Shocking news: I’m publicizing a book signing and for once it’s not one of my own. I’ve helped to bring in a very astute author on gaming, Burt Dragin, to read from his book Six to Five Against (which I’ve reviewed here) and talk about it. Here’s the press release: WHAT: Burt Dragin, author of […]
6 to 5 Against signing Read More »
what's newThis fall Microsoft is going to apparently release a new device called Surface that will change computing. Interesting, but there’s a casino angle too. From MSNBC: The radical new approach starts with the guts of the device itself. Under the impact-resistant plastic top skin on an otherwise nondescript table hide five infrared scanners, a projector
There’s a nice interview in the LV Sun with Gamal Aziz of MGM Mirage: The latest annual report for MGM Mirage forgoes descriptions of casino floors in favor of haute cuisine, stage performances and museum pieces. And lest there be any remaining doubt about a new direction of the company, “Transformation” is printed boldly on
Non-gaming at MGM Mirage Read More »
news about gamblingI’m going to be on several Canadian radio stations–CBC affiliates I think–this afternoon, talking about a recent casino cheating case. These are the times (Pacific) and cities, with the names of the hosts, too. 12.50 HALIFAX Carmen Klassen – Host 1.00 CALGARY Jeff Collins – Host 1.10 TORONTO Matt Galloway – Host 1.20 THUNDER BAY
News alert: Canada radio Read More »
what's newIf you want to run the Las Vegas Marathon or Half-Marathon this year and are looking for a way to get in shape (long) before the December 2 race, you should wake up early this Sunday and head down to the 215 and Stephanie for the first Roadrunner’s training run. From their website: Who: You
LV Marathon training starts Read More »
life in vegas, what's newYou’d think that a used bed would be about the last thing you’d want to buy from a failed casino, but you’d be wrong: Atlantic City’s erstwhile Sands has sold 950 of them. From the Press: Every single bed — about 800 double beds and 150 king-size beds — from the Sands’ 500-room hotel tower
Take a casino bed home! Read More »
atlantic cityThe huge news over the past 24 hours (as of 2 p.m.) is Kirk Kerkorian’s apparent big to buy the Bellagio and CityCenter from MGM Mirage. Here’s a NYT take: What is Kirk Kerkorian up to now? That is what industry observers, analysts and DealBook were left wondering after the 89-year-old billionaire financier said that
Kerkorian & MGM: big questions Read More »
life in vegas, news about gamblingAmong Trump properties, it is–it’s about three times the casino as the Marina and Plaza. From the AC Press: Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino or Trump Marina Hotel Casino, or both, probably would be demolished and redeveloped if the proposed sale of Trump Entertainment Resorts Inc. is completed, they say. “Most comments heard from other
The host of this clip, Arthur Thomas, emailed it to me, saying that his grandkids had persuaded him to upload it to YouTube so that he could “be a cool dude.” I think he succeeded: YouTube – 1978 BEARDEBEAR Music Cool Slot Machines Secret Video The music starts out very Mitchell-esque, then quiets down a
70s slots with music to match Read More »
gambling & cultureInstant racing’s been around since 2000, but it’s become a hot topic recently. With some states holding the line against slot machines, could these terminals allow tracks to become backdoor racinos? From the
Instant racing or slots in disguise? Read More »
news about gamblingThe long-rumored sale of the New Frontier to the Elad group has apparently gone through. Translation: the Frontier’s days are numbered, so if you want to ride the bull at Gilley’s, start making plans now. From the press release: New York-based Elad Group, owner of the iconic Plaza Hotel, has purchased the last available prime
New Frontier to New Plaza? Read More »
news about gamblingHarrah’s is getting back into the Gulf Coast with a brand new casino: Margaritaville. From the Houston Chronicle: Casino giant Harrah’s Entertainment Inc. said Tuesday it planned to open a Margaritaville Casino & Resort in Biloxi, Miss., with songwriter Jimmy Buffett, which it said would be the largest development in Mississippi since Hurricane Katrina hit
Parrothead Paradise Read More »
news about gamblingFirst off, a mammoth hurrah to the AP’s Wayne Parry. An Eliot reference in the first line of a story about gaming revenue? Classic. Sure, anything in April is a bit obvious for Eliot, but I’ll take what I can get. If you don’t like poetry, you can skip ahead a bit for some juicy
Fear death by decreased revenue Read More »
atlantic cityAnd it’s still absolutely free! You’ve got to nothing to lose, so download it today: Winslow’s 11 Guide: Las Vegas 2007 This is the only guide to Las Vegas to reference both Blue Velvet and Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. Does that pique your curiosity?
LV guide STILL out! Read More »
life in vegas, what's new, writingIf you haven’t read enough about Las Vegas, today is your day: I’ve posted my quick but (hopefully) useful travel guide to this site. It’s written under my pen name Will Winslow. Read this clip for the details: In addition to writing fine books and articles on gambling history, opinion, and current issues, Dr. Schwartz
New Vegas guide out NOW! Read More »
life in vegas, writingI was just given a copy of the minutes of a meeting that a researcher found in UNLV’s University Archives. I’ll let you read the funny part: Meeting of the Biology Faculty October 9, 1968 MINUTES Meeting called to order at 10:05 AM. Members present: Murvosh, Deacon, Niles, Yousef, Austin, and Storm. Babero arrived late
Pinnacle Entertainment had its first quarter conference call today, and CEO Daniel Lee had some interesting thoughts on Atlantic City. I don’t usually do this, but here are some excerpts from the transcript by Bloomberg: Well, we’ve been consistently saying we expect to build something on the same order of magnitude as the first phase
Over the weekend, Suni and I made a trek up and down the Las Vegas Strip. Of course, I took a few pictures of new carpets at the MGM Grand, Flamingo, and Harrah’s, as well as Planet Hollywood. See them all here: Die is Cast casino carpet gallery 1 In the meantime, here’s a teaser:
New Strip carpets added Read More »
life in vegas, what's newI’m sure when most people heard that a bomb went off in the Luxor’s parking garage at 4 this morning, they at least considered the possibility that it might have been a terrorist scheme gone awry. But apparently it was “just” a “homicide with an unusual weapon.” From Breitbart: A device left in a casino
Luxor explosion not terrorism, cops say Read More »
life in vegasNevada Representative Shelly Berkley has introduced a bill to study, not ban, online gambling. From the LVRJ: In another effort to roll back an Internet gambling ban, Rep. Shelley Berkley on Thursday introduced a bill calling for a one-year study of online wagering by the National Academy of Sciences. “One of the advantages of this
Berkley to the rescue? Read More »
gambling & culture