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Question of the Day - 08 May 2019

Q:

Reader Poll Preview: Who is the most influential Las Vegan?

A:

This poll was a suggestion from Donald, which prompted us to compile the following list. You'll notice two names that are quite conspicuous by their absence: Steve Wynn, sidelined by sexual-misconduct allegations; and Rossi Rolenkotter, long-time CEO of the LVCVA, forced to retire amid various scandals. So we consider them no longer influential at least publicly (even though they're probably pulling behind-the-scenes strings). But if you believe they should be included, that's what this preview is all about -- let us know in the comments.

Many of the following names of the most influential Las Vegans might not be familiar to more than a few prospective poll respondents, so we've annotated them with job titles and the like. We certainly welcome more suggestions for the actual poll, which will run a week from today.

Anthony Curtis

Bill Boyd

Bill Foley (owner of Vegas Golden Knights)

Brandon Flowers (frontman for the Killers)

Brian Greenspun (chairman of Greenspun Media)

Carl Icahn

Carolyn Goodman (mayor of Las Vegas)

Céline Dion

David Copperfield

David Weinreb (CEO of Howard Hughes Corp.)

Derek Stevens (owner of the D, Golden Gate, and Circa)

Elaine Wynn

Frank/Lorenzo Fertitta (of Station Casinos)

George Maloof

Harry Reid

James Murren (CEO of MGM Resorts International)

Lady Gaga

Marc-André Fleury (goaltender for the Vegas Golden Knights)

Michael Gaughan (owner of South Point)

Mike Tyson

Penn Jillette

Phil Ruffin (owner of Treasure Island)

Sheldon Adelson

Steve Sisolak (governor of Nevada from Las Vegas)

Tick Segerblum (county commissioner leading the recreational cannabis charge)

Tony Hsieh (founder of Zappos/downtown mover and shaker)

Wayne Newton

 

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Comments

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  • [email protected] May-08-2019
    Steve Wynn
    He may be in exile, but for most of my adult life (47) he has been king of Vegas.

  • thebeachbum May-08-2019
    Steve Wynn
    Totally agree with gkbii.

  • William Nye May-08-2019
    Steve Wynn
    How can you not put him on your list?

  • Kirbyk May-08-2019
    Old-timers?
    What about people who were influential in the past but who are no longer alive?  Thinking of Howard Hughes and Bugsy Siegel.

  • Dave May-08-2019
    Really???
    I totally disagree with gkbii
    
    While I would not be surprised to discover that Steve Wynn is still pulling some strings somewhere, his lifetime of accomplishments are irrelevant.
    
    After all, if you are going to consider his lifetime, then there are plenty of other names that should be on that list. (Bugsy, Benny Binion, Howard Hughes just to name a few.)
    
    Frankly, a word needs to be inserted in the question: Who is _CURRENTLY_ the most influential Las Vegan.
    
    ---
    
    What's interesting about the list is the names that need a parenthetical explanation.
    
    What will all the crap MGM 2020 (and the previous MGM PGP) have done, Jim Murren's name should be very familiar to this audience but has the additional detail. Yet Sheldon Adelson and George Maloof apparently needs no parenthesis.

  • Fast May-08-2019
    Disliked
    Keith Smith or whomever is responsible for the "improved" B Connection program.

  • Derbycity123 May-08-2019
    No Teller
    You have Penn. How come Teller does not have a voice? 

  • Reno Faoro May-08-2019
    big wheel
    do NOT laugh . JAMES HOLZHAUER , followed by STEVE WYNN (under wraps ) , MRS.GOODMAN.,  ELVIS  !!!!!

  • Mikescud May-08-2019
    Murren
    Although I hate him and everything he does to screw his customers, it's hard to argue that Murren, who holds the key to half the Vegas strip as MGM CEO. Anything he says or does has tremendous influence on the strip, the city, the region, the industry.

  • Kathy May-08-2019
    Zelda
    Maybe it should be a 2 part poll. Past and present most influential?

  • Ray May-08-2019
    N O T A
    I think Vegas has such a wide variety of influences that even if you could quantify someone with more influence than anyone else, that the amount of influence they have is still minor. I think that gambling influence, entertainment influence, attraction influence, local influence, etc., have many different leaders, so maybe "nobody" should also be a choice.

  • Dennis Sterba May-08-2019
    Steve Wynn
    Just because he has sexual-misconduct allegations against him, you cannot just make him disappear. That is the problem with this country now, before you know it we will not have American History. Don't forget about Bob Stupak, built the Stratosphere ( the tallest building in Vegas )

  • Jared May-08-2019
    Steve Wynn
    I also don't see how Steve could not be on this list.  I mean, the man credited with the boom in Las Vegas?  He single-handedly envisioned Las Vegas as it is today.

  • Brent Peterson May-08-2019
    Influencers
    The poll question already asks "Who IS the most influential Las Vegan?", so no need to add "currently" as someone suggested.
    
    I would include Wynn, but probably wouldn't choose him. Both Wynn's and Rolenkotter's influence will be felt for many years to come, however. 
    
    I would include Scott Roeben and Jean Scott as they influence the  behavior of a vast number of people who in turn can influence the way casinos run their businesses.

  • Kevin Rough May-08-2019
    Am I wrong?
    I have read the question as who is currently the most influential Las Vegan.  While Steve Wynn was probably very influential in the past I don't see him as being influential in the present.

  • Pat Higgins May-08-2019
    Who is in charge
    How about absolutely nobody.  It seems that the various casinos and casino groups are going in different directions doing their own thing to screw their source of their income--the customers.  

  • Richard Bittle May-08-2019
    CarolynGoodman
    Carolyn Goodman. Just a great Mayor and always looking out for the best interests of Las Vegas.

  • Toad May-08-2019
    Because everyone follows his terrible ideas
    James Murren because everyone implements his terrible ideas that is sucking the fun out of Vegas.

  • Roger Gallizzi May-08-2019
    Tillman Fertitta
    Of the Golden Nugget and Landry's Group as he is seen as a potential buyer of Caesars. 

  • Dave in Seattle. May-08-2019
    Derek Stevens
    He and Greg will change downtown a LOT.Although they may "Stripify" Fremont Street.Steve Wynn WAS the most influential person. He/she who has the most money wynns. Carl Icahn. Maloof.

  • Roy Furukawa May-08-2019
    Question needs to be more concise 
    Seems lots of people are taking the question differently than others. Maybe adding the word “today” at the end of the question might help. Wynn used to be, but today he has been marginalized. Murren certainly holds sway over the strip with so many properties. 

  • David Sabo May-08-2019
    The Polish Maverick!
    While no longer physically in Vegas. His crazy ideas live on!

  • Marty May-08-2019
    Yesterday and today
    Should definitely be a two part poll.

  • The Dr May-08-2019
    Who do YOU think IS
    As several have commented the question asks who IS not WAS.
    Second, it is just each person's opinion, not necessarily correct.
    I believe Wynn maybe pulling a LOT of strings, but because of his situation, his involvement would not be public knowledge to people like us.
    Some people like Anthony might know, but not the common people.
    So the question is asking for your opinion, with your limited actual knowledge.
    I don't think any of the performers carry as much weight as the owners etc.

  • [email protected] May-08-2019
    Gary Loveman
    In a bad way, Gary Loveman changed Vegas for the worst in every way.  The founder's of Vegas trans-formative casinos: Caesars/Circus-Circus, Imperial Palace, Mirage, Vegas World/Stratosphere, Rio Suites: made the town what is was.  Then Eastern Academics and Eastern hedge funds/bankers destroyed what had made the town great. 

  • Jersey Jeff May-10-2019
    Bugsy Siegel
    One vote for Ben.