William Redd, also known as Si Redd (1911–2003) was an American businessman and philanthropist. He was the founder of International Game Technology, a slot machine manufacturer and distributor. He was the owner of the Oasis, a hotel and casino in Mesquite, Nevada. He was the rightsholder of video poker, and he became known as the "king of slot machines".[1]
Redd developed Pride of Mississippi, a gaming boat off the coast of Mississippi on the Gulf of Mexico,[1] but it went bankrupt and he lost US$20 million in it.[2] He was the owner of Oasis, a hotel and casino in Mesquite, Nevada, from 1976 to 2001.[4] He sold it for US$31 million.[2] Meanwhile, he founded the Mesquite Vistas Land Development Co. and the Oasis Golf Course.[1]
Redd made charitable contributions to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas,[2] where he was a member of the UNLV Gift Club Palladium Society.[1] Moreover, the Si Redd Room and the Redd Vision video screen scoreboard at the Thomas & Mack Center are named in his honor.[1] He received the Chin's Humanitarian of the Year Award from the Muscular Dystrophy Association in 2001.[4]
Redd founded the Las Vegas International Cultural Trade Center and Wild Animal Conservancy.[4] He donated US$150,000 to Problem Gambling Consultants, a non-profit organization for gambling addicts.[1]
Personal life, death and legacy
Redd was married three times. His first wife, Ivy Lee, died in 1974.[2] His second wife, Marilyn, died in 1996.[2] His third wife, Tamara, outlived him.[2] He had two daughters, Vinnie Copeland and Sherry Green.[2] He resided in Las Vegas, Nevada, and summered in Solana Beach, California.[1][2] He was a member of the Las Vegas Country Club.[4]
Redd died on October 14, 2003, in Solana Beach, California.[2][5] He was 91 years old.[2][5] His funeral was held at the Palm Mortuary in Las Vegas, Nevada.[1]
