Aladdin Hotel History
- Edwin Lowe, inventor of the popular Yahtzee game, opened a $12 million dollar, 450-room hotel called the English Tallyho Motel in 1962. He was driven to show that a resort on the strip could survive without a casino. He was wrong, and the establishment closed in October of 1963.
- In 1964, the motel was opened and crowned the King's Crown Tallyho Inn. It closed just six months after its gaming license was denied.
- Milton Prell purchased and renovated the hotel in 1966 for $16 million dollars. He dismissed the English theme for an Arabian Nights decor. It opened with great fanfare. In 1967 it hosted the wedding of Elvis and Priscella Presley.
- In 1969, the Aladdin was sold for just $5 million and received a huge face-lift. A new tower was raised and a 7,500-seat Performing Arts Center was built over the existing golf course. In keeping with the Aladdin theme, the renovated hotel opened in 1979.
- Wayne Newton and Ed Torres purchased the property in 1980 beating out Johnny Carson. Torres went solo and filed for Chapter 11 in 1984. Rumors and charges of mob infiltration caused its closing once again.
- After a series of new owners, demolition, and reconstruction, the Aladdin seemed to turn the corner in 2000. Today it struggles to remain open and successful.
