On Thursday, the historic downtown property celebrated the official launch of a $20 million expansion, featuring heartfelt speeches, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and a proclamation from the mayor declaring February 20 as “El Cortez Hotel & Casino Day” in Las Vegas.
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“I feel fantastic,” Epstein expressed after the festivities concluded, beaming with joy. “I feel great because people are enjoying it. If they weren’t, I’d be concerned. But everyone seems to love it, and the happiness is clear.”
The expansion of El Cortez added nearly 10,000 square feet to the venue. It includes two new bars, the Roulette Bar and Showbar, a high-limit slots area, an enlarged table games section, and a noodle restaurant creatively named Hot Noods.
Earlier this month, a soft opening of the newly expanded area gave the public a first look at the revamped El Cortez.
Joe Woody, the chief financial officer of the property, described the recent expansion as “the best project we’ve undertaken, by far.” He also mentioned that additional projects are already in the pipeline.
Adam Wiesberg, the general manager of El Cortez, noted that while the completed expansion met his expectations, the vibrant energy it brought to the property was an unexpected delight.
“It’s incredibly exciting,” he remarked. “What has really amazed me is the atmosphere in this area. On a Friday or Saturday night, it feels nothing short of ‘magical.'”
Originally opened in 1941, the downtown Las Vegas gambling hall has always held a unique significance in the city’s history. In 2013, El Cortez earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places.
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An off-Strip casino has introduced a gambler-friendly change to its blackjack games, diverging from the gaming industry’s trend of implementing rules that favor the house.
The Palms casino-hotel is now offering a payout of 3:2 on all blackjack tables, a shift that applies to both the main casino floor and high-limit areas.
Previously, the Palms had a mix of blackjack tables that paid 3:2 or 6:5, which became increasingly common among Las Vegas Strip casinos.
This property-wide change at the Palms took effect on Valentine’s Day.
“We are dedicated to providing the best gaming experience for our guests, particularly our local players,” said Scott Hager, vice president of gaming at Palms. “By enhancing and expanding our blackjack offerings, we demonstrate our commitment to top-quality table games and ensuring an outstanding experience for everyone who visits.”
In a 3:2 game, players receive $3 for every $2 bet when they are dealt blackjack (a hand totaling 21), compared to $6 for every $5 in a 6:5 payout game.
This payout difference can significantly impact both players and the casino. For instance, a $10 wager pays out $15 on a 3:2 table, while the same wager yields $12 in a 6:5 game.
After the pandemic, many casino operators expanded their offerings by raising table minimums and introducing games with a considerably higher house edge, such as triple-zero roulette and 6:5 blackjack.
John Mehaffey, co-owner of VegasAdvantage.com and an advocate for players, pointed out that the gaming industry’s competitive landscape requires operators to continuously adapt to market shifts and consumer preferences.
The Palms has stated that it will keep table game minimums unchanged due to the new 3:2 blackjack policy. The casino offers $5 blackjack and $5 craps around the clock, seven days a week.
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