I’ve got a new column in the Las Vegas Business Press about that Arkansas casino nirvana, with some more exploration of a state without gaming regulation: Recent events in a state that's considering getting into the casino game have raised the question of casino regulation. Looking at intent and practice of regulation anew provides a
Casino regulation in context Read More »
news about gamblingIn case you were wondering, the former Sands site in Atlantic City continues to deteriorate. From the AC Press: The barren site overlooking the Boardwalk consists of little more than mounds of dirt and scruffy tufts of grass peeking through the soil. Intruders are kept out by a padlocked chain-link fence bearing a “No Trespassing”
Pinnacle Prairie update Read More »
atlantic city, news about gamblingStephen Fried. Appetite for America: Fred Harvey Civilizing the West–One Meal at a Time. New York: Bantam Books, 2010. 528 pages. If you’ve driven from LA to Las Vegas and wondered what the “Harvey House” sign in Barstow was all about, here’s the scoop: from roughly 1876 to 1930, many train passengers took their meal
Book Review: Appetite for America Read More »
book reviewsI’ve posted a new report at the Center for Gaming Research website: a statistical breakdown of the evolution of Nevada baccarat, 1992-2010. Here’s my description: This chart shows the trajectory of Nevada baccarat since 1992. The total baccarat win and number of tables grown over the past eighteen years, both in absolute terms and as
Speaking of baccarat… Read More »
news about gambling, what's newNew Green Felt Journal in Vegas Seven: Baccarat first came to Las Vegas in the 1950s, but didn’t make much headway until the growth of high-end, international play in the 1970s. Caesars Palace and the Hilton led the way, and soon most casinos with any pretension to catering to high-rollers added the game. The game
Baccarat to the future at Vegas Seven Read More »
news about gambling, writingIt’s a great day at the Center for Gaming Research. The second in the Occasional Papers Series has been published. Here’s the info: Larry Gragg. “The Powerful Mythology Surrounding Bugsy Siegel,” Occasional Paper Series 2. Las Vegas: Center for Gaming Research, University Libraries, University of Nevada Las Vegas, 2010. Abstract: Journalists, authors, filmmakers, and historians
2nd occasional paper published Read More »
what's newIt’s Thursday, so that means the latest Vegas Seven is hot off the presses–printing and digital. This week, I’ve got an article about gaming taverns–you know, those bars with slots in them that are ubiquitous in Las Vegas. Here’s the opening: From Irish pubs to Mexican cantinas, it seems that every culture puts its own
Gaming taverns in Vegas 7 Read More »
news about gamblingThe latest UNLV Gaming Podcast is up; it’s an interview with Aria Resort and Casino President and COO Bill McBeath. A Las Vegas native and UNLV alum, McBeath has had an interesting career, to say the least, and has worked for some of the biggest names in the business—Michael Gaughan, Steve Wynn, and Kirk Kerkorian.
New Podcast: interview with Bill McBeath Read More »
news about gambling, what's newThe good folks at the Nevada Gaming Control Board have released the January 2010 Nevada casino gaming stats. Here is my summary: Statewide 1. Baccarat continues to power the state’s card games, with its win increasing by about 12% over last year. This game has actually seen a net gain in the past 3 years–Nevada
January Nevada numbers analysis Read More »
news about gamblingHere’s my latest from the Las Vegas Business Press, in which I continue to deconstruct the popularity of pennies: When the year-end Nevada gaming revenue figures came out, two trends dominated the news: Gambling in general was down again in 2009, while baccarat play toward the end of the year showed a surprising spike. But
More about the year of the penny Read More »
news about gambling, writingI was interviewed for this piece last week, and it’s interesting to see how it all came together. I’m glad I’m not the only one who didn’t think that this proposal made no sense. From Arkansas Business: If a proposed constitutional amendment allowing Texas businessman Michael J. Wasserman to build casinos in Arkansas sounds like
Casino Nirvana in Arkansas Read More »
book reviewsInteresting article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch over the weekend about the evolution of Missouri’s casino blacklist: For years, the crimes that barred gamblers from Missouri casinos read like Mafia movie plots. Men with ties to Kansas City's notorious La Cosa Nostra ran illegal betting rings, threatened witnesses and skimmed money from Las Vegas casinos,
Evolution of MO blacklist Read More »
news about gamblingDavid Grann. The Devil and Sherlock Holmes: Tales of Murder, Madness, and Obsession. New York: Doubleday, 2010. 352 pages. Great non-fiction is just as suspenseful and revealing of the human condition as great fiction. With The Devil and Sherlock Holmes, David Grann gives the reader twelve intriguing pieces of great non-fiction. The collection starts with
Book review: The Devil and Sherlock Holmes Read More »
book reviewsMy much-anticipated Green Felt Journal piece about casino tweeting–which inspired me to finally claim @unlvgaming and get to work–is out, in today’s Vegas Seven: Casinos are always looking for new ways to reach customers. So it’s no surprise that they’ve embraced Twitter, the popular social networking application that lets anyone tell the world, in 140
Latest GFJ: The Power of Twitter Read More »
news about gamblingIt just had a great talk with Bobby Baldwin about Aria for an article I’m writing for Vegas Seven about the first 100 days of CityCenter. Talking to people at the property and online, and having gotten too few bars there myself, one of the questions I asked him was about cell phone service. His
100% Aria cell service by end of March Read More »
news about gamblingHere are some reminders from the IRS about what to do with your gambling winnings and losses: # Gambling income includes – but is not limited to – winnings from lotteries, raffles, horse and dog races and casinos, as well as the fair market value of prizes such as cars, houses, trips or other noncash
Gambling tips from the IRS Read More »
news about gamblingMy Atlantic City history column in March’s Casino Connection has nothing to do with gambling. Instead, I look briefly at the career of an artist who was born in Atlantic City, Jacob Lawrence: Dozens of notable figures have played a part in Atlantic City’s history, from Thomas Edison and Diamond Jim Brady to Jay-Z and
AC native Jacob Lawrence in Casino Connection Read More »
atlantic city, writingThat’s the trajectory at Bill’s Lake Tahoe. From the LVRJ: Harrah’s sells Bill’s Lake Tahoe casino site It’s hard to say what Bill Harrah would have thought about this. On one hand, he was by no means shy around women–he was married seven times. On the other hand, he wanted Harrah’s Lake Tahoe to be,
From slots to strippers Read More »
news about gamblingBlack Gaming, which operates 3 casinos in Mesquite, Nevada, has declared bankruptcy. From the LVRJ: In statements last year, Black said the company was generating cash flow but was unable to manage its high amount of debt. Black, a longtime Las Vegas real estate developer, said the challenging economy of the past 24 months hurt
Bankruptcy in Mesquite Read More »
news about gamblingAt the “opening ceremonies” for Aria, U.S. Green Buildings Council CEO Rick Fedrizzi said that Aria was an example of what architecture should be, and that schoolchildren should be brought in to see the building for itself as an example of what the future would be. “Wow,” I thought, “Bringing kids to a casino to
Gambling Goes Mainstream | Global Gaming Business Magazine Read More »
news about gambling, writing