Jan. 21–Two Las Vegas hotels said Tuesday they will begin accepting bitcoin, the unregulated, digital currency, as payment, becoming the first Las Vegas casino properties to accept the popular currency for nongaming purchases.
The two properties, co-owned by Derek Stevens, are the D Las Vegas Casino Hotel, which opened in 2012, and the Golden Gate Hotel & Casino.
“I’m proud that the D and Golden Gate will be the first casino properties to accept bitcoin,” Stevens said in a statement. “We’re located in the growing high-tech sector of downtown Las Vegas, and like all things downtown, we’re quickly adaptive to new technology.”
Las Vegas’ downtown district has seen a rebirth in recent years as younger residents flock to work and live in the urban core. Online retailer Zappos.com has driven much of that change. Zappos’ chief executive, Tony Hsieh, has invested heavily in the downtown area, helping fund tech start-ups and small businesses.
Stevens said the two hotel properties will accept bitcoin at five locations: the hotels’ front desks, a gift shop and at two restaurants. Bitcoin will not be accepted for gaming purposes.
Purchases will be processed through BitPay. Bitcoin on Tuesday was trading at $940.12 on the Mt. Gox online exchange.
The two casinos join a growing list of merchants and institutions who are accepting bitcoin as payment. Car dealerships, universities and online merchants have announced in recent months they will accept bitcoin.
