<P> In 1966 , Howard Hughes , the eccentric hero of the American aviation industry , and noted American entrepreneurial financier with vast connections to long established networks in the country , moved to Las Vegas . Initially staying in the Desert Inn , he refused to vacate his room and instead decided to purchase the entire hotel . Hughes extended his financial empire to include Las Vegas real estate , hotels and media outlets , spending an estimated $300 million and using his considerable powers to take over many of the well known hotels , especially the organized crime connected venues and he quickly became one of the most powerful men in Las Vegas . He was instrumental in changing the image of Las Vegas from its Wild West roots into a more refined cosmopolitan city . </P>
<P> In 1966 , Howard Hughes , the eccentric hero of the American aviation industry , and noted American entrepreneurial financier with vast connections to long established networks in the country , moved to Las Vegas . Initially staying in the Desert Inn , he refused to vacate his room and instead decided to purchase the entire hotel . Hughes extended his financial empire to include Las Vegas real estate , hotels and media outlets , spending an estimated $300 million and using his considerable powers to take over many of the well known hotels , especially the organized crime connected venues and he quickly became one of the most powerful men in Las Vegas . He was instrumental in changing the image of Las Vegas from its Wild West roots into a more refined cosmopolitan city . </P>
when did the mob lose control of las vegas
when did the mob lose control of las vegas
1966
1966