Archive topic
12 pieces from the Nevada Gaming History archive.
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
Moe Dalitz didn’t build Las Vegas with headlines or muscle — he built it with discipline. From his Cleveland roots to the Desert Inn’s rise, this story follows the quiet architect who shaped early Strip development, stabilized casino operations, and helped turn Las Vegas into a real city.
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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
The Flamingo’s chaotic 1946 opening, Bugsy Siegel’s gamble, and the luxury resort blueprint that helped shape the modern Las Vegas Strip.
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2026 · Nevada Gaming History
Nevada’s Black Book is the state’s infamous List of Excluded Persons — a lifetime ban aimed at mobsters, cheats, and anyone who threatened the integrity of casino gaming. This deep dive explores how the list began, why it mattered, and how it shaped Nevada’s modern gaming industry.
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2023 · Nevada Gaming History
Jack Dragna from a Los Angeles Police Department Mug Shot – 1946 Jack Dragna, born Giacomo Tommaso or Ignazio Dragna in Corleone, Sicily, in 1891, was a notorious American mobster who rose to power in the early 20th century and led one of the most powerful criminal organizations in Southern California. After immigrating to the … Read more
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2023 · Nevada Gaming History
Today, Cleveland is best known as the home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Cleveland Clinic. Plus, their pro sports teams are the Indians, Cavaliers, and Browns. The town and its weather are harsh, face-first against the cold winter winds that constantly blow from Lake Erie. Not the most inviting atmosphere, … 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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2015 · Nevada Gaming History
Meyer Lansky was influential enough to draw hundreds of inquiries from law enforcement agencies during his lifetime, including the FBI, CIA, Highway Patrol offices in dozens of states, local police, and detective agencies, highlighting the widespread interest in his activities. Strange, because as dirty and sticky as his hands were for the Mob, no charges … Read more
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2013 · Nevada Gaming History
When Lucky Luciano organized the first Commission of the American Mafia, the cities with representation were all large, heavily invested in the riches from Prohibition, and had a ready delivery system for the booze that came in, usually along waterways and docks controlled by gangs. Detroit, Buffalo, and Cleveland (although each currently seeing a decline … 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
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