At over $1 billion, the Mega Millions jackpot is among the largest lottery prizes ever up for grabs, making it the latest focus of lotteries that have been conducted in the U.S. and around the world for centuries.

At over $1 billion, the Mega Millions jackpot is among the largest lotter prizes ever up for grabs, making it the latest focus of lotteries that have been conducted in the U.S. and around the world for centuries.

What happens in Vegas is often fake news. A surprising number of alternative facts about the gambling capital of the world continue to resonate across pop culture with little relevance to reality.

The Mirage volcano wasn’t designed to be iconic. It wasn’t intended to inspire imitators and ultimately change the face of the Strip. It was built to obstruct the view of other casinos.

MGM Resorts closed the transaction with New York-based real estate conglomerate Blackstone Group to acquire the Cosmopolitan's operations on May 17. Before the sale closing, Blackstone thanked all Cosmopolitan employees with a surprise $5,000 bonus -- a $27 million expense.

Las Vegas was a small railroad town when Nevada formally established it in 1905. Five years after its founding, the U.S. census recorded only 800 residents. Yet by the 1950s, it was known as a gambling tourist haven, where visitors could see a show with celebrities like Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis, Jr. in between trips to the baccarat tables.

Las Vegas was a small railroad town when Nevada formally established it in 1905. Five years after its founding, the U.S. census recorded only 800 residents. Yet by the 1950s, it was known as a gambling tourist haven, where visitors could see a show with celebrities like Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis, Jr. in between trips to the baccarat tables.

It took an influx of dam workers, exiled Los Angeles gambling operators and mob figures.