Las Vegas Mixtape v15: “Sick of Everything” Comedy, Gambling Goods, Big Top Madness

Track #2: Gamblers General Store @Downtown Vegas

Admit it—you’re guilty of driving by interesting-looking places that you vow to one day explore but never actually do.

If you’re a Las Vegas local, that place might even be the Gamblers General Store on S Main St. I’ve cruised by the storefront multiple times without going inside, even though its exterior is gorgeously adorned with gambling-themed murals by local artist Fernando Reyes.

Finally, I dropped into this 40-year-old sprawling store that sells casino-quality items to the public.

You can buy everything under the gambling sun here: poker tables, vintage slot machines, automatic card shufflers, and poker chips and dice from local casinos.

There are also bingo supplies, dominos, gambling books, branded playing cards (Beatles, Stones, Grateful Dead), and Vegas souvenirs galore.

The collector in me was ecstatic to buy an array of mint-condition matchbooks from long-gone hotels and casinos like The Dunes and Aladdin. Customers also come here to order custom chips made in-house for commemorative moments like weddings and graduations.

Store manager Wendy Rock told me professional poker players like Phil Laak have stopped in as well as famous names including ZZ Top rocker Billy Gibbons, Drew Carey, Brad Garrett, Dan Rather, and actress Jennifer Tilly (also a pro poker player).

The shop opened back in 1984 and five years ago moved to its current location. You’ll find it across the street from its original building (which is still there, waiting to be sold).