Las Vegas, Nevada, is synonymous with gambling, glitz, and glamour. It’s a place where dreams are made, and fortunes are lost, all in the blink of an eye. But have you ever wondered who invented Las Vegas? In this blog post, we’ll look at the history of Sin City and the people who helped shape it into the world’s gambling capital. And for beginners looking to try their luck, we’ve also got some tips on the best casino games.
The Early Days of Las Vegas
Long before Las Vegas became a hub for casinos and entertainment, it was a dusty, desolate outpost in the Nevada desert. The area was first settled by Native American tribes, who used the land for hunting and gathering. In the 1800s, Mexican traders and American prospectors began to move into the region, searching for gold and silver.
It wasn’t until 1905, when the San Pedro, Los Angeles, and Salt Lake Railroad built a rail line through the area, that Las Vegas began to take shape. The railroad brought new settlers, and the town grew quickly, with the first hotel and casino opening in 1906. However, it wasn’t until the 1930s that Las Vegas became a gambling destination.
How was Vegas started?
Las Vegas was established in 1905 when 110 acres of land were auctioned off by the railroad company that owned it. The area had been a stopping point for pioneers traveling west in the 1800s and had grown into a small settlement with a few businesses and a post office.
The city’s growth was fueled by the construction of the nearby Hoover Dam in the 1930s, which brought jobs and workers to the area. During World War II, Las Vegas became a popular destination for soldiers on leave, and the city’s reputation for entertainment and gambling began to take shape.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Las Vegas continued to grow and evolve by constructing the iconic casinos and resorts that would define the city’s image. The Rat Pack, a group of entertainers that included Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, helped to popularize the city’s nightlife. At the same time, the opening of the Flamingo Hotel and other iconic properties cemented Las Vegas as a destination for travelers worldwide.
Who first discovered Las Vegas?
Las Vegas was not “discovered” by a single individual. The area where Las Vegas now stands was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Paiutes, for thousands of years before the arrival of European explorers and settlers.
In 1829, a Mexican scout named Rafael Rivera was the first recorded non-native person to enter the Las Vegas Valley. However, it was not until the early 1900s that the city began to take shape, with the construction of the railroad and the opening of the first hotel-casinos.
The credit for founding Las Vegas as a city is generally given to J.T. McWilliams, who opened the first hotel-casino on the famous Las Vegas Strip in 1931. However, the city’s growth and development resulted from the efforts of many individuals and businesses over several decades.
The Rise of the Mob
In the 1930s and 1940s, Las Vegas was a small town with a few casinos and hotels. However, things began to change in 1945 when Bugsy Siegel, a notorious mobster, arrived in town. Siegel saw the potential of Las Vegas as a gambling destination and invested heavily in the construction of the Flamingo Hotel and Casino.
The Flamingo was the first luxury casino in Las Vegas, with a hotel, restaurant, nightclub, and swimming pool. Siegel spared no expense, and the casino quickly became a popular destination for wealthy gamblers and celebrities. However, Siegel’s involvement with the mob eventually caught up with him, and he was assassinated in 1947.
Despite Siegel’s death, the mob continued to play a major role in the development of Las Vegas. The mafia controlled many of the casinos and hotels, and they used their influence to keep the city free from interference by law enforcement. However, by the 1970s, the federal government had begun to crack down on organized crime, and many of the mob’s operations in Las Vegas were shut down.
Who built the first casino in Las Vegas?
The first casino in Las Vegas was built by Thomas Hull. He purchased the El Rancho Vegas motel in 1941 on the famous Las Vegas Strip. Hull then expanded the property, adding a casino and more hotel rooms, and renamed it the El Rancho Vegas Hotel and Casino.
The El Rancho Vegas Hotel and Casino was the first hotel-casino on the Las Vegas Strip, and it became a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. The casino offered slot machines, blackjack, craps, and roulette, among other games.
While the El Rancho Vegas Hotel and Casino no longer exist, its legacy lives on in Las Vegas, which has since become one of the world’s premier destinations for gambling and entertainment.
The Modern Era
Las Vegas is a thriving metropolis with dozens of casinos, hotels, and entertainment venues. The city attracts millions of visitors yearly, hoping to strike it rich at the slot machines or the blackjack tables.
If you’re a beginner looking to try your luck in Las Vegas, a few games are perfect for newcomers. Here are our top picks:
Slot Machines
Slot machines are the easiest and most popular casino games. All you have to do is put your money in the machine, press the button, and hope for the best. There are thousands of slot machines, with themes ranging from classic fruit machines to modern video slots.
Roulette
Roulette is another easy game to learn. Simply place your bets on the numbers or colors you think will appear on the spinning wheel. If you’re lucky, you could win big.
Craps
Craps can be slightly more intimidating for beginners, but it’s still fun. The dealer will roll the dice, and you’ll bet on the outcome. It can be a little confusing at first, but it’s a lot of fun once you get the hang of it.
Blackjack
Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games, and it’s easy to see why. The game is simple, fast-paced, and requires some strategy. You aim to get a hand as close to 21 without going over. If your hand beats the dealer’s, you win.
Baccarat
Barracat is often associated with high rollers, but it’s one of the easiest games. You bet on whether the player or the banker will have a higher hand, and the dealer does the rest. It’s a great game for beginners who want to try their luck at a more sophisticated game.
In addition to these games, many casinos offer free lessons and tutorials for beginners. These are a great way to learn the basics and build confidence before playing for real money.
Final Thoughts
Las Vegas has come a long way since its early days as a dusty railroad town. Today, it’s one of the world’s most exciting and glamorous cities, with dozens of casinos, hotels, and entertainment venues. Whether you’re a seasoned gambler or a beginner, there’s something for everyone in Sin City. And if you’re just starting out, try our top picks for the best casino games for beginners. Who knows? You might just strike it lucky and hit the jackpot.
