Death Comes to Las Vegas: Haunted Casinos and Hotels of Sin City
by Bodog Casino | May 5 2011
If it is true that "the wages of sin is death" then it is no surprise that Las Vegas is home to a large number of ghosts, spooks, and spectres. We are not referring to the busloads of aged retirees that descend upon the city by the hour, but rather legitimate and long standing accounts of paranormal activity.
Dead Celebrities Still Trying to Make a Living
It is tough to make a living these days and few businesses are as cutthroat as show business. As such it shouldn't be surprising that some talent just doesn't want to leave the stage. Notable and recurrent ghost sightings in Las Vegas include Redd Foxx and Liberace.
"I Wish My Brother George Was Here"
Liberace has been seen for some years at Carluccio's Tivoli Gardens, which is the restaurant he owned and frequented regularly. Staff have reported electrical devices turning themselves on without human aid, objects moving across counters, and perhaps not surprisingly lots of paranormal activity in the women's bathroom. One staff member even claims to have seen the bejewelled legend floating by in cape.
"Elizabeth, I am coming honey!"
As strange as that may be, the good folks who now own and run an insurance business out of Redd Foxx's old home claim similar stories. The notoriously foul mouthed comedian still seems to have a temper and haunts 5460 South Eastern Dr. Las Vegas. Staff members have complained of lights turning themselves on and off, the doorbell chiming with no one there, and frighteningly enough documents printing out in red ink when it hasn't been selected. The owner has taken to painting appeasing red foxes throughout the building, and maintains that Redd is welcome there as long as he wishes to stay.
The Motel of Death
The Oasis Motel on 1731 Las Vegas Boulevard South has earned a nasty reputation for guests not making morning checkout. Known best as a place frequented by drug addicts and those seeking paid sex, it has seen no shortage of deaths from any number of causes and is considered haunted. Most notable victims have been poker wunderkind Stuey Ungar and “Suddenly Susan” star David Strickland. Stuey Unger was considered by many to be the greatest poker player that has ever played the game despite having a legendary drug problem. David Strickland as well suffered from depression and addiction issues. Guests have recorded being physically attacked by unseen forces, and many claim that it is not just the rundown décor that gives the Motel of Death its menacing moniker.
Hotel Hauntings- The MGM Grand
In one of the most tragic fires in America history, the luxurious MGM Grand caught fire in November of 1980 resulting in the deaths of 84 people. Now owned by Bally's, staff and guests at the property have reported numerous incidents that lead people to believe that the hotel is haunted. In particular the North Tower, which suffered heavy damage, is said to be where most of the activity is located and ghosts have been seen lying on beds or roaming the halls. Staff often refuse to ride the service elevator located in the tower on the night shift claiming that it is too terrifying.
The Luxor
The Luxor reportedly is also haunted by the ghosts of the two workmen killed during its construction and guests that have committed suicide. Guests have reported seeing ghosts in the hallways and some claim that the unique pyramid shape concentrates the energy of the deceased. The Luxor has also seen a number of suicides given its internal construction in which every room has an interior balcony that overlooks the entire hotel lobby.
The Flamingo Hilton
This longstanding hotel has not only a resident ghost, but a very famous and connected one as well. Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel was a notorious gangster allied with the Genovese family of New York and could well be considered one of the founding fathers of Las Vegas. Seigel's arrival in Las Vegas signalled the interest of organized crime in the still adolescent gambling mecca, and the Flamingo was the most expensive and opulent hotel of its day when finished in 1946. However, owing to family infighting and his increasingly erratic behaviour (hence being called Bugsy), Seigel was assassinated in 1947. It is claimed that he both roams the hallways of the Flamingo and the gardens. His ghost has also been seen in the hotel's Presidential Suite.
Not even counting the legions of dead mobsters buried in the surrounding desert or Tupac, there seems to be no shortage of displaced spirits residing in the gaming capital of the world. Truly, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!
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