Lotteries have been put to many uses over the millennia. In Ancient Rome, for example, the Vestal Virgins were chosen by lottery, as were several government posts. (All this, by the way, is in Roll the Bones) And, of course, plenty of states and nations use lotteries to get revenues. But the Georgetown Hoya has […]
A different kind of lottery Read More »
gambling & cultureOne of the challenges of being an academic who’s asked to comment on history for the media is being able to share my ideas about history in a way that is accessible to all. The articles I write for the Business Press, for example, have a different tone than purely scholarly articles that I write.
For some reason, I get a “CityAtlantic” email newsletter. Usually, it’s just a bunch of shilling for whatever big events are coming up, but this issue has a real gem: an unsigned manifesto about one man’s aborted journey to greatness. From CityAtlantic.com: Being overweight comes with a lot of baggage… and I’m not just talking
Anyone from Atlantic City knows why that’s a funny title–or at least they should. In any event, there will be an epic buffet unfolding at the Las Vegas Hilton in two weeks. From the Hilton Hot Sheet: Alka-Seltzer, in celebration of its 75th anniversary makes an attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the
Last night and today I’ve been deluged with comment spam. As a result, if you don’t already have a comment posted, your comment will only be posted after I approve it. If you have already commented, you can see your comments instantaneously. Over at gaming.unlv.edu, I’ve got my hands full. The relaunch isn’t exactly going
Two websites, two problems Read More »
what's newThere is an interesting debate in American Interest between Francis Fukayama and Bernard-Henri Levy “over American virtues and vices, neoconservatives, religion, the future of American muscular internationalism, and the role of intellectuals in a free society.” Interesting, it starts in Las Vegas but, as the title suggests, goes pretty far afield. In this first couple
Vegas and the End of History Read More »
life in vegasA while ago, I got an email from someone who had a site (or at least a page) dedicated to the famous Boardwalk Cats. But, like so much else, the page was writ in water–I checked my link yesterday and saw it was down. Bummer. Looking for more information on the Boardwalk Cats online, I
Science is great. You have an idea, you write for a grant, and then you get to test the idea. Sometimes, you get a big breakthrough. Other times, people misrepresent your conclusions. Take, for example, this story, which suggests that running alone is hazardous to your health. From Forbes: Many runners contend that jogging alone
Running alone is bad? Read More »
haphazard worldBetween working on Roll the Bones, writing four articles a month, and doing all sorts of other peer review things (plus living in Las Vegas), I’ve really had my fill of gambling. So yesterday I decided a little vacation of sorts was in order. Of course, I’m not about to quit my job (which I
Gambling-free week Read More »
what's newCourtesy of Sue Schneider of the River City Group, here’s an update on the attempt to ban Internet gambling proposed in the US Congress: Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., who has been trying to ban online wagering for about 10 years, had planned to introduce an online gambling prohibition amendment today by attaching it to S2349
Update on net gambling ban Read More »
gambling & cultureI never watch those red carpet shows where someone critiques what people are wearing at various awards shows, but I’ve gathered that they just make all kinds of catty comments and allow people sitting at home shoveling down Ben and Jerry’s ice cream feel aestetichally superior to professional actressses with teams of designers, hair, and
I spend most of my time researching and interpreting the past. I think this has some relevance for us today, and it interesting on its own merits as well. But I usually get asked to prognosticate about the future: where will Las Vegas be in fifty years, which new casino will be most successful, etc,
I got an email from Professor Rohan Miller of the University of Sydney asking for my help in publicizing a study he is doing on Internet gaming. Here’s how you can help advance our knowledge about this growing phenomenon: If you have ever contemplated making or have made any financial transactions over the Internet, your
Internet gaming study needs your help Read More »
what's newAuto racing is the big thing in Las Vegas this week, so I thought that people might appreciate this item from Sports Illustrated about the fact and fantasy of betting on NASCAR. For example… Most Nevada gambling establishments will offer a variety of wagers. While this includes action on events such as “most laps led,”
For me, taking pictures of casino carpet and posting them on this site has been a mixed blessing. On one hand, I’ve gotten to share something I find oddly humorous with thousands of people I’ve never met. On the other, I keep getting calls from people who want to actually buy the carpet. (I wonder
White house carpet obsession Read More »
haphazard worldAs proof that Las Vegas really has a unique place in the American landscape, the city and a few of its most famous stage legends popped up in a story about artist Thomas Kinkaide, who apparently likes to have a few belts, disparage stage magicians and “mark his territory.” From the LA Times: Dandois, who
Painter of Light vs. Masters of the Impossible Read More »
life in vegasI always used to wonder about the Riddler. If he was such a criminal mastermind, why did he always give Commissioner Gordon or Batman and Robin clues to catch him. Wouldn’t he have been more successful if he just tried to pull off his capers quietly? But I recently read that the Riddler actually suffers
A Bank-Robbing Problem, too Read More »
atlantic cityThe Harrah’s eNewsletter is always a font of information, some of it quite useful. The latest one, for example, let us know that we can now register for the 2006 World Series of Poker, and suggests that by doing so our names will ring through the halls of history along with those of Alexander the
Is “dead money” considered history? Read More »
gambling & cultureInternet gambling is getting bigger and bigger. The NCAA, for example, has learned that, shockingly, people are using the phrase “March Madness” to promote betting on its championship tournament. And the organization is piping hot mad: it’s issued cease and desist orders. To protect Americans from online gambling, two Congressmen have re-introduced the Internet Gambling
What will it take? Read More »
news about gamblingI’m doing a quick hit today because I’ve been totally pre-occupied with getting http://gaming.unlv.edu ready for the big relaunch. But this story was hard to pass up. Check out the intro from the Philly Daily News: KNOW IT’S wrong, but I feel for the lunks who got busted for operating that illegal Port Richmond casino.
Illegal gambling and…parking? Read More »
news about gambling