Walk down the Las Vegas Strip today and you're mostly dodging TikTokers in front of the Bellagio fountains or trying not to get run over by a rogue Sphere-gazing tourist. It’s all glass, LED screens, and $25 cocktails. But if you stop right in the center of the chaos, across from Caesars Palace, there’s a splash of neon pink that feels like it’s from a different dimension.
That’s the Flamingo.
Honestly, when people ask about the oldest casino in Las Vegas Strip history, things get messy. You’ve got people shouting about the Golden Gate (which is downtown, not the Strip) or the Tropicana (which just closed in 2024 to make room for a baseball stadium).
But if we are talking about what is still standing, still dealing cards, and still taking bets on the actual Strip, the Flamingo is the undisputed heavyweight champ. It opened its doors on December 26, 1946.
It’s been through mob hits, corporate takeovers, and enough renovations to make it look like a totally different building. Yet, it’s still there.
The Flamingo: Why It’s the Real "Oldest" on the Strip
To understand why the Flamingo matters, you have to realize that in 1946, the Strip wasn't really "The Strip." It was a dusty stretch of Highway 91. Most of the action was downtown on Fremont Street.
The Flamingo wasn't even the first to open on this road—that honor goes to the El Rancho Vegas (1941) and the Last Frontier (1942). But those are long gone, turned into parking lots or newer mega-resorts.
The Flamingo survived.
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The Bugsy Siegel Factor
You can’t talk about the oldest casino on the Strip without mentioning Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel. Most people think he "invented" Vegas. He didn't. He basically hijacked a project started by Billy Wilkerson, the guy who founded The Hollywood Reporter.
Wilkerson ran out of money. Siegel, with the backing of the mob, moved in with a "partnership" offer Wilkerson couldn't really refuse.
The opening night was a total disaster. It rained. The hotel rooms weren't even finished. Guests lost money at the tables and then left because they couldn't stay the night. Siegel was murdered six months later in Beverly Hills, likely because his mob investors were tired of the project being a money pit.
What’s Left of the Original?
Here is the catch: if you’re looking for the original 1946 walls, you won't find them.
The last of the original Siegel-era buildings, the Oregon Building, was torn down in the 1990s. Today’s Flamingo is a collection of towers built mostly between the late 70s and the 90s.
- The Vibe: It still leans into the "Miami Vice" pink and neon.
- The Wildlife: There is a literal habitat with Chilean flamingos and a very famous pelican.
- The Location: It sits on some of the most valuable real estate in the world.
The "Almost" Contenders: What Happened to the Others?
Up until very recently, the "oldest" conversation was a two-horse race between the Flamingo and the Tropicana.
The Tropicana opened in 1957. It was gorgeous, nicknamed the "Tiffany of the Strip." For decades, it held onto that classic Vegas feel while everything around it turned into a theme park. But in April 2024, the Trop finally closed its doors. It’s being cleared out for the new Oakland Athletics (now Las Vegas Athletics) stadium.
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Then there's the Sahara. It opened in 1952. While the Sahara is technically still there, it spent a few years rebranded as "SLS" before going back to the Sahara name. Purists argue that because it "died" and was "reborn," the Flamingo has the stronger claim to "continuous operation."
Don't Get It Confused With Downtown
This is where most tourists get tripped up. If you search for the "oldest casino in Las Vegas," Google will often point you toward the Golden Gate Hotel & Casino.
The Golden Gate is ancient. It opened in 1906. But—and this is a big "but"—it’s located at 1 Fremont Street. That is Downtown Las Vegas.
The Strip (Las Vegas Boulevard) is technically outside the city limits in a place called Paradise, Nevada. It’s a completely different vibe.
| Casino | Location | Opened | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Gate | Downtown | 1906 | Still Open |
| El Cortez | Downtown | 1941 | Still Open |
| Flamingo | The Strip | 1946 | Still Open |
| Sahara | The Strip | 1952 | Still Open (Rebranded/Reopened) |
| Tropicana | The Strip | 1957 | Closed 2024 |
Why the Flamingo Still Matters in 2026
You might think a place that’s been around since the 40s would be a dump. Honestly? It kinda depends on which room you book.
The Flamingo isn't trying to be the Wynn or the Encore. It’s a mid-range spot for people who want to be in the middle of the action without paying $500 a night.
But its real value is in its history. Standing on that casino floor, you’re standing where the mob once ruled. You’re where the Rat Pack used to hang out before they moved over to the Sands (RIP).
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How to Experience the History
If you want to feel the "Old Vegas" soul of the Flamingo, skip the standard slot machines for a second.
- Visit the Memorial: There’s a stone pillar and plaque near the wedding chapel marking the site of the "Bugsy Suite."
- The Steakhouse: Eat at Bugsy & Meyer’s Steakhouse. It’s a newer addition, but they went all-in on the 1940s speakeasy aesthetic.
- The Neon: Check out the "Champagne Toast" neon sign at night. It’s an evolution of the original 1950s design.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest myth? That Bugsy Siegel started the Flamingo from scratch. He was basically the "project manager" who blew the budget and paid for it with his life.
Another misconception is that the Flamingo is "too old" to be fun. In reality, its pool party (GO Pool) is one of the rowdiest on the Strip. It’s a weird mix of 80-year-old history and 21-year-old spring breakers.
Actionable Tips for Your Visit
If you're heading to the oldest casino on the Strip, keep these things in mind to make the trip worth it:
- Walk the Habitat: It’s free. You don't have to stay there to see the birds and the turtles. It’s one of the few quiet spots left on the Strip.
- Location is King: You can walk to the Linq, High Roller, and Caesars in about three minutes. Use the Flamingo as your "base camp."
- Check the Tower: The Flamingo has multiple towers. The "Flamingo Rooms" are the renovated, modern ones. The older "Fab" rooms can be a bit... vintage (and not always in a good way).
- Parking Hack: Like most Caesars properties, they charge for parking, but if you have a certain level of loyalty card, it’s free.
The Flamingo has survived because it adapted. It went from a mob-run desert oasis to a corporate giant, yet it never lost that pink neon identity. In a city that loves to blow up its history with TNT, the fact that the Flamingo is still standing is nothing short of a miracle.
To see the history for yourself, head to the center of the Strip. Look for the neon feathers. You can't miss it.