<P> Urbanisation began in 1902 , when a railroad linking Los Angeles and Salt Lake City attracted many farmers to the area , and fresh water was piped into the settlement . In 1911 , the city was incorporated as part of Clark County . In 1931 work started on the Boulder Dam ( now the Hoover Dam ) , bringing a huge influx of young male workers , for whom theatres and casinos were built , largely by the Mafia . Electricity from the dam also enabled the building of many new hotels along the Strip . The arrival of Howard Hughes in 1966 did much to offset mob influence , and helped turn Las Vegas into more of a family tourist centre , now classified as a Megaresort . </P>
when did las vegas become a gambling town
In 1931