Did You Know? Archives

Casino History Casino: Takeovers Did You Know? Europe Events: Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention Concert Gambling History Gaming History Montreux Casino (Montreux, Switzerland) Montreux--Switzerland Quick Facts

Quick Fact - Inspired by Life

1971 The sight of Switzerland’s Montreux Casino burning down on December 4, 1971 was the inspiration for Deep Purple’s hit song, Smoke on the Water. A fan firing a flare gun during a Frank Zappa…

Did You Know? Gaming History Nevada Quick Facts

Upcoming Gambling History Class in Northern Nevada

Date: May 23, 2018, Wednesday Time: 6:00-9:00 PM Place: TMCC Meadowood Center Cost: $39 (plus 20% discount available – see below) It’s that time again! If you’re in Northern Nevada, please join me for this…

Casino History Did You Know? Gambling Gambling History Gambling: Win / Jackpot Games / Races Games / Races: Slot Machines / Fruities Gaming History Nevada Quick Facts Reno--Nevada United States

Quick Fact - Pure Luck

1952 “One of the members of the Journal news staff stopped in at a [Reno, Nevada] casino one night last week, put a nickel in a slot machine and hit the jackpot. The…

Alphonse "Al/Scarface" Capone California Did You Know? Gambling Gambling History Gaming History Quick Facts The Rock Islanders U.S. Federal Penitentiary, Alcatraz Island (CA) United States

Quick Fact - A Renaissance Convict?

1934-1938 While doing time at Alcatraz, Alphonse “Scarface” Capone, infamous Chicago organized crime boss heavily involved in gambling, played the banjo and mandola (a large mandolin) in the prison band, The Rock Islanders, a rotating…

Casino History Crimes / Violence / Punishments: Owning Gold Did You Know? Gambling Gambling Currency: Coins: Gold Gambling History Games / Races Games / Races: 21 / Blackjack Nevada Quick Facts Reno--Nevada United States

Quick Fact - Last to Hear

1940 “Apparently unaware that gold has been forbidden as a medium of exchange, a tall, dark complexioned cowpuncher walked into a [Reno, Nevada] gambling club last night and startled the dealer by casually dropping a…

Casino History Crimes / Violence / Punishments Crimes / Violence / Punishments: Robbery / Theft / Embezzling Did You Know? Gambling History Gaming History Las Vegas--Nevada Nevada Quick Facts The Westerner (Las Vegas, NV) United States

Quick Fact - Crossed Wires

1951 Upon entering The Westerner casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, an electrician told the guard he’d been dispatched to repair a boiler connection. After being admitted to the utility room, he produced a pistol and…

Casino History Did You Know? Gambling Gambling Currency: Coins: Brass Gambling History Gaming History Nevada Nevada State Prison (Carson City, NV) Quick Facts United States

Quick Fact - Brass in Pocket

1967 The month following closure of its on-site Bullpen casino, the Nevada State Prison sold the brass coins that inmates had used for decades (since 1932) for wagering and as currency. Sets, containing one coin…

Anti-Gambling / Anti-Casino Efforts California Casino History Crimes / Violence / Punishments Crimes / Violence / Punishments: Gambling Crimes / Violence / Punishments: Gambling Did You Know? Gambling Gambling Currency: Coins Gambling History Gambling: Raids Games / Races Games / Races: Poker Gaming History Los Angeles-California Quick Facts United States

Quick Fact - Threefold Pettiness

1940 After some angry husbands in Los Angeles, California complained their wives were gambling away the grocery money, two vice squad officers raided the Monday night birthday party of Ann Dicker, a 73-year-old great-grandmother, at…

Did You Know? Events: Strikes / Protests Events: World War II Gambling History Games / Races: Dice Gaming History Michigan Quick Facts United States

Quick Fact - Gambling Sympathy Strike

1943 A site protection officer disciplined nine workers for shooting dice in a restroom and instructed them to report to the labor relations officer. This happened during the night shift at the Ford Motor Company…

Advertisements Casino History Did You Know? Gambling History Gaming History Nevada Nevada Club (Reno, NV) Quick Facts Reno--Nevada

Quick Fact - Select Workers Only

1965 Interesting age and marital status restrictions are specified in this help wanted ad for casino personnel:

Casino History Did You Know? Gambling History Gaming History Nevada Palace Club (Reno, NV) Quick Facts Reno--Nevada United States

Quick Fact - Temporary Casino Plague

1935 Avoiding darkness, they only emerged amid brightness, real or artificial. They congregated outside of every Reno, Nevada gambling club at the beginning of June, pestering the guests as they entered and exited. One night…

California Casino History Del Mar Racetrack (Del Mar, CA) Del Mar--California Did You Know? Gambling Gambling History Games / Races Games / Races: Horse Racing Gaming History Law Enforcement / Judicial System: U.S. FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover Quick Facts United States

Quick Fact - A Regular For Years

Former FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover was such a rabid fan of horse racing that every summer, when in nearby La Jolla for his annual physical exam, he visited Del Mar in California, where he…