Tango game, Las Vegas, Nevada

1946

Some Las Vegas, Nevada casinos handed out women’s nylons as slot machine and tango game* prizes.

When the city’s board of commissioners found out, they banned it, threatening repeat offenders with losing their gambling license.

It wasn’t the hosiery the officials took offense to; it was the casinos offering merchandise to encourage the playing of traditional games of chance.

“We are endeavoring to maintain gaming on a high plane and feel bound to discourage and eliminate any practice which may impugn the dignity of our gaming establishments,” they said (Nevada State Journal, Oct. 12, 1946).

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* Tango is similar to bingo and keno

1947 Cadillac

1947

To keep players gambling at their clubs, Las Vegas, Nevada casinos boosted incentives with offerings such as double odds on craps, bingo prizes of $1,000 ($10,900 today), extra slot machine jackpots and brand new Cadillacs.