15 Fremont Street

The Northern Club, with gaming license #1 was first, followed briefly by the Turf Club, and the Monte Carlo. Fuller’s Index and TGT both say that Club 15 was here in the 1940’s…but have no further information. I don’t remember ever seeing any other references to Club 15, so I’m not sure just where it might fit into the timeline.

First published in the Casino Chip & Token News, Fall 2006, “reprinted” here with the permission of Todd Barrett. Thanks, Todd!

”Coin Castle Casino, 1970-1999: After the Monte Carlo closed, non-gaming businesses, including Sam’s Roast Beef and Denny’s Restaurant, occupied the property until the Coin Castle Casino opened in 1970. Blackjack was played at the Coin Castle until 1977, when it became slots only. The term “slot joint” fit the Coin Castle. There were hawkers out front screaming at you to come in and play the machines, they gave out free “Mardi Gras” beads and coupons for free drawings. They had tin bowls under the slot machines, so that all wins paid off with the maximum amount of noise, and there was always someone with a microphone encouraging you to play, Play, PLAY!”

The picture on this postcard shows a restaurant advertising roast beef and ham sandwiches...I'm guessing it was Sam's Roastbeef.

Then the Coin Castle, topped by a Coin King...

The King went from his perch atop his kingdom, to a headless body in the boneyard

The property was rebranded as La Bayou, which is still open. Sorry...we don't seem to have any "stuff" from there (or maybe I just don't know where to find it??)

La Bayou, 1999-present: In 1999 the Coin Castle Casino was transformed into La Bayou. Though the name and the decor changed, there’s still girls giving out beads and trying to get you into the casino to play. Other than the Golden Gate, this small joint is the only gambling left in this block, on this side of the street. The rest of the block is souvenir stores.”