This week, Ira spoke with Geno Munari, author of The Dunes Hotel and Casino: The Mob, the connections, the stories, who will participate in the “Meet & Greet Gaming Education Series” at the Casino Collectibles Association's 31st annual Casino Chip and Collectibles Show, June 13-15, at South Point Hotel and Casino. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Geno talks about moving to Las Vegas in 1964; how he ended up working at the Dunes; why he got into magic and ownership of the Houdini Magic shops; the most interesting character (most memorable guy) at the Dunes; who was the real Las Vegas godfather; the significance of the Dunes; “a city within a city”; and what he will talk about at the Meet & Greet (including the true story of the “chip cup”).
Geno Munari learned the casino business from the inside, working at the Dunes casino for over eight years. He parlayed that experience and his personal contacts into the only book about the famous Las Vegas landmark, The Dunes Hotel and Casino: The Mob, the connections, the stories. Geno graduated from employee to proprietor of Cowboy Gene’s casino in Henderson. His resume includes stints at the California Club, Flamingo, Bourbon Street, and Imperial Palace. He taught others about his passion for the casino industry for five years as an adjunct professor in “casino operations” at UNLV.
Greg Laughman says
So much interesting information. And a great story from Geno. So much history with the Dunes.