Dottie Goffstein, who is credited with the design of the 4 Queens back in the 60s passed away on Monday. She leaves an interesting Las Vegas story.

She was born in Cincinnati, and relocated to Las Vegas for over 50 years. She was a showgirl at the Flamingo Hilton and married a casino executive, the late Benny Goffstein. Benny built the 5 million dollar hotel/casino downtown and announced that it would be named after his daughters, the 4 Queens. Each of his daughters were assinged a suit from the deck of cards, and Benny made sure that each of his daughters had business cards reflecting their title. As for Dottie, the mother of the queens, her card was the Joker. Her job at the time was interior designer of the 4 Queens.

The Goffsteins were big Las Vegas socialites and philanthropists, heavily involved in many charities. Still, Dottie was home every afternoon when the girls came home from school, helped them all with their homework, and were almost always home in the evenings.

Thanks for the post, JMT.

I am curious. What other Vegas hotels are owned/run by a Vegas family these days as opposed to a big corporation. Obviously Wynn dot. What others - and do they look like they will stay in the family?

Great question Kes. I guess the Imprerial Palace qualifies. I've heard the owner of the Frontier is selling out.

And then there are the family run corporations such as the Gaughns and Boyds.

This website will maybe answer your question.??

http://www.jetcafe.org/~npc/gambling/casino_owners.htm

I had also heard the story about the 4 Queens! I am sure that there are many little tidbits and Las Vegas lore such as that....if we only knew them...

Maybe you have to cut and paste? There is a little bar _ between casino and owners that I can not get to show on the hyperlink..??