Saratoga Springs, N.Y., 1867: Gentlemen, it is going to be magnificent. The finest casino in the world. A mansion, almost a palace, modeled on the great casinos of Europe. The high-stakes gambling room will attract the rich, the famous, the glamorous: Cornelius Vanderbilt, John D. Rockefeller, Ulysses S. Grant, Mark Twain. Along with gambling, the casino will be a centerpiece for glittering entertainment. Leading actors and singers will come and perform. There will be a convention center, catering to political parties and business groups. New hotels will be built, including the biggest hotel in the world. Fabulous shopping and restaurants, too.