Morris Barney Dalitz (December 25, 1899 – August 31, 1989) was an American gangster,[1][2] businessman, casino owner, and philanthropist.
Additionally, he developed a partnership with the Maceo syndicate which ran Galveston and supplied liquor from Canada and Mexico.
[4] Though he admitted under oath that he had been a bootlegger and had operated illegal gambling houses, Dalitz was never convicted of a crime.
"[6] With the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, Dalitz turned to gambling and operated illegal but protected casinos in Steubenville, Ohio, and Covington, Kentucky.
[8][7] He enlisted in the Army in World War II on June 25, 1942 and rose in rank from private to first lieutenant.
When the original builder of the resort, Wilbur Clark, ran out of money, Dalitz led a group of investors that became partners in the hotel-casino.
[12] The partners founded the Sunrise Hospital, The Boulevard Mall and the Las Vegas Country Club.
[12] In a 1983 SUN interview, Dalitz said he considered construction of the Las Vegas Convention Center to be his greatest achievement.