New Vegas Strip The New Vegas Strip , officially the Free Economic Zone of New Vegas , is a in the Mojave Wasteland . Background . Founded on May 15 , 1905 , Las Vegas was a golden jewel in Nevada and the entire Southwest Commonwealth . Las Vegas ' s main strip and surrounding areas were saved from complete destruction thanks to Mr . House ' s foresight in preparing for eventual worldwide war . As the Great War started , Mr . House used his considerable genius and wealth to ensure that most of the missiles would miss the city of Las Vegas with the use of his surface - to - air long range missiles and long - range laser turrets on the roof of his Lucky 38 casino . Though a few warheads did manage to get through these defenses , a good portion of the main city and strip were spared from nuclear destruction . For some years , the Strip was run by tribal familes , until , in 2274 , Mr . House sent out PDQ - 88b securitron scouts to negotiate with them using his considerable resources , up to and including threats of violence . Mr . House ' s stockpiles could be used for or against the tribals in exchange for their help . Some of the tribes resisted , but three of the largest and most powerful tribes eventually gained Mr . House ' s favor . They became the Omertas , the Chairmen , and the White Glove Society . These tribes began running the Gomorrah , Tops and Ultra - Luxe casinos respectively , shortly after House discovered the New California Republic exploring the Mojave . The rest were either evacuated into Freeside or promptly killed . Because Mr . House was dedicated to restoring the Strip , he insisted on transforming the tribes into families with cultures that hearkened back to Vegas ' glory days . In the process of rebuilding the Strip , Mr . House won control over the residents of Vault 21 after a gambling match with the vault ' s best players . After they evacuated , House had the vault stripped of useful technology , most of its actual volume filled with concrete , and the entrance turned into a gift shop with the lower levels remaining converted into a small hotel . While the families were rebuilding the casinos , the rest of the locals were hard at work erecting an enormous wall around the Strip . When NCR traders and explorers arrived on the scene , they were amazed at the Strip and returned back to California with tales of opulence and great wealth awaiting travelers . Eventually , when the NCR military itself arrived , they were surprised to find the Strip so well - protected and heavily policed . Though they struck a deal with Mr . House to establish a base in the area ( along with control of Hoover Dam ) the NCR has never had control of the Strip . After the First Battle of Hoover Dam the NCR negotiated to allow for a military police presence on the Strip , but their influence still remains small . Though the tribes that became the Strip ' s families were once hatefully opposed to each other , the demands of Mr . House have forced the families to play nice . They continue to hold long - standing grudges , but do not act openly against each other for fear of angering Mr . House . Layout . The Strip is the heart of New Vegas . When entering through the Strip North Gate , Gomorrah is to the right and the Lucky 38 is to the left . Further down the street is a gate to another area of the strip , which leads to The Tops casino , the Ultra - Luxe and the Camp McCarran monorail . Beyond that through a third gate is Vault 21 , Michael Angelo ' s workshop , and the NCR Embassy . Entering the Strip . The entrance to the Strip is guarded by several securitron s , therefore preventing the Courier from walking right into it . There are 7 possible ways to gain entrance : Appearances . The New Vegas Strip appears only in " " .