The issue can be downloaded at http://scholars.law.unlv.edu/glj/vol4/iss2/.
“The Nevada gaming industry has a renowned and fascinating history which has helped the state become one of the most recognizable gaming jurisdictions in the world. The purpose of this special oral histories issue is to capture the history of Nevada gaming through the personal stories of individuals who have helped shape the industry into what it is today,” said Eric Walther, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal.
Each oral history – captured by Claytee White, director of the Oral History Research Center at UNLV Libraries – provides a unique perspective on Nevada gaming given the interviewees’ diverse roles in the industry and their different paths in life.
“We plan for this to be an ongoing project where we capture more oral histories from individuals who have helped build this industry,” said Walther. “Together, this collection will truly give readers a never-before-seen look at the history of Nevada gaming.”
The UNLV Gaming Law Journal is published by the students of the Boyd School of Law in conjunction with the International Masters of Gaming Law. Additional information about the Journal, including how to submit articles, can be found at http://law.unlv.edu/unlv-gaming-law-journal.html.
About the interviewees:
William S. Boyd: Mr. Boyd serves as executive chairman of Boyd Gaming Corporation, which operates 22 gaming properties in eight states. Moreover, Mr. Boyd and his family are well known for their leadership and community service in every community in which their company operates. Mr. Boyd’s oral history is a classic American success story. Coming from humble beginnings, Mr. Boyd traces how he and his family were able to build a national gaming empire. With the immense influence Mr. Boyd has had on the national gaming industry, it is truly special to have his story, told in his own words, published in the Journal.
Burton Cohen: Mr. Cohen is a long-time casino executive who has opened and operated some of the most recognized gaming properties in Las Vegas, including the Frontier Casino, Circus Circus, the Flamingo Hotel Casino, the Thunderbird Hotel, Caesars Palace, and the Desert Inn & Country Club. Mr. Cohen is known for taking over the failing Dunes Hotel and Casino and successfully positioning it for a record-breaking $155 million bankruptcy sale. Mr. Cohen’s contributions to the Las Vegas gaming industry are undeniable, and his oral history is a fascinating look at how the industry got to where it is today.
Peter Bernhard: Mr. Bernhard has had an incredibly distinguished career in Nevada gaming. He is the current and longest serving Chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission. As Chairman, Mr. Bernhard heads a gaming regulatory system that is used as a model throughout the world. His leadership on the Commission has been instrumental in a time of incredible technological advancement in gaming. With his perspective as a regulator, Mr. Bernhard’s oral history gives great insight into how the industry got to where it is today and where it is headed next.
