The Golden Gate Hotel & Casino, recognized as the oldest operating hotel in Las Vegas, is undergoing a significant transformation. According to Derek Stevens, CEO of Circa Resort & Casino, the property will phase out all live dealer table games in favor of a fully electronic gaming experience—marking a first for Downtown Las Vegas.
This strategic update is part of a broader initiative to reimagine the casino floor and enhance the guest experience through modernized offerings.
Big changes are coming to the Golden Gate, and we couldn’t be more excited. As the oldest hotel in Las Vegas, we’ve always embraced the future, and now we’re reimagining our casino floor with a high-energy electronic table games pit unlike anything downtown has seen. Expect more excitement, faster gameplay, and all the newest machines. All of our table games team members at the Golden Gate are being offered roles at Circa or the D, or the opportunity to explore new departments within the company.
Vegas Deals With Tourism Decline
Recent reports are claiming that tourism is down in Las Vegas, and many casinos are reporting a loss of potential revenue as a result. Las Vegas visitors dropped by approximately 11% year-over-year, with June 2025 welcoming around 400,000 fewer visitors compared to the same month in 2024.
The effect has already rippled through downtown Las Vegas, with many casinos already experiencing layoffs and taking other approaches to adjust to the decline in foot traffic.
Why Table Games Are Moving Out
The Golden Gate Hotel & Casino is the first casino to axe live dealer table games and likely not the last. Live dealer casinos cost more to house as dealers are required for the action to take place. The same rings true for online casinos that offer live dealer games. However, online, many casinos can utilize the same dealers for multiple games and multiple sites that subscribe to the service. Therefore, the live dealers employed by these services can cater to a larger number of players.
Legal online casinos have been utilizing electronic table games for years and have become the industry standard for most players who gamble online. International brands often host their online services outside of the US to avoid state regulations but adhere to all federal laws.
We expect to see more casinos transition to dealer-less casino game room floors as they try to maximize earnings during the tourism stall. Vegas is the gambling capital of the world and in many ways the standard for adult gaming.