Issue 118
December 16-22, 2002
Volume 3
page 2
 

The Sands Celebrates 50th Anniversary

LAS VEGAS - December 15th marked the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Sands, the legendary Strip casino imploded to make way for Sheldon Adelson's The Venetian.

The Venetian planned no ceremonies to commemorate its forerunner, a hotel-casino Las Vegas historian Frank Wright said is most significant as the Strip home of the Rat Pack, the Frank Sinatra-led group of entertainers who reveled in their shows, booze and women. "The Sands was the most glamorous property in Las Vegas for a time," Wright said.

But like other Strip landmarks destined to be replaced by new megaresorts, the Sands was imploded on Nov. 26, 1996. "I remember the Sands marquee before the implosion," recalled The Venetian's Kurt Ouchida, director of communications. "The marquee said Dec. 15, 1952-Nov. 26, 1996."

The Sands was financed by "a virtual army of investors," wrote Eugene Moehring in his "Resort City in the Sunbelt." Several of the initial investors were denied gaming licenses by the state's former regulatory body, the tax commission, including Texas oilman, gambler and hotelier Jake Freedman.

Sinatra and Rat Packer Dean Martin bought small shares in the property.

The opening night act at the Sands' Copa Room was Danny Thomas, and the property's entertainment director, Jack Entratter, signed a number of then-big name performers to draw high rollers.

A 17-story cylindrical tower was added in 1968, when the reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes owned the property. Hughes announced plans for a "new Sands," a 4,000-room megaresort, but didn't follow through.

Comdex convention creator Adelson bought the Sands in 1988. His convention center still bears the Sands name.

When he imploded the Sands to make way for his megaresort, Adelson told the Review-Journal that he was sad to see the property go. "But life goes on," Adelson said. "We're anxious to move on to the next level."

Among the performers who entertained at the Sands during its 43-plus years were Sinatra, Martin and fellow Rat Packers Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop. Singers Nat King Cole, Wayne Newton, Louis Armstrong, Tony Bennett and Johnny Mathis appeared, as did comedians Milton Berle and Bob Newhart.

The beautiful Copa Girls dazzled crowds with sexy-for-the-time outfits, and the Garden Room Restaurant gave coffee-shop diners a beautiful view through glass walls of the Sands' pool and grounds.

But memories are all that remain of the Sands, and even those will disappear, Wright said. "There's not much memory left," Wright said. "Something new goes up, and something newer goes up tomorrow."

Tunica Hosts World Poker Open - /Jackpot Magazine/ - Poker players will be flocking to Tunica as Horseshoe Casino & Hotel and Gold Strike Casino Resort prepare to host the Fourth Annual Jack Binion World Poker Open (WPO), to begin Jan. 7, 2003. The event will run through Jan. 31, the date of the Championship Finals.

The WPO championship event will be held Tuesday - Friday, Jan. 27-31, and will feature a guaranteed total prize pool of $1 million (with a $10,000 buy-in). There are 19 separate events which lead to the championship event and finals. All tournaments are open to the public to persons ages 21 and older, and buy-ins will vary from $200 (Ladies Hold ‘Em-limit) to $10,000 (the championship event) for each event.

During its first two years, the World Poker Open established itself as one of the most successful poker tournaments in the world and is attended by both nationally- and internationally-renowned poker players.

Canada Casinos Go Smoke-Free - MONTREAL, CANADA - Effective July 2003, some casinos in Canada will put away their ashtrays and officially be non-smoking establishments. The Casino de Montreal, the Casino de Charlevoix, and the Casino du Lac-Leamy, along with the Hilton Lac-Leamy Hotel will provide smokers with special smoking areas, but casino patrons and hotel guests will be obliged to refrain from smoking in all gaming areas, bars and restaurants.

"Initiated some time ago," explained Mr. Gaetan Frigon, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Loto-Quebec, "this measure comes in direct response to a request expressed by both our clientele and our employees". Loto-Quebec's casinos are among the very few gaming establishments in North America to offer an entirely smoke-free environment.

Neil Diamond

Neil Diamond will perform at the Grand Garden Arena at MGM Grand Hotel Casino December 27-28.

Neil Diamond's first hit the charts in 1966 with "Cherry Cherry." He followed his first success with many more classic songs including "Cracklin' Rosie," "Red, Red Wine," "You Don't Bring Me Flowers," "Song Sung Blue," "Sweet Caroline," "Forever In Blue Jeans," and "Heartlight," to name just a few.

Price: $50.00, $85.00, $150.00

Show time: 8:00 p.m.

Reservations: Reservations Recommended

For more information please call: (800) 646-7787
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