As a former casino employee, smoking used to be one of my major occupational hazards, so smoking in casinos in an issue that I’ve always been interested in. On one hand, governments telling people what they can do with their time and money seems like a manifestation of the nanny state. On the other, I’d […]
As you might have heard, unemployment’s been on the rise in Nevada. I figured it might be a good idea to take a look at the big trends behind the numbers. So I consulted the Nevada Gaming Abstract, a great source for data. With the help of my student employee, Tracy Liao, I was able
My latest report: Casino employment Read More »
news about gambling, what's newSusan Casey. The Wave: In Pursuit of the Rogues, Freaks, and Giants of the Ocean. New York: Doubleday, 2010. 336 pages. In THE WAVE, Susan Casey looks at the science behind giant waves (towering over 100 ft), which were once thought impossible. Turns out, they’re crashing around the middle of the ocean all the time.
Book Review: The Wave Read More »
book reviewsIn this week’s Green Felt Journal I look at how technology is changing the convention biz in Vegas: Getting conventions to come back isn’t going to be easy, though both the Las Vegas Visitors and Convention Authority and several casinos are reporting more robust bookings next year. The challenge will be keeping these guests happy
Vegas convention tech in Vegas Seven Read More »
life in vegas, news about gambling, writingIt’s not every day that venting about the frustrating aspects of your job leads you to a column. But if you read my piece in the Las Vegas Business Press, you’ll see how I use some misconceptions about Las Vegas as an opportunity to set the record somewhat straight: Recently, for example, I received an
The complex Vegas story in LVBP Read More »
life in vegas, news about gamblingWell, son, when a mommy casino and a daddy casino love each other very much…oh, that’s not it. Basically, they come from gamblers, who graciously leave more than they take in bill validators and drop boxes in casinos across Nevada. But where exactly does most of this gambling take place? It seems obvious that a
Where do Nevada gaming revenues come from? Read More »
news about gamblingI’m teaching a new class in Spring Semester here at UNLV: GAM 395, The History of Casinos. Here’s the course summary from the flyer: Get three credits to learn about the exciting history of casinos in Las Vegas and around the world. Topics include: – Gambling before casinos – Organized crime and casinos – How
My class next semester Read More »
what's newAlyn Shipton. Hi-De-Ho: The Life of Cab Calloway. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2010. 283 pages. Cab Calloway was an important figure in American popular music history: over his career, which spanned decades, he sold millions of records and blurred several musical genres. His big band was one of the crucibles of bop. In this studiously
Book Review: Hi-De-Ho Read More »
book reviewsIt’s Thursday, so it’s time for another Green Felt Journal in Vegas Seven. This week I look at the innovation of bilingual blackjack tables at Buffalo Bill’s in Primm: Richey has found that it’s a market loyal to casinos that offer good values for food and entertainment, something for which the Primm casinos are well
Bilingual blackjack in Vegas Seven Read More »
news about gambling, writingInteresting article in today’s Las Vegas Sun by Richard Velotta about how undue concern over carbon emissions may seriously impact travel. This has tremendous implications for Las Vegas: Seventy-two government agencies have cut their travel budgets because of environmental concerns, a top travel executive said, leading him to conclude that overzealous environmental policy could be
Big concern for Las Vegas Read More »
life in vegasI have just been sent a series of haiku that summarize articles about various aspects of casino gambling. I thought I would share a few with you. When the Chips are Down Gambling took a hit; Gambling’s more than Nevada And vice versa. Source: A special report on gambling “When the chips are down” THE
A few casino haiku Read More »
gambling & cultureErik Sass, with Will Pearson and Mandesh Hattikudur. The Mental Floss History of the United States. New York: Harper, 2010. 448 pages. Book review Friday is back! Again! There are plenty of statistics out there that demonstrate just how little most Americans know about their history. This is doubtless a bad thing, and not just
Book Review: The Mental Floss History of the United States Read More »
book reviewsMy latest Green Felt Journal is up in Vegas Seven. This week I talk about a brand new attraction at Circus Circus that’s a little spooky: About this time every year, theme parks around the country get a monthlong reprieve from the off-season as they re-theme themselves for Halloween. No one wants to float down
13th floor fun in Vegas Seven Read More »
life in vegas, writingInteresting opinion piece from a Malaysian paper about the Singapore casinos: Since the opening of the two casinos in Singapore, some billionaires were reported to have lost a great amount of money while the two casinos were reported to have made impressive performances. Some suffered great losses while some made great gains. It is the
High rolling perspective from Singapore Read More »
news about gamblingIn my latest Las Vegas Business Press column, I dissect the August 2010 Nevada gaming numbers: And if your casino doesn't offer baccarat or high-end play, you might be out of luck. With only 22 out of the 329 casinos with nonrestricted licenses in the state 6.7 percent offering the game, only a few are
Baccarat doesn’t = back in LVBP Read More »
Las Vegas Business Press, news about gambling, writingEran Katz. Where Did Noah Park the Ark? Ancient Memory Techniques for Remembering Practically Anything. New York: Three Rivers Press, 2010. 237 pages. Book Review Friday is back! With a vengeance! And since I’ve read this book, and I can’t cite forgetfulness as an excuse for not posting book reviews here each Friday. Everyone would
Book Review: Where Did Noah Park the Ark? Read More »
book reviewsThursday once again brings a new Green Felt Journal in Vegas Seven. This week I talk about an event that I’m privileged to be a part of, Vegas Podcast-a-palooza: The event is called Vegas Podcast-a-palooza, and it brings together three prominent Las Vegas podcasts: the Vegas Gang, a roundtable discussion among several Vegas aficionados (including
Podcast-a-palooza in Vegas Seven Read More »
life in vegas, news about gambling, writingOne of the revelations from yesterday’s 3Q results announcement was that MGM has received an offer of about $250 million for the 50% share of the Borgata that the company is obliged to sell thanks to the Pansy Ho/Casino Control Commission imbroglio. The bigger isn’t named, but since it is mentioned that Boyd has the
Who’s the mystery bidder on .5(Borgata)? Read More »
atlantic city, news about gamblingI response to a few questions, I put together some gaming revenue data and came up with Nevada Gaming Statistics: Year-to-Date Comparison, a look at how this year’s results stack up against last year’s. Found some interesting things. Statewide, in 2009 the January-August total revenue was $6,944,221,000. In 2010, it was $6,937,680,000. A decrease of
Nevada gaming year-to-date report is out Read More »
news about gamblingIt’s another Thursday, which means another Green Felt Journal in Vegas Seven. This one is about a remarkable woman who works at the El Cortez, Liz Butler: If you want a lesson in Las Vegas history, you don’t have to go much farther than Liz Butler, who’s still serving drinks at the El Cortez. With
Liz Butler’s story in Vegas Seven Read More »
life in vegas, writing