Overview

As the casino industry grew and law enforcement scrutiny intensified, the Mob found it increasingly difficult to operate in Las Vegas. Running big resorts required skills and capital on a scale the Mob could no longer provide. In the late 1960s, Howard Hughes bought several formerly Mob-infested casinos, and mainstream companies took notice. Nevada lawmakers changed casino ownership rules to encourage corporate investment. A new generation of gaming entrepreneurs, led by Kirk Kerkorian, Steve Wynn and Bill Bennett, changed the face of Las Vegas.