Las Vegas, Sin City, has long been associated with glitz, glamour, and gamble. Behind the curtains of these iconic casinos lies a darker tale – one that involves the Italian-American Mafia, notorious for their involvement in organized crime. In this article, we'll delve into the history of three mafia-controlled casinos: The Stardust, The Flamingo, and The Tropicana.
The Stardust: A Casino Born from Controversy
When the Stardust Resort and Casino opened its doors in the late 1960s, it was hailed as the biggest facility of its kind in Vegas. Conceived by Tony Cornero, a controversial figure with a history of bootlegging charges, the development of the Stardust later passed to Moe Dalitz, known as "Mr. Las Vegas." Dalitz was one of the most infamous gangsters of his era.
The Stardust boasted over 1,000 hotel rooms and featured a 140-foot bar and a massive casino floor. What drew crowds to this mafia-controlled casino, however, was the Lido de Paris – the first revue of its kind in Vegas, featuring topless dancers. The site also housed the only first-run drive-in theater on the Strip, even attempting to be bought by Howard Hughes.
As the Stardust continued to grow throughout the 1960s, new restaurants and a nine-story tower were added to the property. Notably, the Stardust was the first place where keno was played on the Strip. Its influence extended to the Stardust International Raceway in Spring Valley, which further solidified its position in the gambling industry.
The Flamingo: A Casino Born from Bloodshed
The Flamingo's mafia connections cannot be ignored. Gangster Bugsy Siegel, one of the most influential figures in early Vegas, teamed up with Meyer Lansky to create this iconic casino. In the 1940s, Siegel purchased El Cortez on Fremont Street for $600,000 but was blocked from developing the site by city officials. This led Siegel to focus on the Flamingo, where he allegedly insisted on a secret ladder in the Presidential Suite to facilitate his escape if necessary.
The Flamingo Hotel & Casino opened its doors in 1946, with an astonishing total cost of $6 million spent on its development. Despite being located a few miles from Downtown Vegas, the Flamingo became the first luxury hotel on the Strip and set the tone for what Sin City could become.
Unfortunately, Siegel's reign was cut short when he was murdered in Beverly Hills, California, just months after the Flamingo opened. Being a gangster involved in Vegas back then was indeed a risky business.
The Tropicana: A Casino Shrouded in Suspicion
The last of these three iconic casinos is The Tropicana. Opened in 1957 by Ben Jaffe, an executive from the Fontainebleau Miami Beach, the casino soon gained notoriety due to its links to organized crime. Phil Kastel, a figure with ties to the Kansas City mob and Frank Costello, was heavily involved at the site.
The Tropicana's mafia connections were eventually exposed by an FBI investigation in the late 1970s, leading hotel chain Ramada Inns to take over the property. Today, The Tropicana Las Vegas is operated by Penn National Gaming and owned by Gaming and Leisure Properties.
These three casinos – The Stardust, The Flamingo, and The Tropicana – represent a darker side of Las Vegas's history, one that involves organized crime and corruption. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, it's essential to acknowledge the role played by these infamous figures in shaping the city's development.
In the end, players looking for bonuses and promotions can explore casinos online, providing a significant boost to their starting bankroll without the shadow of the mafia's involvement.