Las Vegas, America’s playground, owes its rise not just to gamblers and mobsters but also to an unexpected player: the Mormons. Its story goes all the way back to 1855, when Mormons aimed to create an outpost in the desert for supply storage and conversions.
Though their first attempt failed, it unknowingly set the stage for the city’s future. Fast forward to 1905, the railroad arrived, kickstarting Vegas’ ascent.
In 1954, E. Perry Thomas, a Mormon financial wizard, boldly lent money to casino operators, sparking a casino boom. Challenging rules, he allowed corporate ownership and SEC oversight, curbing mob influence.
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The 1960s introduced the intriguing “Mormon Mafia,” masterminded by eccentric magnate Howard Hughes. Preferring to work with Mormons for their perceived virtue, Hughes discreetly employed the Mafia to help him acquire casinos, outmaneuvering the mob.
E. Perry Thomas, still pulling strings in the late 1960s, engineered a legal revolution, allowing corporate ownership of casinos and keeping criminal elements at bay. Despite the Mormon Church’s moral stance against gambling, their inadvertent role in shaping Sin City is undeniable.
The city’s political landscape echoes with the influence of conservative Mormon politicians, adding a fascinating layer to Vegas’s complex narrative.
Top image: The Mormon Mafia helped build America’s playground, Las Vegas. Source: Adin/Adobe Stock
