Sorry if you’ve been having trouble with the site. Boingboing.net featured the carpet gallery and the ensuing rush of visitors exceeded my bandwidth. Thanks to Rus at VAserv, I’ve got more bandwidth and am back on track. I’ve gotten so many emails from people interested in this that I’m seriously thinking about doing more work […]
Those of you who are familiar with urban history and crime history should know the name of Eric Monkkonen, who was a giant in the field. He was also my dissertation committee chair, and someone without whom I wouldn’t have gotten my degree. he recently passed away, and I think that this obituary sums up
Eastern Tennessee cockfighters received a shock when a recent cocking main was raided by over 100 state and federal police. Cockfighting might not be as popular as it was back in the 18th century, but it is definitely going strong in Eastern Tennessee.
Bad days for cockfighters Read More »
gambling & cultureTransitioning a property from a name its had for over fifty years is never easy. When Harrah’s bought the Horseshoe name and brand from the downtown Binion’s Horseshoe casino, the actual property was left with an identity crisis: it was always the Horseshoe first and Binion’s second. They’ve changed the sign and relaunched the website,
The great thing about people is that they can justify virtually anything to themselves. To hype a show called “Casino Takedown,” a con artist and casino cheat rationalizes his career by saying it’s not really stealing. Really?
The dark side of con artistry Read More »
gambling & culture, life in vegasJust because you shuffle off your mortal coil doesn’t mean you have to stop gambling. For that matter, it’s got a distinct advantage: you don’t have to pay off your markers. Of course, you can’t really collect your winnings, either, but the thrill of getting action down is really the important thing, isn’t it?
Betting from beyond the grave Read More »
gambling & culture, haphazard worldI like anthropomorphic animals as much as anyone. In fact, it was this image, and this image alone, that turned me on to this article: So has medicine in China really gone to the dogs? Read on and find out.
Don’t eat your friends? Read More »
haphazard worldMost people associate Macau with gambling, but according to the Rugged Elegance Inspiration Network, you can get some nice clothes made there, too.
Macau: More than just gambling Read More »
news about gamblingPeople sometimes call me a casino expert, and I usually disavow any claim to the title, partially out of modesty, and partially because that would put me into some pretty shady company. Case in point: Richard Ellison, who just pled guilty to kidnapping two octogenerians, one of whom was his mother.
Another week, another email from “Al Absecon,” who’s still on his “one man quest” to have the statue of Lenin outside the AC Tropicana’s Red Square restaurant removed. Here it is, in its entirety, minus the obligatory Lenin photo:
Take down that (casino eatery) Read More »
atlantic cityVegas marketing is so pernicious that even denizens of New Jersey, which boasts the casino capital of the East, Atlantic City, prefer flying to the desert to driving “down the shore.” But the guy in charge of marketing AC says that’s no problem.
Garden State loves Vegas? Read More »
life in vegasI haven’t updated for a week because I’ve been busy with several projects at work, which I’ll be happy to announce as they become official, and completing the renovations and repair on my new old house. In other news, I’m officially the Director of the Center for Gaming Research now. I don’t have a new
Good writing can transform an otherwise blah piece about industry consolidation into something that is actually enjoyable to read. Witness a recent account of a gaming conference from the AP’s Adam Goldman, long a favorite here:
Digesting the Strip Read More »
life in vegasIt used to be that “sleeping with the fishes” meant that you had permanently cashed in your chips. But a planned Macau casino will let people gamble in an underwater gambling hall.
Underwater gambling Read More »
news about gamblingAs you may have heard, Dennis Gomes, described as the “gimmick king of Atlantic City” (his official title is president of resort operations for Aztar, which owns AC’s Tropicana) is leaving Aztar a bit early. One of my readers seized on this newsbit to send me an interesting email….
Casino communism in AC? Read More »
atlantic cityAs a historian of gambling, I always take issue with the assumption that casinos are somehow antitechtical to history or historic places. They are, of course, part of the flow of history. But the “Gambling vs. History” banner is being unfurled for an epic fight to prevent the slots from spinning near the hallowed ground
Gambling and history collide! Read More »
gambling & cultureIs there a drug that can turn you into a compulsive gambler? A group of Canadian Parkinson’s patients says yes, and have filed a class action lawsuit against the drugmaker.
Compulsive gambling drug? Read More »
UncategorizedYou’ve got to love an editor at the Las Vegas Sun making it sound like the Keystone State is banking on more people’s lives to be ruined by problem gambling: Pennsylvania plans for more gambling addicts.
Another great headline Read More »
news about gamblingPeople always complain when old casinos get imploded, but thi truly is the end of an era: the Del Mar motel has had its license revoked. Why, you may ask? Because, in the words of the deputy city attorney, it is a “whorehouse.” This story must be seen to be believed. This is another one
What’s wrong with being sexy? Read More »
life in vegasIf you’ll be watching CNBC at 4:12 Eastern today, you’ll see me getting interviewed about Kirk Kerkorian. The MGM Mirage’s biggest owner is in the news because he is buying a big chunk of GM stock. You can see me talk confidently about Kerkorian’s role in Las Vegas and gaming history, then attempt to adroitly