El Cortez General Manager Adam Wiesberg made the announcement on Tuesday, which will be implemented on April 1. He noted that it will be a two-phase program, while the casino completes a $25m property remodel.
Valid state-issued identification will be required for hotel guests, starting in April, with plans to have identification checks at every entrance in the future. Josh Swissman, casino consultant and founder of The Strategy Organization, noted that this would be "a good way to go" and that "running a casino is not one size fits all".
The identification checks at every entrance will make the property, including food and beverage outlets, limited to patrons 21 years and up. Wiesberg went on to say this about the second phase, "It creates a bit of a challenge for us, because we have 12 exterior doors on four sides of a building, it will take some time and planning, and so we don’t have a date yet.”
This transition replicates the plans in place for the already existing 777-room Circa Resort & Casino, which opened in 2020. When it first opened, the casino had a 21 and older policy already in place, aside from the steakhouse in the lower level. Derek Stevens, the Circa owner, noted the only loss would be weddings since children aren't allowed in the casino.
In response, Wiesberg noted: "The other side of that is when adults are coming to Vegas to drink, gamble, party, and let loose, kids in strollers in the elevator aren’t what they’re looking for. I think it will appeal to the true Vegas connoisseur and appeal to the groups coming here to have a great time—a traditional Vegas trip. The net effect will be positive for the bottom line.”
Swissman also went on to note how the increase in security "from an intelligence perspective is a good thing". Also, it "ultimately it allows you to understand who’s coming into your property."
The El Cortez Hotel & Casino remodel includes a revamp of the 200-room Premium Tower, a redesigned casino floor, and a high-limit room. The 47 vintage rooms, built in 1941 when the casino first opened, will be renovated as well.
