Antonio ‘Tony’ Alamo Sr., a prominent figure in the gaming industry and a Cuban immigrant, has passed away at the age of 84.
His son, Tony Alamo Jr., a former chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission, confirmed that his father died on Tuesday morning due to complications from various diseases he had battled over the past five years.
Tony Alamo Sr. was surrounded by close family members at the time of his passing.
A memorial service for Alamo is scheduled for October 18, at Our Lady of Las Vegas Catholic Church at 10 a.m.
Following the service, he will be laid to rest at Palm Mortuary-Eastern at 11:30 a.m.
Born in 1941 in the village of Isabela de Sagua, Cuba, Alamo’s journey to the United States began with a harrowing three-day boat escape in 1961, during which he arrived in Miami with only $7 in his pocket.
After moving west and joining his future wife Maria’s extended family in Reno, Alamo began working various odd jobs, including a position as a janitor at Harrah’s in Reno.
Though too young to enter the gaming industry directly, he quickly progressed, becoming a coin room operator, and also worked additional hours delivering newspapers.
Once he became eligible, he attended dealer school, mastering the skills needed to deal craps and blackjack.
In pursuit of greater opportunities, Alamo moved his family to Las Vegas, where he initiated his management career in 1974 as a shift manager at Circus Circus.
Over the years, he rose through the ranks to eventually serve as the president of Circus Circus, later becoming the president of the renowned Desert Inn.
This pivotal position led him to oversee the development and opening of the MGM Grand, which became the world’s largest hotel, where he held the titles of president and chief operating officer.
He further contributed to the Las Vegas landscape by helping to develop the Monte Carlo, now known as Park MGM, before culminating his career as senior vice president of the Mandalay Resort Group, from which he retired in 2005.
Alamo was one of the highest-ranking Hispanics in the gaming industry, earning numerous awards and honors throughout his distinguished career.
In 2003, the Nevada Board of Regents designated him as a Distinguished Nevadan, and he received the title of Hotelier of the Year from the Nevada Hotel and Lodging Association in 2001.
His accolades also included a tourism award from the Latin Chamber of Commerce in 1984 and recognition as ‘Hispanic of the Year’ in 1993.
The Public Education Foundation honored him with a Community Hero Award in 2003 for his advocacy in education.
An avid reader with keen interests in finance, investments, and politics, Alamo was also a dedicated sports fan, particularly of boxing and college basketball.
His son remarked that having escaped a totalitarian regime, Alamo cherished the freedoms and opportunities available in his adopted country, often expressing the importance of democracy and civic engagement.
In his later years, he faced significant health challenges, including Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia.
Besides his professional achievements, Alamo was a strong advocate for education, as evidenced by the naming of a Las Vegas elementary school in his honor.
He supported several scholarships at UNLV and served as a motivational speaker for the Hispanic Youth Leadership Conference, co-sponsored by the Latin Chamber of Commerce.
Clark County School District Superintendent Jhone Ebert remarked on Alamo’s deep commitment to freedom, integrity, and education, stating, ‘We are saddened to hear of the passing of CCSD school namesake Tony Alamo.’
She emphasized his significant support of public education, noting, ‘Mr. Alamo was a big supporter of public education and his legacy will live on through the work focused on student achievement happening every day at the school campus that bears his name.’
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