Jim,
Let me ask you a few questions. What casino was the first one purchased by Howard Hughes? Isn't it true Maheu was long gone when Hughes started his "string" of Nevada casino purchases? The Sands Hotel and Casino was what number purchased in the sting of purchases? How come the Sands' chips are the ONLY chips of a Hughes casino that have the letters H.N.O.? I like Bob Maheu but after Hughes moved in at the top of the DI, Maheu was no longer a "player" in Hughes Nevada Operations. Since I lived this time and was involved with Vern Olsen (The individual who kept Hughes private check book)who was second in command at Summa Corporation after Lummis took control; along with Don Green who was head of the tax department does not make me an authority but it certainly entitles me to comment from a better perspective than most.I don't know what H.N.O stands for; but it is my opinion it is not Hughes Nevada Operations. The term and concept does not fit within the time period involving all the hotel casinos purchased by Summa Corporation and Hughes individually.
Jim