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Binion’s Gambling Hall & Hotel in downtown Las Vegas.
By Tim Richardson 
, Sam Skolnik
Published Monday, Nov. 30, 2009 | 11:14 a.m.
Updated Monday, Nov. 30, 2009 | 3:20 p.m.
Sun Archives
- Another landlord sues over rent paid by Binion’s (8-20-2009)
- Filing shows Binion’s owner delinquent on rental payments (8-11-2009)
- Landlords allege Four Queens owner behind on rent (7-13-2009)
- Four Queens files lawsuit against landlord (5-5-2009)
- Landlord rejects Binion’s rent request, sues for back rent (4-30-2009)
Binion's Gambling Hall & Hotel in downtown Las Vegas will close its 365 rooms on Dec. 14 and lay off about 100 workers.
Spokeswoman Lisa Robinson said the decision was made as a result of the economic downturn, which has decreased occupancy at the property and other hotels across the Las Vegas Valley.
Robinson said Binion's also will close the Binion's Original Coffee Shop and discontinue keno. The casino, sports book, poker room and Binion's Ranch Steakhouse on the property's 24th floor will stay open.
Robinson said the decision was made Friday. She said Binion's hasn't determined when the rooms might reopen.
"We have been actively analyzing every aspect of our operation and looking at our costs, especially those that were significant cost drains," Robinson said. "The hotel rooms simply could not remain competitive in this market. We had to make some necessary, but unfortunate, decisions in order to keep the remaining parts of the property operational."
Binion's currently employs about 800 workers. That number will be reduced to about 700 workers after the layoffs associated with the room closures.
Of the 365 rooms that are closing, 266 are in the Binion's tower while 99 rooms are in the original portion of the property.
Robinson said Dec. 14 was chosen as the closing date because it's a traditionally slower time after the Nationals Finals Rodeo, which ends Dec. 12.
Guests with reservations at Binion's will be accommodated at the Four Queens Hotel & Casino.
At a Monday afternoon press conference, Mayor Oscar Goodman said that for the past 10 days he’s been working with the owners of Binions and the Four Queens to try to positively resolve the situation.
Goodman said he left the latest meeting at 10:45 a.m. Monday – under the impression that closing the hotel could be averted. Soon thereafter, he said he got a call with the bad news.
Despite the hotel’s closure – and the fact that it might be difficult to find investors with “fresh money” willing to fund the rooms’ refurbishment – the mayor said that “we still have that glimmer of hope, with the casino remaining open and the restaurants remaining open.”
“Whenever you have a setback, that’s not a positive thing. But I’ve always tried to make lemonade out of lemons,” Goodman said.
Developers such as Cordish Co. and Forest City Enterprises, each with their own proposed downtown development projects that include new casinos/hotels, are still very much interested and on board, he said.
“They’re looking forward,” Goodman said. “They’re smart people.”
In September, the Las Vegas Valley saw its first year-over-year increase in visitation since May 2008, with the count up 4.3 percent, to 3 million people, from September 2008. But in order to fill rooms, Las Vegas hotels have lowered rates, which on average were $91 in September compared to $112 in September 2008.
That sucks for the workers, but I am surprised the dump has stayed open this long. Not sure who would ever stay at Binion's since all you have to do is read the tripadvisor reviews and read about the bedbugs etc at the place.
Binions closed years ago the day Teddy walked out the door...
environprotector is right. Once Jack and Teddy left the place (or were forced to leave the joint) was really the end of it.
Too bad, it really is a living legend in gaming.
Now's the perfect time to finally admit that downtown is hopeless, where the dregs of the earth flit about 24 hours a day. Maybe we can take the empty rooms, and turn them into "transitional housing" for the less fortunate. Like Section 8 housing. With giant fences around the entire structure. The Oscar Goodman House....
bdover
I disagree with your thoughts on downtown. It is still very popular. People stay at Golden Nugget and also the other hotels because they are reasonably priced. We used to enjoy gambling at Fremont St. casino and Four Queens when I worked downtown; that's when we learned how to "power gamble" - eat at the Fremont St. buffet on the cheap and then spend the rest of our lunch hour gambling. When it was time to go back to work - we HAD to leave and 9 times out of 10 left ahead with money in our pockets!! Also went down there when guests came into town. They always wanted to go down to Fremont St. During the summer, some very good bands always were playing. Not bad for free!! It has taken a hit in the last few years with other venues though such as that Neonopolis. That place had potential and could have worked if they didn't charge so much for parking.
But Binion's is a dump. I am surprised it is still open.
Now is a good time for Binion's to re-invent itself. There is a lot of potential with that property and the location.
CALLING ALL INVESTORS !
I love downtown for all the Fremont acts and attractions. I wish they could control the surrounding community better and make the place less of a pit and truly revitalize the area. I love the 4 queens and golden nugget and Binon's was always good for a visit to watch the poker tourneys. Hopefully this does start a re-invention of Binons by some investor, just keep the classic front but renew the inside though.
May I come and stay complimentary?
I would forsake the Mirage for an ongoing freebie.
I'll do my own housekeeping!
Heads in the beds, come on!
As the price point gets pushed lower (the article states $91 average, but toss out the high end places and the "Binion's" of the town are more like $30), the cost to stay open becomes a loss. I personally have enjoyed the lower pricing, making it reasonable to make 3 or 4 trips th LV instead of 1-2 a year. Not sure how the regular motels (Super 8, Hampton, etc.) are surviving, since they can no longer compete with the new substantially lower rates. Bring back Jack and watch the place sparkle again.
So..... Is this what they all meant when they said the new City Center jobs would equate to layoffs elsewhere? I'm thinking it's the start.
Bionion's (french for bunions) was originally the Golden Horseshoe, see the connection here, shoes, bunions.
Served the best rock'n rye drinks. And the french sheep dip sandwiches were delicious. The days of throwing peanut shells on the floor sure would help revive the image and for the bed bugs, have you tried that new extermination tool, rat trap snatcher and his dewy looking looks. A real pervert to say the least about such a compulsion as to confiscate rat traps as though the neighborhood kids were going to be snatched into hell by the rat traps. Transference of character occurs in criminal type personalities. The pervert becomes the victim of the crime caused by the crime victim.
It's a dump and so is downtown. City Center does not have the close to the ghetto component that downtown does. If O.G. could bulldoze a 20 mile arc north of his position, downtown might rebuild. Until then, listen for the old, old timers to chime in and tell us all about what geniuses Jack Binion, Benny Binion, Sandy Binion, Rick Tabish, David Roger, Jackie Gaughn and the rest of the keep it a dump crowd were.
Downtown LV has declined a lot since they filmed that famous car chase in "Diamonds are Forever". That sequence has what is probably the most famous film flub ever--when Bond and Tiffany Case go through that alley on 2 wheels, the car is cruising on its right wheels. When it emerges from the alley, it's cruising on its left wheels.
I have such great memories of Binion's. I used to hit great jackpots on those loose five dollar machines, even got a straight flush with five in the old sit down five dollar video poker machines. I was rated on a card with every buy in, never had to pay for my rooms ,drinks or food. Mr. Binion even comped my entire wedding party family members (20 or so). The Shoe was the best gamble in town! Best Barbecue plate this side of Texas! My Host Joey was always checking in with me to see if I needed anything, when my wife lost an expensive pair of shoes, they turned them into security, and my friend John recognized them as hers (he loved the way she looked! LOL!) and had them mailed to her in Oklahoma! The most action! the BEST craps! and always hopping atmosphere 24-7. Miss those days...
I am a local and love fremont street!! It is old Vegas.. With Binions, why close the coffee shop that is busy all the time? Maybe stop giving out 2-1 coupons and charge 9.99 for your prime rib.. The coffee shop has to make money unless its mismanaged which I feel more of the property is.. Maybe charge $5 to get your picture taken with a million dollars!!
test12 : You are entitled to your opinoins, however ask any SERIOUS gambler in the world where the best gamble was, it was Binions!
That photo is a few years old....Still has the "Horseshoe" signs.
We used to hit The Mint, The Nugget, The Fremont and Binion's.
I remember seeing Wayne in the lounge at the The Fremont.
Drink and gamble, drink and gamble.
One time I had to leave my luggage at LAX as security to get my car out so I could go and bring back money to pay my parking tab.
Those were the days.
The 1980's Horseshoe was it's pinnacle.
danutz
The million dollars is gone and has been a long time. It was a collection of $10,000 bills and they are worth about 100,000 each now, so in todays money, the cash was worth morth than the entire property
I've been going to Vegas since the early late 50's The downtown has deteriorated to an embarrassment. I always loved downtown. I was there the night someone came in to Binion's and put the whole brief case up for 1 bet. There were rumors that it was 2 million, but it was a small room then and it got crowded fast.
Downtown need but a few things to make it vibrant again. The strip has taken all the bulk of the customers, and I see the reason being,. You can't get downtown from the strip. The monorail is a joke. Probably, the most expensive in the world, and doesn't go anywhere, and goes there with no passengers.
It needs to go right down the middle of the strip. All the way to downtown. At a fare of 15.00 for 3 day pass.
2nd. You need 50cent drinks again. I was at Mandalay bay last year at the bar in the casino, my heiny's were free, but my wife stopped by for a glass of wine. $12.00 Cheap wine too.
You have to give the people a reason to go downtown. 3rd. All day, and night entertainment.
I used to love the lounge acts all through the casinos. could be 2am, or 8am.
If Nashville can do it, why can't downtown Las Vegas do it too.
You can revitalize the downtown at a fraction of the cost if all the casinos get toghether, Of 1 strip hotel.
Make it work. I love the down town, and would be back there if it were close to the old venue
But, but, but Harry says the stimulus is working. And, and, good green jobs are coming, 41,000 to be exact, and, and, these people can just go to city center, because Harry is solely responsible for all the jobs saved, and, and, created.......and, and, the liberals are nowhere to be found......oh, oh, I'm sooooo worried. Where are you big mouths? The birdcrap, the LCdr, all you right wing haters. Where are you? So now blame the bad downtown. That's it. Close it all up. California, Plaza, Binions, Four Queens, Golden Gate, Nugget. That's it. Shut em all down and send everyone to fabulous $hitty center and visit the King of the searchlights.
The Fremont Street overhead screen is definitely a neat attraction downtown. What's not so neat are the many closed stores, the empty neonopolis complex and the shaddy characters hanging around. I think a major remodeling is needed and the addition of some nice restaurants and nightclubs would also help. Having the monorail stop there is also needed. As I've said before, I think the days of the "whale" are gone in Las Vegas.
You know Vegas is hurting when we priced a trip from Pittsburgh for Christmas week at $231.00, round trip air and hotel room for 5 nights/6days. We priced a trip to Atlantic city for 5 nights 3 of which are comped and the other 2 nights at $39.00 each. Gambling across the country is feeling the hurt right now and if anyone is into a trip now is the time.
p
Maybe Wynn will buy the place....for his overflow !
Me and the gals were just on Freemont on Friday night, stood outside Binion's, took some pics, watched the light show and sang in the street with hundreds of other strangers. Then we promptly went into the Nugget lost $30 bucks and got back in our hired car and went back to the Strip....
Unless you're interested in Vegas history (which face it most tourists don't give a rats butt about) or are a local with a soft spot for the place you're likely not even going to go in. I've read a few books on Benny Binion and Ted so I've got a bit of knowledge on the drama of the Binion clan....and even I didn't go in. My words as I got out of our car were "sweet, the original Steve Wynn property" as I walked into the Nugget.
Let's face it, downtown doesn't have the glitz of the Strip, and frankly getting there is a tour through sketchy neighborhoods full of gun shops, closed down stores, weekly rentals with bars on the windows and strip joints. Sadly it's not a surprise that gaming and rooms in the area have suffered, due in simple part to what's around it.
It's sad really, because this place does have some awesome history attached to it, from the poker tournaments to the outlandish Benny Binion. It's sad, but not at all surprising.
johnny, guess you only have 2 fingers, probably how high you can add. that rich and lazy crowd has done great for ya, huh. trash is lazy lowlife rich people that ruined vegas baby.
I'm a little put off by the comments out there labeling Downtown Las Vegas being a dump and a place for white trash gamblers.
Sure, most places there rank far from glamorous, but I dare anyone to find an establishment on Fremont Street that doesn't work hard to serve it customers, and at a much better value to boot!
I have never liked The Fremont Street Experience LED attraction. I feel that when they put that thing up, and closed off the street to a pedestrian mall, it destroyed the entire fabric of "Downtown" Las Vegas. Just look at the opening credits to "Viva Las Vegas" Elvis movie, and you will get a very good feeling for what the area was like when it was really cooking! Las Vegas not being terribly interested in preserving it's past, just let this incredible place turn into a deserted mess of closed casinos like The Pioneer for instance which they tried to turn into a crappy Fremont Experience souvenier shop! how lame was that? they don't even bother to maintain the neon lights or moving arm with "Howdy Partner" voice on the classic historical landmark Vegas Vic sign. These are things that Mr. Mayor should be tending to. And take down that damn LED light show and give Fremont St back its identity. And yes there should be an extension of the monorail right down Las Vegas Blvd to Fremont St. and southbound to the airport as well!
So Binion's is closing a tower, meanwhile Golden Nugget just opened a 500 room tower last week. What's wrong with this picture?
Whoever is the last person left in Las Vegas will u plaase make shur to shut out the lights before you leave?
Melo : VERY witty there my friend VERY witty..
The opening bell has rung.
It's now survival of the fittest.
Thank you City Center - a magnificent erection with no market - oh - take it away from the rest. Ok, I know Binion's closings has little directly to do with that but beware of the rest to come - I predict 10,000 fewer jobs in places other than City Center!
the coffee shop went down hill after they remodeled, they should have had a upscale joint like hugo's
To all you swells who hang out on the Strip...I wish you well...but for plain old white trash like me...I like downtown Vegas, where they call you by name and treat you respectfully and comp you decently...unlike the swanky joints up on the Strip where you "swells" are just fodder for the corporate crowd....
Also, doesn't the county require a new casino have 250 rooms? I don't know if the city has the same requirement. So can a casino build the rooms and just close them???
Someone I know stayed at the plaza for about $19 a night, the hallway was kind of dumpy, but the room was ok..
One more thing - Cordish has done significant damage a few places - ask them about Niagara Falls and Ballpark Village - and then hold your nose. I like the Mayor - but he is wrong about this one!
Not a surprise. LV Sun you really should replace the Horseshoe picture with a current Binion's picture for the sake of historical authenticity.
Not so long ago Las Vegas was bathing in the limelight of being the most exciting fantastic place on the planet! The problems we are experiencing right now can be overcome, if the absolute idiots who are presently running it take a little time out from their destructive daily routines and read all of the posts on this online publication. They need a shot of what us regular folks are thinking and saying about a place that is near and dear to us..
I'm all for the Downtown spectacular!! I'm there every month for a weekend with my guy. It's the best entertainment for little money!!!!
I love keeping-up with all things Vegas here at LV Sun.
But I gotta tell 'ya , if those who are planning their next Vegas trip were to check-out the LV news as found here , they'll probably stay home !
Now I know that everything is tough right now , but it's really difficult to find much being said of Vegas in any where near a positive way.
If one were to go by what is found here , you would -
* Stay far away from downtown.
* Ride-by City Center as a curious on-looker but don't bother to stop.
* Expect snarled Strip traffic , yet no-one's home.
* Forget Comp's ; they no longer exist ( or those that do ain't worth s... ).
* No cheap food or drink , just some room deals but you may find some bed-bugs.
* Free Lounge entertainment a thing of the past. Think "old Las Vegas".
* Bring your own booze to your room. Nice.
* Cab drivers diverting passengers to locations other than directed.
* The town that never sleeps could surprise you with a "last call" announcement at 11pm.
* Hookers no longer want to f...y.. , just rob you.
* The tour of failed-establishments and construction eye-sores ( Echelon , Fontainbleau ) are a must-see.
* No "loose" slots like the old days.
* Expect to be ripped-off in any number of ways.
* Customer service and friendly staff are replaced by uncaring and rudeness.
* See evidence of the highest foreclosure rate and bankruptcy rate in the nation and nearly the highest unemployment.
* Financial strife everywhere ... even the hospital is broke.
LV Sun's lead story tomorrow should be something positive ... something complimentary to the town ... something good. There is "something" isn't there ?
Well said Tangier!! Let's try to be positive and support Vegas. We do live here!!
i liked the $2.oo steak after 11p at the old 'shoe.i took my son to binions a cpl yrs ago and their steaks were inedible.
better get that sports stadium built!
i hope this is a lesson to people that think just because you throw more bars and casinos into an area that it's a revival.
did "east fremont" really do anything for downtown?
downtown is the strip's ugly sister and if the hot sister can't get dates, no way is the ugly sister going to make it.
Who would have thought Binion's wasn't at the top of every tourist's must stay list? How saddening.
And in other valley news, recycling has become a big business lately as valley residents steal recyclables put out at the curb.
Bob Coyle the head of Southern Nevada's garbage monopoly, Republic Services, says they frequently get reports of recycling theft all around the valley.
"Collectors" are going out in the morning before residential recycling trucks hit neighborhoods and stealing aluminum cans and PET bottles, water bottles transporting recyclables into California where they can take advantage of California's redemption refunds of $0.05 to $0.10 per bottle.
Big business, one truck load can bring in as much as $26,000, while penalties range from $500 to $5,000 according to Republic.
On another note, valley electric utility delinquencies have increased 17% from the previous year according to NV Energy as social services have ran out of money to help valley deadbeats.
And on a final note, financial institutions across America scramble to significantly raise credit-card interest rates during the holiday shopping season in an effort to stick it those who bailed them out before prohibitive legislation takes effect in February -- can you say 30% interest on your outstanding shopping balance?
Merry Christmas.
Ho,ho, ho
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I am new to Vegas and have toured all the strip casinos and the ones downtown.I will say that the strip casinos are much nicer well lets say
most of them are nicer.The one thing I liked about Binions is it still has the Old school Vegas feel.I had never been to Las Vegas until I moved here this past Jan.
I loved the downtown for some reason.The bums and derlicks where kindof a draw back but for the most part I have thruoghly enjoyed Freemont Street.It is ashame that people associate with downtown gamblers as trash I am not trash at all.
The times are rough and I wish the casinos downtown would survive.I was down there about 2 months ago and I will say that my second time was just enjoyable so you folks that want to bash downtown are just close minded and have nothing good to say abput anything.
Downtown is a really great place to go. A good place away from the Mega-Corp Casinos (Harrah's & MGM/Mirage). The only downfall of Downtown was never getting capital to make LV Blvd past Sahara Ave into an extension of the Las Vegas Strip. Bob Stupak tried when he created Vegas World/Stratosphere but no one went further into this idea. Oscar Goodman help build a Casino Corridor Past the Sahara Hotel towards Fremont St and you'll see everyone show up at your door with ideas like Town Square or Sports Complexes just waiting for you.
There is no ''old school Vegas'' feel anymore...anywhere, and it hasn't been like that in ages...
The old western shady outlaw upbeat loose atmosphere of what downtown always had over the majority of strip properties was long gone since 1990 came around... although the Fremont St. Experience project did revitalize downtown as it was dying away, which was needed in 1994 and created the 4 block walkway.
No more killer $2.00 $3.00 $4.95 steaks after hours at the Shoe, no more Jack and Ted as mentioned - which kept the Binion's mystique alive....Although I still had fun at the Shoe whenever I visited thru the 1990's (and even in 2001) as it was still very much alive and always came back to be a part of it win or lose with a happy tummy full of steak and fixins.
However nothing compared like the mid 1980's when I was finally old enough to lay my chips on their crap tables and shrug elbows with all the hardcore shooting cronnies that were real players.
Oh, and the glamour of driving down Fremont Street THRU DOWNTOWN all the way to the Plaza and Main Street before the canopy and walkway was ever thought of....I always hit the Showboat to hang out a while and bowl, then stop at that burrito house nearby with them 29 cent burritos they sold before hitting downtown.
This past March/April I couldn't believe how Binion's has changed, it is like a ghost town in there compared how the Shoe used to be...I mean they changed everything in that place, moved the gift shop, moved the cage, restructured the layout, and it wasn't even lively at all, went upstairs and it was spooky and quiet as you could tell the hotel rooms were hardly occupied.
With all the downtown slot machines being tighter than a virgin's _______, and the Lady Luck being non existant since the past 3 years, and now Binion's taking a fall with no hotel rooms while laying off 100 staff members, it's going to take a lot more than a 14 yr old interactive canopy idea to spark up Downtown Vegas as the establishment cannot constantly pay the full monthly mortgage payment that was agreed to (Four Queens might be next here as well).
Down "and out" Town!
They didn't say Binions Casino is closing, just the rooms. What Binions and the rest of downtown should do is establish a new Las Vegas Poker Tournament. To enter, they have to stay in a downtown hotel.
Binions was always kind dead inside I like downtown stay at the plaza and going back in feb for nascar and staying at plaza again - you dont need a taxi to go to other casinos - they have cleaned it up since long ago - never been in a room at binions so cant say what they look like
"If you don't owe anyone you will never go broke"
....Ted Binion (who was told by his dad) both must be turning in there graves
The "old style" is what made downtown attractive.
They were and still could be casinos with "Personality"
Not the corporate mush of the strip casinos.
If you need Glitz go to the strip.
Please!! bring back the old downtown.
When your gambling you want it to be different then your usual. You want 7am bloodymary's. Live entertainment at 8am and cheap tables, and drinks. Real people are so much more interesting then the clones you find on the strip.
Clones have cars, diamonds, and bull.
Real people have stories,and tales, and lots of laugh's
Vegas is over! Nothing is going to bring back what it used to be. The greedy corporate robots will continue to wrangle in any value wherever it still exists. People don't need to drive or fly all the way out here to get their gambling fix anymore. Their local Indian casinos fill that need with goof value, meals, and comps. Bye Bye Vegas...
That's GOOD value.. Sorry...
I truly hope that Binion's finds a new owner soon to that the hotel can be reopened and the rooms tarted up. I have not stayed there since October of 2008, but my wife and I love the location. Like so many others, we reduced our Las Vegas trips from 4 to 2 in 2009 (we'll be downtown next week at the California). We did not book at Binion's because of their land rent default problems, which made us leery that perhaps they might have to close and thereby affect our holiday. Las Vegas downtown is so attractive to us. Great prices, everything close together, and somewhat better paying (and lower denomination machines). Good luck Binion's and downtown. We are rooting for you.
The irony of this is that Downtown is actually where the real revitilization of this city is going to occur. Over development in the suburbs and on the strip, overseen by arguably the most corrupt and flat out stupid collection of human beings this side of Kabul, is what has killed Las Vegas. Downtown has something that the rest of the valley does not: scale. The uses will change, the buildings will be refurbished, and actual people, with jobs and families and normal lives will begin to move into the more urban downtown environment. Then services for those people will spring up and lo and behold, just like every other major metropolitan area on the planet, high density, urban living will be at hand. And I don't mean in the forced, hipster crap Soho Loft sort of way. I'm talking about regular people who do regular things.
I'm a native of the valley. It is sad to see Binion's go on some level. But it is the natural order of things. Cities gentrify and Las Vegas is just hitting its adolescence.
You want old Vegas traditions of people knowing you name and treating you well... then head to Boulder Highway. I visit Vegas for a week a year on a gambling binge. One night we always go downtown and drink and gamble. It has definitely slowly deteriorated since the "experience" was installed. The low lifes open our eyes to the underbelly of Vegas. It would be nice to see some more cops around, but I never have had a problem. I don't want a pristine corporate money sucking strip hotel to gamble in. I'll eat at their restaurants, but never gamble there. I always stay at Bill's Gambling Hall for a nice room, ideal location, a hopping little casino, decent priced drinks, convenient parking lot steps from the casino or my room, but I prefer gambling at Eastside Cannery, Sunset Staion, Green Valley, or the Skyline. I defy you to spend a night gambling and drinking at the not to glamorous Skyline and not enjoy it. I have plenty of money, but like the feel of be treated well by friendly bartenders, dealers, and fellow patrons. I know Station and Green Valley are also faceless corporate hotels, but i get a better feel from them.
To me the draw and greatness of downtown was always that it was the antithesis of the strip.
When it was western and rustic that was the best, and an attraction unto itself.
I believe the decline, except for the Golden Nugget which somehow always attracted new investors (likely the Wynn effect) has been mostly due to the Fremont Street Experience.
Take the canopy down, raze closed nearby buildings and marginal operations and create something new that plays upon the past.
It's time for some demolition.
denro : Definitely get rid of that effen canopy ! and put the two way street back in with angled parking spaces!
The years have taken its toll on the casino now called Binions.
When I broke in at the Golden Gate in 1976, the Horseshoe was the place to go after work. We could get 50 cent drinks and a decent steak dinner for 2 dollars. My sister was a blackjack dealer there and she was making great tokes and wearing bluejeans in the pit. It was a great time to be in Vegas.
Now sadly since Teddy died the Horseshoe is long gone. I agree with the other readers that the canopy has got to go. I remember when downtown was the place to cruise and really the heart of Las Vegas. The Fremont experience is trying to not get harassed or mugged on the street past the Four Queens.
johnnyTwoFingaz : That makes you Mr wonderful huh?
johnnytwofingaz: You are so wrong. It is ordinary tourists who will bring Las Vegas (including downtown) back to prosperity. This recession appears already to be pretty much over in much of the rest of the world, and the USA won't be far behind. Your new brand of ultra-greedy capitalism is certainly haunting you now, but things will be fixed. New casino owners with cash will ride up, buy up the debt-ridden casinos and hotels, fix them up, and whammo Las Vegas is back in business. It might well be that downtown will be the first area to hit the big time again, since the existing hotel/casinos will cost so much less to purchase and refurbish. I can't wait to see Vegas booming again.
FromBellevilleCanada : What pipe have you been smoking from? This recession is just getting underway, and has not even gotten close to bottoming out yet. The next wave awaits us in the New Year.
mrability : Seems like you must have lost a little money here once upon a time...
i hope that harrah entertainment company should buy the binion hote and casino it like harrah entertainment planning to buy planet hollywood hotel and casino. harrah entertainment company is a very big company and billion of dollar investment. it is a big empire now. it like mgm mirage company too. but if not mgm mirage company hope to buy that too. maybe boyd gaming comnpany should buy that binion hotel and casino too. maybe the visitor is slow to visit las vegas, nevada. hope to recovery next year 2010!
Vegas would be ok even during this recession....under the conditions that there are not so many of the super big sized casinos on the Strip. Right now what we have is a total over-supply and that's why they're all suffering.
Actually, to the tourists, it's better this way as the casinos need to remain competitive and work a bit harder to get the customer in. I like it better that way but will spend my same amount I spend year after year. So Vegas can price in my few thousands I will drop there next spring.
Greetings from Switzerland
I don't see room prices rebounding to the record highs of 2006/2007. Add 30000 new rooms (2007 - 2010) and you just messed up the supply/demand economics that had everyone on strip and downtown making profits. Until a backroom deal happens from Harrahs/MGM/(Boyd-Station) and all agree to shut down one property each (CCircus, IP, WWWest and Gold Coast maybe?) prices will stay low and some of the less popular properties will no longer be economically viable.
Ok, there is so much wisdom in these comments that I have asked the Pres to appoint a new commission on crap - and he has agreed so now you are all responsible for the economic recovery, health care for all and victory in Afghanistan.
Really from what I understand the strip is better because they have bigger and healthier bed bugs!
I do predict 10,000 jobs down the tubes within the entertainment industry unless there is recovery and then it will only be 7,000. That is because of the gift from MGM the Grandest and their wonderful erection - City da Center!
Greetings from Canada: I stayed at Binions the start of November and found nothing wrong with the place, sure the rooms are old, but they were clean, NO BED BUGS that I could see, staff are friendly. I have been going to Vegas for the past 25 years, use to stay on the strip but for the past 10 years, its always downtown. I would much rather stay downtown, who wants to deal with snoobs on the strip,and sluts on parade. Freemont Street is more fun. I feel sorry for all the folks that will be losing their jobs.I would rate the Binions staff as some of the best downtown.
I'm 55 and I liked it when it was cheaper. I swear LV now in one of the hotels out on the strip it's 50 bucks for breakfast in your room...then I got to tip. Who can afford that. i need a 50 buck room and meals and shows to match......sorry it's the new Walmart America......but that's what i want...i am very sorry for the employees. Everything is just way overpriced in America...but wages.
it would be better if that canopy show had some relevance to vegas, with cool old photos or videos of vegas, but the "alien abduction" stuff?
really?
so corny.
i mean the sun archives alone has thousands of images of vegas in the 50's - 70's.
Contrary to all the trash talk about Downtown Las Vegas, Mayor Goodman has the right idea concerning the future of the City. Right now with the economy in the shape it is in, the only entity that has a chance to not only survive, but thrive is Downtown. First of all, the majority of the hotels are bought & paid for, have better room rates than the Strip, and have a loyal customer base ( something that the Strip hotels can only hope to achieve in the coming years. A few cosmetic changes, both inside & outside of the Downtown properties will make all the difference in the world.
I work in Tourism here in Las Vegas, and hear many comments from my customers about what changes need to be made, and the one I hear most is about the condition of the hotels & casinos downtown. Most people like the closeness of the Hotels, and the friendly attitude of the Employees. Something you will not see on the Strip.
For Oscar...keep up the good work & maintain your vision...it will be your legacy.
Also a note to the powers that be at Boyd Gaming. Please drop your plans for the acquisition of Stations. Your best bet right now is to beat Carl Icahn in his bid to buy a 70% completed Hotel and Casino on the Strip. Trash the Echelon plans, sell the property & Buy now while the iron is hot. You know what hotel I am talking about, right?
mrkoolkat06-
Please call Boyd Gaming at 702-792-7200 ( ask for Keith ) and let him know which hotel is for sale at 70% complete.
You seem to possess some insider info that you wish to hold close to the vest , so to speak.
Or maybe you couldn't spell FONTAINEBLEAU ...
Something led me to check the Vegas news today...now I know what it was. Reading this article was like reading an obituary for an old friend. I worked at the "Shoe" as a craps dealer from 1975-78. The environment was magical, it still felt like the Old West. Outside there were no light shows, pedestrian malls, junk trinket stores, discount ticket kiosks, etc. Just people cruising the greatest street in America, Fremont St. Inside,the action was heavy; Bennie and Jack instituted "no-limit craps" and "five-times odds". I've seen $10K line and come bets booked without a blink from the pit boss. The whole operation was class from the word go.
I like how the Las Vegas Sun write's this story after it laid-off a big percentage it's staff today. Go Greenspun!
Staying DownTown is sometimes a hassle. Last visit I had there, I was constantly asked by the homeless for a handout. I know it is some place in every city, and even quite common in some areas in Honolulu, but it really was a distraction.
Robinson said Dec. 14 was chosen as the closing date because it's a traditionally slower time after the Nationals Finals Rodeo, which ends Dec. 12.
Among the many other things he accomplished, Benny Binion was also instrumental in moving the NFR from Oklahoma to Las Vegas.
It's a shame - the Frontier and now Binions - where can an old Cowboy stay in Vegas
oldcowboy : I recommend the el Cortez to ya there buddy..
What to do about downtown has been a question unanswered for a long, long time. The demise of Binion's is not new news.
Of course, downtown is not the only area in the valley that is fighting to survive. Matter of fact, gaming receipts are down all over the country....in other words, "It's the economy, stupid."
Las Vegas lives and dies depending upon the health of the national economy in general, and the econony of California in particular.
California has been sliding down a "slippery-slope" for a good while. California is only one of some 40 other states, however, that are struggling in a sea of red ink. Many are borrowing millions weekly just to pay their monthly bills.
Don't look for the Las Vegas economy, especially downtown, to come roaring back any time in the immediate future...
Las Vegas will survive its present demise, however, but the city may look a lot differently down the road.
Let's face it......the bubble has burst!
poker_ray : I happen to know many of the people who worked in the hotel, and they are as American as ever. They are long time loyal workers who mutate all the way back to Mr. and Mrs. B. So make sure you have your facts straight before you shoot at the hip..
I love downtown on the weekends coronas are 2 bucks cocktail waitress' everywhere, we haave the best times. But go during a week day and its not worth it! It takes a cocktail waitress an hour before she gets to you and you go to a casino bar and a corona is 6 bucks! Mine as well stay on the strip during the weekdays!
El Cortez is the true downtown jewel. And the Plaza, the real cassic. These two casinos shall survive. Vegas Club is probably the next one to jump over the cliff, but Plaza is ok. Golden Nugget, Fremont, Fitzgerald, they're all ok.
I wonder if the Binions will close down entirely or if they can re-open their hotel tower by summer....any news on that one?
The Downtown is still a better place to gamble as the odds are better. The strip has more Chapter 11's then the DOWNTOWN. I guess time will tell. The economy is slowly picking up.
The Cannery and the East Side Cannery both have coin-in and coin-out Full Pay Jacks-or-Better Videopoker, 99.54 per cent payback!!! These machines are fun and very noisy as most of the time almost all machines are occupied.
I don't think you can find such nostalgic promo machines anywhere on the Strip. Not even in Downtown. The Cannery people have brought back some of the good things that Vegas was known for. Even if there may be less than 20 of these machines in the casino, it's a little something.
Would be great to see the Plaza, Golden Nugget and all the other still remaining downtown casinos make similar efforts to keep the action going.
You can have the money, or the hammer, but you can't have both.
From Switzerland
The first thing Benny would do if he were alive and coming back to run the place is give rooms away for $1 a night to out of state guests, remodel and open the downstairs coffee shop with great prices, and put on some of the greatest gaming promotions Vegas has ever seen. I have always had great respect for him and his son Jack. They are part of a small group of people who just plain get it.
loosemoose
1 dollar for 1 night is not a great incentive. the rooms must be remodelled and the coffee shop must also get an up-lift. in the recent months food quality and service lacked big time so people just would not return.
I believe that the casino and the hotel has a chance of survival. The hotel and casino should be closed temporarily and remodelled. A new investor with nostalgic touch should get the old days liven up and I am sure people will return, even if they have to pay 35 dollars per night.
additional bonus info: the problem about the Binions Hotel is that it's just too old. The water pipes are probably over-aged and corrosion may have gone too far already. The elevator from the main casino floor to the park deck is a) not reliable and b) probably not enough to meet all demand on the busy hours.
The location is terrific but the remodelling costs might be too high to make this place profitable and up-to-date again. The previous owners probably never thought about maintain that place well and now the entire building seems to be falling apart.
I noticed that the toilets would not flush the sh.id when I had to go on a comfort break and that was only one of the things that bothered me. The rooms facing Fremont Street are not sound protected against this continuous loudspeaker noise plus the coffee shop is also suffering. Too long waiting time and food quality that needs improvement.
I think that only a complete remodelling would help survival of this joint. If not, we will have another Glitter Gulch casino without hotel rooms. I think they should make a clean cut and shut down entirely or close it for remodelling and re-open in 2011 or so. Partial operating of the casino floor is not a solution. It's the end of the line.
From Switzerland
When i first read that Binion's was closing it's hotel i felt sad.
Not that i may have ever stayed there again.The first time the room was just to small.
Our view was a brick wall, and the bathtub and sink/toilet were so crammed together i actually hit my head on the sink getting out of the tub.
all that aside i realize these old rooms were built at a time no one cared about space-they just needed somewhere to sleep/shower.
They didnt stay in the room and watch TV etc.
also event thoguh it was tiny the room was clean and nicely furnished--that helps-espcially the clean part.
We were planning a trip this past december and my husband likes to play Poker at Binion's like so many do.
After gambling in the casino for a few hours while he played poker- i can see why thier days are surely numbered.
It is the service plain and simple.
i was waititng on a cocktail waitress so i could get a diet soda and she walked past several times looking the other way ignoring my "excuse me's."
30 minutes went by and she walked right in front of me and i asked her are you taking drink orders? yes she said but i will be right back-well you guessed it she never came back.
i saw her standing at the bar which i could see from my machine talking to the bartender for the longest time.
Another waitress soon joined them -
i finally was able to get my drink and my husband came soon after and i told him lets go back to our hotel/casino where i at least can have something to drink while playing .
I have defiantely changed my first thought of sadness about them closing their hotel-to that is what happnes when you give lousy service.
And for all those old timers saying the service used to be great i have one thing to say to you- KEY WORDS "USED TO BE"...
i also didint care for the desolate area at the old poker tables where they have bathrooms and the gift shop-too creepy..
i say close and do a complete remodel , but of course we know if they closed for that they will be another Lady Luck.