Just by showing up, Hughes changed Las Vegas forever. Mob activity declined during Hughes’ four years in Las Vegas, partly because he bought out many of the old-timers, but more because the federal government was turning up the heat. He would de-mob Las Vegas, make the city safe for legitimate business. The eccentric billionaire, it was speculated, was on a mission. The good news came when billionaire Howard Hughes arrived quietly and began buying casinos and real estate. The bad news was that mobsters were skimming Las Vegas casinos.
The year 1966 brought Las Vegas bad news, and good news.
