Vegas World was a casino/hotel opened in 1979 on Las Vegas Boulevard owned and operated by Bob Stupak. It was also signed as Bob Stupak's Vegas World.
Stupak bought the 1.5 acres (0.61 ha) of land on which he would eventually build Vegas World with money he raised himself and from his father's friends. On March 31, 1974, he built a small slot joint called Bob Stupak's World Famous Historic Gambling Museum. Although, on May 21, the place burned down when an air conditioner caught fire.
After the fire he managed to persuade Valley Bank to lend him more than $1 million to complete what would be known as Vegas World. Vegas World opened on Friday 13th, 1979. At first, Vegas World suffered but Bob Stupak's talent for promotion saved it. Stupak developed weird and original rules for traditional games, unique to Vegas World. Another of his successful promotions was his direct-mail coupons offering value packages.
At its peak, Vegas World made $100 million a year in gambling revenues.
Vegas World is remembered by some as one of Vegas's most unusual and quirky casinos. Vegas World closed on February 1, 1995, in order to make room for its successor, the Stratosphere, Stupak's dream project. Stupak died in September 2009.
Prior to its closing, Vegas World featured the world's largest mural. It was also known for having 1 million dollars in cash on display in the casino. The showroom featured an Elvis impersonation show, with EP King and Terry Presley as performers.
Famous quotes containing the words vegas and/or world:
“Shoot, a fellow could have a pretty good weekend in Vegas with all that stuff.”
—Stanley Kubrick (b. 1928)
“No longer mourn for me when I am dead
Than you shall hear the surly sullen bell
Give warning to the world that I am fled
From this vile world, with vilest worms to dwell:
Nay, if you read this line, remember not
The hand that writ it; for I love you so,
That I in your sweet thoughts would be forgot,
If thinking on me then should make you woe.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)