Bob Gilbert strives to make Nickels Gaming Parlour a place where his customers come to relax, meet new people, and enjoy old friends. “People don't socialize enough anymore,” Gilbert says. Gilbert made Nickels a place many people enjoy returning to. “This is like a Cheers bar,” Gilbert says. It's a friendly atmosphere where people talk to one another. Being a locally owned business means the staff at Nickels really get to know customers well.

Gilbert knows the best way to keep Nickels a friendly, relaxing destination is to gather a customer-oriented staff. “I believe in rewarding my staff for the service they provide. I want them to want to come to work.“

Nickels offers two plasma TVs for sports, and for added gaming excitement, the Green Machine. The only one of its kind in Helena, the Green Machine provides a bonus to gaming machine players. Players swipe their card when they arrive at Nickels, and the Green Machine pays out an hourly jackpot. If your name is called, you collect a jackpot of at least $30. The largest payout is unlimited. It keeps building until it is won.

Nickels showcases some of Gilbert's many unique collections, which include life-size likenesses of the Blues Brothers, Marilyn Monroe, and Humphrey Bogart; Lionstone whiskey decanters sculpted into the likeness of people, and old Mafia collectibles.

The antique back bar, made of oak and mahogany, graces the main room. The back bar came to Montana from the east on a river steamboat to Fort Benton on the Missouri River. From there it was hauled by wagons to a waterhole in Belt.  It was stored during prohibition and later used in Great Falls, the last at the Town Tavern owned by Glen Mortenson.  Louie Lafloe was a wood master in restoring the beauty.  We have 20 Draft taps!

Food is available until closing time. Nickels stands out from the other casinos in town. Come on into Nickels, "Where fun is still legal"!