"Something to keep in mind is that 1948 had a lot of midwest gamblers stepping off the train in downtown Las Vegas after various shakeouts in KY, MO, etc"

Illegal gambling workers and operators came to LV all through the years. Mostly when the heat was on in their areas. The far sighted ones saw the advantages of legalized gambling. Many like Gilbert Smollen saw the future. He was the original money man for the Arrowhead INN in OH. He was also the money man behind the Dunes and a couple other LV properties.

The largest influx at one time came after the Kefauver hearings in 1952.

The migration in 1960-61 made the 1952 influx look like small potatoes. Thanks to Bobby Kennedy. Entire plane loads of KY workers, dealers, boxmen, floor people, and their famlies lit out for LV. They called it the "KY Airlift." The term was actually used in the KY newspapers. Frank "Chin" Andrews told me he flew out on a plane that had 70 workers and their families on it. Frank had a dice job waiting for him at Caesars. The most loyal and connected ones had guarenteed jobs waiting for them. The children of these workers are now in positions all over the city.

"Didn't the Nasons show up about that time Gene?"
The only Nason to come to LV was Danny, Harolds son. Danny was the heir apparent to the Nason empire. Sam and Harold saw the empire crumbling fast. Danny was sent to LV and a position at the Desert Inn in 1959. He has had a lusterous career up to and including Casino Manager in several big name casinos, DI, Flamingo, Sands, and Landmark.

My Opinion on the T-Bird chips.
When Rene started selling them, I immediatly thought IL. I bought one thinking that and still think it.