Riviera Casino Chip 1999 National Finals Rodeo NFR LTD 200 Uncirculated

Description

Riviera Hotel and Casino Limited Edition Chip
National Finals Rodeo
December 1999, 41st Anniversary
Limited Edition 200
Uncirculated New Condition - for collector purposes
Kept in an
airtight capsule with protective foam ring
Please look carefully at the photos as they are part of the description.
About the National Finals Rodeo:
This is the "super bowl" event for rodeo fans! The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) organizes the premier championship rodeo event every year in the United States.  The event showcases the talents of the top 15 money-winners in each event as they compete for the world title.  The first NFR was held in Dallas, TX in 1959 and continued there until 1961.  From 1962-1964 it was held in Los Angeles, CA.  From 1965-1984, the NFR was held in Oklahoma City at two different locations. Since 1985, the event has been held at the Thomas and Mack Center on the campus of UNLV (University of Nevada, Las Vegas).  The event brings in more than 170,000 fans during the 10 day event.  The events for the NFR include: Bronc Riding, Tie-Down Roping, Barrel Racing, Steer Wrestling, Team Roping, Bull Riding, Steer Roping, and Steer Riding.  The All Around title is awarded at the end of the NFR to the highest earning cowboy who has regularly competed in more than one event during the year.  Many casinos in Las Vegas celebrate with special entertainment, parties and release special edition tokens, chips and memorabilia to commemorate the event that occurs every December.
Some History:
The Riviera Hotel and Casino, also known as "The Riv", opened in April 1955 and closed its doors in May 2015 - 60 years in business.  The address was 2901 Las Vegas Boulevard South.  The Riviera
was the 9th resort built on the famous Las Vegas Strip.  At its largest, the casino offered about 1,000 slot machines and 25 table games and the hotel had about 2,100 rooms. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitor's Authority purchased the property in 2015. The resort was closed and demolished to make way for a new project: Las Vegas Global Business District which will be an exhibit and meeting center project which is currently under
construction.
Liberace was the opening headliner for the Riviera in 1955.  Some of the most famous and longest running acts in Las Vegas were at the Riviera and include Crazy Girls, Splash, and An Evening at La Cage.  The Riviera was often chosen as an onsite movie
location due to its history and recognition as an iconic Las Vegas landmark.  Some of the films that the Riviera appeared in include:  Ocean's 11 (1969), Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice (1969), Diamonds Are Forever (1971), Butterfly (1982), GLOW Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling (1986-1989), Casino (1995), Showgirls (1995), Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997), Con Air (1997), Vegas Vacation (1997), Go (1999), 3000 Miles to Graceland (2001), Crazy Girls Undercover (2008), 21 (2008), The hangover (2009), Ghost Adventures (2012, 2016), Sky (2015), Jason Bourne (2016).
The Riviera's long running shows:
An Evening at La Cage:
The female impersonators show featured Frank Marino, opened in 1985 and ran for 23 years.
Splash:
The aquacade revue with its above ground water tank featured thrills and pop culture entertainment. It ran for 20 years.
The Comedy Club:
This comedy club packed in 400 people, three times a night, and gave rise to comedians such as Jeff Dunham, Ellen Degeneres and Joe Rogan to name a few.
Crazy Girls:
The topless cabaret revue ran for 28 years - making it the second longest running show in one showroom.
Fun Fact:
Dean Martin had a 10% interest in the hotel at one time.
Fun Fact #2:
Steve Schirripa (Bobby Bacala of the HBO Series The Sopranos) started as a maitre'd at the Comedy Club.
Fun Fact #3:
The Riviera went bankrupt 3 months after it opened.
Fun Fact #4:
Marx Brothers Harpo and Gummo held minority interests at the opening
Fun Fact #5:
Like most hotel casinos in the 1950's and 1960's there were mob interests and skimming
accusations.
Please feel free to ask any questions.
Thanks for looking,
Silver Strike Club Member #055
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