Meyer Lansky’s Mob Influence

Meyer Lansky was influential enough to draw hundreds of inquiries from law-enforcement agencies during his lifetime, from the FBI, CIA, Highway Patrol offices in dozen's of states, local police, detective agencies, you name it, somebody wanted to know more about him. Strange, because as dirty and sticky as his hands were for the Mob, no... Continue Reading →

June 17, 2015 7

Vegas Used to Be Fancy?

Wow, people used to actually get dressed up to visit the casinos in Las Vegas! This scene from the mid-'50's may have been staged, but there were a lot more people going to a nice dinner and show back then. Of course, the dinner show to see Rose Marie, or Jimmy Durante, or Joe Brown,... Continue Reading →

July 23, 2013 12

Vegas and the Mob

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 spend any capital to set... Continue Reading →

April 7, 2013 17

"Bugsy" Siegel Still an Icon

"Bugsy" Siegel is still an enduring icon of Hollywood, the Mob, and Las Vegas. Quite a legacy, really. Growing up in the Williamsburg district of Brooklyn (Feb. 28, 1906), no one expected the tough, skinny kid to even live long enough to have an impact on the world. (See our YouTube story and photos here)... Continue Reading →