Tony Cornero was a Prohibition-era bootlegger who opened The Meadows casino in 1931—one of the first resort-style casinos in Las Vegas. His vision of gambling as entertainment anticipated the modern Strip by decades.

The Rum Runner

Antonio Cornero Stralla made his fortune running rum from Mexico and Canada during Prohibition. When Nevada legalized gambling in 1931, he saw an opportunity to go legitimate—or at least more legitimate.

The Meadows Vision

Unlike the sawdust joints on Fremont Street, The Meadows offered an upscale experience: fine dining, entertainment, air conditioning, and high-stakes gambling in elegant surroundings. It was the prototype for the integrated resort.

Too Early, Too Ambitious

The Meadows failed within a year. The market wasn't ready for upscale gambling—Hoover Dam workers wanted cheap whiskey and low-stakes games, not fine dining. Cornero was ahead of his time by about fifteen years.

"Tony saw what Las Vegas could become. He just didn't live to see it."— Nevada historian

The Gambling Ships

After Las Vegas, Cornero returned to California and operated gambling ships anchored in international waters, famously defying authorities. He remained a thorn in law enforcement's side until his death in 1955.

The Death at the Desert Inn

In 1955, Cornero died at the Desert Inn craps table, allegedly while trying to raise financing for a new casino called the Stardust. He collapsed mid-roll—a fitting end for a man who spent his life gambling on the future of Las Vegas.