have a ridge cut in it to allow for the light switch, but it also didn’t fully open as it hit the toilet behind it. This made getting in and out of the bathroom quite difficult.

Once inside, there was a small basin just beside the toilet and a shower, but the space was really tight and almost unusable in terms of being able to move around or dry yourself.

I didn’t really know what to expect when I booked one of the Original 10 rooms, other than it would be retro. I can honestly say I’m glad I did experience it, and I enjoyed living a part of the history, but I don’t think I would rebook one again.

The standard rooms and suites obviously have a lot more space and more amenities so I think I would book one of these next time. 

Also, just a point worth making, literally outside the front of Golden Gate is one of the Fremont Street Experience stages with live music going on until the early hours. Luckily, my room wasn’t at the front of the building, but I have been told that front-facing rooms are exceptionally loud, so this is something to bear in mind if you stay here. 

Bars 

There are only two bars at Golden Gate, one is inside which is the Prohibition Bar and the other outside, the OneBar.

The Prohibition bar is a nod to the historical roots of Golden Gate. Word has it that Hotel Nevada didn’t strictly abide by the rules of prohibition and continued to serve whiskey to ranchers and railroaders during the 20’s and 30’s. It’s probably one of the reasons it remained so popular!

Through the years the bar has seen many a famous face, including the Rat Pack, who have a plaque in their honour on the bar top. These days, it’s popular with video poker players and has a classic, sophisticated feel.

OneBar is the total opposite in that it offers ultra-modern, bikini-clad dancers, flair bartenders and serves a range of frozen cocktails and ice cold beers to the Fremont Street Experience crowd outside. 

This is a popular spot to grab a drink and watch one of the live bands on the stage directly outside the resort. 

Buffets and Restaurants 

Golden Gate is completely unique in that it offers no dining experiences at all. It’s the only casino resort I can think of in Las Vegas that does that.

However, due to its location it is surrounded by several other casinos that all offer an array of food options. Circa opposite has at least five dining options, while there’s another four or five at both Plaza and Golden Nugget which are either side of Golden Gate.

The only downtown buffet is at Main Street Station's Garden Food Court which is just a couple of minutes’ walk away.

Shows and Entertainment 

As with food options, Golden Gate also doesn’t provide its own in-house shows or entertainment. To be fair, most downtown casino resorts rely on Fremont Street Experience to provide the main source of entertainment.

As well as nightly half hour Viva Vision shows on the huge LED canopy, you’ll also find three stages with live music every night, street entertainers, shops, bars, restaurants, casinos and even the Slotzilla zip line. 

If you want to experience more Vegas history, then the Mob Museum is just a five minute walk. Plus, the Container Park and the Neon Museum also aren’t far away. 

Golden Gate is that you can share the amenities of sister resorts Circa and The D which both have pools.

Pool 

The best pool in Downtown Las Vegas, and most resorts on the Strip struggle to compete too, is Stadium Swim at Circa. With six heated pools overlooking a 40 foot tall LED screen showing every sport you could want, it is open all year round. 

Golden Gate guests get complimentary access to Stadium Swim as well as access to the pool at the D as well. There is also a 24-hour fitness centre at The D that Golden Gate guests can use. 

Spa

Due to the limited size, Golden Gate does not have a spa.

The rewards club that runs across Golden Gate, Circa and The D is called Club One.

To join, you must be 21 years or older and you just need to take some photographic ID along to the Club One rewards desk at any of the above mentioned resorts and fill in a registration form.

Once signed up, you can use your Club One card to build up reward points by playing slots, video poker, and table games and also by placing bets at Circa Sports.

When gambling, insert your card directly into the slot or hand it to your dealer at the tables and asked to be rated.

The points you earn can then be used to climb the status tiers at Club One and help you receive a variety of benefits including discounts and freebies. 

There are three different status tiers in Club One, the higher your status, the more benefits you receive as follows:

Gambler (0 – 5,999 Points): Entry to members events and promotions, discounted hotel stays, early entry to Stadium Swim, rental car discounts

Maverick (6,000 – 29,999 Points): all the above plus room upgrades where available, complimentary early check-in/late check-out, priority dining reservations, complimentary self-parking

Legend (30,000 Points):  all the above plus VIP check-in, complimentary limousine service to airport, complimentary valet parking, priority lines at Club One desk, hotel check-in and restaurants. 

Even on the lowest Club One tier (Gambler) you can receive some rewards, such as invitations to members-only events and promotions and slot freeplay. You’ll receive $1.00 in slot freeplay for every 100 points you earn. 

Golden Gate has a special place in Vegas history that is rightfully celebrated within the resort.

If you want to experience a touch of classic Vegas yourself then Golden Gate is an absolute must visit. The fact that you can see original features and artefacts dating all the way back to 1906 is incredible and it makes it a truly unique resort to explore.

Another big positive of Golden Gate is that guests have access to the amenities at its sister resorts, Circa and The D. Without this, it would be severely lacking, particularly in terms of a pool.

There are obvious negatives to the resort too. It’s shortage of bars, it’s lack of dining options and entertainment and its small size means it does have limitations. 

The casino, however small, does offer a very good range of gaming options though, including lots of slots, varied table games with good payouts and great video poker too. 

I suppose it all comes down to what you want in a Las Vegas resort. If you want ultra-modern and comfortable, then Golden Gate is probably not your bag. But if you want the true vintage Vegas experience with modern gambling options, then Golden Gate is where it all began.