Sarann Preddy

July 27, 1920 -

Sarann Preddy made history in Nevada as the first black woman to receive a casino license in Nevada. She owned several lounges and gaming establishments in Hawthorne and Las Vegas, including the famous Moulin Rouge. She was also an active member and leader in the NAACP.

Sarann was born in the small town of Eufaula, Oklahoma to Carl and Hattie Childs. She married her first husband, Luther Walker, just out of high school. In 1942, Sarann and her family moved to Las Vegas, settling in the black community of the Westside. She went to Los Angeles for six months to attend business school. After returning to Las Vegas, she took her first job at the Cotton Club as a Keno writer and later learned how to deal “21”.

In 1950, she followed her second husband, William Scruggs, to Hawthorne where she was presented with the opportunity to purchase her own gambling establishment. She bought the Lincoln Bar, which she later renamed the Tonga Club. The club was successful in the small booming town and she continued to operate the establishment for seven years, until her return to Las Vegas in 1957.

Upon her return to Las Vegas, Sarann worked as a dealer until a new ordinance prohibited women from dealing. During her time away from the casinos, Sarann operated several businesses including a dry cleaning establishment, a dress shop, and a lounge. Once women were again allowed to be dealers, Sarann returned to work at Jerry’s Nugget where she remained for seven years.

After an unsuccessful campaign for City Commissioner, Sarann opened The People’s Choice, first as a supper club and then as a casino. In 1985, her focus turned to restoring the previous glamour of Las Vegas’ first integrated casino, The Moulin Rouge. She faced a number of difficulties in this mission. In 1990 Sarann and her third husband, Joe Preddy, purchased the Moulin Rouge. Despite their hard work, they were still unable to secure the financing needed and eventually sold it to a developer interested in refurbishing the hotel.

Sarann was also involved in local civil rights activities. While still in Hawthorne, she joined the NAACP. When she moved to Las Vegas she brought her experience and dedication to the NAACP with her and was fundamental in establishing the NAACP Women’s Auxiliary.

Sarann has made many contributions to the state of Nevada through her involvement in the NAACP and other groups. She has also worked to preserve the history of city through her efforts to place the Moulin Rouge on the National Register of Historic Places.

For more information, see:

• Sarann Preddy, “An Interview with Sarann Preddy,” an interview by Claytee D. White [transcript], Las Vegas Women Oral History Project (1998) Special Collections Department, Library, University of Nevada, Las Vegas.