If you’ve never been, Ellis Island Casino is one of those old-school Vegas spots that’s been around forever — since the late ’60s. It’s family-owned, which already sets it apart from the mega-resorts that dominate the Strip. Walk in and you’ll notice right away: it’s smaller, a little scrappier, but people love it for exactly that reason.
The hotel is basic but cheap. Midweek you can usually score a room for about thirty bucks. No resort fees, free parking, free Wi-Fi — things you won’t get at the big properties. The rooms aren’t luxury by any stretch, and they can be noisy if the place is packed, but if you just need a spot to crash after a night of slots or karaoke, it works.
The casino isn’t massive — about 250 slot machines, some blackjack, craps, roulette, poker, and even keno if you’re into that. There’s also a William Hill sportsbook tucked in. It’s not a place with endless table options or glitzy high-limit areas, but it’s straightforward, easy to play, and your money tends to last longer here than across the street.
Now, the real draw for a lot of people is the food and beer. The $9.99 steak special is still alive and well, and it’s not just hype — it’s a legit good meal for the price. They’ve got their own brewery on site, so the beer is cheap and fresh, and the BBQ joint and beer garden (called The Front Yard) are surprisingly fun hangouts. The café runs 24/7, serving diner-style comfort food. It’s the kind of place you can actually afford to eat at more than once on your trip.
And then there’s the vibe. Ellis Island feels more like a local hangout than a tourist trap. You’ll find karaoke nights, live music, and a mix of regulars and curious Strip wanderers who stumble in looking for something different. It’s literally one block off the Strip, so you’re close to the action but not swallowed by it. That’s a big plus if you like things a little more relaxed.
Of course, it’s not perfect. The casino can get crowded, the rooms are pretty bare-bones, and if they’re doing construction it can feel cramped. But for the price and the atmosphere, a lot of people end up saying they’d come back — and in Vegas, that’s about the best endorsement you can give.
Ellis Island Casino – General Info
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Venue Type | Casino |
| Gambling Age | Minimum age is 21 |
| Buffet | Available (paid) |
| Smoking | Allowed in designated areas |
| Established | April 1, 1968 |
At-a-Glance: Ellis Island Casino
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Casino Promotions | • Win up to $750 Free Play in weekly drawings (Mondays) • $2,000 Slot Tournaments on Saturdays • Senior Days (Tues/Thurs) – 50 Base Points = $5 Free Play + snack + drink • Friday drawings with up to $1,200 Free Play • Dining vouchers given with certain play levels |
| Passport Club Perks | • Free to join, sign up at kiosk • Birthday month free play and dining discounts • Earn points toward food, drinks, and room comps • Swipe & Win kiosks for surprise rewards |
| Food & Drink Deals | • Famous $9.99 steak special (with Passport Club) • “Play $5, Get $5” vouchers for Ellis BBQ & Front Yard menus • Happy Hour: up to 50% off menus, weekdays 4–7 pm • In-house brewery serving craft beer • Karaoke bar with late-night drink specials |
| Hotel Rates | • Rooms starting from $29–$38/night (weekdays) • Free parking, Wi-Fi, coffee maker, growler fills • Outdoor pool, pet-friendly options • Walking distance to Strip but cheaper than resort fees • Packages often include drink/meal credits |
| Location & Vibe | • Located one block east of the Strip (behind Bally’s/Horseshoe) • Known for casual, local-friendly atmosphere • Karaoke nights, craft beer pub, and 24/7 café • “Old Vegas” charm vs. flashy resorts • Downsides: rooms are smaller, casino can feel tight during busy times or construction |
Deep Dive: Ellis Island Casino Experience
A. Casino Promotions & Player’s Club
Ellis Island might be small compared to the Strip giants, but its promos pack real value for regulars and budget travelers alike.
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Weekly Perks – Every Monday, Passport Club members can swipe their card for a chance to win up to $750 in Free Play plus bonus prizes. It’s quick, easy, and designed to reward consistent players.
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Weekends & Tournaments – Saturdays are popular thanks to the $2,000 Slot Tournament, drawing in both locals and tourists looking for low buy-ins with big potential. On Tuesdays and Fridays, players can also snag bonus entries into drawings, with Friday jackpots hitting up to $1,200 in Free Play.
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Senior Days – Guests 50 and over get special treatment on Tuesdays and Thursdays: earn just 50 Base Points to grab $5 Free Play, a snack, and a drink. It’s one of the best low-commitment perks in Las Vegas.
👉 Unlike most Strip casinos, Ellis Island Casino promotions are straightforward — no endless tiers or hidden fine print.
B. Dining & Drink Highlights
The food scene at Ellis Island Las Vegas is half the reason locals keep coming back.
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The Famous $9.99 Steak Special – This is legendary. Passport Club members can grab a full steak dinner for under $10, and it’s still one of the best value meals in town. Yelp and Instagram are full of photos from visitors who swear by it.
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Play & Eat Deals – A fun twist: “Play $5, Get $5” off menu items at Ellis BBQ or The Front Yard. Basically, you gamble a little and your dinner gets cheaper.
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Happy Hour Bargains – Guests report 50% off the entire menu on weekdays between 4–7 pm. Add in the in-house brewery serving craft beer and the karaoke lounge’s late-night drink specials, and you’ve got one of the most affordable ways to eat and drink near the Strip.
C. Lodging & Value
Ellis Island Hotel isn’t about luxury, but if you’re after Vegas on a budget, it’s tough to beat.
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Room Rates – Weekday stays often dip as low as $29–$38 per night. That’s a fraction of what you’d pay at nearby Strip hotels once resort fees are included.
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Amenities – Guests get free parking, free Wi-Fi, in-room coffee makers, an outdoor pool, and even growler fills from the brewery. Karaoke nights and an easy walk to the Strip sweeten the deal for casual travelers.
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Value Factor – You’re sacrificing some polish (smaller rooms, less glitzy decor), but in return you get comfort, location, and perks without the Strip price tag.
D. Vibe & Location
Ellis Island is often described as “Vegas the way it used to be.”
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Local’s Favorite – It’s got a casual, neighborhood feel that stands out from the massive themed resorts. Karaoke, craft beer, and affordable food keep locals coming back, while tourists love stumbling across a hidden gem.
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Close to the Action – Just one block off the Strip, you’re minutes from the big casinos but away from the chaos. For many, that’s the perfect balance.
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What to Watch Out For – Some visitors on Reddit note that the rooms can feel basic and a bit noisy. Ongoing construction has also crowded parts of the casino floor at times. If you’re expecting luxury, this isn’t it — but if you’re chasing value, it delivers.
From Reddit (locals and frequent visitors):
“I would eat/drink there, not sleep there.”
— A local sums it up: the food and atmosphere are solid, but the rooms? Not so much.
“Food is great and reasonable. Rooms are dumps.”
— Honest, right? Awesome dining—just don’t expect luxury in your hotel room.
“The only thing great about Ellis Island is their tiny casino and their INCREDIBLE BBQ.”
— If you’re talking value, the BBQ steals the spotlight.
“Joining the club is worth it for the BBQ and free food and play you get.”
— Even without staying overnight, people love the perks of the Passport Club.
From Booking.com (guest reviews around August 2025):
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A couple wrote the beds were “too soft” and the air conditioner “too noisy to keep on while sleeping.” Location was a plus, though — just a block from the Strip, and staff were friendly with complimentary drinks offered.
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Another guest said the location was great, “easy to walk to the main attractions,” with “adequate facilities and friendly staff.
From Expedia reviews (Aug 2025):
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Cleanliness, service, and value pop up repeatedly:
“Food and service was all great, would recommend.” — Harmony
“Great location, not too far from the strip.” — jesse
“Great prices on food as well! Great karaoke, great atmosphere…” — Charles
“Good night sleep and the casino next door is classic. Also the beer garden is a great place to hang out.” — Naveen
Summary Table – Real Feedback
| What People Love | What People Complain About |
|---|---|
| The food—especially BBQ and steak—is cheap and surprisingly good | The rooms are basic, with noisy A/C units and soft beds |
| Location is sweet—right off the Strip, yet feels more relaxed | Some guests find hotel amenities limited (tiny pool, older décor) |
| The vibe—karaoke, beer garden, and friendly staff—keeps people coming back | Expect delays: construction, slow check-ins, and tight casino space reported |
| Value and perks from the Passport Club (food vouchers, free play, birthday rewards) | A few people had issues like holdback charges or noise complaints |
How to Make the Most of Ellis Island
Here’s how people who know the place play it:
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Get the Passport card first thing. It’s free, takes two minutes, and you start getting perks right away.
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Look at the promo board before you sit down. Mondays and Fridays usually have the best free play and drawings.
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Don’t skip the food deals. A little play gets you BBQ or Front Yard discounts, and the $9.99 steak dinner is still the move.
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If you’re staying over, go midweek. Rooms are way cheaper, the place isn’t as crowded, and you avoid most of the construction hassle.
👉 Ellis is one of those spots where if you sign up, play a little, and time it right, you walk away feeling like you got way more than you paid for.
Pros & Cons of Ellis Island Las vegas
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Strong value overall – Free play promos up to $750, slot tournaments, and affordable rooms make it budget-friendly. | Casino floor is smaller than Strip resorts; can feel crowded during peak hours or construction. |
| Passport Club perks – Fast sign-up, instant rewards, birthday freebies, and senior-day deals. | Limited table game variety – focus is on slots, video poker, and a few tables. |
| Food bargains – Legendary $9.99 steak special, 50% Happy Hour menu, and “Play $5, Get $5” dining vouchers. | Rooms are basic – smaller, dated, and sometimes noisy compared to nearby hotels. |
| Location advantage – One block off the Strip, making it easy to walk while avoiding resort prices. | Not luxury – no big pools, flashy shows, or high-end amenities. |
| Local charm – Karaoke, craft beer from the in-house brewery, and a friendlier vibe than Strip casinos. | Ongoing construction has affected the vibe and reduced space at times. |
| Affordable lodging – Rooms from $29–$38/night, with free parking, Wi-Fi, and coffee makers. | Extra charges – Pet fees or higher weekend rates may cut into the value. |
| Strong repeat crowd – Loved by locals for casual fun and reliable food deals. | Mixed guest reviews – Some praise the value, others find service inconsistent. |
| No resort fees – Unlike many Strip hotels, Ellis avoids hidden daily charges. | Not ideal for high-rollers – lacks upscale gaming or luxury comps. |
Ellis Island Casino – Las vegas
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening Hours | Open 24 hours |
| Casino Phone | +1 (702) 733-8901 |
| Hotel Phone | +1 (702) 794-0888 |
| [email protected] |
Frequently Asked Questions – Ellis Island Casino
1. Is Ellis Island Casino open all day and night?
✔️ Yep. It never closes. You can wander in at 10 in the morning or 3 a.m. and the slots, food, and bar will still be running.
2. How old do you have to be to gamble there?
✔️ Same as the rest of Vegas — 21 and up. If you’re under 21, you can hang at the restaurant or brewery, but not on the casino floor.
3. Does Ellis Island still have a buffet?
✔️ They do, but it’s not the free-flowing buffets you might remember from old Vegas — you pay for it. Honestly, most people skip straight to the $9.99 steak dinner, which has become kind of a legend.
4. Can you smoke inside?
✔️ Yes. There are still smoking areas on the casino floor. If you’re sensitive to smoke, just know it carries around like most old-school casinos.
5. What’s the best way to reach them?
✔️ Here are the contacts:-
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Casino Phone: +1 (702) 733-8901
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Hotel Phone: +1 (702) 794-0888
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Email: [email protected]
They also pick up pretty quick if you call, which is nice compared to bigger hotels.
