Bob Stupak

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September 10, 2009 · 11:55 a.m.

Bob Stupak over the years.

Michael and Jennifer Watkins, of Seattle, ride Insanity at the top of the Stratosphere in Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 7, 2011

King Kong, fire and other Stratosphere facts: BACKGROUNDER:; Friday, April 6, 2012; By Las Vegas Sun Staff; Casino developer Bob Stupak had envisioned an 1,800-foot tower when he set off to build his Stratosphere, but the Federal Aviation Administration wouldn’t have it. Still, the tower is the tallest freestanding observation tower in the United States and the tallest building west of the Mississippi River, according to its owner.

Full of quirks, Bob Stupak refused to go out ‘calling’: ODDS ’N’ ENDS:; Monday, September 28, 2009; By Jeff Haney; The Bob Stupak I’ll remember liked to talk about sports betting and gambling exploits.

Bob Stupak at the unveiling of the artist's rendering of his casino tower at Vegas World, which would later become the Stratosphere, Feb. 1990.

Brash huckster and visionary builder Bob Stupak dies at 67: Robert E. Stupak: 1942-2009: One of a kind made his mark as gambler, developer of Vegas World, Stratosphere; Saturday, September 26, 2009; By Ed Koch; Bob Stupak was the ultimate Las Vegas gambler and huckster, always pushing the envelope if it would bring him publicity. Always the independent, he was more aggravating than charming, but always a topic of conversation, which pleased him. He died Friday after a long battle with leukemia.

Bob Stupak, right, watches as a Horseshoe Casino cashier counts out $100 bills as Stupak cashed in his markers and removed items from a lockbox in the casino cage. Stupak attempted to cash a $5,000 casino chip from the hotel but that transaction was refused.

Bob Stupak, builder of Stratosphere and Vegas World, dies at 67: 1942-2009:; Friday, September 25, 2009; By Ed Koch, Mary Manning; Bob Stupak, a Las Vegas legend who developed the Stratosphere and called himself the Polish Maverick, died today at Desert Springs Hospital after a long illness. He was 67. After an unconventional boyhood in Pittsburgh he came to Las Vegas, where he survived a motorcycle crash and sparred with gaming regulators. In his early days, Stupak delved into pop music and motorcycle drag racing before he began selling coupon books.

A Gamble in the Sand: How Las Vegas transformed itself from a railroad watering hole to the 'Entertainment Capital of the World'; Thursday, May 15, 2008; By Mary Manning, Andy Samuelson; Despite the pull of its gaming and glamour, this city is like many other major metropolises — a community that cares about its citizens, relishes its own distinct economic and social roles, and offers individuals the ability to fulfill and flourish within their own desires and dreams. And the small railroad town that was formed a little more than 100 years ago didn’t become “The Entertainment Capital of the World” on pure luck, either.

A new way to play the game on the Strip: Monday, May 14, 2007; By Liz Benston; A new business model is slowly but significantly unfolding along the Strip. Just watch what happens to the 26 acres that were the El Rancho hotel site in the 1940s but which have languished, vacant, since 1960.

THE YEAR IN POLITICS:: Sunday, December 24, 2006; By J. Patrick Coolican; At 3 a.m., they were checking the day's tracking polls, which grew ever more ominous.

Nevada Stupak's address may be cause for concern: Wednesday, June 9, 2004; By Ed Koch; Answer: 1301 S. 6th St.

Stupak proud, but not notably nostalgic about Stratosphere: Friday, May 4, 2001; By Richard N. Velotta; Bob Stupak doesn't visit the Stratosphere Tower much anymore.

Controversy, suits follow sale of Thunderbird properties: Monday, February 26, 2001; Grace Leong; Flamboyant gambling entrepreneur Bob Stupak's plan to sell a collection of small motels and a wedding chapel on Las Vegas Boulevard has led to a flurry of litigation over allegedly defaulted payments and even the ownership of reputed "moon rocks."

Stupak, Behnen animosity heats up: Tuesday, August 29, 2000; A Friday night altercation at a popular restaurant has heated up a feud between Bob Stupak and the Behnen family, the owners of the Horseshoe Club.

Stupak rips secret probe allegations: Thursday, April 6, 2000; By Steve Kanigher; Bob Stupak, the colorful Las Vegas gaming entrepreneur who built the Stratosphere Tower, flatly denied allegations in an attorney general's probe that he bribed regulators, rigged slot machines and fronted for the mob.

Suit says Stupak sold hotel, owes exec: Monday, December 6, 1999; David Strow; Has Bob Stupak sold the Thunderbird hotel?

Settlement ends civil suit involving Stupak's son: Thursday, May 27, 1999; By Ed Koch; Stupak, who is seeking to unseat City Councilman Gary Reese in the June 8 general election, reached a settlement in a civil suit late Tuesday stemming from a March 31, 1995, motorcycle accident that injured him and nearly killed his father, gambler Bob Stupak.

Stupak plan sinks: Tuesday, May 25, 1999; Erin Neff; Residents of historic Fifth Place are feeling like they're kings of the world today after the Las Vegas City Council sank a zoning proposal related to a Titanic-themed resort in their neighborhood.

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Bob Stupak

Occupation: Entrepreneur, gambler, casino owner and creator of the Stratosphere
Political: Ran for mayor of Las Vegas, 1987; ran in 2006 as a Democrat for Nevada lieutenant governor
Official Web page: Bob Stupak.com
Birthday: April 6, 1942, Pittsburgh, Penn.
Years in Las Vegas: 1971 to present.
Business ventures: Started a coupon book venture in Las Vegas. On March 31, 1974, opened Bob Stupak's World Famous Million-Dollar Historic Gambling Museum and Casino, which burned down May 21. In 1979, he opened Vegas World, a casino/hotel and thrived by promoting innovative ways to play traditional games. It closed Feb. 1, 1995, when he began developing its successor, the Stratosphere, on the same site at Main Street and Las Vegas Boulevard.
The Gambler: Known as "the Polish maverick," he won a highly publicized million-dollar bet in 1989 on Super Bowl XXII. He also won a bracelet in the World Series of Poker that same year and has had eight money finishes.
Stratosphere: His major contribution to Las Vegas has been to conceive and develop the Stratosphere, whose 1,149-foot tower changed the city's skyline when it opened in April 1996. The project ran into financial trouble and Stupak resigned as chairman three months after the opening. The Stratosphere went into bankruptcy and eventually came under the control of current owner, Carl Icahn.
Later idea: At one time he offered $65 million for the 26-acre parcel near Sahara Avenue on the Strip so he could build a replica of the Titanic, with a casino inside the iceberg and time-share condos inside fake smokestacks.
Movies and TV: Stupak talked his way into a walk-on part for the remake of "Oceans Eleven," which filmed in Las Vegas. He has also been featured on 60 Minutes, To Tell the Truth and Merv Griffin.

Las Vegas Sun

Bob Stupak

Bob Stupak