Four Queens (Main Page) 202 Fremont Las Vegas, NV

In July of 1965 the Nevada State Gaming commission approves a non-restricted gaming license for the Four Queens.

“...Four Queens President Ben Goffstein. who holds 15 per cent in the operation said he intends to open the casino Oct.1 with the hotel to follow in about 90 days...”

(Reno Evening Gazette

July 21, 1965)

Goffstein's prediction for an October 1965 opening date would prove to be a little optimistic.

1966 would be an eventful year in the history of the Four Queens.

Use the navigation buttons below to learn more and explore the history and collectibles of the Four Queens.

202 Fremont

Las Vegas, NV

Four Queens

June 2, 1966 to now

The planned opening date of July 1965 was delayed for almost a year due to construction delays.

“...the burnt out Bentley's Trading Post building on Fremont has been condemned and is awaiting demolition to make room for Benny Goffstein’s Four Queens casino and hotel”

(Las Vegas Sun July 22, 1964)

"...The first phase of the building of Las Vegas' newest downtown hotel and casino will take place tomorrow afternoon when demolition crews move into the Second and Fremont site to raze the existing structures... Heading up the group which is building the Four Queens Hotel is Ben Goffstein president, and Tommy Callahan as executive vice-president...”

(Las Vegas Sun November 15, 1964)

The photo below shows work underway in May 1965 for the beautiful new

Four Queens Hotel and Casino in downtown Las Vegas. It would officially open a year later on June 2, 1966.

The Golden Nugget would soon have a new neighbor. Both the Nugget and the Four Queens are there over 50 years later.

Most stories of the Four Queens start by saying that Ben Goffstein built and owned it. This is not actually accurate since there were over 30 initial investors in the Four Queens. When it was built he was a 15% shareholder in the corporation that owned the Four Queens. However, the credit for the concept, the vision, and the successful management of the Four Queens would seem to rest solely with him.

Goffstein named the property for his four daughters.

“The Four Queens, he proudly explained,

was named for his four daughters,

Michele, 18; Benita, 15; Faith, 9; and Hope. 8.”

(Las Vegas Sun June 2, 1966)

Some locals bemoaned the loss of the businesses on the corner. But others saw it as progress.

“...This writer also has another thought on the Four Queens. The buildings that will be bulldozed into history this week, though holding many stories of Las Vegas beginnings within their walls, are no longer- if they ever were- the most beautiful sight in town. Over the past several years fires have struck various structures within this block, causing much in the way of property damage and endangered lives. We are rather glad to see, what has become a dangerous eyesore in our downtown, bow to progress...”

(Las Vegas Sun November 16, 1964)

July 1965- Four Queens construction with the Golden Nugget and Lucky Casino in the background.

Nevada State Gaming commission approves a non-restricted gaming license.

The original 31 investors in the Four Queens are listed with Ben Goffstein as the president and largest investor.

A day after the gaming commission approved the 31 initial stockholders, two of them applied to be removed.

“...A A.McCollum, president of the Sahara Nevada Corp., and L. C. Jacobson, president of Del E. Webb Corporation...were listed on the application for the 31 game 500 slot machine gambling palace...both of the men were 2% investors... a spokesman said ..'it was felt that their interest in the Four Queens was not in the best interest of the Del E. Webb Corporation'...”

(Las Vegas Sun

April 10, 1965)

The Gaming Control Board would consider their application for removal but not act on it until the following year.

Ben Goffstein had earlier worked for publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst's newspapers and was commonly known to have connections to organized crime and allegedly used those connections in circulation wars for the Hearst corporation.

After Bugsy Siegel's sudden death he was part of the management of the Flamingo and later the Riviera.

Ben Goffstein married former showgirl Alice Virginia "Dottie" Wood who also had a hand in decorating the $5 million Four Queens. She was working as a member of the Lindsay Sapphire Dancers at the Flamingo, when she met casino Vice President Benny Goffstein, who she would later marry on New Year's Eve 1954.

This ad in the Fabulous Las Vegas Magazine 1964 Christmas issue shows an anticipated opening date of July 1965. That prediction turned out to be a little optimistic.

The photo below shows what the Four Queens actually looked like in July 1965!

It does not look like it's ready to open yet.

The new Mint: behind is the first of the high-risers— the Fremont Hotel; across the street from the Fremont, the Four Queens barely rising above ground level.

RISING SKYLINE —The urban touch of Americana is rapidly taking shape in Vegas’ downtown casino center and vicinity. The “ skyscrapers in the desert” completed, nearing completion and in early construction stages... the new Mint: behind is the first of the high-risers— the Fremont Hotel; across the street from the Fremont, the Four Queens barely rising above ground level; and right center, final stages of the new First National Bank of Nevada.

(Las Vegas Sun April 7, 1965)

Caption reads in part:

“...Construction on the new Four Queens Hotel and Casino proceeds at a furious pace. Workmen are clearing what's left of the former White Cross Drug building to make room for the addition to Casino Center..”

(Las Vegas Sun

December 1, 1964)

1964-1965 Events: Early Planning, Construction, and Investors

March 27, 1965 various Shriner's clubs held a parade on Fremont Street

through downtown Las Vegas past the Four Queens construction site.

March 27, 1965 from Over50Vegas.com Four Queens Hotel Casino early construction, Downtown Las Vegas, Lucky Casino, Horseshoe Hotel, Fremont Street, Plunkerthang, Westwood Shrine Club, Shriners, shriner's,San Fernando Valley Parade