Chief among the reasons for its longevity was the Stardust's choice not to bend with the times. There are no family-oriented attractions here. The race and sports book is national known. The casino is large and filled to capacity with gamblers, not gawkers. Many of them choose to dine in one of several fine restaurants, while the bars and lounges serve cocktails to cigar-smoking high rollers and women in sleek evening gowns around the clock. And Wayne Newton, the quintessential Vegas performer, entertains in the theater named for him.

"You are so money, baby," the characters of "Swingers" tell each other loudly and often. It's an apt description of the Sin City institution that probably helped make "money" into an adjective. With its adult charms and proud lineage, the Stardust is indeed the "old school." And it's got one terrific playground.