What Casino Did Elvis Presley Play At?

For years, Elvis Presley and Las Vegas have been synonymous — especially since he’s been recently immortalized in a Buzz Luhrmann biographical drama with Austin Butler in the title role as this legendary performer.

Most people know that The King called Sin City home for a number of years towards the end of his life, but do you know which casino Elvis used to play in? Read on to find out all about his time in Nevada.

Elvis and Gambling

Elvis’s career spanned twenty-three years, with his style heavily getting influenced by gospel, country, blues, and African-American performers like Little Richard, B.B. King, and Rufus Thomas.

He began playing Las Vegas three months after the release of Heartbreak Hotel and did so on and off over the years until landing a permanent residency gig on July 31, 1969.

Despite this, the truth is, the King of Rock and Roll wasn’t a big gambler. In fact, Presley turned down generous free chip offers from many Las Vegas Resorts (allegedly, the International gave him $6,000 in free chips daily as an incentive to get him to play on their floor, which they believed would draw players to their venue) stating that it went against his Southern Baptist beliefs. That said, Elvis was still seen in many Las Vegas casinos in a working capacity through his residencies. 

Presley’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker, was a well-known player and could frequently be found gambling in Nevada. In fact, his gambling habit has often been cited as one of the reasons why Elvis ended up playing for so long in the city.  

Where Did Elvis Make His Vegas Debut?

Elvis debuted in Vegas in April 1956 at the the New Frontier Hotel and Casino.

The Viva Las Vegas actor’s Vegas residencies are truly iconic, but here’s a little known fact: Presley’s first residency bombed. At 21, he appeared at the New Frontier Hotel with bassist Bill Black, guitarist Scotty More, and drummer D.J. Fontana, coming off the heels of delivering his initial number-one US single – Heartbreak Hotel. Though he was popular with teens around the country, the show was panned by critics. One reporter from the Las Vegas Sun described the performance as “a bore,” “uncouth” and his songs “nonsensical.” 

Elvis’s performance at the New Frontier also followed a series of tours he had just run through in the South and Midwest, ones announcing his inevitable road to superstardom.

Where Was Elvis’ Residency?

The Las Vegas sign welcomes gamblers to Sin City.

It was 13 years until he made his way back to perform in Sin City.

In 1966, shortly before Christmas, Elvis proposed to Priscilla Beaulieu, his girlfriend of seven years. The couple got married at a suite in the Aladdin Hotel in Vegas in a brief ceremony on May 1, 1967, as reported by the Las Vegas Sun.

On July 31st 1969, Elvis began a new residency at The International Hotel, then the biggest hotel in the world. His residency lasted seven years and 600 shows. During that time, he lived in a 5,000 ft suite on the 30th floor of the casino. During his tenure, the International became the Las Vegas Hilton. The hotel still stands today, though it changed hands again to become the Westgate. 

Notably, Vegas was also the site of Elvis’ and Priscilla’s wedding! The pair tied the knot in 1967 at the Aladdin Hotel. However, you won’t find the original hotel on The Strip anymore. The building was demolished in 1997 to make way for the new Aladdin, now called Planet Hollywood!

Elvis played last show in Vegas on Dec. 12, 1976. 

Did Elvis Play Multiple Venues in Las Vegas?

No, he pretty much remained faithful to the International, per his deal, which according to RCA Records, was responsible for making him one of the highest-paid performers in the city’s history. During his shows, Elvis would stay in a vast suite on the hotel casino’s 30th floor.

He did over six hundred performances on this property, located at 3000 Paradise Road, later purchased by Westgate Resorts. Thus, it often gets cited that he made entertainment history at Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino and not the International, which was its former name.

What Was Elvis’ Favorite Casino Game?

Elvis was not a gambler, but his manager, Colonel Parker was, losing upward of $30 million by the time the King died.

Though some outlets have reported that Elvis was prone to gambling, like we mention above, there’s little evidence to support those claims.

Colonel Parker, Elvis’ manager, on the other hand, was an avid gambler. It gets said that at the time of the King’s death, the Colonel owed around $30 million in gambling debts to the Hilton Hotel group. His games of choice were craps and roulette, and he would spend up to fourteen hours per day at gaming tables.

Are There Any Elvis-Themed Online Casino Games?

Another place you’ll likely find Elvis’ likeness is in the casino games in Vegas! The King appears most frequently in slots throughout the USA. Before you book your flight to Sin City, you should know that some of our favorite titles can be played on the web from the comfort of your own home. For your Vegas gambling fix, check out these titles: 

• Spin it Vegas at Wild Casino: A high volatility five-reel slot with 50 paylines. The game features multiple jackpots as well as a retriggerable free spins round and a bonus game.
• Vegas XL at El Royale: A RealTime Gaming release with 243 ways to win on the five reels. The game also features a jackpot pick feature as well as free spins. 
• 10 Times Vegas at Bovada: A 3×3 slot with three paylines with wild multipliers, respins and a progressive jackpot. 

Though Presley died in 1977, his influence in Sin City is still felt all these years on. It’s hard to visit The Strip without seeing at least a handful of Elvis impersonators. While you might find the odd tribute performance popping up, none have stuck around for an extended run. 

What are you waiting for? Head over to our expert casino reviews to find the perfect site, or explore our casino game guides to brush up on your strategy.