Yerington Monday: Dini’s Lucky Club

Yerington Monday:  Dini’s Lucky Club

Joe Dini had a soft drink parlor in the old mining town of Bodie, California.  Joe left Bodie when most of the town was burned down by a toddler playing with matches.  In 1933, Joe went to Yerington, Nevada and opened the Wooden Shoe Club in the middle of downtown.  Soon after opening, the name of the club was changed to Joe Dini’s Lucky Club, which was licensed for gambling in December 1933.

Joe Dini, Sr. sitting at his casino bar. Dini's Lucky Club, Yerington, Nevada, 1933.

in 1938 Joe bought the Bank Bar building that was at 45 N. Main Street and moved his Lucky Club to the new location.

Dini's Lucky Club is the oldest continuously ran family-owned casino in Nevada and has been a part of Main Street, Yerington since Joe Dini Sr. was licensed after prohibition ended.

Early Joe Dini’s Lucky Club 1950’s?

Early Joe Dini’s Bar

Early Joe Dini’s Lucky Club 1940’s?  Dini's Lucky Club is the oldest continuously ran family-owned casino in Nevada and has been a part of Main Street, Yerington since Joe Dini Sr. was licensed after prohibition ended.

Joe Jr. had gone away to college but he returned in 1952 to help the family, because his father was ill.  In 1980 he bought the Lucky Club business from his father, and then in 1965 he purchased the property from his parents.  Eventually, Joe Jr. bought the building on either side of the Lucky Club, which allowed the club to expand.  The Club is still operating, and is still in the Dini family.

If you go to the Lucky Club, be sure to ask about the floor.  You see, in 1911 a new floor was put into the building.  No big deal...right?  BUT...one of the people who helped to lay the new floor was future heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey.  The same floor is still there, under the carpet.

William Harrison "Jack" Dempsey (June 24, 1895 – May 31, 1983), also known as "Kid Blackie" and "The Manassa Mauler", was an American professional boxer, who became a cultural icon of the 1920's. Dempsey held the World Heavyweight Championship from 1919 to 1926, and his aggressive style and exceptional punching power made him one of the most popular boxers in history. Many of his fights set financial and attendance records, including the first million-dollar gate. Listed at #10 on The Ring's list of all-time heavyweights and #7 among its Top 100 Greatest Punchers, in 1950 the Associated Press voted Dempsey as the greatest fighter of the past 50 years. Dempsey is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, and was inducted into The Ring magazine's Boxing Hall of Fame in 1951.

Guiseppe "Joe" Dini Sr.,  (Mar. 22, 1896, Chiatri Provincia di Lucca, Toscana, Italy - Dec. 16, 1977, Yerington, Lyon County, Nevada)  Son of Pellegrini and Maria Pasqua Adelaide (Donatelli) Dini  

Reno Evening Gazette

December 17, 1977

YERINGTON - Guiseppe "Joe" Dini Sr., 81, died Friday following a lengthy illness.

He is the father of Nevada Assembly Speaker Joseph Dini, also of Yerington.

Dini was born in Chiatri, Lucca, Italy, on Nevada in 1913, where he worked in mines and ranched for several years before operating a Yerington casino.

Survivors, in addition to his son, include his widow, Elvira Dini of Yerington; one other son, Jerry Dini of Tucson, AZ; one sister, Mrs. Manuel Grulli of Yerington; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces.

Rosary will be at 7:30 p.m. Sunday with Mass at 10 a.m. Monday, both in the Holy Family Church of Yerington

Dini's was founded in downtown Yerington 1933 as the Wooden Shoe Club by Giuseppe "Joe" Dini Sr., in 1938 it moved and was renamed "Joe Dini's lucky club". In 1960 the business was purchased by Joe Dini Jr., Giuseppe's son, who would later become the longest serving member in Nevada State Assembly history. Following a series of expansions and acquisitions of buildings adjacent to the existing property, Dini's has expanded to include a main casino, restaurant, and bar & lounge.

Elvira Dini (Sep. 3, 1901, Parezzana, Provincia di Lucca, Toscana, Italy - Mar. 19, 1985
Yerington, Lyon County, Nevada, USA) Daughter of Alemanno Castellani and Angelina (Turbatti) Castellani.   Arrived in the U.S. 1920, age 19.  Married Guiseppe "Joe" Dini, Sr. in 1921.  Children: Joseph, Jr., Leroy and Jerry.

Starting as a casino/saloon, Elvira (Joe's wife) served roast beef sandwiches on Sunday afternoons, and to today they have a restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week. They also have Giuseppe's Steak House which is open for fine dining on Friday and Saturday evenings, as well as some holidays.

Saturday Night Seafood and Baron of Beef Buffet. Crab Legs, Fried Shrimp, Slow Roasted Roast Beef, Clams, Fish, Ribs, and much more.

Joe Dini's Lucky Club on Main Street as one of the finer dinner houses in rural Nevada. Giuseppe's is open Friday and Saturday nights and it's the pride of the Dini family. George, the proprietor, greets guests personally and the atmosphere is elegant, comfortable and private. The staff is well trained and courteous. The menu offers steaks, seafood, and pasta, and dinners include antipasti, soup or salad, warm sourdough bread and choices of desserts. They have an excellent wine list and prices are rural Nevada reasonable.

In The Cellar Lounge, you'll find a good supply of high quality beer, liquor, and wine and pizzas made-to-order. While you're here, you can watch the game on any of our six HDTVs, with events for big games such as the Super bowl. Additionally, they have a William Hill's Race and Sports Book for those who like to put a little money on the line. Dini’s has grown and expanded to continue to meet your needs in the last 79 years. During their expanding projects, they have restored the old store fronts which existed in downtown Yerington when the first generation of Dinis began serving the area.

Dini's is now owned by Joe Jr.'s two sons George and Jay.  The fourth generation of Dinis is starting to take the reins and promises to keep the same integrity of Dini's Lucky Club that their great-grandfather started in October of 1933.

The Oldest Family Owned Casino In Nevada - Established In 1933

Dini's Lucky Club started in 1933 with a couple of slot machine. There has been Poker, Roulette, Craps and 21 tables. Keno and Bingo were also popular. Today with poker appealing to many people, we have now opened the DLC Poker Room.

$ 1.00 Token from the Dinis Lucky Club Casino 1968 (front side)

$ 1.00 Token from the Dinis Lucky Club Casino 1968 (back side)

Joe Dini's Lucky Club Keg 'N Kandle Lounge Yerington Nevada Unused Matchbook

3 1/4" Clear Glass Ashtray "Joe Dini's Lucky Club, Yerington, Nev., Bar - Gaming"