Gambling, or gaming as it is called in Las Vegas, is the leading employer in the state. Everything in Las Vegas revolves around gaming. After completion of the Hoover Dam in 1930, Las Vegas had the needed water and electrical power to build its city of lights. Legislative action that legalized gambling in 1931 spurred its growth. The first casino in the United States was built by mobster Bugsy Siegel in 1946 (the Flamingo). Today there are over 50 casinos operating in Vegas which collect $6 Billion in annual revenue. Although the gaming competition has increased outside Nevada, Las Vegas still reigns as its king.

Since starting in Nevada, gambling operations have grown steadily in the U.S. In the east is Atlantic City (New Jersey) and dotting the central portions of the nation are casinos on Indian Reservations in over 15 states. To the south are Miami's cruise ships and Mississippi's casinos and riverboats. Mississippi is the most recent state to legalize casino gambling. Prompted by many of the same reasons Nevada first did. With the lowest per capita income in the nation ($14,100) and highest percentage of people below the poverty level, Mississippi was challenged to spur its economy. Even many state governments are now involved in gambling with their Lottos.

Las Vegas' major internal rivals are Reno and Stateline. Stateline containing numerous ski resort on the shores of beautiful Lake Tahoe. Stateline is fast becoming a major player in the gambling arena. Home to some of Nevada's newest casinos ie. Caesars Tahoe, Harrah's, Harvey's, and Horizon, with others presently under construction. Las Vegas has not taken this new surge of competition lightly. The Vegas response is a barrage of multi-million dollar amusement parks to entice the largest segment of vacation travelers ie. families. First pioneered by Circus Circus with indoor trapeze acts fifteen years ago, the idea to attract families to Vegas is a difficult undertaking. It must combine two disparate activities in a socially acceptable manner. The innocence of a children's theme park with the brash opulence of casino gambling.

NV, Las Vegas, Excaliber Hotel and Casino's Castles

Nevertheless four new family orientated "Disney" type theme parks have been added to the Vegas Strip in 1993. Led by the $1 billion MGM Grand Hotel which is the largest hotel in the world with over 5,000 rooms. It has as its central theme the "Wizard of Oz". For King Henry's followers there is the Excaliber Hotel and casino with its castles and jousting tournaments set in a miniature Camelot.

NV, Las Vegas, Luxor Hotel and Casino's 30 story Sphinx