Did You Know? Archives

Did You Know? Gambling: Debt Governing / Regulatory Bodies: Internal Revenue Service Nevada Quick Facts United States

Quick Fact – Accounting Shift

1964 The Dunes in Las Vegas, Nevada switched from writing off unpaid IOUs to claiming them as income, allegedly to keep Internal Revenue Service agents from harassing its customers — asking guests in the hotel…

Did You Know? Gambling Games / Races: Craps Quick Facts San Francisco--California United States

Quick Fact – Out Of The Loop

1895 When two small boys appeared in a San Francisco, California court for shooting craps, the arresting officer testified. Then this transpired: Judge: “Are you sure the boys were shooting craps?” Officer: “Of course, I…

Castaways (Las Vegas, NV) Did You Know? Governing / Regulatory Bodies: Nevada Gaming Commission Howard Hughes Law Enforcement / Judicial System: U.S. Department of Justice Laws: U.S. Sherman Anti-Trust Act Nevada Quick Facts Silver Slipper (Las Vegas, NV) United States

Quick Fact – Road to Monopoly?

1968 Howard Hughes, billionaire industrialist, received the Nevada Gaming Commission’s blessing to buy the Stardust hotel-casino in Las Vegas for $30.5 million and moved forward with the acquisition. He already owned five such properties on…

Did You Know? Quick Facts Sawdust Corner Saloon (Virginia City, NV) Virginia City--Nevada

Quick Fact – Big Numbers

Mid-1870s Virginia City, Nevada, at the peak of the mining boom when the population was about 18,000, boasted one gambling house for every 150 people. That’s 120 of these places, primarily saloons! Some of the…

Did You Know? Jimmy "The Weasel" Fratianno Mickey Cohen Quick Facts

Quick Fact – Gangster’s Obsession

1948 Mickey Cohen (né Meyer Harris Cohen) — violent Los Angeles, California mobster and gambling kingpin with ties to Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel and the Flamingo in Las Vegas, Nevada — suffered from obsessive compulsive disorder…

Did You Know? Elvis Presley Entertainment Quick Facts

Quick Fact – Good Luck Charm

1969 Elvis Presley was one of the first headliners at the International Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. His performances began a record-breaking run of 837 sold-out shows at the spot over the ensuing seven years. In his…

Did You Know? Quick Facts

Quick Fact – Women, Oh, No!

1905 A Las Vegas, Nevada newspaper commented on the increasing popularity of gambling among ladies: “Gambling made fashionable among women is a rather serious matter. It is bad enough among men, but when the mania…

Did You Know? Harrah's (Reno, NV) Quick Facts

Quick Fact – Gutsy Granny

1972 A 71-year-old, wheelchair-bound, California grandmother, Susan Ellyn Reid, who had a long rap sheet and various aliases, entered Harrahs Club in Reno, Nevada in July carrying a box. She gave casino personnel a typed…

California Did You Know? Gambling Quick Facts

Quick Fact – Wild Justice

1890 Judge Beckley Campbell conducted court in a Benicia, California saloon. After hearing the evidence and deciding on a verdict in cases, he meted out punishments based on the result of tossing two dice in…

Did You Know? Games / Races: Chuck-a-luck Games / Races: Faro

Quick Fact – Tinhorn Gambler

Today/1888 A “tinhorn gambler,” according to several dictionaries, refers to a game of chance operator who pretends to have money, ability or influence. The phrase is said to come from people who set up chuck-a-luck games…

Connie Stevens Did You Know? Incline Village--Nevada Quick Facts

Quick Fact – Stevens’ Jewelry

1970 When Connie Stevens, entertainer, departed after a stay at the Kings Castle hotel-casino in Incline Village, Nevada, she accidentally left $20,000 ($122,000 today) worth of jewelry in her suite. Linda Cooley, a housekeeping team…

Did You Know? Gambling Games / Races: Chuck-a-luck Games / Races: Fantan Games / Races: Faro Games / Races: Poker Games / Races: Red-and-black Games / Races: Rondo Games / Races: Rouge-et-noir Quick Facts

Quick Fact – Gambling Feast

1887 A newspaper blurb touting the availability of gambling in Reno titled, A Feast for the Gamblers, read: “Those who delight in gambling sports can be accommodated in Reno … no less than thirty-one games…