The Mob and Las Vegas - A Brief History

The history of Las Vegas is closely tied to the history of organized crime, or the "mob." The city's rise to fame and fortune as a gambling and entertainment destination in the 20th century was largely shaped by the influence and involvement of notorious criminal organizations.

In the early days of Las Vegas, organized crime played a major role in the development of the city's casinos and hotels. In the 1930s, the city was still a small desert town with a population of around 8,000. However, the legalization of gambling in Nevada in 1931 sparked the interest of organized crime syndicates, who saw the potential for big profits in the desert oasis.

One of the first organized crime figures to make a move in Las Vegas was Bugsy Siegel, a member of the notorious New York-based criminal organization known as the "Jewish mob." Siegel helped finance and build the Flamingo, which opened in 1946 and is considered the first modern casino resort in Las Vegas.

After Siegel's death, other organized crime syndicates moved in to take control of the city's casinos, including the Chicago Outfit, led by Tony Accardo, and the Kansas City crime family, led by Nick Civella. These criminal organizations used violence and intimidation to control the city's casinos, and they reaped enormous profits from the booming gambling industry.

The 1950s and 1960s saw the peak of organized crime's influence in Las Vegas. During this time, many casinos were owned and operated by notorious mobsters, including Meyer Lansky, Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal, and Tony "The Ant" Spilotro. The mob also controlled other businesses in the city, including construction, labor unions, and prostitution.

However, the rise of corporate ownership and stricter government regulation in the 1970s and 1980s led to the decline of organized crime's power in Las Vegas. The FBI and other law enforcement agencies stepped up their efforts to crackdown on organized crime, and many mobsters were arrested and sent to prison.

Today, organized crime has a much reduced presence in Las Vegas. The city's casinos and hotels are now owned by large corporations, and strict regulations are in place to prevent any illegal activities. However, the legacy of the mob in Las Vegas lives on in the city's rich history and the stories of the colorful characters who helped shape it.

The history of Las Vegas is closely tied to the history of organized crime or the "mob." The city's rise to fame and fortune as a gambling and entertainment destination in the 20th century was largely shaped by the influence and involvement of notorious criminal organizations, but today with strict regulations and corporate ownership, their presence has been significantly reduced.