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The sensational story of a casino owner who 'had more fun that most would in ten lifetimes' has been revealed in an illuminating biography.

Willie Martello and his seven brothers, who grew up in California, purchased a hotel in the small town of Searchlight, in Clark County, Nevada, in 1946 and converted it into the 'El Rey Club'.

Black and white images show the casino in its heyday after the Second World War. Mr Martello is seen posing next to his stylish car and inside his glamorous club with a host of women and celebrities.

The casino and one-time brothel hosted many film stars from Hollywood during its prime and launched the career of Francis Ford Coppola, who directed and shot his first film there.

But the rapid rise of nearby Las Vegas meant the El Rey club was virtually forgotten, and for years was only remembered as the seedy venue where Senator Harry Reid learned to swim in the outdoor pool.

Willie Martello pictured in his El Rey club that he converted into a casino in Searchlight

After a horrific blaze destroyed Willie Martello’s El Rey Club in 1962, fifty years would pass before anyone knew of how that casino and one-time brothel influenced Las Vegas casinos

A performer does the limbo during a Cinco de Mayo party at the El Rey Club in 1961 

Willie Martello (pictured right) apparently 'loved more women, drank more alcohol, and had more fun than most would in ten lifetimes'

His efforts to transform Searchlight into a resort city were doomed by the rapid rise of Las Vegas. Hollywood actress Diane McBain (right) is seen dealing cards to fellow star Sherry Jackson during a game of Blackjack. Willie is supervising 

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The book 'King of Casinos' was written by author and entertainer Andy Martello. He wrote: 'Willie loved more women, drank more alcohol, and had more fun than most would in ten lifetimes.'

After the Second World War, Searchlight was a ghost town.

Opening of the casino revitalized the area and brought an estimated five-million-dollars a year to the area through Willie's use of prostitutes, plane rides, wild burros and celebrities.

However it was burnt to the ground in 1962 by a horrific blaze.

But the author explained there was more to Willie than his heavy-drinking and womanizing ways.

He said: 'That same man used to go into Las Vegas during the Christmas season, find kids who needed food and toys, and buy them everything they need.

A group of women are seen posing on a Clark County, Nevada, sheriff's car during the casion's heyday. Pictured are (back left to right) Virginia Gordon, Sandi Silver (front left to right) Marli Renfro, Linda 'Ginger' Gibson and Pat 'Patti' Brooks

A junket from Hollywood to Searchlight, March 1961. Many Hollywood performers including, Mousey Garner (centre, front row), Diane McBain (right of Garner), Sherry Jackson (next to the bus driver), Sean Flynn (left of Jackson and Wille Martello (right of McBain) visit the El Rey Club

Willie Martello bought the casino in the town of Searchlight (pictured) after World War Two

The casino man was described as a womanizer in the new book written about his colourful life

The Martello brothers at the original El Rey club in Southgate (pictured left to right: Willie, Buddy, Joe and Tony) 

Martello's new club offered gourmet meals, casino table fames and slot machines, live nightly entertainment, and dancing

He also had an airstrip built just south of town, and sponsored junket flights from California to bring in customers

During his time in Searchlight, the El Rey Resort was the place to stop, relax, have a meal, and enjoy the entertainment

The club was burnt to the ground in 1962 after struggling to compete with the rise of Las Vegas

'He gave jobs to people down on their luck and brought major amenities to the town of Searchlight, Nevada, rivaling nearby Las Vegas for tourism and gaming dollars.

'When the town lost their only phone lines he utilised carrier pigeons to communicate with the outside world, as well as embarrass Clark County into running new phone lines to the town. He was quite a character.' 

Unfortunately his efforts to transform Searchlight into a resort city were doomed by the rapid rise of Las Vegas.

If it hadn't been for the growth in nearby Sin City, author Martello believes Willie would be cemented in the annals of gambling history.  

He wrote: 'Willie Martello should easily be as famous as Howard Hughes or Steve Wynn is today thank to all of the innovations and ideas he brought to the Las Vegas gambling industry. Yet few know his name. It was my intention to change that.'

Willie's poodles, Peppi and Pierre, perch on the seats surrounding the roulette tables inside the casino 

A woman named Estelle stands in front of the casino's coffee and gift shop 

Willie and another unnamed man are seen discussing plans for a runway that operated at the casino 

Martello pictured next to a stylish car in the days when he owned the casino in Searchlight

Searchlight, Nevada, was a ghost town until Willie Martello opened the casino 

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