Many have had their glory days in the state of Nevada. But these three come out of the crowd as they gave the name of the game.
Frank rosenthal
It is the best sports handicap in the history of Las Vegas. He used to be called “King of Vegas”, “Guru”, or something he surely is: a genius. He opened the first sports and racing book at the Stardust Hotel & Casino. All the Las Vegas casinos copied his invention afterwards. He used to run four casinos at the same time, during the 1970s and early 1980s: Stardust, Fremont, Hacienda, and Marina.
Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal inspired one of the main characters in the book and movie “Casino” (played by Robert de Niro), although the story does not tell the whole truth, he says. You can find Frank on his own website.
Steve wynn
In part, he has done his apprenticeship with Frank Rosenthal. Finally, he “dethroned” him. He is now president of Mirage Resorts, which includes the world’s largest hotel, MGM Grand. Part of his success is related to the name of E. Parry Thomas, known at the time as the only banker in the city who loaned money to build a casino. Rosenthal himself describes him as “a very clever mind.”
George wingfield
The two “kings” were preceded by George Wingfield, an important figure in Nevada history, since 1912. He used to be characterized as “the owner and operator of Nevada.” Two businesses gave him the glory: mining and gambling. He moved to Nevada in the early 1900s. As an active politician, he fought to legalize gambling and divorce. Gambling was re-legalized in the state of Nevada in 1931. The same year, the famous six-week divorce law was passed. Ironically, today, 230 marriage licenses are issued every day in Las Vegas.
America’s Gold Mine
After South Africa, the state of Nevada is the world’s largest gold producer. Golden Nugget Hotel displays the world’s largest gold nugget ever found, weighing 61 pounds.
The most famous mine owner in Nevada history was George Wingfield. He also owned all the banks in the state. The Goldfield Consolidated Mines Company, which he ran alongside Senator (at the time) George S. Nixon, turned them both into billionaires.
The other “gold mine” in the state of Nevada is gambling, as gambling activities were legalized in 1931. In 2003, gross income from gambling in Las Vegas was $ 7,673,489,000.
This “gold mine” closed its doors only once in history: on November 25, 1963, due to the national mourning of the assassinated President George Kennedy. History did not repeat itself in the first days after 9/11. In fact, Americans asked in polls on this topic saw Las Vegas as a place to escape tension.