Operator News
US – Las Vegas’ first ever Latino-themed casino to open on February 6
By Phil - 1 February 2023
The first ever Latino-themed casino in Las Vegas will open on February 6 with the unveiling of Ojos Locos Sports Cantina Y Casino and the newly rebranded Hotel Jefe.
A collaboration between Las Vegas-based Fifth Street Gaming (FSG) and Dallas-based Ojos Locos Sports Cantina, the newly renovated gaming and entertainment destination represents the first U.S. hotel-casino dedicated to the Latino community. Replacing the Lucky Club Hotel & Casino at 3227 Civic Center Drive in North Las Vegas, the completely reimagined resort features Ojos Locos Sports Cantina as its dining, entertainment and nightlife centerpiece.
Ojos Locos Sports Cantina Y Casino encompasses a 10,000-square-foot casino and an expansive restaurant able to accommodate nearly 300 guests. The new interior elements offer a rustic welcoming vibe, with décor dominated by whitewashed, reclaimed wood and corrugated tin roofs reminiscent of the beachside bars typically seen at Mexico’s coastal resorts. An enormous video poker bar with 35 seats greets guests upon entry, and Ojos Locos’ famous “chicas”—the venue’s cocktail servers and bartenders—bring “fun and fiesta” to the atmosphere. Thanks to their warm hospitality along with 200 new slot and gaming machines, the all-new JefeBet Rewards program, a brand-new sports book and 90 TV screens throughout the property’s dining, gaming and entertainment areas, Ojos Locos Sports Cantina Y Casino will become the region’s most desirable destination for both casino gaming and sports viewing.
At the adjacent Hotel Jefe, a Fifth Street Gaming property, all 90 rooms and suites are in the midst of a major renovation, with approximately 40 percent completed and the remainder scheduled to be finished by the conclusion of 2023. New elements include brightly colored accent walls and artwork, luxurious bedding and sleek, contemporary bathrooms featuring decorative tile work in white-and-gold or gray-and-white palettes.
“After two years of planning and collaboration, we are overjoyed to introduce this new gaming and entertainment destination catering to the Latino community,” said Seth Schorr, chief executive officer, Fifth Street Gaming. “We are grateful to Ojos Locos for joining us in this endeavor and to our valued customers whose enthusiasm inspired us to create a development just for them.”
“We are excited and honored to collaborate with Fifth Street Gaming on this flagship location, allowing us to bring the first-ever Ojos gaming experience to market,” added Laura Caudillo, vice president of growth, Ojos Locos Sports Cantina. “We look forward to welcoming the Latino community with our excellent service, delicious food and fun-filled atmosphere.”
The casino will be powered by JefeBet, managing all rewards benefits and casino materials.
“Bringing our services to this new property and combining forces with JefeBet is an extension of what we formed our business foundation on,” said Rich Hicks, Ojos Locos CEO. “The concept of Ojos Locos was built around catering to the Latino community by bringing a comfortable, laid-back sports cantina where you can sit back and relax, watch your favorite team play, party with friends, dine with family and enjoy outgoing and friendly service by one of our chicas coquetas y bonitas. We can’t wait to get to work.”
“With 44 per cent of our city’s population identifying as Latino, we’re thrilled to see an already established business providing entertainment created with such a large portion of our residents in mind,” said John Jay Lee, Mayor of North Las Vegas. “We anticipate the JefeBet Casino and Hotel to be a wonderful addition to our community.”
Fifth Street Gaming has a diverse portfolio of thriving Las Vegas casinos and gaming taverns, innovative restaurants and bar concepts and a revolutionary new eSports platform, FSG remains grounded in its foundation of entrepreneurial spirit and integrity. The company has catered to the Latino market since 2006, most notably through the operations of the Lucky Club Hotel & Casino and Silver Nugget Casino.
