Golden Gate: The Story of the Oldest Casino in the US

The Golden Gate is the oldest hotel & casino in Las Vegas, and the oldest land-based casino in the US.

It’s been standing at the corner of Fremont and Main Streets since 1906, and it’s seen it all. It witnessed the rise and fall of the mob, the Prohibition, and the Great Depression. And it’s still going strong, offering a classic and authentic gaming experience.

The Golden Gate Hotel: How It All Began

The Golden Gate Hotel was the dream of John F. Miller, a visionary who saw the potential of Las Vegas before anyone else. He came to the then-deserted city in 1905 and decided to build a small hotel.

John bought a piece of land at the corner of Fremont and Main Streets for $1,750. He wasted no time and opened the 2-story Hotel Nevada on January 13, 1906.

Miller had a smart business model: he charged guests only $1 per night, but he made money from gambling, drinks, and food. Some Vegas casinos still do that today.

Hotel Nevada

Hotel Nevada was a hit. Miller wanted to make his hotel even better, so, in just 4 months after the opening, he added a kitchen and four bedrooms.

How It Survived the Gambling Ban

Thanks to its blackjack and poker tables, the hotel was doing well. But in 1909, everything changed: the US government outlawed gambling in the country. The hotel had to close its casino, and rely on its services.

Miller hoped that the law would be repealed soon, but the ban lasted for 21 years, and it was hard to survive.

But the hotel didn’t give up. It waited for better times, and they finally came in 1931. That year, the state of Nevada legalized gambling again, and the hotel reopened its casino. 

Sal Sagev Hotel and Casino

In the same year, it underwent a major expansion, adding both a 3rd and a 4th floor, and changing its name to Sal Sagev (Las Vegas spelled backward).

Birth of The Golden Gate Casino

Sal Sagev was on fire in the 1950s. Abe Miller, John’s son, made a smart move. He leased the 1st floor of the hotel to a group of 23 businessmen, who wanted to open a new casino. They called it the Golden Gate, after the famous bridge in San Francisco. It opened in 1955, and it was a hit. The hotel kept its old name.

The Golden Gate Casino

Fun Fact: Abe and John got 5% of the casino’s profit, just for leasing the space.

In the early 60s it became a magnet for the stars. The Rat Pack, a group of the coolest American stars, led by Frank Sinatra, hung out there.

The Rat Pack

The Golden Gate was the place to be, until the 90s. That’s when it lost its edge. It couldn’t compete with the newer casinos that offered more games, more shows, and more glamor. 

How It Adapted to the New Vegas

The Golden Gate was a classic, but it also had to keep up with the times. It changed its name from Sal Sagev to the Golden Gate in 1974, and it gave itself a new look. 

The hotel was owned by the Ghelfi family, who inherited it from Abe Miller in 1985.

The city was growing, and so was the competition. The whole Fremont Street was revamped, and new casinos and attractions were added. The Golden Gate was in the middle of it all, but it didn’t lose its loyal customers, who loved its vibe.

But the Ghelfi family also knew they had to invest in the casino. So, in 2008, they sold 50% of their shares to Derek Stevens, an ambitious entrepreneur. He brought some fresh capital and started to make some changes:

The Golden Gate was not the same as before, but Derek kept it in the game with the top casinos in Vegas, while honoring its past.

Derek Stevens

Golden Gate Today

The Golden Gate is not the hottest casino in Vegas anymore, but that doesn’t mean it has lost its appeal. The casino is almost 120 years old, and it’s proud of its legacy. The casino is a cozy spot for those who love the old-school vibe and want to feel the spirit of the old Vegas.