Havana Casinos: A Journey Through Cuban History
It may seem surprising to many, but yes, Cuba was, at one time, an epicenter of gambling, controlled by the American mafia. Let's discover the fascinating history of casinos in Havana and their influence on the island's culture and politics.
The Early Years: The Golden Age of Money Games
In the 1920s, during Prohibition in the United States, Havana became a popular destination for wealthy Americans. Its casinos, discotheques and cabarets attracted thousands of tourists looking for what they couldn't get at home.
Political and economic context:
After the world economic crisis, the 1930s saw significant growth in Cuba under dictator Fulgencio Batista.
With the tacit approval of local authorities, organized crime figures such as Meyer Lansky and Charles "Lucky" Luciano transformed Havana into a "tropical Las Vegas".
The Mafia and gambling: The Mafia controls gambling and regulates casinos to maximize profits, while securing the support of Batista's corrupt government.
The Golden Age of the 1950s: Between Luxury and Exuberance
Grand hotels and casinos:
The Hotel Nacional and the Riviera are emblematic of this era. These sumptuous venues didn't just offer gambling: they were also cultural and social centers where wealthy tourists, artists and gangsters mingled.
According to Todo Cuba, the Riviera casino was designed to amplify the noise of the slot machines, a strategy designed to maintain an effervescent atmosphere.
Music as backdrop: Mambo and rumba became the dominant styles, creating a true symbiosis between the Afro-Cuban music scene and the gaming venues.
Legends such as Nat King Cole and Dizzy Gillespie perform in Havana, attracting international crowds.
The Fall of the Casinos: The Cuban Revolution
With the revolution led by Fidel Castro in 1959, casinos and cabarets went out of business.
Why this brutal end?
For Castro, the corruption associated with gambling and the mafia symbolized the exploitation of the island by foreign interests. Revolutionary reforms aimed to restore Cuba's autonomy.
Mafia figures such as Lansky lost their investments, marking one of the most costly defeats in the history of the pegre.
The legacy of the 1950s: Despite the closure of the casinos, the era leaves an indelible mark on Cuban culture, notably through the music and myths of the period.
Fascinating Anecdotes : Sinatra and Kennedy in Havana
According to writer TJ English (Havana Nocturne), celebrities like Frank Sinatra were major assets to the casinos, attracting both media attention and wealthy visitors.
Sinatra, close to Lucky Luciano, was used as "glamour bait".
John F. Kennedy is said to have visited Cuba before his presidency, under controversial circumstances involving mafia figures such as Santo Trafficante.
Havana Today: A City Haunted by its Past
Historic remains:
Hotels from the era, such as the Nacional, are preserved in their original state and serve as reminders of the glitz and glamour of the 1950s.
Classic American cars continue to criss-cross the streets, accentuating the impression of time travel.
A tourist attraction: The rich history of the casinos and the cultural energy that surrounded them make Havana a fascinating destination for history and music lovers.
Conclusion
The history of Havana's casinos is a complex mix of luxury, corruption and cultural creativity. While this era belongs to the past, its legacy lives on in the streets and soul of the city. Havana continues to captivate visitors, immersing them in an era when it was the jewel of the Caribbean.
References
Smithsonian Magazine: Mob in Havana
Todo Cuba: History of the Hotel Riviera
Wikipedia : Entry on Meyer Lansky and the Cuban mafia