Agosto was born Vincenzo Pianetti in 1927. He assumed the name of Joseph Vincent Agosto after he immigrated to the U.S. Agosto came to Las Vegas by way of Seattle. He got into the Tropicana Hotel and Casino by assuming the title of manager of the Follies Bergere show. He was an employee of the production company, not the hotel. Agosto soon had a voice in the Tropicana's management and operations. Agosto maintained regular contact with Carl DeLuna for guidance and to report on his progress of setting up a skimming operation.