Reno’s Definitive and Dangerous Bank Club Casino

Reno's Bank Club casino opened in the Golden Hotel basement in 1929. The property was owned by George Wingfield, Nevada's richest man with a net worth of $50 million dollars in the early part of the 20th century due to his mining success in the towns of Goldfield and Tonopah. His exploits and Reno's growth... Continue Reading →

February 14, 2023 0

Reno’s Town House Casino

Reno became the Divorce Capital of the World in the 1930s. Open-gaming was legalized in 1931 and the state lowered residency requirements to six-weeks for divorces. So, people arrived in droves, ready to "take the cure" as they called it, and hotels were available for those on the rich side. Those with more adventurous souls... Continue Reading →

January 7, 2019 0

Reno’s Northern Club

Reno’s Northern Club was one of the first casinos in the state licensed for gaming in 1931. Located on the ground floor along Center Street in Reno, the casino was run by Felix Turillas Sr. and John Etchebarren in the Commercial Hotel. Women were rare players in the 4,000 square-foot club when it opened with... Continue Reading →

January 2, 2017 2

Harold’s Club – A Reno Classic

Harold's Club in Reno was the Nation's best-known casino in the 1940s and 1950s, but how did that happen? Well, the story is told in much greater detail in Nevada's Golden Age of Gambling, but here's the start! Raymond "Pappy" Smith Raymond I. Smith spent thirty years of his life running carnival games from a baseball... Continue Reading →