When Nevadans think of the mob, Las Vegas is usually what instantly comes to mind. It’s undeniable that Vegas’s deep involvement with the mob goes back decades upon decades. However, Vegas is not the town that is featured in this article. There was one town in Nevada that “paved the way” for Vegas to become the mafia mecca that it was during the 50’s and 60’s. This was the town where Nevada’s relationship with the mob truly began.
Reno may be one of the most populous cities in Nevada today, but in the 1920s it looked a lot different. During this era, Reno was home to just around 12,000 people and it was considered a hotbed of vice long before Vegas ever was.
A small group of men led by George Wingfield monopolized gambling in Reno throughout the 1920s. Wingfield was a powerful banker at the time, and he single-handedly brought illegal gambling to the town. He owned many of the buildings on Virginia Street and believed gambling would be the thing to bring them success.
Reno was a paradise for mobster's for one main reason. It offered a quiet sanctuary far away from the FBI. As more and more cities began to crack down on gambling, Reno was a refuge.
The mob was also the main source of alcohol during the Prohibition era. In order to keep alcohol and gambling alive in Reno, the mob would regularly pay bribes to the police force and the sheriff's office.
It wasn't long before most of the clubs in Reno were mob-owned. If somebody else wanted to open another club, the mob was sure to impose limitations on them along with demanding at least 15% in profits as regular payment.
The mafia's presence in Reno continued to grow and eventually made its way to Lake Tahoe. Many of Tahoe's casinos like the famous Cal-Neva Lodge were constructed and financed by mob money.
Located on the shore of Lake Tahoe, the Cal-Neva Lodge was a huge hit with big gamblers, celebrities, and mafia figures. It would eventually be owned by the one and only Frank Sinatra who had secret tunnels built in order to enter the lodge undetected by paparazzi and fans.
During the '50s and '60s, Vegas was beginning to show its own prospects. Mobsters who had a huge presence in Reno began moving to Vegas, taking their techniques and knowledge with them in order to turn Vegas into the gambling capital of the world. Vegas became a true mafia mecca, and it wouldn't have been possible without Reno.
Did you know about Reno’s involvement with the mafia? Although the days of the mob’s control of Nevada are long over, it’s still a part of our state’s history that is fascinating to many. This fascination is apparent in attractions throughout the state like The Mob Museum.s m
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