The first major event held in Reno after the March 1931 legalization of commercial gambling was the Max Baer-Paolino Uzcudun heavyweight boxing match held on July 4, 1931.
You can learn more about the origins of Reno gambling in Roll the Bones: The History of Gambling.
Go here to read an excerpt from the book, or learn where to buy your copy.
The RGJ quoted me extensively in a piece on, what else, casino carpets last week. Here’s a sample: Casino carpeting is a hobby for Schwartz. He has posted shots of casino carpets throughout the nation on his Web site www.dieiscast.com. They’re wild and bright and follow a Nevada tradition that at least dates back to
RGJ on casino carpet Read More »
gambling & cultureIf you are in Reno on Monday, October 1 at 4 pm, I really urge you to stop by Schulich Lecture Hall on UNR’s campus for what promises to be a great talk by Aaron Santesso, a UNR English professor. The lecture is presented by the Core Humanities Program and is called “Dickens in the
Surveillance and Dickens Read More »
what's newWhen I signed on to teach in Reno one day a week, I didn’t know what I was getting into. This morning, I got an email alert that I’d like to share: University Police would like to inform you that two bear sightings on campus have been reported during the early morning hours of September
Bearing down on Reno Read More »
haphazard worldToday’s my first day of class at the University of Nevada Reno, so I’ve spent most of the day poking around campus and getting my NetID so I can log onto a computer, check my email, and see what’s happening in the world. Ergo, I will not post on any external news stories. I never
I’m going to be teaching in Reno next semester, and from judging from this article I should feel right at home. From the RGJ: The gaming industry is soaring worldwide but not in Reno, a leading gaming analyst told a group of young Reno business leaders Wednesday. “This is an $85 billion industry (annually in
Reno, pedestrian Reno Read More »
news about gamblingFirst off, I’d like to apologize to all my readers for not posting yesterday. I was in Reno for spring training. If you haven’t heard about Michael Vick’s statement to the public, that won’t be funny at all, but trust me, it’s funny. At least to me. I didn’t get a chance to visit my
Peppermill topping off Read More »
news about gamblingCasino advertising has come a long way, or maybe people are less susceptible to reverse psychology. This matchbook was once used to promote Harolds Club, a leading Reno casino: This image comes from the Nevada Casino Matchvcovers site. I’m amazed at the proliferation of casino collectibles out there. So, in the space of a matchbook,
If, like me, you enjoy the Reno Peppermill, you are in luck: there’s going to be more of it soon.
If you work as a female bartender for Harrah’s Reno, that is. The supposedly ultra-liberal US 9th Court of Appeals recently decided that Harrah’s had the right to fire a bartender who refused to wear makeup.
Court says makeup is mandatory Read More »
news about gamblingA few months ago, I got a tad defensive about Iowa’s first lady, Christine Vilsack, who said, “The only way I can speak like residents of New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania is to let my jaw drop an inch and talk with my lips in an `O’ like a fish.” [Read more here] But now,
Slack-jawed Renoites? Read More »
news about gambling