MUST READ!
“One of the best casino biographies I have seen. Meticulous detail, well researched, and by far the most detailed account yet of the twisted history that the operation deserves. … Your account is superb.”
—Howard W. Herz, American Gaming Archives
The blog, It Really Happened!, brings to life the fascinating stories of gambling-related:
Nevada Casino Patrons From California Meet Horrendous Fate
1969 A group of Southern Californians, winding down from a Monday night of gambling at the El Capitan Club in Hawthorne, Nevada, were on the “Gamblers Special” flight back home. The plane never made it. Instead, it vanished in the wee morning darkness. Adverse Weather Predicted Piloted by Fred Hall, the twin-engine Douglas DC-3, carrying […]
The Powerful Lure of a Bedazzling Jackpot
Happy New Year!! 1907-1945 Wanting to kick off 2021 with a positive blog post and being inspired by the $15.5 million jackpot win on Christmas Eve at Las Vegas’ Suncoast Hotel and Casino, we sought to present you with a list of early jackpot winners in Nevada. Our research, however, turned up more reports of […]
Carlin Hotelman Turns Slot Machine Loser When He Violates Gambling Law
1947-1960 One Carlin, Nevada business owner learned the hard way that the state didn’t tolerate gambling operators cheating the players. Gino Quilici just had been granted a gambling license in August 1952 for the State Inn, in the small city about 270 miles northeast of Reno. Only three months later, the Nevada Gaming Control Board […]
Historic Droodle Depicts Gambling Euphemisms
1957 Here’s one of Roger Price’s Droodles, funny drawings of everyday objects, called “Sick With the Measles.“ The accompanying anecdote read: “When my landlady Mrs. Goonsgarten saw this Droodle, she made me sign a statement saying that I never again would mention the subject of dice or gambling in her boarding house. I don’t blame […]
Old Tales of Nevada
Enjoy the Web’s premier source of fact-based gambling history.
While you peruse the content, know that all of it’s been researched and vetted for accuracy as much as possible. Source lists are provided.
All components of the site are works in progress, updated regularly.
Enthralled by Bugsy, Capone, Lanksy, Costello, Luciano, et al?
The Mobsters section is dedicated to notables like them — criminal syndicate members involved in gambling. Bet you a cold beer or a hot latte you can’t ID everyone in the gallery.
COMING SOON!
Share your knowledge with us.