How Aladdin's Story Shaped Perceptions of Las Vegas

Stars, glamour and shady deals marked the rise and fall of the iconic Aladdin Hotel

Apr. 1, 2026 at 10:07pm

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The Aladdin Hotel, which opened 60 years ago, was a landmark on the Las Vegas Strip before being imploded in 1998. Its history reflects the city's transition from mob control to corporate-run resorts, hosting celebrity events like Elvis Presley's wedding while also facing allegations of hidden mob interests and financial troubles that led to multiple ownership changes over the decades.

Why it matters

The Aladdin's story encapsulates the evolution of Las Vegas from its shady past to its present-day corporate image, with the hotel serving as a flashpoint for the city's shift from mob-run operations to more mainstream, family-friendly entertainment. Its rise and fall also highlight the challenges of maintaining a successful resort in the competitive Las Vegas market.

The details

The Aladdin opened in 1962 as the only major hotel in Nevada without a casino, but it struggled to compete with the Strip's hotel-casinos. It was eventually bought by Milton Prell in 1966, who added a casino and renovated the resort. The Aladdin then hosted Elvis Presley's wedding and expanded with new restaurants, a showroom, and a golf course. However, a series of failed buyouts and allegations of mob involvement led to the hotel's decline, with the Aladdin filing for bankruptcy in 1989 and being sold multiple times before its eventual implosion in 1998.

  • The Aladdin Hotel opened 60 years ago today, in 1962.
  • The Aladdin was imploded in 1998, 28 years after opening.
  • Elvis Presley and Priscilla Beaulieu were married at the Aladdin in 1967.
  • The Aladdin filed for bankruptcy in 1989 after falling behind on payments to creditors.
  • The Aladdin's 36-acre property was sold for $80 million in 1994, leading to the 1998 implosion.

The players

Milton Prell

Businessman who bought the Aladdin for $10 million in 1966 and added a casino, renovating the resort.

Colonel Tom Parker

Elvis Presley's manager, who was friends with Milton Prell and helped bring Elvis's wedding to the Aladdin.

James Abraham

Retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and veteran Strip casino executive who was hired as general manager of the Aladdin in 1975.

James Tamer

Director of entertainment at the Aladdin, who was convicted in a conspiracy to allow hidden owners to exert control over the resort.

Wayne Newton

Entertainer who briefly owned the Aladdin in the early 1980s before selling his shares to his partner, Ed Torres.

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What’s next

The Aladdin's legacy continues to shape perceptions of Las Vegas, with its history of celebrity events, mob connections, and financial struggles serving as a cautionary tale about the challenges of maintaining a successful resort in the competitive Las Vegas market.

The takeaway

The rise and fall of the Aladdin Hotel reflects the evolution of Las Vegas from a city with a shady past to a more mainstream, corporate-run destination. Its story highlights the complexities of operating a successful resort in the highly competitive Las Vegas market, where celebrity glamour, mob influence, and financial troubles have all played a role in shaping the city's image.