The Mob’s influence on Las Vegas left a lasting impression. Las Vegas may have shed its notoriety but its colorful past is still fascinating to many. Illegal gambling in Las Vegas goes back to the early 20th century. In the Prohibition era, organized crime syndicates ran illicit gaming halls. Despite the legalization of gambling in Nevada in 1931, criminals found many illegal ways to make money in the fast-growing city.
Crime syndicates and mobsters
Mobsters like Bugsy Siegal and Meyer Lansky profited by establishing casinos with luxury accommodations and great entertainment to attract high-end clientele. At the same time, they were engaging in illicit activities such as money laundering and racketeering.
Bugsy Siegal played a major role in the Las Vegas development as a gambling destination. He was charming and charismatic but also had a reputation for ruthlessness in the underworld. He opened the Flamingo Hotel in Casino in 1946 and a year later fellow mob members assassinated him.
Tony Spilotro was another mobster who arrived on the scene several decades later. He was known for his brutality and expanded his territory through extortion, loan sharking, and murder. In this era, gangsters would use any measures they could to keep control over their territories.
Today, cyber criminals are more of a concern for casinos. An iGaming site has to make sure it implements state-of-the-art security measures to ensure players are protected from hackers.
Illegal activities
Illegal activities driven by the Mafia had an impact on the history and development of Las Vegas. Illegal gambling generated substantial revenue so mobsters could invest in other illicit ventures. They profited from prostitution rings and had extensive smuggling networks so they could smuggle alcohol, drugs, and people across borders. Money laundering schemes allowed them to conceal illegal profits.
Loan sharking was another common practice. When individuals failed to repay their loans, they suffered violence at the hands of mob enforcers. The mafia could infiltrate government and law enforcement due to its wealth and power. This meant that criminal syndicates could operate with impunity. Violent crimes such as assaults and kidnappings were common. This all left a mark on Las Vegas, and its past is firmly entrenched in pop culture.
Transformation of Las Vegas
The Kefauver hearings conducted by the Senate committee investigated organized crime in Las Vegas. This inspired significant changes in how casinos operated. The grip of crime began to diminish and the crime stats in the Sin City started to drop.
In the 1960s and 1970, Las Vegas evolved away from the control of mobsters. Government regulations became more stringent at that time. Casinos faced increased scrutiny and had to account with regulators or risk having their licenses revoked. Law enforcement began to crack down on organized crime figures and illegal activities.
Corporate casinos
Corporate gaming in Las Vegas also led to a decline in organized crime. With major corporate players coming onto the scene, there were more regulations and greater transparency and compliance. Mega corporations investing in businesses followed lawful business practices. That started transforming the reputation of the city.
Corporate casinos brought a new level of professionalism to the city. Luxury hotels with spas, fine dining restaurants, high-end shopping, and glittering live entertainment were some of the amenities and attractions they offered. They also invested heavily in marketing campaigns to promote Las Vegas as a resort destination.
Today, the Strip consists of huge structures adorned with neon lights. Visitors are drawn to the glitz and glamor, and they can enjoy gambling and much more at casino resorts that operate under strict regulations.