Las Vegas is often known as the home of all things casino, but where did this perception come from? The concept of casino gaming may not have originated from this vibrant Sin City, but it’s often depicted as the epicentre of gambling – and for good reason. Even casino online gaming sites now take inspiration from the bright lights of the Vegas strip, bringing a little piece of that coveted magic into your very own home.
To learn more about the history of casino gaming in Las Vegas, and how it got to where it is today, read on.
1905
Our story begins in 1905 when tracks were laid between Las Vegas and the Pacific coastline, enabling an easier form of travel to other major cities such as Los Angeles and Salt Lake City. As you’d imagine, this was a long and arduous task for the workers and they needed a way to unwind after a long day’s work. So, they began conducting small card games to let off a bit of steam and provide some kind of entertainment.
1910
What started as a form of out-of-hours entertainment soon contributed to Las Vegas’ transformation into a crime hub, filled with gambling, drinking and prostitution. Understandably, the state authorities soon made moves to crack down on this vigilante behaviour and outlawed all forms of gambling in 1910, in an attempt to get the crime rates under control. This didn’t seem to stop casino fans from getting their fix – the popular pastime simply went underground. Players would set up gaming tables wherever they could, from the basements of restaurant kitchens to the back room at their local bar; they would stop at nothing to play a couple rounds of Blackjack or Poker.
1931
Finally, gambling was legalised once again in 1931 – allowing legitimate casinos to open up across the city. At this time, these casinos were small and nothing compared to the grand constructions that we’re used to seeing today.
1941
Ten years on and the extravagant resort-style casinos began to pop-up all around Las Vegas, beginning with the El Rancho Vegas resort. The ranch in question really made a step forward for the casino business, providing visitors with not just a wide selection of top-class casino gaming tables, but also swimming pools and horse-riding facilities. This allowed visitors and Vegas residents to have a well-rounded experience when playing, filled with fun and relaxation, as well as the chance to potentially win the big bucks.
1989
For years gangs and mobsters seemingly ran the Vegas strip, with Bugsy Siegal opening the Flamingo resort in 1946 – stepping out as one of the first casinos to take direct inspiration from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. The Hollywood lifestyle still heavily influences the casinos of today, promoting the American Dream and the chance to make it big.
When the city was free of the mobster’s ruling, the first “mega” resort was brought onto the strip in 1989 called the Mirage Hotel and Casino, opened by Steve Wynn. This marked a new age of casino buildings where they would evolve into more architecturally inspired designs, in particular, imitating the canals in Venice and the figures of ancient Rome in the form of marble statues and grand murals on the ceilings. The artwork and sophistication of this new wave of casinos definitely brought in a larger crowd of games than before, helping to create the buzz of Vegas gambling that we know today.
