Nestled in the picturesque Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas, Hot Springs is a charming town renowned for its natural thermal springs and historic bathhouses. However, what many visitors may not realize is that this quaint town has a unique gambling history that dates back to the early 20th century.
Hot Springs was once a bustling hub of illegal gambling, attracting mobsters, politicians, and celebrities from all over the country. In the early 1900s, the town’s infamous Bathhouse Row was home to a plethora of underground casinos and speakeasies, earning Hot Springs the nickname “The Spa City” and “The Monte Carlo of America.”
The most notorious figure associated with Hot Springs’ gambling scene was Owney Madden, a notorious New York mobster who ruled over the town’s criminal underworld in the 1920s and 1930s. Madden owned several casinos, nightclubs, and brothels in Hot Springs, making a fortune off of the town’s illicit gambling activities.
Despite the illegal nature of gambling in Hot Springs, many locals turned a blind eye to the activities, as it brought in a significant amount of revenue for the town and helped to boost its economy during the Great Depression. In fact, some politicians and law enforcement officials were known to frequent the underground casinos themselves.
However, in 1967, the state of Arkansas officially banned all forms of gambling, effectively shutting down Hot Springs’ once-thriving gambling scene. The town’s infamous casinos were either demolished or repurposed, and the era of illegal gambling in Hot Springs came to an end.
Today, visitors to Hot Springs can still catch a glimpse of the town’s colorful gambling past by exploring its historic downtown area and visiting the Gangster Museum of America, which showcases artifacts and exhibits related to Hot Springs’ prohibition-era history.
While Hot Springs may no longer be a haven for illegal gambling, the town’s unique history continues to attract tourists from far and wide who are eager to soak up its fascinating past. So, if you find yourself in Hot Springs, don’t forget to take a dip in the natural thermal springs and immerse yourself in the town’s captivating gambling lore.
