Casino Player September 2022

THE BEST OF GAMING 2022

Best Casino: Circa Las Vegas

D owntown Las Vegas is one of the best places in the world— maybe THE best place—for casino-hopping. Casinos are short distances apart, with entrances right up to the walkway under the Fremont Street Experience, which brings nighttime animation and sound shows that are a free highlight of any trip downtown. When you go into the casinos, everything’s right there. You don’t have to walk a quarter-mile from street to entrance, nor do you need to walk through acres of shopping outlets before you get to the gaming floor. When you’re downtown, casinos tempt you with the games rather than other ways to spend your money. There has been change over the years. Some of the old neon blaze is gone. Vegas Vic, who once towered over Fremont Street, is a relic of downtown’s past, as is the old Golden Nugget sign that set the standard for brighter-than-bright glare. Still, if you make a trip to Fremont Street you’ll see the bright reds and blues marking Binion’s and the glitzy mass of reds and golds outside Sam Boyd’s Fremont. Circa Las Vegas became the area’s first newly constructed casino in decades when it debuted in October 2020. The property quickly turned heads and found plenty of fans. Circa is owned by casino impresario Derek Stevens, along with his brother, Greg. Circa’s Stadium Swim pool and sports betting center also made a huge impact on downtown Las Vegas. The facility mixed the best of the Vegas pool scene and the fun of the sportsbook and earned Best Pool again. The Circa brand is also extended to Stevens’ live and mobile sportsbooks, with retail locations not only at the other properties but others around Nevada and a few other states. The property also took top honors for Best Hotel,

Best Rooms, Best Suites, Best Casino, Best VIP Services, Best Promotions, Best High Limit Room, Best Overall Sportsbook, Best Sportsbook Betting Options, Best Prop Bets and Friendliest Sportsbook. The Golden Nugget also impressed and grabbed the silver medal for the second straight year. Many describe this classic property as a Strip-caliber resort in a downtown setting, and gamblers continue showing up at the Nugget in droves. The property was voted No. 1 for Best Hotel Lobby, Best Spa, Favorite Casino Resort to Vacation At, Best Players Club, Best Table Games, Best Non-Smoking Casino/Area, Best Video Slots, Best Roulette and Best Sportsbook Promotions. For poker players, the Golden Nugget is the place to be downtown, sweeping the card-playing categories with Best Poker Room, Live Poker and Tournaments. The Plaza earned the bronze medal after being outside the top standings last year. This classic property has made some major improvements and additions over the last few years including adding YouTube slot player Brian Christopher’s own slot section to the casino floor. Even more additions are planned in the coming months, as

outlined recently in Casino Player . The Plaza shined for Best Hotel Staff, Favorite Casino Resort For a Staycation, Best Slot Tournaments, Best Reel Slots, Best Bingo and Best Keno.

Best Overall Gaming Resort ❶ Circa Las Vegas ❷ Golden Nugget Las Vegas ❸ The Plaza

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