In this column for Vegas Seven, I think a little about how not everything can be automated: It’s hard to argue against the financial benefits that a robot bartender or check-in kiosk can have over a human employee. In many cases, automation can lead to a better customer experience. If you don’t believe me, tell […]
The Importance of People in Vegas Seven Read More »
Two Way Hard ThreeIn this week’s Green Felt Journal, I take a look at the CEO transition at Scientific Games: In a move with big repercussions for the gaming industry, manufacturing giant Scientific Games recently announced that its chief executive officer, Gavin Issacs, is being replaced by former Norwegian Cruise Line CEO Kevin Sheehan. This is a major transition
CEO Shuffle at Scientific Games – Vegas Seven Read More »
Two Way Hard ThreeIt’s Thursday, which means a new Vegas Seven is available at news racks throughout Southern Nevada and online. In this week’s Green Felt Journal, I take a look at Vegastripping.com, trying to figure out what makes the site tick: VegasTripping.com isn’t a marketing mouthpiece. It’s not trying to sell you anything. And that might be
One Trip Worth Taking in Vegas Seven Read More »
Two Way Hard Three, 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, writingI had a busy morning yesterday. Every month, the day that the Nevada Gaming Control Board releases its monthly revenues numbers is a busy one. As usual, I prepared the historical summary for the month in question (November this time) and updated the rolling six-month summary. Here are the highlights and links. First, the monthly
November Revenue Run-down Read More »
Center for Gaming Research, Two Way Hard ThreeIn case you missed it, I’ve had two posts on Two Way Hard Three this week–each, in its own way, looking backward. The first, Biggest Story of 2011–Six Nominees, breaks down what I think were the six biggest stories of 2011. The second, The Las Vegas Hilton: Looking Back, takes a look…back at the history of the
Looking back on Two Way Hard Three Read More »
Two Way Hard ThreeI’ve had a busy day. Going over yesterday’s changes to Nevada’s gaming regulations that open the door for online poker, I thought that it would be neat if someone created a sort of Cliff Notes guide to them. Then I realized that I was probably that someone. Five pages later, I was done. Here’s the
Nevada’s Online Poker Regulations & My Busy Day Read More »
Center for Gaming Research, Two Way Hard ThreeI was tied up with jury duty Monday and Tuesday so I didn’t get the chance to share my Las Vegas Business Press column about the possible implications of The Cosmopolitan’s charging for wifi: When The Cosmopolitan opened last December, its managers consciously positioned it as an in-the-moment alternative to the traditional Las Vegas casino.
Cosmopolitan commentaries Read More »
Two Way Hard Three, Vegas SevenThis week in my Green Felt Journal column I talk a little about the role of food in marketing a casino, the future of Downtown, and how the Plaza’s going to fare by looking at Terence Fong’s Island Sushi. From Vegas Seven: In that light, recruiting chef Terence Fong, owner of Henderson’s Island Sushi and
Island Sushi rundown plus social media talk in Vegas Seven Read More »
Two Way Hard ThreeIf you’re not tuned into my Twitter feed or don’t regularly check Two Way Hard Three, you will be surprised and, one hopes, delighted to hear that I’ve had a very productive few days there. This came about because, in the run-up to the Vegas Internet Mafia Family Picnic,* I wanted to stoke excitement by
Two Way Hard Three triple-play Read More »
Two Way Hard ThreeIf you haven’t seen them already, I’d like to draw your attention to two recent items on Two Way Hard Three. First is my write-up of a serendipitous encounter with the Cosmopolitan street team: Late last week, the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas unveiled its latest secret weapon–a purple truck. Since its existence was confirmed on
If you’ve missed it, I’ve got what I hope is a lighter look at today’s angry showgirl march up at Two Way Hard Three: If you love those Las Vegas Sun slideshow-riffic stories (15 intersections of certain death! click now!), you might like this quick, numbered list of potential future events that will likely never
Five Potential Strip Protest Marches at Two Way Hard Three Read More »
Two Way Hard ThreeYesterday morning, after I read about the second homicide on the Strip in less than two weeks, I decided to write a short piece for Two Way Hard Three about why it was important for the County and Metro to get in front of the issue: But most people have the perception–or at least the
Talking Strip Safety on Two Way Hard Three, and more commentary Read More »
life in vegas, Two Way Hard ThreeI had a busy day yesterday. I added a previously-written column on the history of Steel Pier right here and I wrote two pieces for Two Way Hard Three. The first was a fun little piece about Vegas insider moves: Everyone wants to feel that they’re a Vegas insider. It might be something as basic
Busy day on Two Way Hard Three Read More »
Two Way Hard ThreeJust in case you haven’t caught it on the Twitter feed, I’ve got two new posts up on Two Way Hard Three in which I share some photos I took Monday at a media preview for the Sahara Liquidation sale. Here’s a sample: Click here for the first patr and here for the second. Enjoy!
Sahara sale preview on Two Way Hard Three Read More »
life in vegas, Two Way Hard ThreeI finally read that LA Times piece on vintage Vegas venues (yay for alliterative ledes) and something in it provoked a response in me. So I wrote a Two Way Hard Three post until I expressed something close to what I was feeling: Other people have already discussed the LA Times piece that featured “vintage
Mob myopia in Two Way Hard Three Read More »
Two Way Hard ThreeIn case you missed it, I’ve got a slightly-more-serious but still fun piece up on Two Way Hard Three about various longshots on the Las Vegas Strip: With a renewed push for a casino smoking ban in Nevada, I go to thinking: which would happen first–no smoking in a casino, or a casino dress code?
Which will we see first? in Two Way Hard Three Read More »
life in vegas, Two Way Hard ThreeIn case you missed it, I’ve recently posted two Atlantic City-related pieces on Two Way Hard Three. The first is the complete text of my answers to questions Wayne Parry asked me about Atlantic City: The AP’s Wayne Parry wrote an excellent article about Atlantic City’s rise and fall. He reached out to me for
Atlantic City double shot in Two Way Hard Three Read More »
atlantic city, Two Way Hard ThreeIf you’ve missed it, I’ve got a post up at Two Way Hard Three that explains Landry’s purchase of Trump Marina and the return of the Golden Nugget to Atlantic City, with some bonus historical context: Landry’s Inc. a Houston-based company that owns a full spread of restaurant chains and Downtown Las Vegas and Laughlin’s
Landry’s Marina takeover talk in Two Way Hard Three Read More »
atlantic city, Two Way Hard ThreeIn case you missed it, I posted a piece yesterday on Two Way Hard Three talking about Wynn Resorts and China: In today’s flurry of email headlines (which continue whether I’m in the office or not) I read a blurb saying that Wynn Resorts “has become”; a Chinese company. Certainly this is no surprise to
Wynn & China on Two Way Hard Three Read More »
news about gambling, Two Way Hard Three