Casinos are a part of the Las Vegas landscape. The importance of these casinos to the Valley cannot be understated. Casinos are a major part of the economy in Las Vegas, generating about 1 billion of the revenue for Nevada each month. There are over 230 different hotels that have gaming facilities in the city, which is an even higher number considering many restaurants also have gaming floors.
The town was founded 1905, previously being home for native tribes and religious groups like the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. How did it become this colorful and captivating gambling machine? Let’s take a look at Las Vegas history and its oldest casinos.
Downtown Las Vegas
Nevada legalized gambling in 1931, which turned out to be a blessing for Las Vegas. They avoided the Great Depression and soon became an entertainment center for all of the surrounding states. The oldest casinos in Las Vegas were located in the downtown area. They weren’t these huge establishments that we think of right now, they were more like clubs, without a place to sleep or eat. One of the first hotels opened on Fremont Street in Golden Gate Hotel, previously named Hotel Nevada. In 1955 the hotel expanded its services and became a casino resort.
Las Vegas Strip
Las Vegas Strip, primarily known as the Los Angeles Highway, it’s part of the town which surrounds South Las Vegas Boulevard. Historically, the Strip was just outside the border of the town. This is the place, which we all have seen in movies and it’s the cradle of all of the casinos in Las Vegas. The first casino-resort-hotel which was opened in 1931 on the Las Vegas Strip was named El Rancho Vegas. It was a huge step for the casino industry. The idea, to build casinos as huge resorts, turned out to be so successful, that soon the others popped up like mushrooms. Soon, El Rancho Vegas had its neighbors: Last Frontier Hotel (1942), and infamous Fabulous Flamingo (1946) and the Desert Inn (1950). The two latter were sponsored by New York mafia bosses. If you watched any mafia movie from the 90′, you should know how this business works…
Las Vegas Blvd
Since Las Vegas Boulevard wasn’t a town’s territory, the town couldn’t tax the casino-resorts owners. Of course, the town tried to annex the street, but it met with a refusal of mafia-operated casinos. Due to that, Las Vegas Boulevard became part of the city until 1975.
Most Famous Las Vegas Casinos
After the liberation of gambling laws and huge pumps of mafia money into the town, the casino industry started to flourish and Las Vegas became a real Sin City. There are hotel casinos on every corner. Unfortunately, not all of the casinos stood the trial of time.
Harrah’s Entertainment
Harrah’s Entertainment (opened in 1900) was one of the first and the biggest Las Vegas casinos. Unfortunately, due to a money laundering lawsuit, which resulted in loss of gaming licenses, the casino was bought out and the company is now called Caesars Entertainment. Despite the turbulent history of the company, the original building still stands.
Sahara Hotel
Opened in 1952, Sahara Hotel was one of the biggest hotel casinos in Las Vegas. It was known for its 14 story tower and variety of Moroccan-themed attractions like rollercoasters. Now, the tower is a part of a new complex, but despite the change in ownership, it still has its famous name.
Las Vegas From Your Own Home
If you like to gamble, you have to visit Las Vegas at least once in your lifetime. But for now, you can play your favorite games in the casino online LVBet. When you are playing at home, you don’t have to worry that you will make any of the mafia bosses angry, and you don’t have to travel a lot, which is a great benefit, especially in today’s world. LVBet is safe, has a gaming license, and, most importantly, a variety of poker tables, card games, and slots, that you’ll find something amusing for you! Furthermore, while playing in an online casino, you can practice before you decide to try your luck at the Strip or have the Fremont Street Experience!
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