Chavdar Vasilev is a journalist covering the casino and sports betting market sectors for CasinoBeats. He joined CasinoBeats in May 2025 and reports on industry-shaping stories across the US and beyond, including legislative debates, market...
Read Full BioCircus Circus Las Vegas is making an unconventional bet on nostalgia as it announced that it will open the first new bingo hall on the Strip in more than a decade and expand its collection of coin-operated slot machines.
The property, which calls itself one of the most family-friendly casinos in the market, is doubling down on a “vintage Vegas” identity at a time when most operators are moving toward cashless, digital, and automated gaming.
Bingo Returns to the Strip in 2026
According to the casino’s announcement, the new bingo hall is scheduled to open in February 2026. It will feature seating for up to 255 players, offering six sessions per day. It will be the first bingo hall on the Strip since the Riviera closed in 2015.
Circus Circus will use a traditional paper-card format, complete with ink daubers. That’s in contrast to the tablet-driven bingo rooms that are increasingly common across local casinos and tribal properties nationwide.
Session packages will begin at $30, with prize payouts ranging from $50 to $1,500. The bingo hall will be located on the Promenade level. It will be close to a new concession stand serving “affordable” food and beverage offerings, including hot dogs, nachos, pizza, beer, and cocktails.
“We’ve seen a lot of success leaning into nostalgia as we continue to refresh and update Circus Circus Las Vegas,” said Shana Gerety, general manager at Circus Circus Las Vegas
Coin Slots Make a Comeback
Circus Circus will also expand its coin-operated slot area, building on the Slots-A-Fun. Slots-A-Fun is the only coin-operated casino on the Las Vegas Strip, according to the company.
Most casinos adopted ticket-in/ticket-out (TITO) systems two decades ago to reduce handling costs, theft risk, and machine downtime. However, Circus Circus is reviving the physical coin payouts.
By leaning into analog gaming, Circus Circus aims to differentiate itself from competitors that increasingly market high-tech slot floors, digital wallets, and streamlined mobile integrations.
Industry Trends Move in Opposite Direction
Circus Circus’s strategy diverges from the broader trends across Las Vegas. Many operators are replacing labor-intensive table games with electronic table games (ETGs), expanding cashless payment options, and deploying AI-powered analytics.
In August, Golden Gate Hotel & Casino announced that it would remove all live-dealer tables and shift entirely to slots and ETGs. The strategy shift resulted from a strong performance at Circa’s dealer-less second floor. Large Strip operators are also investing heavily in biometric verification, digital loyalty platforms, and app-based player engagement.
Circus Circus’ nostalgic turn cuts against that current. It prioritizes emotional resonance and a differentiated experience over technological modernization.
Soft Visitation Driving Strategic Experimentation
The timing is notable. Visitation in Las Vegas has continued to decline each month this year. That has put pressure on mid-tier operators that are more heavily reliant on tourist volume.
Of course, there are some outliers. In the summer, Red Rock Resorts posted stronger quarter results than many Strip-focused companies, buoyed by a stable, locals-focused customer base.
While Circus Circus is not targeting locals, its strategy shares a similar logic: cultivate a niche audience less sensitive to market swings.
Nostalgia-driven gaming — including low-denomination slots, slow-paced bingo sessions, and mechanical reels — appeals to value players, families, and guests seeking familiar, low-pressure gaming experiences.
The property could also tap into Gen Z consumers. The young generation has embraced nostalgia trends – from vinyl and disposable cameras to retro gaming formats.
As the Strip’s middle market becomes more competitive, creating a distinct identity may be more valuable than chasing cutting-edge technology.
Nevada Revenue Data Shows Strength in Traditional Games
There is also quantifiable support for the move. Nevada Gaming Control Board data for October 2025 indicate that statewide bingo revenue increased by 53.21% year-over-year. Over the last three months, the increase was 29.77%, and the 12-month growth rate was 12.39%.
Bingo’s gains far outpaced many traditional table games. Several of them reported flat or negative results for the month. While bingo accounts for only a relatively small portion of statewide gaming revenue, its sustained growth indicates that classic, low-tech formats continue to resonate with players.
Keno, another legacy game often associated with “old Vegas,” also maintains stable performance. It reported high win percentages across multiple reporting areas. These results reinforce the durability of simple, familiar gambling formats.
