Did You Know? Archives

Beldon Katleman Casino History Crimes / Violence / Punishments: Tax Evasion Did You Know? El Rancho Vegas (Las Vegas, NV) Gambling Gambling History Gaming History Governing / Regulatory Bodies: Nevada Tax Commission Las Vegas Strip / S. Las Vegas Boulevard Las Vegas--Nevada Nevada Quick Facts United States

Quick Fact - Shoddy Accounting

1956 When auditors for Nevada reviewed its books, they discovered the El Rancho casino on the Las Vegas Strip had underpaid the requisite gambling taxes over nine quarters by $39,000 ($350,500 today). Despite the claims…

Cannes--France Casino History Did You Know? Gambling History Gambling: Record Games / Races: Baccarat Gaming History Le Casino Municipal (Cannes, France) Quick Facts

Quick Fact - Baccarat Wagers Soar

1929 Le Casino Municipal in Cannes, France broke its record in January for the highest amount of money (in chips) in play at a baccarat table — $1 million ($14.3 million today). “Though individual bets…

Casino History Did You Know? Gambling History Gambling: Vote Gaming History Montana Quick Facts United States

Quick Fact - Montana Votes on Gambling

1941 Ten years after Nevada legalized gambling and shortened the residency requirement for divorce from six months to six weeks, Montana took steps to compete. Bills to legalize gambling and to allow 30-day divorces were…

Casino History Did You Know? Gambling History Gambling: Prizes Gaming History Harrah's (Reno, NV) Nevada Publicity Stunts / Promotions / Advertisements Quick Facts Reno--Nevada United States

Quick Fact - Shot at a Car

1972 Recognize these cars? A Pinto, Chevelle, Javelin and Datsun 240Z? Harrah’s hotel-casino in Reno, Nevada gave them away as well as cash in four weekly drawings for $35,000 worth of prizes ($205,000 today) over the…

Bakersfield--California California Casino History Did You Know? Gambling Gambling History Gaming History Quick Facts United States

Quick Fact - Savings at all Costs

1933 When panhandling in Bakersfield, California, an Arthur J. Hayden received 25 cents ($4.70 today), which he took to a casino and parlayed into $690 ($13,000 today). The next day he grew his winnings to…

Casino History Crimes / Violence / Punishments: Assaults Did You Know? Ely--Nevada Gambling History Gambling: Equipment Games / Races: Bowling Machine Governing / Regulatory Bodies: Nevada Tax Commission Nevada Quick Facts United States

Quick Fact - Not What I Wanted to Hear

1954 Arthur R. Schultz of Ely, Nevada, who’ previously had held a gambling license for slot machines, asked then District Attorney of White Pine County, Jon R. Collins, to rule on whether or not a…

Casino History Did You Know? Gambling History Gambling Laws / Regulations: Nevada's Black Book / Excluded Person List Gaming History Governing / Regulatory Bodies: Nevada Gaming Commission Nevada Quick Facts United States

Quick Fact - Excluded Persons

1975-1976 Nevada’s infamous “Black Book,” which contains information about the unsavory individuals who are banned from casinos, still exists today but under a different moniker. In 1975, citizen Beni Casselle expressed to the state gaming…

Casino History Did You Know? Gambling Gambling Currency: Canteen Coupons Gambling History Gaming History Iowa Iowa State Penitentiary Quick Facts

Quick Fact - Clink Gambling

1936 To better understand the experience, Judge Harry D. Landis of Seward, Nebraska purposefully spent 10 summer days, undercover as an inmate, in the Iowa State Penitentiary (since closed). After, when he publicly reported his assessment…

Anti-Gambling / Anti-Casino Efforts California Casino History Crimes / Violence / Punishments: Gambling Did You Know? Gambling History Gaming History Law Enforcement / Judicial System: Los Angeles Chief of Police Charles E. Sebastian Los Angeles-California Quick Facts United States

Quick Fact - Vice Crusade Tactic

1913 As what the Los Angeles Times called the “the first sally in the greatest campaign that has ever been waged for the elimination of gambling” (April 7, 1913), Los Angeles Chief of Police Charles…

Australia Casino History Did You Know? Gambling Gambling History Games / Races: Two-Up Gaming History Quick Facts

Quick Fact – Popular in Australia

1850s-Today Tuesday, April 25, Australians will be spotted throughout the local pubs playing Two-Up. Anzac Day, when military war veterans are honored, is the only time this game of chance is allowed legally. Two-Up is…

Casinos / Gambling Saloons / Card Clubs / Slot Routes / Wire Services / Hotels / Racetracks / Racinos Did You Know? Gambling History Gaming History Las Vegas--Nevada Nevada Quick Facts United States

Quick Fact - In Observance

1939 Las Vegas gambling houses and saloons were shut for three hours in observance of Good Friday, at the request of the local churches. It was the first time in the Nevada city’s history that such…