Casino MonteLago

Re-opened Thursday, May 26, 2011!

Bright lights and men in tights are the predefinition of Las Vegas, entertainment capital of the world, however, just 25 minutes from the cacophony and bustle of the Strip lies a breathtaking valley surrounded by the majesty of snow-tipped mountains. We are of course referring to Lake Las Vegas, within Henderson, Nevada. At 320 acres, Lake Las Vegas (or Mead to locals) is one of the largest in the South West of the United States – the perfect locale for a decadent purpose-built holiday village that until 2009, was proving serious competition for even the high end Vegas resorts. The Aston MonteLago Village Resort sits on the Southernmost shore of the lake; a splendid retreat of European inspiration, with labyrinthine cobbled streets and a cosmopolitan air.

The economic downturn has been responsible for the demise of many a landmark Vegas casino – both the Stardust and Frontier Hotel being examples of just a few implosions in 2007. In 2010, the Ritz-Carlton and Sahara sensationally announced closure amid flagging visitor numbers and billion dollar debts, as too did the Casino MonteLago within the Lake Las Vegas Village, citing a lack of visitation numbers as it's primary reason for losses. Unlike it's contemporaries, Casino MonteLago had a saving grace in the form of Village Hospitality LLC and Intrepid Gaming - both Las Vegas-based companies. Following on from the successful regeneration of the former Ritz-Carlton (now Ravella) in February 2011, Casino MonteLago unveiled it's refurbished 40,000 square foot casino just four months later.

Central to three nearby golf clubs, the former Casino MonteLago had been intended to be the epicenter of entertainment for all three resorts, however nobody had predicted just how many people would descend upon it. In the first few months of it's original opening, it was dogged by the issues of two few gambling machines and parking spaces. They've certainly addressed those issues with the re-opening. Over 300 gaming machines and tables now line the distinctly Vegas interior, which was modeled upon the casino halls of old. Swathes of honey-gold oak, rich reds and muted lighting set the tone for a sophisticated, yet relaxed environment which seeks to shrug off the “pompousness” associated with many along the Strip.

As with many a new concept, the management of the Casino MonteLago decided to shake things up at Lake Las Vegas and also find ways of reducing running costs. The MonteLago no longer employs croupiers or blackjack dealers – a move which could have been detrimental to the casino's newfound success, yet seems to have gone unnoticed by visitors. All of the poker, blackjack and card tables are now electronic tables with central sunken screens and flanked by LCD monitors for the benefit of players. It was a daring risk, yet could also signal the future of casinos in years to come. So far, so good!