Gambling Paradise in Sin City: Royal Nevada Casino-Hotel, 1955-1958
The Royal Nevada casino resort, designed by renowned architect Paul Revere Williams, opened its doors on April 19, 1955, in the heart of Las Vegas. However, its existence was short-lived, lasting only three years before it closed its doors on January 30, 1958.
The resort's brief operation was marked by a series of challenges, including regulatory pressures, management problems, and financial instability. During this period, the Nevada Gaming Commission was intensifying efforts to reduce criminal influence in Las Vegas casinos, making operations difficult for properties linked to mob interests.
Frank Fishman, a hotelier, announced plans for the $2.5 million Royal Nevada in 1953, initially intending to call it the Sunrise Hotel. Construction began in August after it was rebranded. The grand opening featured a performance by soprano Helen Traubel.
The Royal Nevada opened during a period when demand for additional rooms was on the decline, and it faced competition from larger and more well-known casinos like the Dunes and Riviera. In an attempt to boost revenues, the casino was leased to the Next-door neighbour in June 1956 and existed as an overflow annex for the Last Frontier.
Despite Fishman's lack of gaming experience, he was granted a casino license. However, his new application for a gaming license was denied in February 1955 due to the involvement of his new partners, who were identified as operators of an illegal gambling operation in Miami.
The casino was closed for the second time on December 9, 1957, though its hotel was allowed to remain open to pay debts to around 200 creditors. The Nevada Gaming Board slapped the Royal Nevada with an eight-count complaint in August 1957, alleging improper operation.
Moe Dalitz, the new operator of the Stardust, purchased the Royal Nevada and relegated it to serving as the Stardust's convention center. The Stardust finally opened next door in 1959, six months after the Royal Nevada closed.
Interestingly, the building was demolished by Boyd Gaming in 2006, and its forgotten footprint is now part of Resorts World. The Royal Nevada's brief life serves as a reminder of the tumultuous times and challenges faced by casinos in Las Vegas during its development era.
[1] "The Royal Nevada Casino: A Brief History of a Short-Lived Las Vegas Resort." Las Vegas History, 15 June 2020, www.lasvegashistory.com/the-royal-nevada-casino-a-brief-history-of-a-short-lived-las-vegas-resort/
[4] "The Royal Nevada Casino: A Brief History of a Short-Lived Las Vegas Resort." Las Vegas History, 15 June 2020, www.lasvegashistory.com/the-royal-nevada-casino-a-brief-history-of-a-short-lived-las-vegas-resort/
- The Royal Nevada, designed by Paul Revere Williams, was a Las Vegas casino resort that lasted only three years (1955-1958) in the heart of the city.
- The resort faced regulatory pressures, management problems, and financial instability during its operation, due to the intensified efforts of the Nevada Gaming Commission to decrease criminal influence in Las Vegas casinos.
- Frank Fishman, a hotelier, planned the $2.5 million Royal Nevada, initially named the Sunrise Hotel, and its construction started in August 1953.
- Moe Dalitz, the operator of Stardust, purchased the Royal Nevada and relegated it to serving as the Stardust's convention center in the year 1959.
- In an attempt to boost revenues, the Royal Nevada was leased to the neighboring Last Frontier as an overflow annex.
- Despite lacking gaming experience, Fishman was initially granted a casino license, but his subsequent application was denied in February 1955 due to the involvement of his new partners, who operated an illicit gambling operation in Miami.
- The casino games in the Royal Nevada faced competition from more established casinos like the Dunes and Riviera during the period of its operation.
- The casino closed for the second time on December 9, 1957, and the building was demolished by Boyd Gaming in 2006, with its footprint now part of Resorts World, signifying the challenging times and struggles faced by the Las Vegas casino-and-gambling industry during its development era.
