The King of Casinos cover art

The King of Casinos

Willie Martello and the El Rey Club

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The King of Casinos

By: Andy Martello
Narrated by: Andy Martello
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About this listen

The unreal but true story of the unknown casino that changed Las Vegas forever! Warning! Contains nudity, prostitution, vintage Vegas, celebrities, and (some) mobsters!

After a horrific blaze destroyed Willie Martello's El Rey Club in 1962, 50 years would pass before anyone knew of how that casino and one-time brothel influenced Las Vegas casinos, upset the mob, and inadvertently launched the career of Francis Ford Coppola.

Were it not for the chance discovery of a single photo in a Las Vegas museum, the El Rey Club would only be known as the seedy brothel where Senator Harry Reid learned to swim. Martello's accomplishments should place him among magnates like Howard Hughes or Steve Wynn, yet very few know his name.

©2013 Andy Martello, Just A Martello Books (P)2016 Andy Martello, Just A Martello Books Entertainment & Celebrities Historical

Critic Reviews

"Who else could tell the story of Willie Martello? The rare photos alone are worth the price of admission. My only regret is that I didn't write this book." (Robert Graysmith, New York Times best-selling author of Zodiac, Auto-Focus, and Black Fire)
"Quick, funny, and extremely intelligent!" (Mark L. Walberg, Host, Antiques Roadshow)
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