Archive topic
Public Nevada history, small‑town casinos, and broad Mob overviews.
2026 · Nevada Gaming History
Johnny Roselli connected the Chicago Outfit, Hollywood, the Las Vegas Strip, and the CIA, moving through the relationships that shaped an extraordinary career.
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2026 · Nevada Gaming History
Virginia Hill’s Chicago connections, her partnership with Bugsy Siegel, the Flamingo’s chaotic opening, and her life after Las Vegas.
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2026 · Nevada Gaming History
Hank Greenspun built the Las Vegas Sun into a force in Nevada journalism, challenging political power, casino interests, and Howard Hughes.
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2026 · Nevada Gaming History
Moe Dalitz’s Cleveland roots, the Desert Inn, federal scrutiny, and the civic projects that helped shape Las Vegas.
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2026 · Nevada Gaming History
Gus Greenbaum, the Flamingo, the Riviera, the Stardust, and the Chicago Outfit’s influence on Las Vegas casino operations and the skim.
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2026 · Nevada Gaming History
How Reno’s railroad town, divorce trade, and downtown clubs made it Nevada’s original gambling capital.
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2026 · Nevada Gaming History
From its 1955 opening across from the Nevada State Capitol to its final short-lived revival in 1978, the Silver Spur tells the story of a small Carson City casino trying to hold its ground.
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2026 · Nevada Gaming History
An alphabetical record of Carson City casinos, hotel gaming rooms, and local clubs, gathered from a collector’s long view of Nevada gaming history.
Read story →2026 · Nevada Gaming History
Introduction Nevada’s gaming history is not defined by a single city. While Las Vegas became the global symbol of entertainment and excess, the state’s casino culture was shaped by multiple regions — each with its own identity, economic forces, and cast of characters. From the pioneering gambling halls of Reno to the glamorous lakefront resorts … Read more
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2026 · Nevada Gaming History
The List Nobody Wanted to Be On and the First Fifty Names Nevada has always had a complicated relationship with the people who built its casinos. The state wanted the tax revenue, the jobs, the tourism, and the bright lights, but it didn’t want the men who made those lights possible. At least, not in … Read more
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2026 · Nevada Gaming History
Carson City is the Capital of Nevada, but in the late ’70s, when I was there, it had fewer than 30,000 residents. It’s a miracle there were half a dozen casinos to choose from. Being a gambling man, I thought it was a good bet to get married at 19, in Carson City, and stay … Read more
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2026 · Nevada Gaming History
A guide to the casinos, hotel bars, and gaming rooms that shaped Carson City, from the first local rooms to the Ormsby House and the city’s surviving landmarks.
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2026 · Nevada Gaming History
For decades, the Mafia’s involvement in Las Vegas has been exaggerated, romanticized, and sometimes simply invented. The truth is more complicated.
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2026 · Nevada Gaming History
The Economic, Political, and Social Reasons Behind the Decision Dispelling Common Myths About Nevada’s Gaming Legalization Many people believe that Nevada legalized gambling because of mob pressure or a desire to become “Las Vegas.” The truth may surprise you. Nevada experienced a boom-and-bust cycle as gold and silver mines flourished and faded just as California … Read more
Read story →2023 · Nevada Gaming History
Reno’s Bank Club casino opened in the Golden Hotel basement in 1929. The property was owned by George Wingfield, Nevada’s richest man, whose wealth of $ 50 million in the early 20th century reflected his mining success in Goldfield and Tonopah. His achievements and Reno’s growth are detailed in The Roots of Reno. Winfield received … Read more
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2023 · Nevada Gaming History
South Shore Lake Tahoe had dozens of early casinos, from the Silver Club to the Nevada Club, and even Dopey Norman’s. The clustering of casinos on the same site is also an interesting subject, often debated by early investigators and finally confirmed by later writers after gaming documents and licenses proved or disproved ownership and … Read more
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2023 · Nevada Gaming History
Nothing was more shocking in my gaming career than the bombing of Harvey’s Wagon Wheel Casino at South Shore Lake Tahoe in 1980, an incident that highlighted the volatility and risks of the gaming world. To be accurate, I wasn’t working there. I was spending the end of summer playing blackjack for a living. As … Read more
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2020 · Nevada Gaming History
In 1946, John and Alice Ross founded the Christmas Tree casino, a landmark built at the top of Mount Rose with spectacular views down to Washoe Valley, fostering local pride and a sense of community. To increase the small club’s income, Reno gambler Virgil Smith, fresh from bankrolling Bill Harrah’s blackout bar in Reno, opened a … Read more
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2020 · Nevada Gaming History
Nathan “Nick” Abelman spent nearly half a century in Nevada gambling, from the mining camps of Goldfield and Tonopah to the casinos of Reno and Lake Tahoe.
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2020 · Nevada Gaming History
Although only about one-third of Lake Tahoe lies in Nevada, California’s gambling history is notable, with early establishments like Tallac House and Tahoe Tavern in Tahoe City, opened by Donald Bliss in 1902 with a ‘Casino’ or ‘Game Room,’ highlighting its longstanding gaming presence. For years, the enforcement of gambling and liquor laws was “on … Read more
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2019 · Nevada Gaming History
Reno became the Divorce Capital of the World in the 1930s because its laws allowed quick, easy divorces, attracting thousands seeking a fresh start and significantly shaping the city’s social fabric. Pictures from the ’20s and ’30s depict Reno visitors in cowboy garb, even if they had just taken the train in from New York … Read more
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2017 · Nevada Gaming History
How’s this for a great shot from the early ’70s? This postcard is from Reno Tahoe Specialty, Inc. Nate Jacobson built the King’s Castle Casino at Incline Village (Lake Tahoe), but first, let’s look at the previous owners and names! As is often the case at Lake Tahoe, George Whittell is at the heart of … Read more
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2017 · Nevada Gaming History
Reno’s Northern Club, licensed for gaming in 1931, stands as one of the earliest casinos in Nevada, marking the beginning of the state’s gaming era. Located on Center Street, it was operated by Felix Turillas Sr. and John Etchebarren within the Commercial Hotel. Women were rare players at the 4,000-square-foot club when it opened, featuring … Read more
Read story →2016 · Nevada Gaming History
Harold’s Club in Reno was the Nation’s best-known casino in the 1940s and 1950s, symbolizing Nevada’s rise in gambling prominence and inspiring pride among enthusiasts. 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 … Read more
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2016 · Nevada Gaming History
Harrah’s Tahoe – Opened in 1957 Bill Harrah was already a successful casino operator in Reno when he expanded to Lake Tahoe. His early ventures, including expanding the Harrah’s name along Highway 50 at Stateline, showcase his innovative approach and determination and can inspire interest in Nevada’s gambling history. Hopping from spot to spot was … Read more
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2014 · Nevada Gaming History
Club Harlem was one of the first integrated casinos in Nevada. Located at 221 East Douglas Alley, the bar first opened in 1946 under the watchful eye of its owner, William Bailey. Although cited for illegal gaming, the small property was later licensed in 1948 for slots and 21. Bailey moved to Reno from South … Read more
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2013 · Nevada Gaming History
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 … Read more
Read story →2012 · Nevada Gaming History
The Roots of Reno Northern Nevada’s gold and silver mines were a close second to the gold mines found in 1849 at Sutter’s Mill in California. The rush to Virginia City in the late 1850s even brought Samuel Clemens to the Comstock where he failed as a miner but wrote regularly for the Territorial Enterprise … Read more
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2012 · Nevada Gaming History
This has always been one of my favorite photos of George’s Gateway Club because it captures a moment in casino history so well, emphasizing the building’s connection to Lake Tahoe’s past. The cars show their age, and the simple fact that you could park right next to the building is significant to me. The early … Read more
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2012 · Nevada Gaming History
I always thought the photos of the Tahoe Village were cool, especially its distinctive rounded shape and numerous windows that invite curiosity and admiration, making you imagine watching the snow with a beer after your shift. The building had several names from its inception in 1945, including Tahoe Village, financed by Mickey Wood. Bert Riddick … Read more
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2012 · Nevada Gaming History
Bill Harrah first came to Reno in 1936, and his businesses hopped around the block on Center Street several times after opening his first club in 1937. The first spot was at a bar previously called the Owl. After more successful ventures on Commercial Row and Virginia Street, Harrah’s casino straddled both sides of what … Read more
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2010 · Nevada Gaming History
Next door to Barney’s at Lake Tahoe was Harrah’s Sports Casino. I walked in and was surprised by how small it was. There were about a dozen chairs for a keno game, several TVs by the bar, a craps game, and half a dozen blackjack tables. They had little yellow signs with $1 to $100 … Read more
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2010 · Nevada Gaming History
Park Tahoe 1978 Post Card above is copyright RTSI The Park Tahoe, 1978, what an excellent location for a casino. The Park operated for a couple of years before becoming Caesar’s Tahoe, when management found they could not run the property profitably. When I arrived, I didn’t care about the casino names or what they … Read more
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2009 · Nevada Gaming History
I love this photo of the Ta-Neva-Ho. Taken in the late 1930s, it shows what Lake Tahoe is like every winter – snowy! No kidding, right? Well, not everybody has a chance to see the amazing lake that straddles the California-Nevada state line. This club, built and opened in 1937, stands along the North Shore … Read more
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2009 · Nevada Gaming History
In chip collecting In my humble opinion In the state of Nevada In my collection Indian headdress Incredible The Stateline Country Club was situated on the California/Nevada state border on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe. Originally owned by Cal Custer, the club had a reputation for fun during the short summer season at the … Read more
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2008 · Nevada Gaming History
How is everybody this week? I haven’t really been gone for a week; in blog-world, my posts follow each other, so I’ve always been here. The State Line Country Club is more than just a story; it’s a piece of local history that connects residents and enthusiasts to Nevada’s vibrant past, making it feel personal … Read more
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2008 · Nevada Gaming History
The Tahoe Mariner’s history of multiple ownership changes and name shifts reflects its evolving role in Nevada’s gambling landscape, which should resonate with history enthusiasts and industry researchers. Capy Ricks purchased the property in 1946 from Ed Malley’s real estate office. Malley had been at the lake for years, having sold his first property in … Read more
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2008 · Nevada Gaming History
As you know, I’ve been known to hang around casinos – around, and around, and around. Well, the other day a security officer was bringing a full of chips to the “21” table I was standing next to, and a woman asked what “that plastic thingy, that, you know, holder thing, was called.” I explained … Read more
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