Oldest Las Vegas Hotel's Table Games Eliminated by Golden Gate Casino
Golden Gate Hotel and Casino Transitions to Electronic Table Games
In a move reflecting a citywide trend in Las Vegas, the Golden Gate Hotel and Casino, a historic landmark established in 1906, has announced its transition from live table games to electronic table games (ETGs). This decision, effective at the end of August 2023, comes as the casino embraces the future of gaming.
The Golden Gate's table game pit, which once housed 80 tables, has been scaled down over the years, with two occasions seeing the removal of tables to make way for electronic alternatives. As of March 2020, the number of tables stood at 67, a figure that will further reduce to 67 with the closure of the Poker Palace in September.
Circa Hospitality Group, the current owner of the Golden Gate Hotel and Casino, has stated that this change is part of their strategy to adapt to the evolving gaming landscape. Dealers from the Golden Gate Hotel and Casino will have the opportunity to explore other job opportunities within the Circa Hospitality Group, with positions available at tables at the D or Circa Las Vegas.
The shift towards ETGs is primarily driven by advances in gaming technology. ETGs offer an interactive and engaging gaming experience, with touchscreens, immersive graphics, and the ability for players to participate in multiple games simultaneously. This technology-driven shift helps casinos attract diverse players and maintain competitiveness amid changing consumer preferences and the rise of online gambling.
Key reasons for this transition include increased player interactivity and engagement, operational efficiency, broader audience appeal, multi-game capability, and market growth and legal expansion. ETGs provide a social and interactive gaming environment, often with touchscreens and customizable gameplay, offering a more engaging experience than traditional live games. By incorporating technology, casinos can attract tech-savvy players and younger demographics who favor digital interfaces and faster gameplay.
Electronic games also reduce the need for multiple dealers and can operate continuously without breaks, streamlining staffing and increasing table utilization. The multi-game capability of ETGs allows players to engage simultaneously in several games, unlike the one-game-at-a-time format of live tables.
The ETG market is growing strongly, particularly in North America, supported by new jurisdictions legalizing electronic gaming and investments in gaming technology. This transition is not an isolated incident, as other properties like the Eastside Cannery, Texas Station, and Fiesta Henderson have not reopened, signifying the industry's shift towards digital gaming.
Circa Hospitality Group plans to offer an electronic table games pit that will be "unlike anything downtown has seen." As the Golden Gate Hotel and Casino continues its journey into the future, it joins a growing number of casinos in Las Vegas that are embracing the benefits of electronic table games.
The Golden Gate Hotel and Casino's shift towards electronic table games (ETGs) aligns with the casino-and-gambling trend in Las Vegas, as they transition from live table games. Starting in September 2023, the casino will feature ETGs, offering casino-games in a more interactive and engaging manner compared to traditional live games, with touchscreens, immersive graphics, and multiple-game capability.
