I get people asking me all the time for quantative measures of the “social impact” of gambling. I try to convince them that such a thing is hard to measure. But, if you’re unhampered by standards of academic rigor, it’s easy to make wildly inaccurate claims based on second-hand evidence. Take, for example, this letter […]
Solid socio-economic research Read More »
gambling & cultureInterest in gambling is booming, even as many Americans are shunning more artistic endeavors, like the ballet and theater. So why not roll the dice on gambling-themed operas? Sounds like a winner, as the San Francisco Opera has found out.
Gambling on Love in San Francisco Read More »
gambling & cultureI’ve heard some bad metaphors before, but this one takes the cake: a “gambling expert” explains that in the bathtub that is Las Vegas, you can’t see the “dirt ring” left by gambling, but in Pennsylvania you will be able to see it. I wish this was a joke.
Beware the murky residue Read More »
news about gamblingWhen I first started putting up carpet pictures, I thought that people might find it amusing. Little did I suspect that my galleries could serve up some series creative inspiration. Go to a sneaker design contest that you can see here:KicksGuide Artist Series. Scroll down to the entry for Ryan Holler and click on the
Casino carpet sneakers? Read More »
gambling & cultureThere’s nothing that makes people laugh like armed robbery, particularly if it’s perpetrated by someone who is easily caught. Sometimes, criminals make it particularly easy, like one Las Vegan who started filling out a job application before producing a weapon and announcing a hold-up.
Decades after the last humans walked on the moon, people still want to go back. I can’t say I blame them. You might think that those planning lunar colonies would be holed up in labratories in Boston or Northern California, but, for the third weekend in July anyway, you’d be wrong. They’ll be at the
Returning to the moon…from the Flamingo Read More »
life in vegasSorry if you’ve been having trouble with the site. Boingboing.net featured the carpet gallery and the ensuing rush of visitors exceeded my bandwidth. Thanks to Rus at VAserv, I’ve got more bandwidth and am back on track. I’ve gotten so many emails from people interested in this that I’m seriously thinking about doing more work
Those of you who are familiar with urban history and crime history should know the name of Eric Monkkonen, who was a giant in the field. He was also my dissertation committee chair, and someone without whom I wouldn’t have gotten my degree. he recently passed away, and I think that this obituary sums up
Eastern Tennessee cockfighters received a shock when a recent cocking main was raided by over 100 state and federal police. Cockfighting might not be as popular as it was back in the 18th century, but it is definitely going strong in Eastern Tennessee.
Bad days for cockfighters Read More »
gambling & cultureTransitioning a property from a name its had for over fifty years is never easy. When Harrah’s bought the Horseshoe name and brand from the downtown Binion’s Horseshoe casino, the actual property was left with an identity crisis: it was always the Horseshoe first and Binion’s second. They’ve changed the sign and relaunched the website,
The great thing about people is that they can justify virtually anything to themselves. To hype a show called “Casino Takedown,” a con artist and casino cheat rationalizes his career by saying it’s not really stealing. Really?
The dark side of con artistry Read More »
gambling & culture, life in vegasJust because you shuffle off your mortal coil doesn’t mean you have to stop gambling. For that matter, it’s got a distinct advantage: you don’t have to pay off your markers. Of course, you can’t really collect your winnings, either, but the thrill of getting action down is really the important thing, isn’t it?
Betting from beyond the grave Read More »
gambling & culture, haphazard worldI like anthropomorphic animals as much as anyone. In fact, it was this image, and this image alone, that turned me on to this article: So has medicine in China really gone to the dogs? Read on and find out.
Don’t eat your friends? Read More »
haphazard worldMost people associate Macau with gambling, but according to the Rugged Elegance Inspiration Network, you can get some nice clothes made there, too.
Macau: More than just gambling Read More »
news about gamblingPeople sometimes call me a casino expert, and I usually disavow any claim to the title, partially out of modesty, and partially because that would put me into some pretty shady company. Case in point: Richard Ellison, who just pled guilty to kidnapping two octogenerians, one of whom was his mother.
Another week, another email from “Al Absecon,” who’s still on his “one man quest” to have the statue of Lenin outside the AC Tropicana’s Red Square restaurant removed. Here it is, in its entirety, minus the obligatory Lenin photo:
Take down that (casino eatery) Read More »
atlantic cityVegas marketing is so pernicious that even denizens of New Jersey, which boasts the casino capital of the East, Atlantic City, prefer flying to the desert to driving “down the shore.” But the guy in charge of marketing AC says that’s no problem.
Garden State loves Vegas? Read More »
life in vegasI haven’t updated for a week because I’ve been busy with several projects at work, which I’ll be happy to announce as they become official, and completing the renovations and repair on my new old house. In other news, I’m officially the Director of the Center for Gaming Research now. I don’t have a new
Good writing can transform an otherwise blah piece about industry consolidation into something that is actually enjoyable to read. Witness a recent account of a gaming conference from the AP’s Adam Goldman, long a favorite here:
Digesting the Strip Read More »
life in vegasIt used to be that “sleeping with the fishes” meant that you had permanently cashed in your chips. But a planned Macau casino will let people gamble in an underwater gambling hall.
Underwater gambling Read More »
news about gambling