Everything about casinos, lotteries, racetracks, and other gambling businesses: news, design, and corporate intrigue.
As some of you know, I participated in the Las Vegas Rock and Roll Marathon this year, and I had a ball. But I’d like to share something that happened before the race that, hopefully, can make a point about what not to do with a Strip casino. Parking at the race is always an […]
Not-so-smart decisions at the Trop Read More »
life in vegas, news about gamblingConcluding a really good run of podcasts in 2009, over at UNLV we’ve posted the Colloquium talk that Rob Bone, VP of Marketing for WMS Gaming, gave today. The UNLV alum talks about his career path, the behind-the-scenes of slot development and marketing, and the challenges ahead for slot manufacturers. Listen to the audio file
New podcast up: Rob Bone talks slots & innovation Read More »
news about gambling, what's newIn the midst of all the talk about Vdara, I thought I’d mention my latest article in the LVBP: While doing some research, I recently happened across an article in the July 1997 issue of Casino Executive magazine in which then-Harrah's Entertainment CEO Phil Satre sounds downright oracular. “If you're the last person to build
Billion-dollar musing in the LVBP Read More »
news about gamblingNow that I’ve seen the inside, I’ve got something to say about Vdara and City Center. The guy in charge of it all says that it can’t be explained, only experienced, but I’m going to give it a shot since it’s sort of my job to explain these kinds of things. To set the stage,
Is the law of supply and demand catching up with casino hotels in Las Vegas? Binion’s hotel downtown is closing, which may be a sign of things to come if casinos aren’t able to raise their room rates and/or maintain high occupancy. From the LV Sun: Binion’s Gambling Hall & Hotel in downtown Las Vegas
An alternative to low room rates? Read More »
news about gamblingI was doing some research in the 1997 time frame and happened across this quote in the July 1997 Casino Executive Magazine: “If you’re the last person to build that last $1 billion project in Las Vegas, you might be wishing you hadn’t spent your money that way.” –Harrah’s [then] CEO Phil Satre From the
The big talk at G2E has been the recession. Last year, it was how to fight it. This year, it’s how to survive it. Anyone else get the sense that we’re living in an age of rapidly diminishing expectations? Here’s a bit from the story from the LV Sun: The recession is forcing Las Vegas
Recession evolution Read More »
news about gamblingWith G2E upon us, I’ve been even busier than usual–hence no post yesterday. Here’s a preview of what I’ll be saying about food and beverage operations and casino brand identity, as covered in my LVBP column: A property’s brand includes a great many things: the name, the architectural style, fonts used in signage and advertising,
More about F&B and branding Read More »
news about gamblingHere’s the word from a member of Nevada’s Gaming Control Board: look for competition in legal sports betting. From the LV Sun: Nevada will face competition for race and sports books, a state gaming regulator predicts.“The most pent-up demand is for sports wagering,” state Gaming Control Board member Randall Sayre told more than 60 lawyers
Sayre says sports betting to grow Read More »
news about gamblingI’ve heard many projections out there about the potential size of an American online poker market. I’ve yet to see a peer-review study that addresses the question, and most of them are mysterious when it comes to their methodology. Earlier this week while talking to a reporter, I gave my own attempt at finding the
Total American poker revenue guestimate Read More »
news about gamblingAs you may know, I’ve been immersed in a mammoth study of Nevada casino slots’ hold percentages. It’s driven by the question: “Does raising hold percentage actually decrease play?” That would seem to be the intuitive answer. If people get less value for their dollar (assuming that value=time on device), then they will be less
Higher hold=less play? Read More »
news about gamblingGaming revenues fell about 9 percent in September, compared to the previous year’s take, as the slump continues for a 21st month. From the LVRJ: Nevada gaming revenues fell for the 21st straight month in September.Casinos statewide collected $911.1 million during the month, an 8.99 percent decrease compared with a little more than $1 billion
For a few years now, everyone who is anyone in casino design has known that theming has gone the way of the 99-cent shrimp cocktail. But has it actually gone the way of the $29 room rate, surprising everyone with a boomerang comeback? This LA Times story made me wonder: Only two months after announcing
Themed hotels alive and well–in SoCal Read More »
news about gamblingI’ve got a new column in the Las Vegas Business Press about how food and beverage offerings (well, mostly food) can help or hurt a casino: Napoleon once said that an army marches on its stomach. The same is true for the masses of gamblers, conventioneers, and tourists who visit hotel-casinos. With a generally similar
Talking about food in the LVBP Read More »
news about gamblingThis is a well-written NY Times article about where Atlantic City is today, even if it’s the same song we’ve been hearing for decades now: Just a few years ago, Atlantic City was boomtown U.S.A. Day-tripping retirees plunked quarter after quarter into slot machines at the casino warehouses lining the Boardwalk. The city was in
More death spiral talk in AC Read More »
atlantic city, news about gamblingThis piece in the LA Times mentions the current pressure to legalize some forms of Internet gambling, with a hint of the real story: Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) and Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) have both introduced bills in Congress to lift a federal ban on much online play and clarify the law, which is even
Net gambling rundown Read More »
news about gamblingI’ve got a new column in the LVBP, about the dubious morality (and even more dubious economics) of many states that legalize gambling: There's a paradox here: Many states legalize gambling only to bring in revenue in lieu of raising taxes. When their citizens can't generate the kind of tax revenues state governments can't do
Morality, economics, and gambling expansion Read More »
news about gamblingThis is a very interesting story from the LV Sun: Gaming board agents have made nearly 400 arrests in connection with casino and gambling-related crimes in Nevada this year, compared with fewer than 300 for all of 2008.Regulators can’t explain the uptick, especially given that law enforcement resources to combat theft haven’t increased amid budget
Casino crime on the rise Read More »
news about gamblingThere’s an article in today’s LVRJ about casino coffee shops being replaced by chains: We've said goodbye or nearly so to dressing up for a night out, all-night buffets, free lounge entertainment and 99 cent shrimp cocktails. The latest Las Vegas icon to fall victim to changing market conditions: traditional coffee shops in locals casinos.The
Bye bye coffee shops? Read More »
news about gamblingIt’s not carpet, but it does have to do with what you walk on in a casino. This little bit was in the latest Wynn Newsletter, and I thought it was interesting: Wynn Las Vegas is a visual feast unlike any other on the Strip. There is so much to take in, so much care
Flowers on the floor Read More »
news about gambling