life in vegas

While browsing Harrah’s website, I decided to sign up to get email updates about properties. I already get them from most casino companies, and I figured that it might be a good idea to do the same for the soon-to-be world’s largest. I gave my email, the name of “UNLV Special Collections, and a birthdate […]

Today I got this email from the Las Vegas Centennial Celebration Committee: Answer: This is the date that a Las Vegas Category will be featured on Jeopardy! Question: WHAT IS: MONDAY, APRIL 4TH, 2005? That’s going to be fun, but what about an entire round based on Las Vegas and gambling topics?

If you get a chance, check out Breaking Vegas tonight on the history channel at 9 PM. This episode is about Ed Thorp, the guy who greatly advanced card counting with “Beat the Dealer,” and I think that I’m going to be in it. I remember doing an interview for this show, so there’s a

Steve Wynn has seen the future, and it’s spelled R-F-I-D. When Wynn Las Vegas opens in April, it will have the latest in casino chips–high tech checks with radio frequency ID tags inside them.

Not only is he a brilliant casino builder, he’s also self-deprecating. Commenting on the ad that ran during The Big Game On Sunday, Steve Wynn said: “The humor is central — it’s what saves it. I’m just another schmuck.” The story of the ad, if you didn’t see it, is quite interesting.

NOTE: I stole that headline from the lede (or lead) to Liz Bentsen’s article, which seems to be the most complete coverage of the story that confronted me as I straggled into work late this morning. The story is: Landry’s Restaurants is buying the Golden Nugget from Tim Poster and Tom Brietling.

Today I was stuck by two Las Vegas news stories: the Key Largo is closing and Wynn Las Vegas is now accepting reservations. They are just another reminder that the wheel of fortune is always spinning.

One of the most important things in journalism is to grab the reader with a strong first paragraph, or lead. Well, a story in today’s Las Vegas Review-Journal proves this. If you think like me, you can’t help but click through the read the full story after reading this lead-in: OVERTON — This whole town

It’s Vegas Week on the Travel Channel, which means that they’re going to be having lots of shows giving you the inside scoop on Vegas. Kind of like they do the other 51 weeks of the year. Since I live in Vegas, I don’t think I’ll be watching much, but if you like this kind

Just in time for the end of ’04, I’ve added a new photo gallery–Macau–and added images to “Casino Fun.” The challenge is to see if you can find my picture of boxing cats somewhere else on this site. It will not disappoint. Have a great New Year’s. I’ll probably be w/out fireworks here in Las

If you read the New York Times, you might have read yesterday’s edition (Sunday, 12/26/04). If you read yesterday’s edition, you might have read the business section. If you looked at the front page of the business section, you might have started reading a below-the-fold story entitled, “Is there Life After Blackjack? Ask MGM.” And

How do you combine being an edgy comedian with bring a renowned casino performer? In George Carlin’s case, not so well. His farewell show at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas might have been his chance to let off some steam, and I only hope that someone got all of this on tape.

I guess that’s the pessimistic way to look at this story, but since no one in the media mentioned that aspect, I figured it was my duty. MGM Mirage has announced it will build a 4000-room casino resort and urban complex on the site of the Boardwalk casino. From Forbes via AP: MGM Mirage officials

Locals casinos in Las Vegas often cash paychecks, which can be viewed as a convenient amenity or an inducement to gamble, depending on your humor. Since they don’t do this in New Jersey, it’s a practice I’ve always looked askance at, but what do I know? Here, Adam Goldman of the AP dissects the issue:

Often, people from other countries or even other states think that government regulation of gambling is faintly repressive–that the Nevada Control Board works hard to limit gambling in Nevada. Actually, nothing could be further from the truth. As this story from the Sun shows, the GCB actually is pushing casinos to attract more gamblers: State

In a real crazy day, where I’m already stretched to the limit, I get this breaking news from the VegasResource.com newsletter: The Key Largo Hotel and Casino, on Flamingo, just 2 blocks east of Bally’s, is closing permanently on January 17, 2005. A developer has bought the property and will demolish the Key Largo and