Vegas and the Mob

by

The Mob didn’t start the gambling in Nevada, and especially not in Las Vegas. In fact, they were relative latecomers, since Nevada had gambling for years before it was officially legalized in 1931. Because Nevada was such a large state with such a small population, there wasn’t much reason to invest capital to set up shop there, not when Chicago was making a killing (sometimes literally) with its own casinos in Illinois. Lucky Luciano’s Family was doing just as well with joints in The Big Apple, Ohio, Kentucky, Florida, and Arkansas.

As Vegas grew, innovations like air conditioning and easier travel made it more appealing, turning the desert into a thriving entertainment destination shaped by Mob influence.

In fact, although Bugsy Siegel never warmed up (sorry, no pun intended) to the idea of living in Vegas, he spent more and more time in the town because it was legal. Times were getting tougher in Los Angeles, and while he much preferred Beverly Hills to downtown Vegas, nobody was trying to whack him. Of course, all good things come to an end, right?

If you’ve ever wondered how the Mob, led by figures like Lucky Luciano, Meyer Lansky, and Bugsy Siegel, moved into Vegas, took over casinos, and skimmed millions, this book, Vegas and the Mob, reveals the story behind the scenes, with FBI watching every move.

Discover how the Mob built new casinos, fronted for their operations, and drained profits over forty years, leading to bargains for Howard Hughes and investors in the 1970s, even if they seemed like bad investments at the time.

Vegas may be clean and free of the Mob today, but understanding its history reveals how the Mob shaped the city into what it is now, making their influence essential to its story.

Thanks for reading – Al W Moe

 

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18 thoughts on “Vegas and the Mob”

  5. Reading this post reminds me of my old room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this article to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thanks for sharing!

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  12. Reading this post reminds me of my old room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this article to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thanks for sharing!

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  17. Pingback: Moe Dalitz as Mr. Las Vegas opens the Desert Inn Casino – Nevada Gaming History
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