Las Vegas Legends: Iconic Casinos and Stories That Shaped the City

Have you ever wondered how a desert town in the heart of Nevada grew to become the gambling capital of the world? You would expect other cities, such as New York or Chicago to be where all the action happens. However, as unlikely as it must have seemed at the time, Las Vegas is now the most popular destination for gamblers worldwide.

The city owes a lot of its global fame and success to a few forward-thinking legends whose influence made Las Vegas into the adult Disneyland it is today. Before the bet999 platform was ever invented, it is thanks to these iconic figures that people had a great place to enjoy casino games.

The Bellagio: The Most Iconic Casino in Las Vegas!

Located in Paradise Nevada, in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, the Bellagio Hotel and Casino is the most famous of all casinos in Sin City. Arguably the crowning jewel of the city, this casino has hosted some of the world’s most powerful, famous, and wealthy people. 

The construction of the casino began in 1995 and took three years to complete. On October 15, 1998, the famous casino opened its doors in style, with close to $25,000 people waiting to go in. Just 24 hours after it was opened, the hotel and casino had already hosted 80,000 guests.

Such popularity does not seem to have slowed down, and today, the Bellagio is still the most iconic casino in the city. The building is recognizable all over the world, and its parties are legendary. If you want to taste the best that Las Vegas has to offer, visit the Bellagio Hotel and Casino.

Seven Legends That Shaped Sin City

Las Vegas is not the oldest city in America; not even close. By rights, it should be lagging behind many other older cities in the country in terms of its development, but a few individuals in its history ensured that would not happen.

Are you wondering which famous historical figures were pulling the strings behind the success of Sin City? Here are seven people whose names will forever be entwined with that of The Desert Oasis that is Las Vegas:

• Bugsy Siegel

It might come as a surprise to many people, but the person who is credited by many as the founder of Las Vegas was a mobster! That’s right, Las Vegas was the brainchild of Bugsy Siegel, an associate of the East Coast gangster Meyer Lansky. 

In 1946, Siegel opened a resort called the Flamingo, with the vision that it would grow into what the city that Las Vegas is today. Sadly, Bugsy Siegel was murdered just over a year later. However, other mobsters, inspired by Siegel’s vision began investing in the desert resort, and brick by brick, one resort at a time, Las Vegas was born.

• Frank Sinatra

The music of Frank Sinatra is one of the most iconic sounds to ever grace the American entertainment industry. This man was so powerful that people would fly halfway across the world to watch him perform and shake his hand. 

It is no surprise, therefore, that when Sinatra started performing in Las Vegas in 1951, the resort town welcomed massive audiences. It was not long before it became one of the best adult entertainment destinations in the world.

• Howard Hughes

By the time Howard Hughes made his way to Las Vegas, in 1966, the city was already a hive of activity. However, the iconic aviator, industrialist, and filmmaker soon wrote his name in the Las Vegas history books by helping change gambling laws in Nevada.

Thanks to the efforts of Hughes, the Nevada gaming image was cleaned up, and the city’s policies were changed to promote the development of casinos and boost the state’s economy like never before.

• Kirk Kerkorian

The ground on which the famous hotel and casino, Caesars Palace, now stands, originally belonged to Kirk Kerkorian. In 1962, he purchased 60 acres on the Las Vegas Strip. Over the next decade or so, Kerkorian bought, sold, renovated, and built huge portions of what is known as the Strip today. His smart investments mean he is part of the history of famous Las Vegas landmarks, such as the MGM Grand, the Bellagio, and the Mirage. 

• Elvis Presley

Four years after Sinatra made his Las Vegas debut, another of America’s icons graced the city with his voice and legendary status. 1956 was the year that Elvis Presley finally rolled into town. Even though Presley’s performances did not initially reach the lofty heights that Sinatra’s did, his comeback tour in 1969 broke all attendance records in the city. By the time he was done, Elvis had performed in front of sold-out crowds an incredible 636 times.

• Steve Wynn

One of the biggest behind-the-scenes names behind the construction of huge portions of Las Vegas is Steve Wynn. His influence started in the 1970s when he rebuilt the dilapidated Golden Nugget, leading to massive economic growth in downtown Las Vegas. He is also the name behind the construction of the Mirage, another of the city’s most iconic casinos. However, his crowning jewel is the Bellagio Hotel and Casino, which he financed in 1995.

• Derek Stevens

In recent times, one of the people who have been the driving force behind Las Vegas’s growth is Derek Stevens. His efforts have helped reshape the city into a modern entertainment destination, thanks to the construction of iconic buildings, such as the beautiful Circa Las Vegas Hotel and Resort. Many people accredit Stevens with the revitalization of Las Vegas as the city tries to recapture the magic of its Sin City golden years.

Enjoy Las Vegas Casino Games Online

A trip to the iconic Entertainment Capital Of The World is well worth it for any gambling enthusiasts around the world. However, while you save up for your Las Vegas vacation, you could brush up on your Blackjack skills by playing online casino games. 

All the awesome casino games people enjoy in Las Vegas are available online from the comfort of your home. Get in on the action until you get a chance to visit The Desert Oasis that these Las Vegas icons gave the world.

© 2023, Seth “Digital Crates” Barmash. All rights reserved.