Slots go silent as downtown Las Vegas casino closes

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Steve Marcus

A sign advertises loose slots at the Western Hotel and Casino on East Fremont Street on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011. In a statement, Tamares Real Estate, owners of the Western, announced the casino will close Monday, Jan. 16, 2012, for an indefinite period of time.

Associated Press

Mon, Jan 16, 2012 (6:01 p.m.)

Western Casino to Close

A view of the Western Hotel and Casino on East Fremont Street on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011. In a statement, Tamares Real Estate, owners of the Western, announced the casino will close Monday, Jan. 16, 2012, for an indefinite period of time. Launch slideshow »

Slot machines are silent, and dollar drinks and bargain bets are off now that the old Western Hotel and Casino has closed in downtown Las Vegas.

KTNV-TV reports the casino that casino mogul Jackie Gaughn began as a bingo parlor in 1970 went dark with no fanfare Monday. Gaughn sold the property in 2004.

Current owners Tamares Real Estate announced plans in November to close the Western and consider hiring its 90 displaced employees at other Tamares casinos including the recently renovated Plaza and the Las Vegas Club Hotel.

The Western was built with 15,000 square feet of gaming space on a city block of Fremont Street between Eighth and Ninth streets.

Tamares hasn't outlined plans for the property, but says the company looks forward to future growth.

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