Who are the Most Famous Mobsters with Links to Las Vegas?

Since time immemorial, people have associated Las Vegas with glitz and glamor, and we all know that it has long been connected to gambling, too. In fact, Las Vegas has had the longest known association with the world of gambling, and it has somehow managed to do the impossible: make gambling an accessible and even ‘friendly’ activity that anyone can enjoy (with limitations, of course). But this brings us to a related topic: the mob. Many people are not fully aware of it, but like bees to honey, Las Vegas has also attracted some famous mobsters. These Mafia bosses made Las Vegas their playground, especially in the 40s and 50s, and they invested heavily in Sin City, bringing the likes of the Desert Inn and The Flamingo to the masses. If you, like us, are curious about the lives of these storied mobsters, you’ve come to the right place – here’s our take on the Vegas Top Ten: the most famous (or rather, infamous) mobsters in Vegas history.

A brief overview of Las Vegas and the mob: how it all began

Las Vegas is renowned for its glittering lights, luxurious casinos, and endless entertainment – but it also harbors a shadowy history tied to organized crime. As a matter of fact, during its formative years in the mid-20th century, the city became a breeding ground for mobsters who saw an opportunity to capitalize on gambling. The story of Las Vegas' rise to fame has long been intertwined with the tales of infamous criminals who played pivotal roles in shaping its fortunes. So are you ready to step back in time and see the Vegas of long ago, when it was home to the Mafia? Let’s dive into it.

1. Bugsy Siegel: The visionary behind the Flamingo

Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel, who was born Benjamin Siegelbaum in 1906, is often credited as the man who saw Las Vegas' potential long before it became the entertainment mecca it is today. Originally a bootlegger and hitman for the Mafia, Siegel was actually sent to Las Vegas in the 1940s by the East Coast mob to oversee the creation of the Flamingo Hotel and Casino. Though not the first casino in the city, the Flamingo was the first of its kind - a lavish, resort-style casino that would draw Hollywood celebrities and wealthy gamblers.

However, the project went massively over budget, and Siegel’s alleged mishandling of funds did not go unnoticed by his Mafia superiors. In June 1947, he was gunned down in Beverly Hills at the young age of 41. Despite his tragic end, Bugsy Siegel’s vision for Las Vegas laid the foundation for the city’s transformation into a gambling empire. If you want to find out more about his life, watch the Hollywood movie of the same title.

2. Meyer Lansky: The financial brain behind Las Vegas

Known as the “Mob’s Accountant,” (and rightly so), Meyer Lansky was a key figure in organized crime, and his reach extended all the way from the East Coast to Las Vegas. Although he rarely visited the city, Lansky’s influence was felt through his financial schemes, which funded many of Las Vegas’ early casinos. He worked closely with Bugsy Siegel, particularly on the Flamingo project, and was instrumental in turning Las Vegas into a profitable enterprise for the mob.

Needless to say, Lansky’s keen financial insights allowed him to develop a complex system of skimming profits from casinos, which was funneled back to organized crime families. His legacy is that of a man who knew how to make Las Vegas work for the Mafia - quietly but effectively.

3. Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal: The casino kingpin

Did you know that Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal was the real-life inspiration for Robert De Niro’s character in Casino, a film that chronicles the mob's involvement in Las Vegas? Rosenthal was a highly skilled gambler as well as casino operator who ran multiple casinos in Las Vegas, including the Stardust, Hacienda, and Fremont.

Rosenthal was also known for bringing various innovations to casino management, such as introducing sports betting parlors. However, because of his ties to the Chicago Outfit, he received increased scrutiny from the Feds. His tumultuous relationship with mobster Tony Spilotro (also featured in Casino) and a botched assassination attempt further heightened the drama surrounding his life.

4. Tony Spilotro: The enforcer

Tony Spilotro (otherwise referred to as The Ant) was a ruthless mob enforcer sent to Las Vegas by the Chicago Outfit to protect their casino interests and oversee street-level operations, including loan sharking and extortion. Spilotro was notorious for his violent tactics, and his name became synonymous with organized crime violence in Las Vegas during the 1970s and early 80s.

Spilotro’s unchecked criminal activities, along with his volatile relationship with Frank Rosenthal, eventually drew the ire of law enforcement. In 1986, Spilotro and his brother were found buried in a cornfield in Indiana, victims of a mob hit. His brutal methods and ultimate demise have become part of the dark lore of Las Vegas.

5. Johnny Torrio: The godfather of organized crime

Though Johnny Torrio is better known for his influence in Chicago, he also had indirect links to Las Vegas. As a mentor to Al Capone and one of the original architects of organized crime in the US, Torrio helped establish the criminal networks that later extended to Las Vegas.

While Torrio himself didn’t operate in Vegas, his protégés and associates played crucial roles in the city's early criminal operations. His legacy as a pioneer of organized crime laid the groundwork for mob involvement in Las Vegas casinos.

6. Sam Giancana: Chicago boss with Vegas ties

Salvatore (Sam) Giancana was another powerful figure in the Chicago Outfit who had a vested interest in Las Vegas casinos. Under his leadership, the Chicago mob extended its reach into several Vegas properties, using them to launder money and skim profits. In addition, Giancana's relationship with Frank Sinatra and rumored connections to the Kennedy family have made him a subject of endless speculation. His influence in Las Vegas during the 50s and 60s cemented his status as one of the most significant mobsters linked to the city.

7. Moe Dalitz: The quiet mobster

Morris Dalitz (also known as Moe), was a more understated figure compared to some of the more flamboyant mobsters we’ve heard of. However, his impact on Las Vegas was profound. Dalitz was involved in the development of several casinos, including the Desert Inn, and in fact, he played a pivotal role in helping transform the city into a legitimate gambling destination.

Dalitz avoided the spotlight and maintained a relatively clean public image, earning him the nickname “The Godfather of Las Vegas” and “Mr. Las Vegas.” His contributions to the city’s growth, coupled with his connections to organized crime, make him an essential figure in the history of Las Vegas mobsters.

8. Willie Bioff: The labor racket top dog

William Morris Bioff (Willie, for short) is also less well-known than some of the other mobsters on this list, but his influence on Las Vegas was significant, particularly in terms of labor racketeering. Bioff was involved in skimming profits from the entertainment industry, including the Las Vegas casinos, by controlling unions and extorting businesses.

Though Bioff’s activities were mainly centered in Hollywood and Chicago, his ties to Las Vegas are part of the broader picture of organized crime’s infiltration of unions and businesses in the city. But his downfall came when he testified against his mob associates, leading to his assassination in 1955.

9. Joe Adonis: The power behind the scenes

Joe Adonis was a powerful mobster with ties to both New York and Las Vegas. He was part of the East Coast Mafia but had financial interests in several Vegas casinos. Adonis maintained a low profile, preferring to operate behind the scenes and avoid the public eye. Despite his discreet approach, Adonis played a crucial role in ensuring that organized crime had a foothold in Las Vegas casinos. His quiet influence helped cement the mob’s power in the city during its early years.

10. Bugsy Siegel’s successors: Moe Sedway and Gus Greenbaum

After Bugsy Siegel’s murder, his associates Moe Sedway and Gus Greenbaum took control of the Flamingo and managed it successfully, turning it into a profitable venture. Greenbaum, in particular, played a key role in ensuring the casino’s success and continued the mob’s involvement in Las Vegas.

However, tragically, Greenbaum’s eventual addiction to gambling and drugs led to his downfall. In 1958, he and his wife were murdered in a mob hit, marking the end of an era for the Flamingo and its direct ties to organized crime.

We can all say for sure that the story of Las Vegas is inextricably linked to the influence of organized crime. These ten mobsters helped shape the city into what it is today - from Vegas visionaries like Bugsy Siegel to enforcers like Tony Spilotro. Though Las Vegas has long since cleaned up its image and mobster bosses have gone the way of the dodo, the echoes of its mob past still resonate in the neon lights and bustling casinos of the Strip. Without a shred of a doubt, the legacy of these infamous criminals lives on in the annals of both mob history and the rise of Sin City, and they have undoubtedly made an impact on the city we know and love today.