Circus Circus revives midcentury Vegas with bingo hall and coin slots
Circus Circus has resurrected a midcentury Las Vegas leisure format, opening a 255-seat bingo room and enlarging a coin-operated slot area as part of a broader push toward nostalgic, budget-friendly gaming.
Key Takeaways:
- Circus Circus introduces a 255-seat bingo room with cash prizes up to $1,500
- The casino expands coin-operated slot areas and offers low-cost concessions
- Initiative aims to attract older patrons, locals and nostalgic tourists amid rising Strip prices
Circus Circus announced the opening of the new bingo hall last week with sessions running Thursdays through Sundays with multiple daily games played on paper using daubers and cash prizes up to $1,500; the venue will also sell low-cost concessions such as $2 hot dogs and popcorn.
The move, which was announced in December, contrasts with rising Strip prices and reflects demand for lower-ticket experiences among cost-conscious visitors.
Reviving retro bingo play
Bingo has long been interwoven with Las Vegas’ history, flourishing during the mid-1900s as a social, accessible gaming option. Iconic resorts like the Riviera, which operated from 1955 until its demolition in 2016, were renowned for their vibrant bingo halls that drew community-minded players of all ages.
Circus Circus’ project revives elements long absent from the Strip since the Riviera’s demolition and complements existing low-minimum table games at the adjacent Slots-A-Fun operation.
Circus Circus General Manager Shana Gerety said, “We’re trying to bring Vegas back to Vegas,” framing the initiative as both nostalgic and tactical, per the Las Vegas Review Journal.
The property positions the offering as a destination for older patrons and value-seeking locals as well as nostalgic tourists.
