The Captivating Allure of Las Vegas

Written by Jamie Randall, Newsletter Editor Illustrated by Wylie Knight, Staff Illustrator and Designer

Las Vegas: a sinful city fi lled with lust and desire, a history of gambling and addiction, the rise and fall of stars, the founding of original intent to connect the Salt Lake, original intent to connect the Salt Lake, San Pedro and Los Angeles railroads.1San Pedro and Los Angeles railroads. From there, Vegas fl ourished rapidly into a city of lust and sin. a quick divorce, the infamous Strip and

Caesar’s Palace. The chance to win big, the reality of big losses. Las Vegas is a captivating city. It is described as a desert metropolis that rose from the dry heat of southern Nevada with Vegas as a “sinful city” is linked to what was considered the norm in society. From gambling to the rise of casinos, the mafi a and subsequent crime, showgirl performances and even quick marriages and divorces, typical Vegas activities were all considered a sin in the 1900s. Gambling was outlawed by Nevada in 1910, yet continued in speakeasies and illegal casinos. The rise of casinos in the 1940s and the legalization of gambling a decade prior is linked to continued practice and establishment of organized crime in Vegas.2 In 1941, the El Rancho Vegas hotel and casino was built on the Strip. From there, the Last Frontier, the Flamingo and the Thunderbird hotels and casinos were established.3 The Strip fl ourished with the backings of gangsters, which led to more swanky resorts with Hollywood infl uence. This led to big stars coming to perform. Most notably, Elvis Presley. The relationship between Elvis and Vegas was a vicious cycle. The movie “Elvis,” released in June 2022, highlighted Elvis’s return to the International Hotel in Las Vegas due to the fi ve-year deal his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, made in secret. The million-dollar per year deal left Elvis trapped without realizing it, as Parker never secured Elvis a raise despite selling out every show, and instead fueled his own gambling habit.4 However, Elvis can be credited with putting Vegas back on the map in the 1950s with his performance at

1 “Las Vegas,” History, A&E Television Networks, Dec. 2, 2009. 2 Ibid. 3 “Timeline,” History, Residents, LasVegasNevada. Gov, n.d. 4 Mike Weatherford, “Elvis: The Vegas Years,” Nevada Magazine. (n.d.). the International Hotel.5 He attracted a younger demographic to Vegas’s nightlife entertainment. Elvis left an impact on the city seen today in impersonators and tributes to the King from celebrity performers and shows.

Eight decades later, despite the tragic death of the King and a global pandemic, Vegas showed tremendous growth. The Strip showed resilience in 2021, setting an all-time record with $2.1 billion in revenue in its third quarter.6 In April 2022, the Palms Casino Resort opened as the second casino to be owned by a Native American gaming group, The San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority from California.7 Historically, casinos owned by Indigenous people have only been on reservation land, and the revenue is used towards infrastructure and building development. The Mohegan Sun Casino at the Virgin Hotels was the fi rst-ever casino to be operated outside of reservation land.8

Today, Vegas continues to skyrocket, allowing for even bigger stars like Lady Gaga and Katy Perry coming to perform, as well as a surge in tourism and an increase in luxury hotels and casinos. With all the accomplishments happening today it’s important we look back and recall what brought Vegas to this point in time. ■

5 Brock Radke, “There’s a Little Less Elvis in Las Vegas Today, but the Pop-Culture Bond Remains Strong,” Las Vegas Weekly, June 30, 2022. 6 Will Yakowicz, “The Las Vegas Strip Reports $2.1 Billion in Gambling Revenue, Highest Quarterly Win in History,” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, April 21, 2022. 7 Amber Sampson, “Native American Tribes Bring Fresh Energy and Time-Tested Traditions to Las Vegas Hospitality,” Las Vegas Weekly, June 23, 2022. 8 “Tribal Casinos in Las Vegas Seen Reaching a Milestone Moment,” AP NEWS, Associated Press, May 12, 2021.