Las Vegas, otherwise known as Sin City, truly has to be seen to be believed, and if you have never been, you should definitely plan to go at least once in your life, even if you are not what you would call a gambler. 

So, with this in mind and in an effort to ignite your interest, continue reading to discover a brief yet fascinating history of Las Vegas casinos on the Strip. 

How It All Began

Many people are shocked to learn that the first settlers in the area now known the world over as ‘Vegas’ were actually Native Americans, and over the centuries, they have contributed hugely to the overall culture and ambiance of Las Vegas. 

Las Vegas translates into Spanish as ‘the Meadows’, and was so called as in Spain, along a famous hiking trail, the Meadows was a popular resting stop for travelers and as Vegas was, once upon a time, a simple two-lane road through the desert, the name stuck!

The Arrival of Casinos 

It is widely accepted that the very first casino to take root in Las Vegas was the Golden Gate Casino, which is still going strong and located in what is now referred to as ‘Downtown Vegas’ (although originally this was the Vegas Strip).

For those of you who live far away from the bright lights of Las Vegas yet still want to dabble in the world of gambling, you can enjoy a relaxing game or two from the comfort of your own couch by registering with one of the best online casinos out there. 

Vegas and The Mob 

You are probably already aware of the connection between the Mafia and the creation and early days in the development of Las Vegas, and if you are more than a little interested in the details, be sure to visit the Mob Museum in Downtown. 

The Vegas Mafia is very much a real and influential entity, and not only did they fund many of the most iconic casinos in the city today, but they were also fundamentally vital in the concept and development of the Las Vegas Strip. 

The huge turning point in the history of early Vegas was after gambling of any kind was totally banned in 1906; this motion was overturned in the entire state of Nevada at the beginning of 1931.

The Oldest Casinos Still Operating in Vegas 

Fremont Street, now an incredibly diverse and genuinely fascinating central street in Downtown Las Vegas, was the home of the original Vegas Strip, with the Flamingo Hotel and Casino’s construction in 1946 marking the shift to Las Vegas Boulevard. 

The topmost iconic and truly ostentatious Vegas hotels that are still not only standing but fully operational and ever-changing and updating include the aforementioned Flamingo Hotel as well as the mighty Caesars Palace (as featured in an episode of Friends), the MGM Grand, the Bellagio and the amazingly beautiful Venetian Hotel and Casino complex. 

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