Little Known And Unheard Of Facts About Las Vegas Casinos

 Since my first visit to Las Vegas in 1986, I've been really interested in the city's history. Getting to meet and to become friends with Las Vegas Mayor's Oscar and Carolyn Goodman is one of my high points of living here since 1999. 

I'm always reading posts about Las Vegas' storied past. I guess that you can call me a part-time historian of Las Vegas. 

Here are some of the facts about Las Vegas and their casinos that have stuck in my mind.

To begin. The First Casino Wasn’t even on the Strip. The first licensed casino in Las Vegas was the Northern Club (now part of the Fremont Street Experience) in 1931.

There’s an Underground Vault Beneath the Strip. Many casinos store their cash reserves in massive underground vaults, but the locations and details are top secret. You Think? 

The 1980 MGM Grand Fire Changed Safety Regulations. The devastating fire at the MGM Grand (now Bally’s) led to stricter fire safety regulations, including mandatory sprinklers in all hotel rooms across Las Vegas.

Casinos Pump in Scents to Influence Mood. Many casinos use custom scents in their air systems to create a pleasant environment and encourage players to stay longer.

There’s a Secret High-Stakes Gambling Room at the Bellagio, known as “The Office.” This ultra-exclusive room is reserved for million-dollar bets by elite gamblers. Guess I'll never see that room!

The Riviera Was a Film Favorite. Before being demolished in 2016, the Riviera appeared in classic movies like Casino, Ocean’s 11, and The Hangover. The Riviera has been seen in over 13 major motion pictures. Can you say, "Super Star among Las Vegas Casinos"?

There are more slot machines than the number of people in Las Vegas.

There’s a Card-Counting Blacklist. Casinos share information on professional card counters, and some have even used facial recognition technology to identify known players. I wonder if I'm on the $5.00 dollar Blacklist. Lol.

There are many other little-known facts about Las Vegas Casinos. Some you can believe and some you can't. That's what makes part of the allure and the attraction that Las Vegas has over people. Win or lose, you just don't know!

Viva Las Vegas!

GE