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The Man Who Invented Las Vegas
The Man Who Invented Las Vegas

2000

Biography

by

W.R. Wilkerson III

Hollywood Reporter founder Billy Wilkerson faced massive gambling debts. To minimize his gambling losses he decided to become the house and created the Flamingo hotel and casino in Las Vegas. The untold story of Billy's vision, early Las Vegas, and his epic battle with Bugsy Siegel over the project told by his son.

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Jermaine's Notes
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July 2024

Dark side of entrepreneurship. Kirk Kerkorian's book mentioned Billy. Read 2000 paperback.

Connected Blogs
Billy Wilkerson Part 1: Carrying on the Family Addiction
How Billy Wilkerson, founder of The Hollywood Reporter and the Flamingo Hotel, navigated personal challenges and a gambling addiction while becoming a serial entrepreneur.
Billy Wilkerson Part 2: How Addiction Almost Derailed the Big Vision
How Billy Wilkerson salvaged his vision to transform Las Vegas from a rustic desert into a European-style luxurious destination despite his addiction.
Billy Wilkerson Part 3: The Partnership from Hell
How Billy Wilkerson navigated a challenging partnership with Bugsy Siegel to keep his Flamingo Hotel project alive.
Billy Wilkerson Part 4: The Dramatic End to His Partnership with Bugsy Siegel
How Billy Wilkerson's partnership with Bugsy Siegel led to him losing control of the Flamingo Hotel and ignited Las Vegas' transformation into a gambling mecca
Billy Wilkerson Part 5: Takeaways from a Wild Journey
Key takeaways from Billy Wilkerson's biography, showcasing what led to his successes with The Hollywood Reporter, upscale nightspots, and the Flamingo Hotel.
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Billy Wilkerson shaped Hollywood, built Las Vegas, and embraced the underworld. In this biography, his son reveals how a failed movie career fueled the creation of The Hollywood Reporter and how his gambling transformed a desert outpost into the glittering Flamingo Hotel.
Interesting story. Dark side of Hollywood and media. Origin story of Las Vegas. Read 2018 hardcover.
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The Gambler
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Recounts how a penniless Armenian immigrant became a billionaire dealmaker. This book recounts Kirk Kerkorian's extraordinary life and how he transformed Las Vegas into a global entertainment mecca. It details his shrewd investments and deals across industries, from aviation and movie studios to luxury hotels and casinos.
Amazing story. Kirk succeeded in aviation, real estate, casino, and stock market investing. Kirk created the vision for Las Vegas. Read paperback 2018.
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