Thank you Netgalley and the Publisher for my ARC in exchange for my honest review. This was an enjoyable book.

Great book! Couldn’t wait to read it, and it didn’t disappoint! Grabbed my attention within the first two chapters, and then I didn’t want to put it down. Excellent character development - I think that every reader will find a character to whom they relate. I enjoy books where there is character development, and then also a surprise, and this book provided both! Looking forward to reading more from this author!


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This book really does not go into all of the backstories of Vegas and the deals, or of Wynn himself. When he first owned Frontier and the Golden Nugget, on Sundays you could go into the Golden Nugget and actually get a champagne brunch for practically nothing. He really did change down town for a while because people would go down there. This is not talked about. Neither is the time when his daughter was kidnapped and then later found and then the kidnappers found later. What is talked about is his building his hotels, losing them to take over and then coming back with the Encore, which was much bigger. He did do a lot for Vegas when he built the Mirage and put the volcano out front for everyone to stop and see when they came into town. This book was okay I personally was hoping for more.

I really enjoyed this book, its a fascinating inside view of Las Vegas and one of its biggest owners Steve Wynn, its a well written story of recent developments in Las Vegas and how the city is changing for different consumers taste a must read for any real Vegas fan

4 stars

A fascinating look at how Vegas developed into the place you see today and Steve Wynn's journey there.

I voluntarily read an advanced copy.

Las Vegas has long evolved from traditional blackjack and slots to the ultimate Disneyland for adults. However, every gambler knows that in Sin City there are winners, and there are losers. When it comes to the business of Vegas, the house does not always win and lady luck may not always be on your side.

Winner Takes All looks at the development of Vegas from the 1970s to present day. I fascinated by tales of the titans of the industry – how they rose up, built up, tore down and re-invented the strip. However, it was clear one man has always been at center of it all: Steve Wynn.

Jen and I just visited Las Vegas in September and happened to stay at the Wynn. The hotel was immaculate – pristine down to the finest of details. It was incredible how Wynn always appeared ahead of the entertainment curve. While Harrah’s was conducting data analysis on gambling revenues, Wynn was revolutionizing the industry beyond the slots.

Every major player had their success and failure, and all contributed to the transformation of the strip. These casino titans brought Las Vegas to new heights and attracted the masses. Today’s Vegas goes well beyond the old vices of sex, drugs and gambling. It is now a city of opulence - luxury shopping, food epicenter for celebrity chefs, and home to resident performances by Celine Dion, Jennifer Lopez and Cirque du Soleil.

This is definitely worth the read for anyone who is interested in the development and allure of Sin City. Viva Las Vegas!

Be on the lookout for our couple’s Guide to Las Vegas coming out soon!

Las Vegas is like a second home to me since my grandparents moved out there, so I was very interested to read "Winner Takes All". I had no idea that Steve Wynn had such an influence on Las Vegas and built many of the hotels there, starting with the Mirage in 1993. From the 1990s to the mid 2000s, Steve Wynn was the "it" guy of Las Vegas. He brought class back to Las Vegas with hotels such as the Bellagio and his very own Wynn and Encore.

The recession of 2008 brought the decline of new hotels in Las Vegas and Wynn moved onto building hotels in Asia.

A fascinating read if you travel to Las Vegas often, or in the hospitality business.