Many gamblers will be able to recall a haunting experience while rolling the dice in Sin City, but now the oldest hotel casino in Las Vegas is taking things a step further. BonusFinder, an online casinos comparison sites, tells you all you need to know about this intriguing upcoming spooky experience!
Thrill-seekers have been invited to hunt down ghosts at the legendary El Cortez Hotel & Casino with the opportunity to win $5,000 to uncover the unnatural.
The longest-running hotel in Vegas has a storied history, dating back to 1941, and if its walls could talk, they would have plenty of stories to tell…
Think of mobsters, celebrities, high-rollers, and showgirls. El Cortez has seen it all, with many deaths on the premises, too.
It is even claimed that the basement in the venue is full of ashes and remains of former employees who passed away, with family or loved ones, adding to the history of paranormal activity at El Cortez.
The downtown location at 600 Fremont Street in the Fremont East district is very much a throwback to the 1940s and a previous era, but that is part of its charm.
El Cortez is considered to be downtown Las Vegas’s first major resort, opened in 1941 following a $245,000 investment by pioneers J.K. Houssels, Marion Hicks and J.C. Grayson.
The Spanish Colonial Revival architecture style was supplemented by a 1952 remodel, which added the iconic neon arrow rooftop sign.
Today, the venue is owned by Ike Gaming and offers guests aged 21 and over, a budget-friendly gaming and dining option, with 300 rooms spread over 15 floors.
The 41,000-square-foot casino floor comprises low-limit tables, slots and sportsbook betting, with a convivial atmosphere that still resonates with locals and tourists alike.
El Cortez is not the high-end of Las Vegas, but it doesn’t claim to be. It is authentic and historic, with its own no-frills story central in the attraction of the Ghost Hunt Contest.
The spooky past of El Cortez
Over its 84-year history, El Cortez has witnessed much more than gambling, dining and entertaining, with a host of murders and illicit activity adding to its reputation.
Beyond this, various reports of paranormal activity have intertwined with the storied past to create a reputation as one of Las Vegas’ most haunted locations. Staff have recalled interactions with the unseen, shadowy figures lurking in corners, cold spots in corridors and more.
Others have detailed being touched by spirits, with unexplained noises and knocks also being a familiar phenomenon.
All of this – the history and the memories, the legends, tragedies and the unexplained – will come to life in this unique Halloween event.
The $5000 Ghost Hunt at El Cortez
Now, El Cortez is calling on all interested adrenaline junkies to step forward to seek out paranormal activity.
The promotional contest is running from October 6 until October 31, with one lucky punter to be chosen as their ‘official ghost hunter’.
How does the El Cortez Ghost Hunt work?
The application is simple, all you need to do is fill in your details and write an explanation of why you’re the perfect paranormal investigator.
Only one winner will be selected, so it’s a high-stakes spooky adventure that requires you to explain exactly why you have what it takes to probe and search where many fear to tread.
- The Mission: The winner will check into El Cortez for a haunted weekend stay (December 2025), and get to work exploring and uncovering the restricted hotspots. Think dimly lit hallways, the casino floor after dark and suspicious hotel suites.
The winner will have access to pro ghost-hunting gear, including thermal sensors and specialized flashlights.
Your job will be to document the eerie encounter with photos, videos and your creative skills.
Tell the story, convey the narrative, and document the paranormal, with a final report to be submitted.
The winner of the El Cortez Ghost Hunt will be notified within five working days after the closing date, with $500 issued to cover food, drinks and all the required equipment. A further $800 will be awarded to cover flights and accommodation.
Upon submission of the El Cortez Ghost Hunt report, the winner will receive the remaining $3250.00.
