Tony Stralla (aka Tony Cornero) operated 4 boats outside Santa Monica: the Rex, the Tango, the Showboat and the Texas in the 1930s. In 1939 AG Earl Warren (later Chief Justice) shut down the operation.

Tony tried again in 1946 with the Lux. The Feds seized the boat after 10 days.

In Vegas Tony had an interest in the Meadows and later on in the Stardust.