I think something is not properly coordinated at The Chip Guide. The listing I check is El Cortez Lounge, as there is no El Cortez Hotel listing. I see that's also where a previous El Cortez matchbook I submitted is shown, as well as a postcard of the hotel building.

The Gaming Table does list an El Cortez Lounge in the same block as the hotel was. It's shown opening in 1989 with slots only. I actually haven't been by that location since the Armin/Mel chip show was held at Trocadero about 15 years ago. It's possible the Hotel never had a gaming license, but gaming certainly took place in the hotel building.

Here's the link I used:

http://www.themogh.org/cg_chip2.php?id=NVREEC