History of Hot Springs Gambling Museum

The History of Hot Springs Gambling Museum, established in 2016, preserves and showcases the captivating history of gambling in Hot Springs, Arkansas, which thrived from the late 1800s to the mid-1900s. Hot Springs was once known as the "Las Vegas before Las Vegas," attracting millions of visitors, including notorious gangsters like Al Capone, drawn to the city's illegal, yet wide-open, gambling scene. The museum features an impressive collection of gambling memorabilia from iconic Hot Springs venues such as the Vapors, the Southern Club, and Oaklawn Park. Visitors can explore exhibits displaying original slot machines—some dating back 70 to 80 years—gaming tables, dice, cards, and gambling-related documents. A highlight is the collection of restored vintage slot machines, some of which visitors can even try out with tokens provided by the museum. The museum also delves into the social implications of gambling, illustrating its influence on local life, entertainment, and even politics. Exhibits showcase items from the 1967 FBI raid on Spa City Amusement Co., a company that built and serviced slot machines during Hot Springs' gambling heyday. The museum offers a unique glimpse into a significant aspect of the city's heritage, highlighting the colorful past of Hot Springs and its notorious gambling legacy.