Jessie Beck, First Woman to Own Reno Casino, Dies
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RENO — Jessie Beck, who became the first woman to own a major casino in Nevada and was called Nevada’s “Gambling Grandmother,” has died at the age of 83.
Mrs. Beck died at her home in Reno earlier this week. A spokesman at the Walton Funeral Home said services are Monday.
Her late husband Fred was given credit for starting a keno game in Harold’s Club which grew into a major gambling venture. He was killed and she was injured in a car crash near Reno.
After his death she took over the game and it continued to grow. Howard Hughes later purchased Harold’s Club but there was a dispute over whether he had bought the keno game. He later paid Mrs. Beck an additional $3 million.
She took her money and bought the Riverside Hotel in downtown Reno which she operated for a number of years before its sale.
Survivors include her son, John Brown.
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