Everything about casinos, lotteries, racetracks, and other gambling businesses: news, design, and corporate intrigue.
There’s been quite the buzz for Encore over the Internet. This quote from Oskar Garcia’s AP piece explains, I think, why Wynn gets it more than anyone except Jack Binion and a few others: Wynn expected thousands to jam the entrances to the casinos on Monday night, as some of his best customers ceremoniously pull […]
Dave’s thoughts on the opening of Encore at Wynn Las Vegas.
And now for an Encore Read More »
life in vegas, news about gamblingReading David McKee’s post on the TI sale to Phil Ruffin, something clicked that made me realize the transaction made perfect sense. For a while now, MGM Mirage has been positioning itself as a casino builder and hospitality brand manager. The international moves are ample evidence of that, as are the City Center partnership with
Big news from the LVRJ this morning. Treasure Island is about to be sold: Former New Frontier owner Phil Ruffin is buying the Treasure Island from MGM Mirage for $775 million, sources confirmed Sunday night. The deal is expected to be announced today. Ruffin, a Wichita, Kan., businessman, sold the New Frontier in May 2007
Thanks to a legislative loophole, Delaware is one of only four states allowed to license legal sports betting. In a few months, you may be able to get action down legally in the Diamond State–with a few caveats. From the Philly Inquirer: Atlantic City’s hopes of a gaming-industry rebound in 2009 might be about to
Delaware to bet on sports? Read More »
atlantic city, news about gamblingThis doesn’t look good. From http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSN1032927320081210: Las Vegas Strip casinos won $475 million from gamblers in October, a drop of 26 percent from a year earlier, the state's Gaming Control Board said on Wednesday. Statewide, Nevada casinos' take from gamblers fell 22 percent to $905 million for the month as the U.S. economic recession continued
October numbers down Read More »
news about gamblingI had a pretty good marathon run on Sunday, and now that I’ve had a little time to think about it, here are some thoughts on running down the Strip. The headline is an allusion to the venerable “Strip Walk” feature over at Two Way Hard Three. Even though we ran only about 4 of
We’re having another event in our Gaming Research Colloquium Series at UNLV. Next Tuesday at 12:15 Christina Turdean, a grad student from the University of Delaware, is speaking about her research. The talk is called “Betting on Computers: Digital Technologies and the Rise of the Gaming Industry in the US, 1960-2000.” If you’re on the
Gaming Talk Next Week Read More »
news about gambling, what's newCan people control their behavior? Or, as the Smashing Pumpkins might say, in spite of all our rage, we’re still just rats in a cage? This piece in the Columbian gives a shot at figuring it out, and even quotes your illustrious blogger: Gambling is an example of variable or intermittent reinforcement. A gambler learns
Of rats and machine players Read More »
gambling & culture, news about gamblingI’ve just wrapped up at G2E and probably have about 2 months worth of Business Press article ideas. I’m going to need some time to process everything I’ve learned, but when I do I’m going to be on a roll. My session this morning went well, even though it was at 8 in the morning.
This week my job is to spend too much time at the Las Vegas Convention Center, walking the exhibit halls and stalking the conference rooms of the Global Gaming Expo. Here’s a takeaway from the first day, from KLAS: The economy took center stage at the largest gaming conference in the world that opened in
G2E and the industry’s future Read More »
news about gamblingFor a while, the Big Story was how hot Las Vegas was. Then it was Macau: The Next Generation. Now that Vegas has cooled off a bit and Macau’s hitting a plateau, we’ve got a new story: Macau is in dire straits. Even Time has picked it up: But in the wake of the faltering
Macau gloom bandwagon Read More »
news about gamblingThis story from the LA Times sums up what I’ve been saying about the prospects for Internet gaming in the new administration, and raises another possibility that I think is more realistic: At a time of war and economic troubles, legislation on Internet gambling may not be high on President-elect Barack Obama’s to-do list. But
States take the lead? Read More »
news about gamblingDo I lose my status as a mature, reputable scholar (if I ever had such a status) if I admit that this headline made me snicker? Lone Butte casino will open Nov. 20. I know that they are supposed to appeal to adults, but I would think that a casino wouldn’t want a name that
Binon’s casino in downtown Las Vegas has been through a rough few years. It’s been sold twice and along the way has lost the “Horseshoe” name and the World Series of Poker (which crowned its 2008 champion last night, btw). With new owner Terry Caudill at the helm, however, a turnaround is in progress, starting
Binion’s poker reborn Read More »
news about gamblingBecause I was emailed this story three times and I’m too busy to look for something else to post today, you are going to hear about Antigua getting whitelisted. From the Antigua Sun: After months of hard work, negotiations and amendments, Antigua and Barbuda has successfully attained white list certification from the UK Department of
Antigua whitelisted Read More »
news about gamblingIf you are interested in gambling in Atlantic City, Pennsylvania, Marlyland, check out this new blog;Gaming Atlantic – A Casino Blog by James Karmel.
After what seems like months, I see that I’ve got another Business Press article available online: Once, casinos threw huge parties to remind the community that they were a year older. Large cakes in the shape of the hotel were common, with showgirls gamely framing the desert in well-circulated publicity photographs. Casinos bought advertisements that
Today’s Sun has an interesting piece about how different corporate cultures work on the Strip: As it turns out, the industry’s giants, MGM Mirage and Harrah’s Entertainment, have evolved into different animals at the top of their respective food chains. Customers will be familiar with some of these differences. While most MGM Mirage resorts are
Diff’rent strokes for casino folks Read More »
news about gamblingWe’ve all heard the doom and gloom about casino stocks. I’m not sure I get all the fuss. Either they’ll be going up or they’ll be going down. It’s a 50/50 prop, right? So we shouldn’t be surprised when they decline in value for a while. Small comfort, I’m sure, to those who’ve substantially invested
An uncertain future Read More »
news about gambling