After 80 years, the El Cortez is still garnering international attention.
The hotel and casino in Downtown Las Vegas will be given a Landmark Award by ICE London, an international innovation showcase for the gaming industry, on December 15. The award, which recognizes businesses, organizations and people who celebrate achievements in the international gaming industry, will be given in recognition of the El Cortez’ 80th anniversary.
“The El Cortez was Downton Las Vegas’ first major resort and has been part of the global gaming neighborhood since it opened in 1941,” said Clarion Gaming Group MD Alex Pratt, who will travel to Las Vegas for the award presentation. “It enjoys a truly iconic status and I am delighted to be able to go to what is the world capital of gaming to present the ICE Landmark Award to Kenny Epstein (owner of the El Cortez) in person. It’s a great honor both for the ICE brand and for me personally.”
Built for $245,000 in 1941, the El Cortez was Downtown Las Vegas’ first major resort. Bugsy Siegel and a group of investors bought the property from the original owners for Meyer Lansky in 1945 for $600,000.
The hotel-casino’s iconic neon signage, installed in 1952, still lights up its location on Fremont Street. In 2013 the building became the only existing casino to earn a spot on the National Register of Historic Places.
ICE London takes place Feb. 1-3 at the ExCeL Exhibition Centre in London.
