As you may have heard, Dennis Gomes, described as the “gimmick king of Atlantic City” (his official title is president of resort operations for Aztar, which owns AC’s Tropicana) is leaving Aztar a bit early. One of my readers seized on this newsbit to send me an interesting email….
Casino communism in AC? Read More »
atlantic cityAs a historian of gambling, I always take issue with the assumption that casinos are somehow antitechtical to history or historic places. They are, of course, part of the flow of history. But the “Gambling vs. History” banner is being unfurled for an epic fight to prevent the slots from spinning near the hallowed ground
Gambling and history collide! Read More »
gambling & cultureIs there a drug that can turn you into a compulsive gambler? A group of Canadian Parkinson’s patients says yes, and have filed a class action lawsuit against the drugmaker.
Compulsive gambling drug? Read More »
UncategorizedYou’ve got to love an editor at the Las Vegas Sun making it sound like the Keystone State is banking on more people’s lives to be ruined by problem gambling: Pennsylvania plans for more gambling addicts.
Another great headline Read More »
news about gamblingPeople always complain when old casinos get imploded, but thi truly is the end of an era: the Del Mar motel has had its license revoked. Why, you may ask? Because, in the words of the deputy city attorney, it is a “whorehouse.” This story must be seen to be believed. This is another one
What’s wrong with being sexy? Read More »
life in vegasIf you’ll be watching CNBC at 4:12 Eastern today, you’ll see me getting interviewed about Kirk Kerkorian. The MGM Mirage’s biggest owner is in the news because he is buying a big chunk of GM stock. You can see me talk confidently about Kerkorian’s role in Las Vegas and gaming history, then attempt to adroitly
This is why you don’t ask for free legal advice.
Ask a stupid question… Read More »
news about gamblingI’ve been talking about Wynn Las Vegas a lot lately, but don’t think I’ve been neglecting my hometown any. Here’s two interesting facts from the Atlantic City, New Jersey Detailed Profile that probably explain why, to pursue a career in higher education, I had to leave the city: Number of college students below state average.
Does Wynn Las Vegas point the way to the future? Lloyd Fonvielle doesn’t think so, but I beg to differ. I predict that most of the casinos built in the next 10-15 years will try, on one level or another, to emulate Wynn. It’s starting already, for places that have only vauge plans. Check out,
The sincerest flattery Read More »
life in vegasAs I said earlier, the opening tour was fantastic. It’s as if each area of the resort was designed to be the centerpiece. That being said, here’s some pictures: The exterior: And a shot of the crowd, seconds after the doors opened: Of course, I got a few shots of the carpet as well–would you
Thoughts on Wynn LV Read More »
life in vegasI’ve just gotten back from my sneak-peak tour of Wynn Las Vegas, and I’ve got one word: incredible. The multimedia show on the mountain’s interior, which you have to be a hotel or restaurant guest to see, is simply jaw-dropping. Inside, I see elements of Wynn’s other resorts, particularly Mirage, Bellagio, and Beau Rivage, but
The day has finally arrived: Wynn Las Vegas, five years in the making, will open at midnight tonight. I’ve been lucky enough to be invited on the sneak peak media tour at 10, so I’ve got a 2-hour jump on the general public. I’ll post some of my thoughts here, and I’ll be basing the
Opening Wynn Las Vegas Read More »
life in vegasI don’t have much time to post today, but at least I didn’t have to herd buffalo in Maryland.
“Don’t worry about making mistakes and destroying money,” Steve Wynn has told his employees. I wish someone would tell me that. Oh yeah, they’re opening the world’s most expensive casino resort in a few days, so I guess that there’s some pressure on everyone.
I’ve had to temporarily disable comments for most entries; I got about 130 spammed comments over the weekend, solicitations for online gambling sites. If anyone knows how, using Greymatter, I can foil these spam commentors, let me know.
Comments on comments Read More »
what's newIf the new pope wants to buy his own domain name and start a blog, he’s going to have to deal with a crafty web wizard who has just snapped up the name “BenedictXVI.com.” Good news, though: even if the pope doesn’t buy the domain, it won’t become another Texas Hold’Em site–but not for lack
The pope’s blogsite? Read More »
haphazard worldI haven’t posted much lately for a few reasons: 1. A huge amount of work stuff, between new corporate archives, new opportunities, and an incredible amount of media relations re: Wynn LV. 2. I’m grinding through chapter 9 “Wise guys and One-Armed Bandits” of Roll the Bones. 3. I just bought a townhouse, and I’m
…if you bet the house on Germany’s Joseph Ratzinger becoming the next pope. Paddy Power had Ratzinger at 5 to 1 yesterday. I’m sure there are some lucky winners out there who would like to buy the new Benedict XVI a drink, so to speak.
Your ship just came in… Read More »
gambling & culture“The clown became a monster and part of a cheap meal, like fast food.” That’s what Dimitri Bogatirev, a former Cirque performer who’s part of a husband-wife clown troupe, has to say. Read the whole story to learn more about it. Bogatirev blames horror movies for ruining the popular perception of clowns, but does anyone
Here’s my teaser: “At home I can multitask,” the manager said. “I cleaned out my entire fish tank one day and never missed a hand.” What”s this guy talking about? Playing online poker at home, something that is, unfortunately, a misdemeanor in Nevada.
Betting at home…illegally Read More »
gambling & culture