Sands Archives

Albert Anastasia Casino History Charles "Lucky" Luciano Clifford Jones Cuba Gambling Gambling History Gaming History Governing / Regulatory Bodies: Nevada Gaming Control Board It Really Happened Jake Lansky Meyer Lansky Nevada Politicians / Politics: Cuba President Fidel Castro United States Wilbur Clark

Nevada Makes Gamblers Choose

1957-1959 During Nevada’s 1957 legislature, State Senator Kenneth Johnson (R-Ormsby), voiced his concerns about some of the state’s gambling licensees* simultaneously co-owning Cuban casinos. He feared that: • Nevada licensees might form alliances with U.S.…

Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel Casino History Casino International (Havana, Cuba) Clifford Jones Cuba Gambling Gambling History Gaming History Hilton (Havana, Cuba) Hy Abrams It Really Happened Moe Dalitz Morris Kleinmann Nacional (Havana, Cuba) Politicians / Politics: Cuba President Fulgencia Batista Riviera (Havana, Cuba) Thomas McGinty United States Wilbur Clark

Cuban Casino Push

1952–1958 When Fulgencio Batista returned to power as president in Cuba in 1952, he aimed to foster a gambling empire from which he could generate revenue for his coffers. To facilitate casino development, he and…

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…

Frank Sinatra Gambling Games / Races: Baccarat Howard Hughes It Really Happened

Frank Sinatra’s Hissy Fits

1967 & 1970 Apparently, the beloved crooner had a temper, which he sometimes unleashed when casino operators denied him additional, excessive amounts of credit when gambling. In one instance when Frank Sinatra lost control, he…

Did You Know? Gambling Currency: Coins Nevada Quick Facts Sands (Las Vegas, NV)

Quick Fact – Sands Silver

1956 As revelers welcomed the new year at the Sands hotel-casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, management gave every guest (an estimated 18,000 of them) a brand new silver dollar. Additionally, they gifted each of the 700…

Casino History Did You Know? Gambling History Games / Races: Craps Gaming History Nevada Quick Facts United States

Quick Fact – “Floating Craps”

1953 The Sands hotel-casino in Las Vegas, Nevada offered craps not poolside but in the pool! Photo from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas’ Digital Collections