King 8 Hotel & Gambling Hall, Las Vegas, Triblend Tee

Venue History

The King 8 Hotel & Gambling Hall was a modest but memorable fixture on the west side of the Las Vegas resort corridor, located at 3330 West Tropicana Avenue, and first opening in 1974. It represented a segment of Las Vegas’ gaming development that catered to travelers and motorists who wanted accessible lodging and casino action without venturing to the high-stakes bustle of the Strip. King 8 was founded by Olind Jenni and Will Roberts, who intriguingly also ran a King 8 hotel in Fairbanks, Alaska—though without casino operations there. The brand positioned itself as “luxury at budget prices,” hoping to attract value-conscious guests who still expected decent amenities. Over the years, its neon sign, clean lines, and affordable rooms made it a recognizable mid-strip landmark, especially for those entering or leaving the city by road. By the late 1980s and 1990s, the King 8 underwent several ownership and operational changes. In 1988, Hotel Investors Trust, based in Los Angeles, purchased the property and pledged capital improvements. In 1996, the property was sold to J.A. Tiberti Construction Company. In mid-1998, Station Casinos entered into a lease/management agreement and closed the King 8 briefly to begin a renovation and rebranding effort. On July 13, 1998, after a short closure, King 8 reopened as the Wild Wild West Gambling Hall & Hotel, featuring upgraded amenities, a sportsbook, refreshed interiors, and a renewed marketing push. For many years after that, the property continued its life under the Wild Wild West name, until Station Casinos announced in September 2022 that it would close and be demolished to make way for future redevelopment. Though never a glamorous flagship, the King 8 holds a place in Las Vegas’ layered history. It illustrates the mid-tier, road-oriented side of the casino business—properties built to serve the traveler, not just the tourist. Its life cycle—from budget lodging to rebranded casino to demolition—mirrors Las Vegas’ constant reinvention and the pressures smaller properties face in a market dominated by colossal resorts.