We’ve known for a while that the legendary Gambler’s Book Club is for sale. So why isn’t anyone buying? John L. Smith of the LVRJ wonders about that, too: Picture Woody Allen’s cousin finally selling his business and taking a Caribbean cruise. He books his passage, locates a chaise lounge and applies copious amounts of […]
Will someone buy the GBC? Read More »
life in vegasHey, I didn’t say it: the VegasTripping.com editors did. Roll the Bones won the Editor’s Choice 2006 Trippie Award for Best Book. Here’s what they had to say about it: Modern gambling has evolved into a set of experiences that are defined by legalized numbers rackets (lotto/scratchers), casino gambling, and race betting. ‘Roll The Bones’
The best book in Vegas Read More »
writingWith two of the world’s biggest casinos in Connecticut, slot parlors opening in Pennsylvania, and more gambling likely in New York and Maryland, Atlantic City really needs something besides blackjack and slots to attract gamblers. For years, I’ve said that sports betting would be a natural. Unfortunately, Congress doesn’t think so, but at last–thanks to
Sports betting coming to AC? Read More »
atlantic cityThe Sands casino hotel closed in Atlantic City about 5 weeks ago. What, you may wonder, happens to a company’s philanthropic projects when it folds? In this case, another casino steps in to pick up the slack. From the AC Press: There was plenty to cheer about Tuesday afternoon as residents of the Eastern Pines
Borgata picks up after Sands Read More »
atlantic cityRussia’s casino industry has seen explosive growth in the past few years, but things are changing. From the Miami Herald: Garish or goofy or grim, Russia’s casinos and slot-machine halls are some of the most vivid testimony to communism’s collapse. But, under legislation approved Wednesday by Russia’s lower house of parliament, the $6 billion industry
Russian casinos iced Read More »
news about gamblingIt’s a bad day for Donald Trump and Penguins fans, but a good day for some others: the Pennsylvania Gaming Board has chosen the winners for the two-years slot license derby in that state. From the Inquirer: South Philadelphia and the Fishtown area to the north will play host to the city’s two slots casinos.
Foxwoods and SugarHouse in Philly Read More »
news about gamblingIf a major casino lobbying group has its say, the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act will go into effect as it was passed. That’s the big news today–that the NRA (note: they don’t care about the 2nd amendment) is on the side of the anti-smokers. From the LVRJ: As they head back into court today,
Casinos join smoking ban fight Read More »
life in vegasIt’s a great day if you own a lot of Harrah’s stock–especially if you bought it back in 1998, when it was trading at around $20 a share. The company has reportedly accepted a buyout offer. This breaking news comes from the IHT: Harrah’s Entertainment Inc., the world’s largest casino company, has agreed to a
Harrah’s accepts buyout Read More »
news about gamblingThere was a good piece on the coming of slot casinos to Philadelphia in USA Today: Visitors come here to see just one bell — the Liberty Bell. Soon they’ll be looking for a row of them — on a slot machine. Pennsylvania’s 2-year-old state gaming board is to award licenses Wednesday for two slot
Spinning reels in Philly Read More »
news about gamblingThe Casino Windsor–which is about as perfect a name for a government-owned casino as I can imagine–will become Caesars Windsor in a little over a year. Read the details from the Free Press: Hello Caesars Windsor. The gambling palace announced today that it will change its name in early 2008, upping the ante in its
Togas in the Great White North Read More »
news about gamblingDo you want to know the future? Well, thanks to the Spectrum Gaming Group, you can–kind of. Actually, these are trends that are happening right now but will be important to the gaming industry’s growth in 2007. So it’s not crystal ball gazing, but reasoned analysis. From Spectrum Gaming Group: Spectrum Gaming Group, a widely
21 trends for next year Read More »
news about gamblingThe biggest news today might be the lack of news about the Harrah’s Entertainment LBO. From the LVRJ: A meeting that no one will confirm is taking place could determine the direction of the gaming industry’s largest casino operator. Almost 10 weeks after two private equity groups bid more than $15 billion to take Harrah’s
Harrah’s up for grabs? Read More »
atlantic city, life in vegas, news about gamblingNo big news today, besides the big fire on Tropicana that seems to be under control (my office window has an unobstructed view), so here’s another marathon story from the LV Sun: It was 6:15 a.m. Sunday, and by then the New Las Vegas Marathon, which is actually the semi-new Las Vegas Marathon, considering this
More marathon (plus, bookselling at the Bellagio buffet) Read More »
life in vegasThe New Las Vegas Marathon went off yesterday, and it was quite an experience. From the LVRJ: The gang of a couple dozen Elvises hit mile five, and a few of them decided to hydrate — with cold cans of beer that they had gamely pushed along in a stroller. “It’s light beer,” said 57-year-old
Race for the kitsch? Read More »
life in vegasI don’t have much time today–I’m off to Mandalay Bay for the LV Marathon expo–but this is newsworthy: Singapore awarded its second casino resort contract Friday to Genting International, whose proposal of a venture worth 5.2 billion Singapore dollars is intended to lure thousands of visitors with a Universal Studios theme park and a huge
Sentosa casino set Read More »
news about gamblingThis is a big story–the Seminole Tribe has bought Hard Rock (but not the Vegas casino). From the AP: The Seminole Tribe of Florida said Thursday it was buying the famed Hard Rock business, including its casinos, restaurants, hotels and huge collection of rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia, in a groundbreaking $965 million deal with a
The new (boneless) buffalo Read More »
news about gamblingI recently recorded an interview with Dr. Alvin Augustus Jones, whose radio show is billed as “”Where World Leaders And Thinkers Come To Chat.” It was one of my best interviews yet–Dr. Jones asked some excellent questions that not only let me talk about the book, but made me think about gambling, history, and politics
Interview on Dr. Alvin Jones Show Read More »
what's newThe other night, Suni and I watched a movie that neither of us had heard about called Love, Ludlow. It was between that and a few other things Tivo had decided we might like, and based on the description, we decided to give it a shot: Myra Smuldanski has done the unthinkable. After years of
Movie Review: Love, Ludlow Read More »
book reviewsPachinko is a major Japanese industry, earning about $300 billion a year–about six times what all American casinos make. But, despite hard proof to the contrary, some are limiting their play, fearful that some pachinko profits end up in the coffers of North Korea’s dictator Kim Jong Il. From the Mainichi Daily News: Gambling at
Pachinko funds N. Korean nukes? Read More »
gambling & cultureYesteday, Iowa governor Tom Vlisack announced his candidacy for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination. Anyone who was reading back in my Casino [ptz] days then will remember the controversy that Vilsack’s wife unleashed when she accused South Jerseyeans of talking like fish: “The only way I can speak like residents of New Jersey and eastern
Fish-talking (potential) first lady Read More »
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