Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal dies at age 79

Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2008 | 6:45 p.m.

History of Las Vegas - Mob Ties Read about what part of the U.S. Las Vegas' "made men" came from and see how connected they were with one another.

Sun File Photo

Casino Executive Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal smiles for this portrait. Rosenthal secretly ran the Stardust hotel for the Chicago mafia and was famous for being the first to put a sports book inside of a casino. The movie "Casino" is based on the events surrounding Rosenthal's presence in Las Vegas.

David Brown / Las Vegas Sun / Sun File Photo

Investigators examine the area surrounding the twisted remnants of Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal's car after a bomb destroyed the vehicle on Oct. 4, 1982. A metal plate directly underneath the driver's seat of the Cadillac diverted the explosion away from Rosenthal, saving his life.

Former Las Vegas casino executive and mob-connected sports handicapper Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal has died at his Florida home at age 79.

Rosenthal had been living in Miami Beach and died of a heart attack Monday. No funeral services have been scheduled.

A sports gambling pioneer, Rosenthal at one time ran the Stardust, Fremont and Hacienda hotel-casinos secretly.

In 1976 when Nevada authorities discovered that Rosenthal was running casinos without a state license needed to do so, the Nevada Gaming Control Commission held a hearing to determine Rosenthal's legal ability to obtain a gaming license.

The board decided to deny Rosenthal a license as a casino employee.

Later Rosenthal appealed the state's decision to Judge Joseph Pavlikowski and succeeded.

Ultimately, the judge's ruling was trumped by the state when Nevada placed him in the notorious Black Book, which banned him from being in or near any casino in Nevada in 1988.

In 1982 Rosenthal survived a car bombing of his 1981 Cadillac Eldorado outside of Tony Roma's restaurant, 620 E. Sahara Ave.

Rosenthal was taken to a local hospital with minor burns on both legs, his left arm and on the left side of his face.

Police at the scene of the car bombing said Rosenthal refused to sign a crime report or discuss the matter with investigators.

Born June 12, 1929, in Chicago, Rosenthal developed a close friendship with Anthony "Tony the Ant" Spilotro. Spilotro and his brother Michael died after a beating by mob members in a Bensenville, Ill., house and were then buried alive in a cornfield. They asphixiated when blood blocked their airways.

In the 1995 Martin Scorsese film, "Casino," Rosenthal, renamed "Sam 'Ace' Rothstein," was played by Robert De Niro and his mob associate Spilotro, renamed "Nicky Santoro," was played by Joe Pesci.

Editor’s note: This story has been corrected. An earlier version gave the wrong location of Rosenthal’s bombed car and how and where the Spilotro brothers were killed.

Discussion: 6 comments so far…

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By casinocon

Oct. 14, 2008

9:07 p.m.

Suggest removal

RIP Lefty -- a guy who truly understood gambling, casinos, and the psyche of the customer. All operators, and executives would should take a cue from his gamebook. Lefty advocated LOOSE Slots and GENEROUS Comps. Las Vegas wouldn't be in the mess it is today if the gaming corporations would practice what Rosenthal preached. Even in this economy, gamblers will gamble, and tourists will travel if they perceive they are appreciated and given a fair shake. Roll out the red carpet for EVERY customer . . . just watch the final scenes of the movie "Casino" (well, watch the whole movie, but pay special attention to the wrap up) and you will understand what set Lefty's world apart from the dire straits we are in today.
By casinocon

Oct. 15, 2008

11:25 a.m.

Suggest removal

Okay -- was it outside Tony Roma's or Marie Callendar's? Were the Spiltro brothers beaten or shot? You would think in Vegas the paper that has followed this man's life in detail would get some facts straight.
By RBlackhawk

Oct. 15, 2008

11:27 a.m.

Suggest removal

I agree. The mob control was not good but their ideas on customers comps, and service that what everyone is yelling about bring the service back. It not all about Paris Hilton and her Botox buddies night clubs. Vegas is about cutting loose to some extent legaly loll. We all like to sin a little in our lives and Vegas is just the place for it.
By RPJ

Oct. 15, 2008

4:12 p.m.

Suggest removal

"Okay -- was it outside Tony Roma's or Marie Callendar's? ... You would think in Vegas the paper that has followed this man's life in detail would get some facts straight."

Tony Roma's and Marie Callendar's are in the same parking lot. The spot of the car bombing lies between them.
By Noindex

Oct. 16, 2008

2:20 p.m.

Suggest removal

The Spilotro brothers were beaten and strangled to death... they were not shot. This information came out in last years mob trial in Chicago. Their bodies were then dumped in the Indiana corn field.
By rebeltom

Oct. 16, 2008

3:50 p.m.

Suggest removal

Rip Lefty. You were one of a kind.