Set in the middle of the vast Mojave Desert, Las Vegas was
created entirely to entertain and has been described as the world's
largest theme park. This psychedelic city of sin is home to over a
million people and welcomes 35 million more each year to its lavish
hotels and casinos. Visitors today are amazed that only 70 years
ago this thriving metropolis was a backwater with less than a
thousand inhabitants whose only guests were railway passengers
stopping off to stretch their legs on the long journey between Los
Angeles and Salt Lake City.
Things started to change in March 1931 when the State of Nevada
legalised gambling; one month later the City issued six licenses.
Then in 1946, Mafia don Ben 'Bugsy' Siegel opened the sensationally
lavish Flamingo Hilton on Highway 91. Las Vegas Boulevard was born
and the city would never be the same again.
Soon stars like Elvis, Liberace and Sinatra were making the
pilgrimage to what was fast becoming America's premier
entertainment Mecca. In the early days the Mafia dominated the
gambling industry but in the 1960s their influence waned and soon
all the large hotels and casinos were controlled by big
business.
Las Vegas has 18 out of 21 of the largest hotels in the world
and walking down 'The Strip' visitors will see the skylines of New
York and Paris, discover the canals of Venice and the Pyramids of
Egypt and, at Treasure Island, see a full on-sea battle between a
Pirate ship and a British Galleon. Despite these excesses, room
rates and restaurant bills are the lowest in the western world -
all subsidised by gamblers intent on a free holiday.
Although the principal draw card is still gambling, Las Vegas is
now marketed as a family destination and there is no shortage of
theme parks, shopping malls or golf courses. However, the vast
majority of visitors come to gamble and the incredible displays are
mostly designed to lure passers-by into the casinos, and once there
it's hard to leave; the exits are discreetly hidden.
