Golden Gate Leans Into End of Table Games, Dancing Dealers
It came as a shock to many when we broke the news Golden Gate would lose all its live table games.
The end of table games at this classic casino means the end of its dancing dealers as well, so Golden Gate is turning it into a P.R. opportunity. Remember, Golden Gate is owned by Derek Stevens, the P.T. Barnum of Las Vegas who could turn the restocking of Chips Ahoy cookies in the gift shop into a P.R. spectacle.
The last night for live table games, and dancing dealers, at Golden Gate is Sep. 7, 2025. Tables will be removed the following day.
Full disclosure: The Club One loyalty program (covering all three of Stevens’ casinos—Golden Gate, Circa and The D) is very generous with points. We spend those points almost exclusively on Chips Ahoy cookies at the gift shop. Don’t judge.
When news hit that Golden Gate, the spiritual home of live table games in Las Vegas, would transition to electronic games, there was some blowback from longtime visitors.
Psst, here’s the thing. If the people kvetching about this change had played these table games, they’d be there forever. It’s more of a nostalgia thing.
Nostalgia, however, doesn’t keep the lights on.
So, on Sep. 7, at 7:00 p.m., Derek Stevens and his V.P. of Operations Jeff Victor, will host a media thing to bid farewell to the dancing dealers, but everyone’s invited.
The media alert states: “The evening will include themed cocktails at Bar Prohibition, opening remarks by Stevens and unveiling the plans for the casino floor. The Dancing Dealers, who have captivated guests for years with their high-energy performances while they deal for traditional casino table games, will continue their legacy at Stevens’ additional downtown properties, Circa Resort & Casino and the D Las Vegas. A special event to welcome the new casino floor will be announced soon. Additionally, media are welcome to join Stevens at Circa for a Sunday night professional football game.”
The send-off has been dubbed “Last Dance, Last Deal.”
We waxed and pined ad nauseum about the shifts in our culture, and the associated changes to casinos, in our original story about the looming removal of the table games at Golden Gate.
Most Las Vegas have changed up their mix of live, hybrid and electronic games to address business challenges (labor costs are chief among them).
While sprawling casinos have the floor space to accommodate a variety of games, Golden Gate’s casino is about the size of the typical air fryer.
Business levels simply couldn’t justify keeping the live table games, so Derek Stevens and his crew are pulling the plug at Golden Gate.
Rather than shying away from any outcry, they’re using the publicity to highlight the vision and what’s next. The vision: Making more money. You know, Capitalism.
If you want to play on live tables, go to The D or Circa or Plaza or Binion’s or any of the other casinos in the neighborhood. If you want to see what Golden Gate will become, visit the second floor of the casino at Circa. Our fellow youths are having a blast.
Machines don’t have unions, and they don’t call out sick or get each other pregnant. At least not yet. Give it a minute.
The dancing dealers will be missed at Golden Gate. There was a reason those two video poker machines at the end of the bar were the most popular seats in the house. If you know, you know.
Here’s Derek Stevens inviting everyone to the event, and noting chip collectors need to get to the casino before the table games (and chips) are retired. Guests keeping chips is really good for the casino, it’s called “breakage.”
Timeline for the New Era of @GoldenGateVegas https://t.co/RGVi0XXgOA pic.twitter.com/BNQpIY8k3i
— Derek Stevens (@DerekJStevens) August 30, 2025
We’ll be at the dancing dealer farewell party, of course, because it’s possible some of these young women will need a shoulder to cry on, and we are a noted expert at comforting and pretending to listen.
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