Mobbed Up Casino Opens in The Biggest Little City

Architects, Architects: Thomas E. Hull, Artists / Designers, Artists / Designers: Tom Douglas, Barn Club (Reno, NV), Bonanza Club (Reno, NV), Casino History, Casino: Openings, Chesterfield Syndicate (Detroit, MI), Desert Inn (Las Vegas, NV), El Rancho Vegas (Las Vegas, NV), Frank "The Prime Minister" Costello, Gambling, Gambling History, Games / Races: 21 / Blackjack, Games / Races: Big Six, Games / Races: Craps, Games / Races: Roulette, Games / Races: Slot Machines / Fruities, Gaming History, International Casino (Havana, Cuba), Louis "Lou" Wertheimer, Mapes (Reno, NV), Mobsters / Gangsters / Syndicate Members (Alleged) / Organizations, Moe Dalitz, Monte Carlo (Las Vegas, NV), Nevada, Reno--Nevada, Riverside Hotel (Reno, NV), Tropicana (Havana, Cuba), United States, Wilbur ClarkLeave a comment

1944 The debut of the Bonanza Club* on October 3, 1944 in Reno, Nevada, was doubly significant. Formerly the Barn Club, the new casino was regarded as one of, if not, the finest in the state; about $300,000 (roughly $4.2 million today) were spent on redecorating and equipping the place. It also was one of…

4 Iconic Gambling Characters

Artists / Designers, Artists / Designers: Lewis "Lew" Hymers, Artists / Designers: Pat Denner, Artists / Designers: Roscoe "Duke" Reading, Casino History, Gambling History, Gambling: Mascots: Bucky Buckaroo, Gambling: Mascots: Last Chance Joe, Gambling: Mascots: Vegas Vic, Gambling: Mascots: Wendover Will, Gaming History, It Really Happened, Las Vegas--Nevada, Nugget Motor Lodge / Dick Graves' Nugget / John Ascuaga's Nugget (Sparks, NV), Pioneer Club (Las Vegas, NV), Publicity Stunts / Promotions / Advertisements, Reno--Nevada, Sparks--Nevada, State Line Hotel and Casino (Wendover, NV), United States, Wendover / West Wendover--Nevada2 Comments

1940s-Today They’re one of a kind. Dazzling. Captivating. Iconic. Pure Nevada. They’re the mascots of the state’s gambling industry. They graced the facades of casinos in the gambling meccas, and some still do. Rather than merely signs, they’re like citizens, but atypical ones — larger, brighter and cartoony. Here’s a look at four of them:…