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Q. i know in the movie casino and also in a simpsons episode they referenced "the chicago outfit" as running las vegas and making it the gambling and sports betting destination that its known as today back in the 50's and 60's. any truth to this ?
Answer
Good morning Derek,
I hope you are enjoying the first few days of the New Year. I am heading for Pechanga Casino later today.
http://www.pechanga.com/
I love history. Your question hit home because I parked cars on Sunset Blvd in Hollywood as a teenager in 1958â. I was still in high school. I saw a lot of movie stars and ganger types. Boy did they tip well. Busey Siegel is given credit for starting Las Vegas as we know it today. Las Vegas was his dream but he never saw his dream come true. I strongly suggest you read a book called âthe Green Felt Jungleâ. It is one of the very first books about Las Vegas.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Green_Felt_Jungle
The New York mob was during very well in California with the opening of Santa Ana Race track in 1934. The New York mob sent Busby Siegel and Meyer Lansky to California in 1937 to start up and develop more gambling operations on the west coast. They met up with another well known Hollywood mob figure named Mickey Cohen. Their first real venture was the Flamingo Casino in 1946.
With the help of mob and Mormon money, Busby went crazy. He went on a spending spree as he envisioned this high class Flamingo Casino in the middle of Las Vegas. The Flamingo Casino opened and lost thousands of dollars. I think it only stayed open for a few months. Busby Siegel was shot and killed in Beverly Hills the following year. He never saw his dream come true. I am only outlining what happen. This is why I encourage you to read the book.
As you note I put down Mormon money. This part is not in the book, but it is true. I hope you enjoy the history part. I will start from the beginning.
The greatest military march in the history of the United States was made by the Mormon Battalion in 1846. The march was made to save California from Mexico, and give the Mormons their own state. They did save California. Los Angeles and many west coast cities still have monuments and historic sites honoring their march.
http://www.mormonwiki.com/Mormon_Battalion
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mormon_Battalion
What does this have to do with Las Vegas? After the march a few Mormons stayed to wait out the winter. They got a job building a mill. After they finished Sutterâs Mill, they stopped off to collect and cash in some gold. They had bags of gold. The rest is history. Gold discovered at Sutter Mill. This was the cause of the gold rush to California. The Mormons collected their share of gold weeks before. On their way back home, they purchased thousands of acres of land for the Mormon Church while crossing Nevada.
After the death of Busey Siegel, many New York mobsters saw the potential of Busby Siegelâs dream of gambling in Las Vegas. From 1952 to 1957, through money and institutional lending provided by the Teamsters Union now under the control of mobsters and Mormon bankers they built the Sahara, the Sands, the New Frontier, the Showboat, The Riviera, The Fremont, The Horseshoe, and The Tropicana.
The casinos are owned and operated by a joint combine of Mormon elders who provided political and business legitimacy, and people involved with organized crime provided unreported income and street muscle, such as Meyer Lansky, Buseyâs original partner. These crime hotels are regarded as the modern day Las Vegas of gambling and entertainment which we know today.
Well Derek, I hope you enjoyed the little known history of Las Vegas. One other thing, Mickey Cohen, who was Busbyâs enforcer, sold me my first car. He offered me his 57â Chevy right on the spot because he just got the first introduced 58â Chevrolet Impala.
http://www.oldride.com/library/1957_chevrolet_bel_air.html
Good luck Derek. You and your family have a beautiful year. Peace, from Los Angeles.
Good morning Derek,
I hope you are enjoying the first few days of the New Year. I am heading for Pechanga Casino later today.
http://www.pechanga.com/
I love history. Your question hit home because I parked cars on Sunset Blvd in Hollywood as a teenager in 1958â. I was still in high school. I saw a lot of movie stars and ganger types. Boy did they tip well. Busey Siegel is given credit for starting Las Vegas as we know it today. Las Vegas was his dream but he never saw his dream come true. I strongly suggest you read a book called âthe Green Felt Jungleâ. It is one of the very first books about Las Vegas.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Green_Felt_Jungle
The New York mob was during very well in California with the opening of Santa Ana Race track in 1934. The New York mob sent Busby Siegel and Meyer Lansky to California in 1937 to start up and develop more gambling operations on the west coast. They met up with another well known Hollywood mob figure named Mickey Cohen. Their first real venture was the Flamingo Casino in 1946.
With the help of mob and Mormon money, Busby went crazy. He went on a spending spree as he envisioned this high class Flamingo Casino in the middle of Las Vegas. The Flamingo Casino opened and lost thousands of dollars. I think it only stayed open for a few months. Busby Siegel was shot and killed in Beverly Hills the following year. He never saw his dream come true. I am only outlining what happen. This is why I encourage you to read the book.
As you note I put down Mormon money. This part is not in the book, but it is true. I hope you enjoy the history part. I will start from the beginning.
The greatest military march in the history of the United States was made by the Mormon Battalion in 1846. The march was made to save California from Mexico, and give the Mormons their own state. They did save California. Los Angeles and many west coast cities still have monuments and historic sites honoring their march.
http://www.mormonwiki.com/Mormon_Battalion
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mormon_Battalion
What does this have to do with Las Vegas? After the march a few Mormons stayed to wait out the winter. They got a job building a mill. After they finished Sutterâs Mill, they stopped off to collect and cash in some gold. They had bags of gold. The rest is history. Gold discovered at Sutter Mill. This was the cause of the gold rush to California. The Mormons collected their share of gold weeks before. On their way back home, they purchased thousands of acres of land for the Mormon Church while crossing Nevada.
After the death of Busey Siegel, many New York mobsters saw the potential of Busby Siegelâs dream of gambling in Las Vegas. From 1952 to 1957, through money and institutional lending provided by the Teamsters Union now under the control of mobsters and Mormon bankers they built the Sahara, the Sands, the New Frontier, the Showboat, The Riviera, The Fremont, The Horseshoe, and The Tropicana.
The casinos are owned and operated by a joint combine of Mormon elders who provided political and business legitimacy, and people involved with organized crime provided unreported income and street muscle, such as Meyer Lansky, Buseyâs original partner. These crime hotels are regarded as the modern day Las Vegas of gambling and entertainment which we know today.
Well Derek, I hope you enjoyed the little known history of Las Vegas. One other thing, Mickey Cohen, who was Busbyâs enforcer, sold me my first car. He offered me his 57â Chevy right on the spot because he just got the first introduced 58â Chevrolet Impala.
http://www.oldride.com/library/1957_chevrolet_bel_air.html
Good luck Derek. You and your family have a beautiful year. Peace, from Los Angeles.
Where can I hang out between check out and late flight?
AnswerLady
I'm leaving Las Vegas on a midnight flight on a Friday in April and I'm wondering where I can hang out between when I check out of my hotel and when I need to be at the airport. I will have already had a couple of day's of sightseeing so I'm really just looking for somewhere semi-comfortable and safe that I can hang out, maybe with a TV and access to a bathroom and food. I don't want to spend a lot (if I did, I'd just pay $150 for another night in my room). Even the cheap hotels are too expensive on a Friday night to take a room for a few hours. I'm not a drinker, so a bar's not an option either. Any ideas?
Answer
Ok, here goes:
First, always ask for late check out. Most places will give you and hour or two extra at no charge. Then, if your budget allows, considering asking to extended check out. Most hotels, depending on demand/room availability will let you stay for a half day (usually til 6PM) for an additional half day rate. Ask your hotel for more information.
You don't mention where you are staying or if you'll have a car. If you won't have a car, I'd suggest going somewhere near the airport. You don't want to have a long cab right to McCarran on a Friday night. The TV part is tough. You can hang around in the Sports Book, but all they play are sporting events. The bathroom part is going to be a challenge too.
I prefer to have car, even at the extra expense. Having a car means after I check out, I can throw my bags in the trunk and go almost anywhere I want within a reasonable distance of the airport, as long as I allow enough time to drop my car off and get the the terminal.
Personally, I love to peoplewatch in Vegas. Check out the Starbucks just of the casino floor at the MGM Grand. Grab a cup of coffee and a seat on the rail and watch folks go bye.
One final thing: If you don't have a car and check your bags with the bell desk, ask for a bellman when picking them up if you are taking a cab to the airport. At most of the big casinos, the bellman can arrange for you to cut to the front of the cab line because you are going to the airport. If so, please tip them approprietly.
Have a great trip!
Ok, here goes:
First, always ask for late check out. Most places will give you and hour or two extra at no charge. Then, if your budget allows, considering asking to extended check out. Most hotels, depending on demand/room availability will let you stay for a half day (usually til 6PM) for an additional half day rate. Ask your hotel for more information.
You don't mention where you are staying or if you'll have a car. If you won't have a car, I'd suggest going somewhere near the airport. You don't want to have a long cab right to McCarran on a Friday night. The TV part is tough. You can hang around in the Sports Book, but all they play are sporting events. The bathroom part is going to be a challenge too.
I prefer to have car, even at the extra expense. Having a car means after I check out, I can throw my bags in the trunk and go almost anywhere I want within a reasonable distance of the airport, as long as I allow enough time to drop my car off and get the the terminal.
Personally, I love to peoplewatch in Vegas. Check out the Starbucks just of the casino floor at the MGM Grand. Grab a cup of coffee and a seat on the rail and watch folks go bye.
One final thing: If you don't have a car and check your bags with the bell desk, ask for a bellman when picking them up if you are taking a cab to the airport. At most of the big casinos, the bellman can arrange for you to cut to the front of the cab line because you are going to the airport. If so, please tip them approprietly.
Have a great trip!
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