Las Vegas is one of those places that never stops surprising you. Whether it’s the dazzling neon lights, the over-the-top hotels, or the endless stories of fortune and fame, Sin City has an energy like no other. And now, there’s a book that captures it all—The Las Vegas Book by Joris Dekkers.
But this isn’t just any book. It’s a handcrafted, high-end coffee table book that’s as grand as the city itself. Limited to just 3,500 copies, it’s already being called a “majestic tribute to The Strip.”
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How an Idea Became Reality
Dekkers, a historian at heart, first felt the spark for The Las Vegas Book more than a decade ago. The moment that set everything in motion? His first visit to Wynn Las Vegas in his early 30s.
“I’ve always been fascinated by Vegas,” Dekkers shared with PokerNews. “But I don’t think any concrete ideas culminated until I visited the Wynn for the first time. It inspired me so much—I felt really connected to that place.”
Like many, Dekkers noticed that most books about Vegas were outdated, often stuck in the 1990s or early 2000s. So, during the COVID-19 lockdowns, he finally decided to do something about it.
“Why shouldn’t I write a book about Vegas?” he thought. “Not just any book, but something really majestic—a book that people would be proud to own.”
What’s Inside The Las Vegas Book?
This isn’t just a history book—it’s a visual and storytelling masterpiece. It takes readers on a journey through Vegas’ evolution, from its mobster days in the 1950s to the rise of megaresorts in the late 20th century. Some of the highlights include:
- The Mob Era – How figures like Frank Sinatra and Bugsy Siegel helped shape the Vegas we know today.
- The Birth of the Megaresort – The opening of Caesars Palace, The International Hotel (starring Elvis Presley), and how Howard Hughes changed the industry.
- The Steve Wynn Era – The creation of modern Vegas with game-changing resorts like The Mirage, Bellagio, and Wynn & Encore.
With 28 chapters, 450 pages, and over 300 stunning photos, this book is built to impress. It even comes with a velvet interior, a leather case with gold foil, and weighs a hefty 8kg (18 lbs).
📌 Price: $495 USD
📌 Manufactured in: Italy (Handmade)
📌 Limited Edition: 3,500 copies
📌 Shipping: Worldwide, within 24 hours on weekday orders
Bringing in the Experts
Dekkers knew that capturing the true essence of Las Vegas wasn’t something he could do alone. He needed people who had lived and breathed the Vegas experience. That’s where Roger Thomas and Glenn Schaeffer came in.
- Roger Thomas – The right-hand man to Steve Wynn, Thomas designed some of Vegas’ most luxurious resorts, including The Mirage, Wynn, and Encore. He helped guide the book’s design and connected Dekkers with the right people.
- Glenn Schaeffer – The former CEO of Mandalay Bay and ex-CFO of Circus Circus Enterprises helped refine the book’s content, ensuring it was historically accurate.
More than 25 people worked on the book, including photographers, designers, and editors, to make sure it lived up to Dekkers’ vision.
The Wildest Vegas Marketing Campaign Ever
So, how do you promote a book about Las Vegas in a way that actually feels like Vegas? By going all out. Dekkers and his team created a Hollywood-style trailer, featuring the author himself driving through the desert in a 1965 Jaguar. But, in true Vegas fashion, things didn’t go exactly as planned.
“It was August, and the car was really struggling with the heat,” Dekkers recalled. “It actually broke down near the end. I thought the engine had overheated, but nope—I just ran out of gas.”
To make things even more dramatic, this all happened on the Strip, right next to The Flamingo. Vegas police had to shut down traffic while Dekkers, dressed in a suit, stood next to his vintage car. Tourists thought he was some kind of James Bond character, taking photos and shouting, “Who is this guy?”
If that’s not the most Vegas thing ever, what is?
A Tribute to the Mirage
One of the book’s standout sections is its deep dive into The Mirage, the iconic resort that revolutionized the Strip when it opened in 1989.
“When Steve Wynn built The Mirage, he changed everything,” Dekkers said. “It was the start of a new era. Everything became 10 times bigger—more investment, bigger resorts, crazier ideas.“
But, as Vegas always does, things change. In 2023, The Mirage closed its doors for good, making way for a new Hard Rock resort. For many, The Las Vegas Book now serves as a final tribute to the hotel that started it all.
Want to Win a Copy?
Here’s the best part—if you’re a poker fan, you might be able to get your hands on a free copy. PokerNews is giving away one of these limited-edition books to a lucky fan. All you have to do is:
- Follow PokerNews on social media.
- Like and share their giveaway post.
- Stay tuned to see if you win!
The giveaway runs until the end of February 2025, so don’t miss your chance.
For anyone who loves Las Vegas—the history, the glitz, the sheer madness—The Las Vegas Book is a must-have. It’s more than just a book. It’s a piece of the Strip, bound in leather and gold, waiting to take you on a journey through the wildest city on Earth.
👉 Want to order your copy? Check out their official website or follow The Las Vegas Book on Instagram and TikTok for updates.
