Casino History

Here at Spinettis Gaming Supply, we are not only about the collectibles but also want to do our part to preserve Nevada gaming history and to share that with you.  Our blog is updated frequently but thought we'd highlight some of the posts that we think you'll enjoy & maybe learn something about our state's fascinating past.

 

 

	Aladdin Las Vegas was located center-strip. First opened in 1966, the property was renamed to Planet Hollywood in 2007.
	Bally's Las Vegas was located center-strip. Bally's, formerly the MGM Grand, reopened in 1986. Read about The closing of the stage show "Jubilee!".
	Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel built the Flamingo way outside of town on Highway 91 back in 1946.  Who knew back then that it would become the world famous Las Vegas Strip?
	The California Club opened back in 1946 on the corner of First Street and Fremont Street.  In 1975 it became the California Hotel.
	Circus-Circus was the first Las Vegas property to cater to the family market.  It opened back in 1968 and is still open today!
	Hoot Gibson's D4C Ranch - This "Dude" Ranch was where one could check-in and stay long enough, six weeks, to obtain Nevada residency to enable them to get a "quickee" divorce.
	The El Rancho Vegas opened on April 3, 1941 with great fanfare.  At the time it was hailed as Las Vegas' first resort hotel.  It closed in 1960 due to a fire you can read about on our blog.
	Elvis Presley and the Las Vegas Hilton - Elvis' home away from Graceland was the International Hotel, opened in 1969.  It became the Las Vegas Hilton the following year and today known as the Westgate.
	The Fremont Hotel & Casino is located in the heart of downtown Las Vegas.  Opening in 1956, the property just celebrated their 60th Anniversary!
	The Golden Gate Casino is located on the site of downtown's first hotel.  The casino was opened in 1956 and is famous for their inexpensive Shrimp Cocktail and dancing dealers.
	Howard Hughes was probably the Desert Inn's most renowned owner.  The property is today the site of present day Wynn Hotel and Casino.
	Jackie Gaughan was a Las Vegas legend.  He owned several casinos but is probably best known for the El Cortez.  His son Michael today owns the South Point Casino.
	The Las Vegas Club was a fixture of downtown Las Vegas from when it opened in 1931 to when it closed in 2015.
	The MGM Grand was the site of Las Vegas' largest disaster, a fire in 1980 when 87 people were killed.  Today it is the site of the present day Bally's.
	Downtown's Mint Hotel opened on Fremont Street in 1957 and was swallowed up as part of Binion's Horseshoe in 1989.  Today the property is simply called Binion's.
	The Mirage Hotel was the city's first Mega-Resort opened by Steve Wynn in 1989.  The property is still open today famous for their erupting volcano out front and their Secret Garden Lion & Dolphin habitat in the back.
	One of Las Vegas' most historically significant properties, the Moulin Rouge opened in 1955 and closed in 1996.  Located in West Las Vegas, it was the city's first integrated property.
	The Orbit Inn was a Fremont Street downtown casino from when it opened in 1964 till when it closed in 1987.
	The Pioneer Club, home of the iconic Vegas Vic, opened back in 1942 and closed in 1995.  Today it's a gift store but Vic still watches out over Fremont Street.
	Formerly the Union Plaza and Las Vegas' railroad station, The Plaza reopened in 1992 and is still open today.
	The Pussycat a' Go Go was THE place to be back in the sixties.  Read all about it on our blog!
	The Quad was formerly the Imperial Palace and before that the Flamingo Capri.  Today the property is called the Linq and is site of the tallest observation wheel in North America called the Highroller.
	The world famous Riviera Hotel & Casino operated for 60 years between 1955 and 2015.  It will soon become part of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
	The Silver Bird operated between 1976 and 1982.  It was formerly the Thunderbird and later became the El Rancho before becoming the present day site of the Turnberry Place condominium project.
	When most people think of Nevada they usually think of Las Vegas and Reno but there are close to 100 other Small Towns throughout the state, many with a local casino or two.
	The Stratosphere Hotel, Casino & Tower opened in 1996 at the North end of the Las Vegas Strip. Formerly Vegas World, it's founder Bob Stupak built the tallest free standing observation tower west of the Mississippi River.
	The Thunderbird was located on the north end of the strip and opened back in 1948.  It later became the Silver Bird when it closed in 1976.
	The World Trade Center was never opened because they were not able to acquire the coveted Nevada gaming license.  They weren't the only ones.  In lots of instances, the plans were drawn up, the building built, the chips were made but the doors never opened.
	The World Series of Poker was first started by Benny Binion in 1970 and held through 2004 at Binion's Horseshoe.  It later moved to Harrahs and then to the present day location of the Rio Hotel & Casino.