Everything about casinos, lotteries, racetracks, and other gambling businesses: news, design, and corporate intrigue.
If you really want to see your name in lights, you’ve got the chance this weekend, thanks to the folks at Planet Hollywood. From their press release: Now through Sunday, Feb. 28, Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino is giving everyone a chance to be famous by posting photos and messages on […]
You on the phvegas big screen Read More »
life in vegas, news about gamblingThis has been up for a while, but I haven’t linked it yet and, with the news that Donald Trump and Carl Icahn are dueling over Trump casino empire, it’s relatively timely: my piece on the early history of Trump Plaza in Casino Connection: Trump was leery of the Casino Control Commission. It had forced
Trump Plaza History Read More »
atlantic city, news about gambling, writingIt’s Thursday, which means another edition of the Green Felt Journal in Vegas Seven magazine. This week, as whether the “little guy” still has a chance on the Strip:P Last year at around this time, “deconsolidation” was the buzzword along the Strip. MGM Mirage had just announced its sale of Treasure Island to Phil Ruffin,
Giving the little guy a chance on the Strip Read More »
news about gambling, writingOften, folks in the media accept whatever number’s thrown at them when gambling’s concerned. If someone says a study claims that governments will make billions a year legalizing online gambling, it’s accepted without question. But Josh McMahon of New Jersey News Room actually did some research when it comes to one net gaming proposal: What
Someone in the news looks at the numbers Read More »
news about gamblingI’ve been trying to answer the question, “Why are slot hold percentages generally increasing” and have come to the conclusion that player preference for high-hold, low-denom games is a major factor. Finishing up a paper on the question, I thought I’d share some raw data: Between 2000 and 2003, the Gaming Control Board didn’t list
Penny slots most profitable in 09 Read More »
news about gamblingMy piece in the Las Vegas Business Press about the beginning of the end in Atlantic City is out: Historians have taken the date 476 A.D. and the deposition of Romulus Augustus, the last Roman emperor, as the “official” date of the fall of the Roman Empire, even though at the time most Western Europeans
Fall of the Boardwalk Empire? Read More »
atlantic city, news about gamblingHarrah’s Entertainment plans to go public again, but not for a few years. This isn’t really a surprise, but the timeline is noteworthy, as are the “developments” that the company awaits. From Reuters: Harrah's Entertainment, which was taken private by TPG and Apollo Management in January 2008, could launch an initial public offering five to
Harrah’s IPO on the horizon Read More »
news about gamblingI think that’s me, when my legit first response to this article is, “Boy oh boy! The 2009 Nevada Gaming Abstract’s out at last! It’s gonna be a great week!” Mostly, it’s because now I’ll be able to update Nevada pages over at http://gaming.unlv.edu, but I’ve actually been looking forward to this for months. You
Biggest gaming nerd in the world Read More »
news about gambling, what's newThis is one of those moment of ambivalence that we all face at some time or another. On one hand, I’m pretty happy to be finished working on the 2009 Nevada gaming breakdown (pdf) and the Nevada Gaming Revenue:Long-term trends report (pdf). On the other, the actual data in those reports aren’t really happy fun
A decade of decline? Read More »
life in vegas, news about gamblingIt’s Thursday, which means another Green Felt Journal column in Vegas Seven. Here’s the crux of what I call the “split-level strategy”: So casinos are pursuing a “split-level” strategy that harks back to the 1970s and earlier—keeping prices low for bargain hunters while pursuing high-end play at the baccarat tables. It’s not the mid-1980s approach
Split-level in Vegas Seven Read More »
news about gambling, writingThe centerpiece casino of the Lake Las Vegas development announced today that it will be closing. Following the news that the Ritz Carlton is soon to close, this raises even more questions about the future of the development–and ties into a Nevada gaming trend that pre-dates the recession. From the LV Sun: Casino MonteLago at
Lake without a casino Read More »
life in vegas, news about gamblingThe 2009 Nevada gaming numbers are in, and they are not exactly encouraging. From the LVRJ: Gaming revenues in Nevada fell 10.4 percent in 2009, the largest single year decline in state history. Casinos statewide collected almost $10.392 billion from gamblers during the year, the lowest one-year total since 2003 according to figures released this
…at least as far as the LVCVA is concerned. The December and year-end visitor numbers, minus the gaming figures for now, was just released. Here are some highlights from the executive summary: December: Visitor volume up 1.5%, room inventory up 6% compared to December 2008. 2009 (total): Visitor volume down 3%, room inventory up 6%
Checking the headlines in the AC Press as of 2PM Pacific time, I couldn’t find a word about the seemingly-momentous decision of MGM Mirage to sell its stake in Borgata. This is curious, since you would think that having one of the biggest casino companies in the world, which at one point had billions of
AC to “get its act together” Read More »
atlantic city, news about gamblingRussians no longer have to worry about being without casinos–a new one has opened up in the south of the massive county. From Fox News: Half a year after Russia closed all of it's gambling casinos and slot-machine halls, the first new casino opened Saturday under a plan to limit legalized gambling to four comparatively
According to a WSJ report, MGM Mirage has decided to sell its interest in the Borgata and presumably close the door on any future developments in Atlantic City: For years, New Jersey regulators have raised concerns about the suitability of casino company MGM Mirage's business partner in China. Now, MGM Mirage has an answer: cash
Other shoe about to drop in AC? Read More »
atlantic city, news about gambling…is working the casino circuit, and at Caesars Palace, no less: President Bill Clinton will speak at The Colosseum @CaesarsPalace on Mon., Feb. 22 at 7:30pm. Tickets go on sale Monday! via The Colosseum ColosseumatCP on Twitter. Why do I say “another?” About a year and a half ago, Mikhail Gorbachev played the Seminole Hard
Another former head of state… Read More »
gambling & culture, news about gamblingThere are a lot of corporate and property newsletters out there, and most of them promote upcoming deals, salute big winners, and generally promote the fun that’s going on. Wynn’s newsletter, though, takes it a step further–you actually learn more about the properties in some of the articles. Instead telling you when you can get
Moments of discovery Read More »
news about gamblingA few weeks ago, I started talking about a tiered pricing model for Strip hotels on the Vegas Gang. I took some time to On one side, pro-fee advocates argue that they offer convenience. On the other, resort fee opponents maintain that fees are poorly advertised and shock the customer. There may be a way
Tiered pricing thoughts Read More »
news about gamblingFor several reasons, the political landscape in Florida has now shifted, and the expansion of commercial casinos is more likely than it has been in years. From the Miami Herald: Ellyn Bogdanoff has given up. Once one of the most ardent opponents of gambling expansion in the Florida House, the Fort Lauderdale legislator is now
More Florida casinos? Read More »
news about gambling