Circus Circus adds vintage coin-operated slot machines to gaming floor in Las Vegas

Circus Circus Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas is adding slot machines that take coins. The move expands the venue's status as the only Strip casino still offering coin-operated slots by installing $5 coin machines to go alongside its $1 machines at a time in which most casinos use the ticket in/ticket, where only bills and tickets are accepted.

There are a few other casinos that have slot and video poker machines that still take coins. The casino with the most is the El Cortez in Downtown Las Vegas, but the California and Fremont casinos also offer this form of gaming.

The slots are a throwback to old-school Las Vegas, when players inserted coins in the machines and got coins back. Circus Circus’ coin-operated machines offer 97.4% payback, according to a press release. The venue calls itself “one of the last standing remnants of vintage Vegas.”

Circus Circus has been undergoing a series of renovations since Phil Ruffin -also the owner of Treasure Island- bought the casino in 2019. Changes introduced thus far also include new air conditioning units, a $10.8 million elevator renovation, a paint job and an upgraded pool, reports Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Additionally, The Big Chill Daiquiri Bar has recently opened next to Circus Circus at the entrance of Slots A Fun. Big Chill offers daiquiris, jello shots, $10 frozen beer, and specialty glassware for frozen drinks.