Learn more about the history of Las Vegas by reading about the top five famous entrepreneurs that made their fortune in the desert & made Vegas a luxury oasis.

The Top Five Entrepreneurs Based in Las Vegas

When anyone thinks about Las Vegas, their mind immediately turns to glitz and glamor.

Even though it may be located in the Nevada desert, Las Vegas is a stunning city that is full of bright lights, tall buildings, and more entertainment than you could ever get through in a single visit.

Those who are familiar with the history of Las Vegas know that casino owners played a significant part in its rise. Even though there is more to Vegas than its famous Strip that hosts the world’s most luxurious casinos, there is no denying that most of the city’s charm and revenue come from those establishments.

Many of the casinos that people travel from around the world to visit, such as the Bellagio or the Aria, were started by entrepreneurs who wanted to make it big in this part of the country.

Below is our rundown of the top five entrepreneurs who made and grew their wealth in Las Vegas

1. Steve Wynn

Before he built casinos on the Las Vegas Strip, Steve Wynn had a passion for business, thanks to his parents. He learned a lot from the bingo parlors that his family ran, and then he supplemented that experience with a great education from UPenn.

While he was slated to attend Yale Law School, he had to pass on that dream when his father died. Wynn had to take charge of the family business, as they had debts of over $300,000 at the time. He then made the decision to expand the family bingo parlors before transitioning to Las Vegas in 1967.

Wynn then had the idea of setting up a casino, which he did with his banker partner E. Parry Thomas. The two were responsible for running the Frontier Hotel and Casino. He eventually went on to become a casino owner, taking a majority stake in the Golden Nugget.

By 2005, Wynn had started his most significant project, a casino named Wynn. The entire property cost nearly $3 billion to build, but it was well worth the investment. Wynn has only seen his net worth grow since The Wynn opened, given the casino has been a resounding success in Las Vegas.

2. William Andrews Clark

Going further back in time, we must discuss the man who may be responsible for Las Vegas being the gambling capital of the United States. William Andrews Clark was one of the people who gave others a reason to stop in Vegas when they were traveling to California.

He had a railway network that included stops in San Pedro, Los Angeles, and Salt Lake City. He then set up Vegas as a maintenance stop, buying up countless acres and setting up simple establishments.

While he did not have a part to play in the casino aspect of Vegas, he was a billionaire who made his fortune thanks to the city. Many do credit Clark with being the person who put Vegas on the map.

3. Howard Hughes

Given he had a net worth of $3.8 billion at one stage, Howard Hughes could do just about anything he wanted in Las Vegas. Aside from splashing the cash on hotel suites, lavish dinners, and huge parties at casinos and entertainment hotspots, Hughes was also known for his work in establishing casinos.

He built and ran several hotels and casinos in the Las Vegas area. While he may not have the same reputation as the likes of Steve Wynn because he did not have a casino named after himself, he played a very important role in the rise of Las Vegas.

4. Sheldon Adelson

Not only is he a Las Vegas billionaire, but Sheldon Adelson was one of the richest people in the world before his passing. His net worth was close to $40 billion, with much of that coming from his gambling empire.

Adelson got started in Vegas in 1988 when he bought the Sands Hotel and Casino with several partners. He ensured the Sands was the hottest ticket in town at the time, raking in money for years. He then used those funds to build another establishment – The Venetian.

Still, one of the star attractions of the Las Vegas Strip, The Venetian, opened in 1999 and continued to expand in the early 2000s. Adelson became a Las Vegas icon and eventually built The Palazzo next to that casino.

5. Thomas Hull

Those who admire the likes of Steve Wynn and Sheldon Adelson should know that Thomas Hull was of similar stature in the 1940s. He was the man who set up El Rancho on Las Vegas Boulevard in 1941, setting it up as the largest hotel in the city at the time.

When you look back at El Rancho, it was smaller than modern hotels, with only 110 rooms and a casino hall. However, the project cost $500,000 at the time and was extremely lavish and luxurious compared to other hotels in the United States.

Aside from gambling, El Rancho was also a place where people could come and enjoy horseback riding, swimming, and opera performances.