Diamond Tooth Gertie's Gambling Hall

Diamond Tooth Gertie's Gambling Hall is a casino in Dawson City, Yukon, Canada. It was first opened in 1971 by the Klondike Visitors Association, making it Canada's oldest casino. Gertie's, as it is colloquially known, as well as most of Dawson City is reminiscent of the area's Klondike Gold Rush history. Patrons are treated to a daily vaudeville show inspired by one of Dawson's most famous dance hall stars from the Gold Rush era, Gertie Lovejoy, who had a diamond between her two front teeth.

Diamond Tooth Gertie's Gambling Hall
Address corner of Fourth Avenue and Queen Street, Dawson City, Yukon Y0B 1G0
Opening date1971
ThemeKlondike Gold Rush
Total gaming space8,000 sq ft (740 m2)
Permanent showsVaudeville show
Notable restaurantsBig Al's
Casino typeLand-based
OwnerKlondike Visitors Association
Websitedawsoncity.ca/diamond-tooth-gerties/

Overview

Gertie's is unique among casinos in Canada, as it is the only one where patrons can gamble, drink alcohol, and watch live entertainment in the same room, and is the only casino located in northern Canada.[1] It is still operated by the Klondike Visitors Association, a non-profit organization. Revenues are re-invested back into the town to help preserve historic sites, produce local events, and to promote the Klondike.[2] In 2015, it was named as a Municipal Heritage Site.[3]

Arctic Brotherhood Hall

The building that houses Gertie's was formerly known as Arctic Brotherhood Hall. It was built in 1901 in a mere three weeks by the Arctic Brotherhood, who were a fraternal social organization for men living in the northwest section of North America. Camp No.4 of the Arctic Brotherhood was formed in November 1899 in Dawson City. When it was completed the building was regarded as the largest and grandest building in the northwest. In 1925, the Arctic Brotherhood ceased to exist and soon after the Fraternal Order of Eagles moved in. Eventually the building was turned into a community hall. In 1967, the building was renovated and briefly renamed to Centennial Hall in honour of Canada's 100th birthday.[4] In 1971, the town leased the building to the Klondike Visitors Association, who were running casino nights on the S.S. Keno after they had obtained a special gambling licence from the Government of Canada.[5]

Games

Among the available games are blackjack ($2-$100 bets), roulette, poker, 64 slot machines, and red dog poker.[6] They also have a special game called money wheel, featuring Canadian bills.[7]

References
  1. anonymous. "Diamond Tooth Gerties Gambling Hall". travelyukon.com. Archived from the original on 2014-02-14.
  2. Dawson City. "History of Diamond Tooth Gerties Gambling Hall". DawsonCity.ca.
  3. Dan Davidson. "Gerties is now a Municipal Heritage site". Whats Up Yukon.
  4. Yukon Register of Historic Places. "The Arctic Brotherhood Hall municipal historic site is a two storey frame building located at the corner of Queen Street and Fourth Avenue, Lots 1 and 2, Block S, Ladue Estate, in Dawson City". Yukon Register of Historic Places.
  5. Players Poker Canada. "About Diamond Tooth Gerties". Players Poker Canada.
  6. Casino City. "Diamond Tooth Gertie's Gambling Hall". CasinoCity.com.
  7. Dawson City. "Games of Chance". DawsonCity.ca.

See also
  • Diamond Tooth Lil, a Gold Rush-era American popular cultural icon of wealth and libertine burlesque

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