Bob Stupak, who brought Las Vegas the Vegas World and Stratosphere Casinos, died this week after a lifetime of helping shape the gambling town.

In a Las Vegas world increasingly dominated by corporations instead of the colourful personalities of the past, the death of Bob Stupak Friday leaves rather less pizzazz at the Strip. Stupak is noted for founding both Vegas World and t5he Stratosphere, the needle-like structure that reaches higher into the sky than another Vegas casino resort.

Stupak have been diagnosed with leukemia a while ago, and the disease finally took him this week after an extended fight. The legendary casino operator was 67.

Stupak was a master of promotion, either one of himself and his garish gambling venues. In 1996, Stupak was named "Mr. Las Vegas" by the town Council.

Stupak understood the way to keep his name within the papers, and the way to make use of that to the benefit of his casinos. He famously bet 1,000,000 dollars at the Super Bowl in 1989, and won his bet. Stupak is credited with being the primary to provide a million-dollar jackpot on a spin of a slot machine.

Stupak was also as much a gambler as an operator, being a typical player on the World Series of Poker. He built the Stratosphere's tower as high because the FAA would allow, noting that he could look down on some 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 which are passing from the penthouses of Las Vegas into lore. The town is smaller without him.

Published on September 26, 2009 by MattMiller

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