Owned by Al Wertheimer, who was a member of the Purple Gang in Detroit. It was considered to be the most opulent illegal casino in Riverside county, and attracted celebrities from Los Angeles. It was raided several times, but after each raid it was only closed briefly. It burned down under mysterious circumstances in 1943.
The United States Playing Card Co. sold 2000 of these chips to the B. C. Wills Co. (a gambling supply company), Detroit, Michigan, on 7/7/33. The USPC Co. sold an additional 2000 chips on 9/10/1938.
Photo of the Dunes Club, 1930s (Courtesy of the Palm Springs Historical Society). |