Pisaries Creator

Publication Date: 2001

Publisher: Fall Walls Eight Windows

Page Number: 354

It wasn’t hard to like this book because as most casino owners, Steve Wynn (born Stephen Alan Weinberg), is an interesting character from his childhood to the present time. The writer John L. Smith was born, raised, and worked as a journalist in Nevada. Smith explored the life of Wynn from his early days in Maryland to the end of the 1990s when Wynn still battled controversy regarding The Mirage in Las Vegas and Golden Nugget in Atlanta. He also owned Treasure Island and Bellagio in Las Vegas and used his influential power to capitalize on animals shows and exhibits. He eventually sold Mirage Resorts to MGM Grand in 2000 and then founded Wynn Resorts including the Las Vegas hotel named after him and Encore. I would say there’s a lot in Running Scared to make Steve Wynn one of the most unlikable Las Vegas casino owners in modern history due to his terrible attitudes including how he treated enemies, friends, family, and employees. No matter what method you use to get what you want, it is clear Steve Wynn’s powerful influence was not enough to persuade or cajole entry into English gambling or the entire gambling global dominion he desired. Yet, he held enough power to convince, persuade, and force enough politicians, rich business owners, and Las Vegas gaming commission to give him what he wanted. The intimate view of Wynn’s historical maze throughout Las Vegas, dealings and operations, made this book a quick read. It’s interesting to note the influence of Wynn and scandal that continues to follow him. His relationship to the mob is pretty much established but it’s clear he still wants to be ultimate winner even after a perceived wrong years later and remain relevant in the current spotlight. Unfortunately, Wynn will probably be remembered as revolutionizing Las Vegas Strip as much as tarnishing his Las Vegas legacy after numerous allegations of sexual misconduct. Some of the most well-known legacies in any field tend to be some of the worst offenders for unsavory behavior. Hands down, this is the case of Steve Wynn, but he certainly will not be the last.