Vegas, Baby! The El Cortez and its Gangster Past
Whenever someone says “Las Vegas” it brings to mind flashing lights, casinos packed with high-rollers, and enough neon to light up the galaxy. But beneath all that glitz and glamour, there is quite a colorful history. Gangsters and organized crime once ruled in Sin City, and they built it by making some pretty shady deals. Those days are over, but the history is still alive! If you want to get a vibe for what that old school time in Las Vegas was like, then head to the El Cortez Hotel & Casino!
The El Cortez was built back in 1941. By the mid-40s, it had fallen into the hands of some of the biggest names in the mobster world. And that's where the interesting mob history begins!
Meet the Mob That Made Las Vegas
The El Cortez's mobster takeover was led by a crew you might have heard of: Bugsy Siegel, Meyer Lansky, Gus Greenbaum, and Moe Sedway. These guys were the real deal, and they saw Vegas as a goldmine just waiting to be tapped. The El Cortez was their first step in taking over the gambling scene.
Siegel, the flashy one with a taste for the high life, used the El Cortez as his HQ while he was busy building the Flamingo. Lansky, the brains of the operation, made sure the money kept flowing through the El Cortez and their other casinos. Greenbaum, a seasoned gambler and all-around tough guy, brought his A-game to running the casino. And Sedway, the muscle, kept things in line and made sure the cash kept rolling in.
A Former Hotspot for Shady Business
With the mob in charge, the El Cortez became a one-stop shop for all sorts of illegal activities. We're talking money laundering, racketeering, and even top-secret meetings between mob bosses from all over the country. The casino's profits were skimmed right off the top and sent back to the crime syndicates, making them richer and more powerful than ever.
The Mob's Lasting Legacy
The mob's grip on the El Cortez lasted for decades, leaving its mark on the casino and Vegas itself. Sure, their involvement was hush-hush and sometimes violent, but there's no denying they played a big part in making Vegas the gambling capital of the world. Without the mob, Vegas would likely not be the place it is today!
The Exciting El Cortez Today
Today, the El Cortez is a living reminder of Vegas's wild and crazy past. Of course it's been cleaned up since the mob days, but its history still draws in visitors who want a taste of that old-school Vegas vibe. Walking through its doors is like stepping back in time, and its general manager, Adam Weisberg, is a fantastic steward of Las Vegas history that makes players of all walks of life feel welcome. If you do get the chance to meet him (and you likely will, as he is always working!), tell him that TC Gamble sent you!
Want to Know More?
If you're itching to learn more about the El Cortez, its history, and its mobster connections, check out these resources:
· Books: "The Mafia Encyclopedia" by Carl Sifakis, "Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas" by Nicholas Pileggi
· Movies: "Bugsy" (1991)
· Websites: The Mob Museum website (themobmuseum.org)
The El Cortez is a true Vegas landmark, its story intertwined with the city's rise to fame and the infamous characters who made it happen. So next time you're in Sin City, make sure to stop by this historic casino and imagine the days when the mob ran the show! And if you’re there when we are filming one of our YouTube videos, please say hi! We’d love to meet you!
image: El Cortez Hotel & Casino, https://elcortezhotelcasino.com/about-us/in-the-news/
