Opodo travel news
Las Vegas celebrates 75 years of casinos
23 Mar 2006
This year Las Vegas is celebrating 75 years of gambling, the pastime that made the city world famous.
In the spring of 1931 the state of Nevada gave its first gaming licence to Mayme Stocker, who ran the Northern Club.
The aim was then to boost the tourism industry as employment in the state's silver mining industry faded.
However, it wasn't until the 1940s and 50s that the first big casinos were built, started of by the El Rancho Vegas Hotel-Casino in 1941.
Other iconic casinos such as the Flamingo Hotel, built by mobster Bugsy Siegel with its pink neon signs, soon joined turning the Las Vegas strip into a holiday destination were people believe their dreams could come true.
Today, it's possible to head to Las Vegas and not gamble, given the vast range of attractions.
The city is home to many shopping malls and world-class entertainment.
Shows currently on include the multi-award winning Hairspray and Cirque du Soleil, while Elton John, Barry Manilow and Celine Dion are all putting on concerts.
Heading out of Las Vegas the beautiful Nevada scenery can be best enjoyed mountain biking or hiking through the forests and mountains of the state's national parks.
© Adfero Ltd
In the spring of 1931 the state of Nevada gave its first gaming licence to Mayme Stocker, who ran the Northern Club.
The aim was then to boost the tourism industry as employment in the state's silver mining industry faded.
However, it wasn't until the 1940s and 50s that the first big casinos were built, started of by the El Rancho Vegas Hotel-Casino in 1941.
Other iconic casinos such as the Flamingo Hotel, built by mobster Bugsy Siegel with its pink neon signs, soon joined turning the Las Vegas strip into a holiday destination were people believe their dreams could come true.
Today, it's possible to head to Las Vegas and not gamble, given the vast range of attractions.
The city is home to many shopping malls and world-class entertainment.
Shows currently on include the multi-award winning Hairspray and Cirque du Soleil, while Elton John, Barry Manilow and Celine Dion are all putting on concerts.
Heading out of Las Vegas the beautiful Nevada scenery can be best enjoyed mountain biking or hiking through the forests and mountains of the state's national parks.
© Adfero Ltd
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