Craftily arranged nouns, verbs, and more.
As you might know, a month ago, sbe Entertainment Group sent out a press release with some details of the financing of the putative SLS Las Vegas. I was skeptical, as were others. Last week, the company sent out a second press release, which provided more details. I still had questions, so, wearing my Vegas […]
With Oseland Aboard, SLS Could Be a Winner in Vegas Seven Read More »
Vegas Seven, writingThis week in the Green Felt Journal in Vegas Seven, I take a look at the massive renovation of the MGM Grand: If you’ve been to the MGM Grand in the past few months—or even checked its website—you probably noticed that they’re renovating the place. And that might not seem like such a big deal—casinos
Renovating the Grand and more in Vegas Seven Read More »
Vegas Seven, writingFor this week’s Las Vegas Business Press column, I talk about the importance of renovation to Las Vegas today: When The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas opened its doors in December 2010, there was some regret: This was, we were assured, the last casino opening on the Strip for some time. In a town that had
Las Vegas mantra in the LVBP Read More »
Las Vegas Business Press, writingThis week in Vegas Seven’s Green Felt Journal, I look at someone who’s making some waves Downtown: Although the energy of Tony Hsieh and other non-gamers has helped fuel the transformation of downtown Las Vegas, a cadre of Fremont Street casino owners also deserve credit. Derek Stevens is prominent among them. via The Man Behind
The Man Behind The D in Vegas Seven Read More »
Vegas Seven, writingIn this week’s Las Vegas Business Press, I muse a bit about what the start of pool season really means in Las Vegas: The weathers warming up, which in postrecession Las Vegas means one thing: pool season is here. Once, that would have meant little more than seasonal employees dusting off the lounge chairs and
Pool season reflects LV’s ability to evolve in the LVBP Read More »
Las Vegas Business Press, writingThis week in Vegas Seven, I take a look at why the GSA scandal at the M Resort happened in the first place, and why it will probably happen again: Las Vegas is back in the national headlines as a place where responsible people shouldn’t be wasting their money. Last time, it was executives for
Digging into the GSA scandal in Vegas Seven Read More »
Vegas Seven, writingThis week, my Green Felt Journal column in Vegas Seven is about Michael Gaughan, Jr., taking the reins at the Rampart Casino in Summerlin: This week, a reunion of sorts took place in Summerlin, as the JW Marriott Resort & Spa and the Rampart casino, which had operated as separate units for a decade, were
The Gaughan Also Rises in Vegas Seven Read More »
Vegas Seven, writingMy latest in the Las Vegas Business Press is inspired by a recent more at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas: Recently, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas announced a replacement for its Strip-front pop-up wedding chapel, itself a replacement for Droog, a quirky boutique chock full of intricately fashioned, completely impractical, outrageously expensive furniture. The new
Casino attractions that matter in Vegas Seven Read More »
Vegas Seven, writingHere’s my latest Green Felt Journal in Vegas Seven: In the beginning, Las Vegas catered mostly to serious gamblers and casual vacationers. In the late 1950s, business travelers entered the mix. Later on, the town tried to be everything to everyone—both family-friendly and high-roller heaven, at the same time. Since the onset of the recession,
The Palms’ Big Break in Vegas Seven Read More »
Two Way Hard Three, writingIn this week’s Las Vegas Business Press, I’ve got a piece about how we should be reasonable about our expectations for online gaming: Online or “interactive” gaming is coming to Nevada, likely in weeks, not months.Theres a great deal of uncertainty over what the advent of online poker will mean to Nevada. And, throughout the
Reasonable Online Expectations in the Las Vegas Business Press Read More »
Las Vegas Business Press, writingI’ve got a Latest Thought about the Smith Center’s place in Las Vegas history in Vegas Seven: As a world-class, centralized home for the performing arts, The Smith Center brings something new to the Valley. But high culture itself goes back a long way in Las Vegas—even on the Strip. And to this day, the
High Culture History in Vegas Seven Read More »
Vegas Seven, writingThis week, the Green Felt Journal in Vegas Seven takes a look at the World Game Protection conference, held at the M Resort: Right now, casinos around the world are under attack. They’re not besieged by outlaws with guns and masks, but they are facing a threat that’s no less daunting. Cheaters are working their
Protecting the Game in Vegas Seven Read More »
Vegas SevenHere’s my latest LVBP column: In my capacity as director of the Center for Gaming Research at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, I recently helped to host a group of visiting MBA students from London’s Cass Business School here in Las Vegas. While in town, they heard presentations from strategic development, operations, and marketing
Outside perspectives & casinos in the LVBP Read More »
Las Vegas Business PressI didn’t have a chance to share this yesterday, but this week’s Green Felt Journal in Vegas Seven is about the Mob Museum’s impact on its casino neighbors Downtown: The really interesting story in the wake of the Mob Museum’s Feb. 14 debut will be how the museum reacts to its downtown casino neighbors—and how
Mob Neighbors in Vegas Seven Read More »
Vegas Seven, writingI’ve got a new column in the Las Vegas Business Press today, about the possibly diminishing impact of baccarat: With the recent release by the Gaming Control Board of the December 2011 Gaming Revenue Report, we can understand what happened to Nevadas gaming industry in 2011, and where the state is headed in 2012.Overall, it
Looking beyond baccarat in the Las Vegas Business Press Read More »
Las Vegas Business Press, writingI’ve got another piece in Vegas Seven today: a preview of the Fresh Beat Band’s concert (this Saturday!) at Planet Hollywood: When the Fresh Beat Band rolls into Planet Hollywood, it’s a fair bet that toddlers are going to go wild. The surprising thing is that, if you’re taking yours, you might end up having
Stomp the House in Vegas Seven Read More »
Vegas SevenI’ve got the cover story in this week’s Vegas Seven. It’s a piece that I worked on a quite a while under the astute editorial eye of Greg Blake Miller, in which I come to grips with why people come to Vegas to see dead people: The Mob Museum’s Feb. 14 debut was another reminder
Live After Death in Vegas Seven Read More »
Vegas Seven, writingMy commentary piece on casino debt came out in the Las Vegas Business Press yesterday: Like households, all businesses take on debt as a part of their usual operations. Without borrowing money, it is difficult, if not impossible, to grow. Casinos are no different; for decades, theyve been borrowing money to build, expand and renovate.
Casino debt levels’ adverse effects in LVBP Read More »
Las Vegas Business PressIn today’s Green Felt Journal in Vegas Seven, I’ve got a piece about Chinese New Year’s impact on Las Vegas: Some people might consider the massive New Year’s Eve celebration—“America’s Party”—the ultimate night for Las Vegas casinos. True, that bash attracts more than 300,000 people each year. But ask the people charged with making money
The Rise of Chinese New Year in Vegas Seven Read More »
gambling & culture, Vegas SevenThe annual People Issue of Vegas Seven is out. I wrote three profiles for it: Aron Ezra: Wizard of Apps Ezra is VP of Mobile for Bally Technologies Fred Keeton: The Pathfinder Keeton is VP of Finance for External Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer for Caesars Entertainment Joe Asher: The Odds Ambassador Ashier is head of Brandywine Bookmaking
Three Intriguing People from Vegas Seven Read More »
Vegas Seven, writing