Viva Las Vegas by the Numbers

As they say, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Traveling to Las Vegas, the entertainment capital of the world, can lead to some memorable nights filled with concerts, shows, gambling, and sightseeing. However, how much do you really know about the desert oasis? Nevada, which was acquired in 1848, officially became a state in 1864. The city of Las Vegas was not established until 1905 and didn’t contain its first licensed casino until early in 1931. The Hoover Dam, located at the nearby city of Boulder City, began construction in 1931 and was completed in 1936. The dam provides power to not only the state of Nevada, but also California and Arizona.

Since that time the population of Las Vegas has exploded, growing by over 83 percent since 1990 alone. The city saw nearly 40 million visitors in 2013, 15 percent of which are visiting Las Vegas for the first time. It is no surprise that gambling is the major industry and source of income for the town. This can be seen in the fact that there is one slot machine in Las Vegas for every eight residents. Each year the city makes about $9.7 billion in gaming revenue, while the largest jackpot ever topped out at $40 million. Before your next trip to fabulous Las Vegas, learn more about the rich history and economic importance of the city.