Lucky Dragon Debuts in Las Vegas

Lucky Dragon Hotel & Casino made its official debut in Las Vegas last weekend. The first resort in Las Vegas to offer an authentic Asian gaming, dining and lifestyle experience brought in taiko drummers, traditional dragon and lion eye-opening ceremony and dragon and lion dances.

Heads of lettuce, suspended by red string over the entrance to Lucky Dragon’s casino, were consumed by the dancing lions before entering the resort. A variation on the phonetic pronunciation of the word for “lettuce” in Chinese translates to “to get rich.” The tradition of lions eating the lettuce is said to bring wealth and prosperity to the property. The dragon and lions proceeded into the casino and continued their celebration for several hours, as guests were treated to complimentary Tsing Tao beer and traditional GongFu service of Qinba Wuhao tea — one of more than 50 teas that will be offered at Lucky Dragon.

At 10:30 p.m., guests and executives alike raised their glasses in a champagne and cognac toast, officially signaling the opening of Las Vegas’ first new hotel and casino property in six years.

Lucky Dragon sits in the city’s northern corridor, just west of Las Vegas Boulevard at 300 W. Sahara Ave. The first ground-up construction of a hotel and casino property in Las Vegas since 2010, Lucky Dragon will feature a unique and authentic Asian experience unlike any other in the United States.

Taxi stands to restaurants feature signs in Chinese first and English second. VIP areas are elevated, signifying a heightened status for those who enter. Teas normally reserved for dignitaries on official Chinese state visits are available at Lucky Dragon for the first time in the United States.