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Press Release
New Documentary ties Vegas Roots to Newport, Kentucky
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The first nine casinos in Vegas had ties to Newport, Kentucky. Jerry Gels producer of Before there was Vegas, there was Newport.
Roughly 1.2 million visitors a year engaged in illegal gambling in Newport, a small town across the river from Cincinnati. 12 major casinos, and illegal slot machines were spread across every block of this town bringing in close to a billion dollars a year annually.
But in the late 1940s and early 1950s with promise of cheap airfare and legal gambling, Newport would be displaced by Las Vegas. Leaving the town and mob groups desperate to hold on to its illegal revenue stream.
In 1960 all eyes of the nation turned to the Newport, Kentucky. Sheriff candidate George Ratterman, a national celebrity who played quarterback for Notre Dame and the Cleveland Browns, was accused of disturbing the peace and solicitation after he was found naked in bed with a dancer from an illegal casino.
“The mob was afraid of Ratterman, they knew if was elected, he could gather the support to close down the eleven illegal casinos in Northern Kentucky, especially the ones in Newport.” Said Mac Cooley, local historian.
During the trial it would be determined that Ratterman was drugged, and the mob organizations that ran the town, namely the Cleveland Syndicate was behind it.
“This was the turning point for the city of Newport, until the Ratterman trial everyone turned the other way at the illegal gambling that was occurring in Newport. And why wouldn’t you, it was bringing in over a billion dollars a year in revenue from 1935 to 1960.” Brad Hill, tour operator.
Ratterman, a local celebrity that the locals trusted and supported, would go on to win his election and run the gambling out of town.
“This story is amazing, and mostly forgotten. The first nine casinos in Las Vegas had Newport ties, but few people know this history. Newport never hid the gambling, so much so that most people thought it was legal. Slot machines were more common in grocery stores and barber shops than gumball machines, the town completely accepted gambling, and the national syndicates loved it.” Said Gels
Media Contact:
Jerome A. Gels
513-659-4390
[email protected]
Websites
www.newportgangsters.com
www.newportdocumentary.com
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1603261903/newport-documentary?ref=live
Roughly 1.2 million visitors a year engaged in illegal gambling in Newport, a small town across the river from Cincinnati. 12 major casinos, and illegal slot machines were spread across every block of this town bringing in close to a billion dollars a year annually.
But in the late 1940s and early 1950s with promise of cheap airfare and legal gambling, Newport would be displaced by Las Vegas. Leaving the town and mob groups desperate to hold on to its illegal revenue stream.
In 1960 all eyes of the nation turned to the Newport, Kentucky. Sheriff candidate George Ratterman, a national celebrity who played quarterback for Notre Dame and the Cleveland Browns, was accused of disturbing the peace and solicitation after he was found naked in bed with a dancer from an illegal casino.
“The mob was afraid of Ratterman, they knew if was elected, he could gather the support to close down the eleven illegal casinos in Northern Kentucky, especially the ones in Newport.” Said Mac Cooley, local historian.
During the trial it would be determined that Ratterman was drugged, and the mob organizations that ran the town, namely the Cleveland Syndicate was behind it.
“This was the turning point for the city of Newport, until the Ratterman trial everyone turned the other way at the illegal gambling that was occurring in Newport. And why wouldn’t you, it was bringing in over a billion dollars a year in revenue from 1935 to 1960.” Brad Hill, tour operator.
Ratterman, a local celebrity that the locals trusted and supported, would go on to win his election and run the gambling out of town.
“This story is amazing, and mostly forgotten. The first nine casinos in Las Vegas had Newport ties, but few people know this history. Newport never hid the gambling, so much so that most people thought it was legal. Slot machines were more common in grocery stores and barber shops than gumball machines, the town completely accepted gambling, and the national syndicates loved it.” Said Gels
Media Contact:
Jerome A. Gels
513-659-4390
[email protected]
Websites
www.newportgangsters.com
www.newportdocumentary.com
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1603261903/newport-documentary?ref=live