Locals casino
From ArticleWorld
Locals casinos are casinos that cater to the local population of an area rather than the typical gambling tourist. Like everything else, however, the locals casino must keep up with the times. To do this, the once quaint and comfortable place, far away from the maddening crowds, has stepped up and put some glam in its belly.
History
Although games like poker, which were not played against the house, and some slot machines, which paid off in prizes rather than cash, existed in Nevada during the first two decades of the twentieth century, March 19, 1931 is known as the birthday of gambling in Nevada. On this date, then governor, Fred Balzar, signed Assembly Bill 98 into law. This law legalized gambling in the state and made way for slot routes, locals casinos and the famous Las Vegas Strip.
Like many great ideas, enacting AB 98 was only a small part of the governor’s hope to turn Nevada into a top-notch tourist destination. Most hope was put into the diversity of the climate and building an area rich in outdoor activities. Little did anyone realize that people would be more interested in gambling than basking in the sun.
Entering Las Vegas
Despite Benjamin, Bugsy, Seigel’s slow start in building and operating the infamous Flamingo casino in 1945-46, (which eventually caused his demise), Las Vegas gambling succeeded. Success didn’t come from the big glamorous palaces that Bugsy envisioned, but from locals casinos like:
- The Showboat in 1954
- The Moulin Rouge in 1955
- The Bingo Palace in 1974
- Sam’s Town in 1979
These locals casinos catered to the area population that wanted comfort rather than glitz, and whose services offered a good place to eat, perhaps a movie theatre and some shopping. Bingo was a big draw in locals casinos, as was keno. The few upscale, full-service casinos did not offer these relatively new games.
At the time, the term locals casino was not yet in our vocabulary. They were simply known as standard casinos. The advent of a growing tourist trade, heavier traffic and most locals being employed by the larger resorts, the need to get away from the crowds and noise made a market for the neighborhood establishments.
Non-believers argued that if locals wanted to just play slots they could go to the corner bar, and if they wanted a night on the town, they could go to the Strip. Some casino owners, however, disagreed and gambled on building more extravagant establishments, away from the Strip, in order to accommodate the local population. They contested that Las Vegans were just like other gamblers and seekers of adventure; they wanted a full-service experience. The only difference being that after having to deal with the noise, traffic congestion and offering Las Vegas hospitality to the thousands of tourists everyday, they wanted to escape the madness and enjoy the fun.
In his article for the Las Vegas Business Press, Neighborhood Casinos: the next generation has arrived Dr. David G. Schwartz, Director of Gaming and Research at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, writes:
The first locals casinos were built for comfort rather than style. Operators felt that local customers didn’t want the glitz of the Strip, but instead wanted casinos with convenient parking, friendly bingo rooms, and reliable restaurants.
Known as one of the world’s leading authorities on gambling and it’s history, Dr. Schwartz goes on to say, "But Las Vegas residents, many of whom work in Strip casinos and nearly all of whom entertain out-of-town visitors there, have become increasingly sophisticated casino consumers. They increasingly want more than just a place to play video poker--they want the style of the Strip, but close to home."