Binions Closing Off All Rooms

The bad economy hits downtown Las Vegas. Binion’s Gambling Hall and Hotel is closing all of it’s 365 rooms and laying off 100 people.

Spokeswoman Lisa Robinson said the decision was made as a result of the economic downturn, which has decreased occupancy at the property and other hotels across the Las Vegas Valley.

Robinson said Binion’s also will close the Binion’s Original Coffee Shop and discontinue keno. The casino, sports book, poker room and Binion’s Ranch Steakhouse on the property’s 24th floor will stay open.

Robinson said the decision was made Friday. She said Binion’s hasn’t determined when the rooms might reopen.

It was only a matter of time for this to happen and it’s nice to see that the casino portion will remain open. I’ve stopped at Binion’s almost every time I’ve gone downtown because of it’s place in history. I would never stay there, but the gambling is on par with the other downtown properties, if not a little dirtier.

The article goes on to say that there may be an investment group interested in refurbishing the hotel. I can’t see that making a difference. Maybe there will be a fit for more low budget hotel rooms as everything on the strip that has opened in the recent past and everything opening will be for higher end travelers.

I have no desire to stay downtown, no matter the cost and I expect more domino’s to fall before downtown get built up, but we will see.