Las Vegas Casino Mogul Bob Stupak Dies
In a Las Vegas world more and more dominated by corporations rather than the colorful personalities of the past, the death of Bob Stupak Friday leaves a little less pizzazz on the Strip. Stupak is noted for founding both Vegas World and t5he Stratosphere, the needle-like structure that reaches higher into the sky than any other Vegas casino resort.
Stupak had been diagnosed with leukemia some time ago, and the disease finally took him this week after a long fight. The legendary casino operator was 67.
Stupak was a master of promotion, both of himself and his garish gambling venues. In 1996, Stupak was named "Mr. Las Vegas" by the City Council.
Stupak understood how to keep his name in the papers, and how to use that to the advantage of his casinos. He famously bet a million dollars on the Super Bowl in 1989, and won his bet. Stupak is credited with being the first to offer a million-dollar jackpot on a spin of a slot machine.
Stupak was also as much a gambler as an operator, being a regular player at the World Series of Poker. He built the Stratosphere's tower as high as the FAA would allow, noting that he could look down on every other casino and gambling joint in town.
In a city made great by men like Benny Binion and Bugsy Segal, Bob Stupak was another of the larger-than-life figures that are passing from the penthouses of Las Vegas into lore. The city is smaller without him.
