Former Las Vegas Mayor and casino worker Ron Lurie passed away this week. He was 79. Both noted politicians and casino experts shared fond memories of the second-generation Nevadan.
Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman (I) called it a loss for the community and said that Ron Lourie was a man with a giving heart and huge smile. He further said that Ron Lourie was a friend to all and that he made a difference to Las Vegas like his father.
Life of Ron Lurie
Ron Lurie moved to Las Vegas from California with his parents in 1950s. His father, Art Lurie, held several renowned positions including chairman of the Nevadan Athletic Commission and boxing judge.
Ron Lurie started his casino career by joining a slot machine company as a sales manager. Later he entered politics and became mayor of Las Vegas in 1987. His close rival was Bob Stupak was a championship poker player and a casino owner. Ron Lurie was a Las Vegas councilman for 14 years.
A Las Vegas hotel and casino, Arizona Charlie’s Decatur, named Ron Lurie its general manager, a position he held until his retirement in January. Golden Entertainment the owner of Arizona Charlie’s Decatur released a press statement on the death of Ron Lurie highlighting his role as a leader in gaming industry, as a philanthropist and a mayor of Las Vegas.
Former Mayor of Las Vegas
Ron Lurie was Las Vegas Mayor for 1987 to 1991 and it was a crucial period for casino industry as it was the time when the gaming industry recognized the need for expansion outside of Nevada.
UNLV gaming historian and academic administrator David G. Schwartz wrote that Ron Lurie had deep roots in the gaming community and that his work for Discovery Museum and Natural History Museum and other local nonprofits had his impact on Las Vegas. Schwartz added that Ron Lurie set an example of having a positive impact on the gaming community.
A Distinguished Fellow in Responsible Gaming, Alan Feldman, said that Ron Lurie was a terrific mayor as he defeated his close rival that was also a leading wheeler-dealer casino owner. He further stated that Ron Lurie loved the gaming community throughout his life. Ron Lurie once advised Review-Journal that they should research the issues customers brought up. He was talking to Review-Journal in an interview in 2007. Ron Lurie said that being a manager of the property was like being a politician.
Source: https://www.casino.org/news/former-las-vegas-mayor-ron-lurie-eulogized-for-casino-career-civic-involvement/
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