By 1970, tourism had become Nevada's largest industry. In 1975, gaming revenues topped $1 billion annually and nearly 50 percent of Nevada's budget was supported by gaming-based tax revenue.

As decades before, the 1970s saw huge growth in hotel-casino development throughout the state. Household property names including MGM Grand (now Bally's), Imperial Palace, Barbary Coast and Eldorado (Reno) all opened.

In 1972, Harrah's Entertainment took advantage of the 1967 law allowing public companies to own casino operations and became the first gaming company to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

The Nevada State Legislature established specific criteria for inclusion in The Black Book and lowered the sports betting tax allowing for the proliferation of legalized Nevada-based sports books.

By the end of the decade Nevada had become the fastest growing state in the nation and increased gaming revenues by 150 percent.