The Mafia And The Building Of Las Vegas

Fabulous Las Vegas has gone through several fascinating eras! It was a desert town that grew when the railroads came through. Las Vegas accommodated the railroad workers, a wide-open culture of brothels, saloons, and gambling developed in the dusty desert outpost.

In the 1940s, Bugsy Siegel convinced the Mafia leaders of New York City that the obscure Nevada city would be the perfect spot to build a fabulous resort and casino. It would serve two essential purposes for La Casa Nostra – it would make vast amounts of money. It would serve as a clearinghouse to launder money made in illegal activities.  The fantastic Flamingo

hotel was the result. It opened the door to the transformation of Las Vegas and shifting alliances, strategies, and leadership in the Mob.

We will explore the colorful personalities (including Frank Sinatra and his cronies, the  Rat Pack), strategic alliances, and unexpected twists and turns that allowed the Mob to make Las Vegas a mecca for entertainment

gambling and adult fun – until the law caught up with them.