KLAS-TV Channel 8 News Las VegasNevada's 75 Years of Legalized Gambling
It was a decision that changed the face of Nevada. Seventy-five years ago this weekend commercial gambling became legal in the Silver State.
When the law was passed the country was in the middle of the Great Depression and lawmakers hoped it would build the economy.
In its early days, gaming small clubs and corner bars. It was the sole reason for tourists to trek to the middle of the desert. As more people came, so did the hotels, restaurants and shops -- turning Las Vegas into mega-resorts and the world famous Strip.
Early lawmakers would probably be stunned at how gaming impacted Nevada.
David Schwartz, director of UNLV's Center for Gaming Research, said, "So, they really had no idea the scale. They saw it as one of the things the state would do along with industrial, commercial efforts. If they were to come back here today! Casinos got so big!"
Within two years legalizing gaming, gambling generated $69,000 for the state. It reached $100 million in the mid-50s, and in 2004 gaming revenue topped $10 billion dollars.
