Las Vegas’ oldest hotel, the El Cortez, is offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for those with nerves of steel — a paid weekend of ghost hunting within its reputedly haunted halls. The chosen thrill-seeker will receive a prize worth $5,000 and spend a weekend exploring the historic hotel and casino, investigating eerie corners and unexplained phenomena. The El Cortez, which first opened its doors in 1941, has long been associated with tales of paranormal activity, from phantom footsteps to sudden drops in temperature.
++ Trump administration indicts former FBI chief James Comey
Situated just off downtown Las Vegas, the El Cortez has a colourful past filled with mobsters, high-rollers and infamous deals. Among its most notable figures is the gangster Bugsy Siegel, who briefly owned the property in 1945 before going on to open The Flamingo. Although Siegel’s name is attached to the hotel’s restaurant, his ghost is not believed to be the one haunting the premises. Instead, legend has it that his associate “Fat Irish” Green lingers on, with some reports suggesting that the hotel’s basement contains the cremated remains of former employees who died without family.
Over the years, staff and guests have reported chilling encounters, including translucent hands reaching out in the dark and mysterious knocks echoing through empty corridors. Despite its spooky reputation, the El Cortez remains a favourite among visitors seeking a taste of old-school Vegas charm, complete with neon signs and vintage décor. Its casino still offers blackjack, roulette, poker, and slot machines famously described as “40 per cent looser than any other casino,” according to Ghost City Tours.
++ Trail camera captures mysterious ‘big cat’ prowling the Lincolnshire countryside
The ghost-hunting competition runs from 6 to 31 October, with the winner set to visit in early December. Armed with professional equipment such as flashlights and thermal sensors, the chosen investigator will be tasked with collecting photographic or video evidence of paranormal activity and documenting their findings. Whether drawn by history, horror, or high stakes, participants will have the rare chance to uncover the secrets lurking within one of Las Vegas’ most storied establishments.
