When people think of Nevada, they usually think of Las Vegas but, as significant as this hub of casino entertainment may be, there’s one casino in the state of Nevada that just might be more worthy of your attention. It’s been in operation since they started building Hoover Dam. The Railroad Pass Hotel & Casino is the longest operating casino in Nevada and this weekend it is celebrating its 85th anniversary.
In my opinion, the Railroad Pass Hotel & Casino challenges the Las Vegas slogan, “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas”. It’s quite obvious that you can leave Las Vegas and head towards Hoover Dam and still enjoy an unforgettable casino game by stopping at the Railroad Pass Casino.
The Railroad Casino had been offering its services to casino lovers since 1931, the very year gambling was first legalized in Nevada. Actually, this long-standing casino holds a gaming licence Number 4. The casino that holds the licence Number 3 has long gone out of business, whereas the licences with the numbers 1 and 2 had not been issued in the first place.
So, what’s the secret behind staying so long in business? Owner DeSimone values each and every person that works for the hotel and the casino. He makes his employees feel appreciated and instills a sense of pride in them for being part of this great endeavor. There isn’t much turnover and some employees have been at that job for many years – some of them as much as 40 years. Moreover, the owner and manager takes care of the building, the land it stands on and the community, while not forgetting the comfort of potential customers. However, all the improvements are just that – an upgrade on the traditional casino. They aim to keep the original spirit of the 1931 casino alive, not to displace it.
The casino’s 85th anniversary celebrations will continue for three days leading up to August 1. There will be many special offers on casino games, food and drinks specials, and exclusive events like a ribbon-cutting ceremony. With champagne and cake and Tootsie Pops (did you know they were also invented in 1931?), it will definitely be an event to remember. So, if you’re anywhere near or are planning a vacation in Nevada, make sure to join in the festivities. If you book your stay at the hotel, you’ll also be eligible to get one free night’s stay in December.
By the way, do you know which the world’s oldest casino is? Though there are some variations of the answer to this question, Casinò di Venezia in Venice, Italy, is generally considered the oldest operating casino in the world. It’s been offering its services, in the same building, since 1638.