What Was the First Casino in Las Vegas?

The first casino in Las Vegas was not actually a casino at all. It was a saloon that opened in 1822, and it was called the El Dorado.

The El Dorado was the first establishment in Las Vegas to obtain a liquor license, and it was also the first to offer gambling. Gambling was not legalized in Nevada until 1931, but the El Dorado was able to offer it because it was located on Fremont Street, which was outside of the city limits.

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PRO TIP:The first casino to open in Las Vegas was the Flamingo, which opened its doors in 1946. Built by mobster Bugsy Siegel, the Flamingo is credited with being the first luxury resort-style casino in Las Vegas.

The El Dorado eventually closed its doors in 1892, but it paved the way for the many casinos that would come to define Las Vegas. The Flamingo, which opened in 1946, is often considered to be the first true casino in Las Vegas.

It was built by gangster Bugsy Siegel and was originally intended to be a luxury hotel. However, due to financial troubles, Siegel was forced to open the casino earlier than planned.

The Flamingo proved to be a success, and it helped spur development on what would become known as the Las Vegas Strip. Today, there are dozens of casinos lining the Strip, and they are responsible for much of Las Vegas’s reputation as a gambling destination.