Slots-A-Fun Update

Our good friends at vegastripping.com finally got the scoop out of MGM Mirage regarding Slots-A-Fun. Here's what they had to say:

For purposes of operational efficiency, the two separate gaming licenses at Circus Circus Las Vegas and Slots-A-Fun were merged into one license on July 1. Guests will notice that there are new gaming chips and some other minor, visible changes at Slots-A-Fun, in order to comply with the new licensing structure. There are no plans to sell or close Slots-A-Fun.

The official name of the property will be Slots-A-Fun at Circus Circus.

The news makes it sound like not much will change. Since the licenses were merged, uniforms, chips, signs have to be changed, but the feel, carpet, etc. shouldn't have to change. No one seems to know yet if Slots-A-Fun will be incorporating the ticket-in ticket-out system, but some sources say that they have already begun the changeover. That is sad as Slots-A-Fun was the last place on the strip where you could still hear coins hit the trey.

However, I'm glad to hear that the hot dogs, carpet, and overall feel are (hopefully) not going to change.

Not Slots-A-Fun

I had been thinking about writing some thoughts and musings on Las Vegas for a while now, but nothing had really kicked it off for me... until today. It appears that MGM Mirage has decided to close down the smallest casino on the Las Vegas Strip, Slots-A-Fun, and to add it on to the Circus Circus property.

This saddens me in more ways that I can describe. Slots-A-Fun had so much character. It was the only casino left on the strip that still disbursed coins when you cashed out (a great sound that can't be duplicated with speakers no matter how hard you try). The carpet was classic... do a Google search if you haven't seen it or don't remember it. They had $1.99 (recently raised from 99 cents) hot dogs, cheap drinks, really low limit tables ($1 blackjack, $2 Craps, 50 cent Roulette). It definitely was a one-of-a-kind place.

By contrast there is nothing fun or welcoming about Circus Circus. It is so bad that MGM Mirage won't even include their players card there. So as of July 1st Slots-A-Fun will being being re-branded and incorporated into the Circus Circus property. It's a sad day for Vegas fans and people who wanted a cheap fun place to gamble. I'm glad I got to see it one last time in May and that my last great memory will be my girlfriend hitting a small jackpot on the Deal or No Deal slot machine. Slots-A-Fun will always hold a fond place in my heart. More of my time will now be spent at Fremont Street, especially since I have no need to walk north of Encore anymore.

RIP dear friend.