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Old Tales of Nevada
IT REALLY HAPPENED!
This blog brings to life compelling and true casino- and gambling-related stories, from around the world, between 1800 and 2000.
Nevada Gambler-Cum-Mayor Called Out for Bubble Peeking
1955-1956 In March 1955, Nevada gaming regulators accused Caliente mayor Donald E. Rowan of cheating while dealing a 21 game — which is illegal — in the Shamrock Club. He’d operated the Clover Street gambling enterprise with his partner and father-in-law Joe Colombo for seven years. Rowan had been the elected head of this southeastern […]
Greek Gambling Game Barbudi Doesn't Catch on in Reno
1964-1965 “Build it, and they will come” wasn’t a sure thing for gambling houses in Nevada, particularly ones offering an uncommon game. Case in point is the Barboot Coffee House and Casino in Reno. The Visionary C. Mathias “Matt” Skender, moved from Michigan to The Biggest Little City to introduce his favorite gambling game — […]
Congress' Strategy For Slashing U.S. Gambling Activity Proves Problematic, Part II
1952-1968 Soon after two new federal taxes — the tax on wagers and the wagering occupational tax — went into effect in late 1951, problems with them arose. (See Part I for a description of and impetus behind the taxes.) First Complication to Arise The constitutionality of the occupational tax was called into question. In […]
Congress' Strategy For Slashing U.S. Gambling Activity Proves Problematic, Part I
1951 Gambling is the lifeblood of organized crime. This was U.S. Senator Estes Kefauver’s conclusion after the Special Committee on Organized Crime in Interstate Commerce, which he headed, concluded its investigation. The Kefauver Committee’s work, in part, involved conducting hearings in 14 U.S. cities, during which they grilled (sometimes, unsuccessfully) about 600 witnesses, including big-time […]
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Enthralled by Bugsy, Capone, Lanksy, Costello, Luciano, et. al?
The Mobsters section is dedicated to these and similar notables — organized crime members involved in gambling. Bet you a cold beer or a hot latte you can’t ID everyone in the gallery.
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