4 Oldest Casinos on the Las Vegas Strip
The Flamingo (1946), Tropicana (1957), The LINQ (1959), and Caesars Palace rank among Las Vegas's oldest and most iconic casinos still operating today.
Published · 1 min read
1. The Flamingo
The Flamingo was established in 1946 by notorious gangster Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel. This character wanted a piece of the Vegas gambling pie, which prompted him to buy El Cortez in Downtown Las Vegas alongside his associates. He intended to expand the establishment, but city officials would not allow him due to his criminal past.
After unsuccessful bids, Siegel gave up but later chipped in to help Hollywood Reporter Billy Wilkerson build another casino beyond the city official’s jurisdiction. Billy had encountered some financial problems, so Siegel chipped in and bought a two-thirds share of the project putting him in direct control. Consequently, the Flamingo was born on December 25, 1946.
Sigel was later murdered, and since then, the property has exchanged several hands. The establishment features 3,626 rooms and a 72, 300 square-foot casino with 1,690 slot and gaming machines.
