A high-roller who lost an incredible amount of money gambling in Las Vegas casinos is seeking to avoid paying some of his markers, claiming that he was too drunk to know what he was doing. From the LV Sun: High-rolling Nebraska philanthropist Terrance K. Watanabe is mounting an unusual defense to charges he failed to
The intoxication defense Read More »
news about gamblingDoes this excerpt from an article at The American about the decline of middle class cities sound like the past few years on the Strip? I think so: Ultimately, in good times or bad, cities have to want a middle class to have one. And politicians, if asked, will genuflect to the idea of maintaining
Luxury cities and high-end casinos Read More »
news about gamblingLas Vegas has lost one of its true legends. Claudine Williams, after a storied career, passed away yesterday. From the LVRJ: Claudine Williams, the first woman to run a Strip casino and considered one of the pioneers who shaped the gaming industry and Las Vegas, died Wednesday after a long illness. She was 88. Williams
Technically, sports betting isn’t banned in the Diamond State, but I figured this was a quick way to work in a George Thorogood reference. Here’s the story from USA Today: The Delaware state senate moved quickly Tuesday to approve a sports gambling bill, leaving only Gov. Jack Markell's promised signature as the final step before
Delaware destroys sports betting ban Read More »
news about gamblingThe Frank Bill, which would legalize internet gaming with several key restrictions, has attracted the usual range of partisan comment. Supporters of allowing people to play online insist it is a needed expansion of personal liberty, while opponents decry it as opening turning the dens and bedrooms of America into gambling parlors. Let’s start the
Legalizing Internet gaming…the federal solution Read More »
news about gamblingHeather B. Armstrong. It Sucked and Then I Cried: How I Had a Baby, a Breakdown, and a Much Needed Margarita. New York: Simon Spotlight Entertainment, 2009. 258 pages. There are many awful things about pregnancy, child birth, and infant care; many funny things, too. In It Sucked and Then I Cried, Heather Armstrong shares
Book Review: It Sucked and Then I Cried Read More »
book reviewsThe March gaming and tourism numbers are out, and it doesn’t look pretty, though only time will tell whether the bottom is near or somewhere in the distance. Statewide, all nonrestricted locations won 11.61% less this March than they in March 2008. In Las Vegas, visitor volume declined by 6.5%. Clearly, fewer people are coming
March revenue thoughts Read More »
life in vegas, news about gamblingI got this is my email the other day–if you are thinking about running the RnR LV Marathon this December, this might be the time to sign up: ROCKIN’ Summer Deal Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon enthusiasts unite Join us for the Inaugural Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon & Half Marathon – the REAL DEAL
Rock and Roll Las Vegas Deal Read More »
life in vegasJohn Katsilometes at the LV Sun has a good piece on the failure of Star Trek: The Experience to beam down into Neonopolis in time for this week’s Trek movie mayhem: The once-optimistic plans to open phases of Star Trek Experience at Neonopolis in concert with the new “Star Trek” movie on a single date
Exploring strange new malls Read More »
life in vegasAs promised, I’m continuing the podcast even while the Colloquium series goes on hiatus for the summer. Yesterday I did an interview with John Blink, who co-wrote a book about the California Hotel and Casino. Last week I reviewed the book, so take a look if you want a preview. This is a quick (about
New UNLV podcast: Interview with John M. Blink Read More »
what's newIn Steve Cyr’s talk last week, he made more than one reference to Mister Falcon, a legendary high roller who’s apparently been seen in town with Bruce Willis. I don’t know what you thought you heard, but that’s what the work-safe version should sound like. I was thinking about Mister Falcon today when I got
Visit Mister Falcon in Mesquite? Read More »
what's newMichael Franzese. I’ll Make You an Offer You Can’t Refuse: Insider Tips from a Former Mob Boss. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2009. 152 pages. Books on how to success in business are plentiful and, I suspect, not that helpful. Most businesses probably don’t fail because of lack of motivation, but because they are undercapitalized. Time management
Book Review: I’ll Make You an Offer You Can’t Refuse Read More »
book reviewsDennis Ogawa and John M. Blink, with Mike Gordon. California Hotel and Casino: Hawai’i’s Home Away from Home. Honolulu: Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai’i, 2008. 135 pages. Some casinos get all of the hype, while others fly below the radar but are consistently good performers. The California, in downtown Las Vegas, is definitely one of
Book Review: California Hotel and Casino Read More »
book reviewsWe’ve got an outstanding new podcast up over at the UNLV Center for Gaming Research. You’ve really got to hear it to believe it: 07-April 30, 2009 Steve Cyr, "From Hotel School to the Celebrity Suite: My Career in the Casino Industry” Cyr, a legendary Las Vegas casino host, shoots from the hip as only
New UNLV podcast: Steve Cyr Read More »
what's newThe Press reports that the Tropicana Atlantic City is almost ready to go on the block: After a 16-month saga, Tropicana Casino and Resort is one step closer to being sold. New Jersey gaming regulators today authorized the property to be auctioned off in bankruptcy. Gary S. Stein, the state-appointed conservator overseeing the sale, said
Trop sale soon…really Read More »
atlantic city, news about gamblingYes, we’ve got another hugely interesting talk tomorrow at UNLV: casino superhost Steve Cyr, currently of the Hard Rock, who is the subject of Deke Castleman’s Whale Hunt in the Desert. The talk begins at 2. You can find more information here. Cyr is a UNLV alum and always has something interesting to say. Other
As a former casino security officer, I take a greater concern than some with people keeping themselves safe while on vacation at a casino resort. Often, carelessness and lack of vigilance can lead to burglaries or worse. Since most crimes committed in casinos are crimes of opportunity, you can be proactive and prevent most, but
Always check your door Read More »
life in vegasAlan Jay Zaremba. The Madness of March: Bonding and Betting with the Boys in Las Vegas. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 2009. 228 pages. Sports betting is one of the most popular, yet least studied, forms of gambling. Researchers have been trying to get inside the heads of slot players for years, and there’s been
Book Review: The Madness of March Read More »
book reviewsShaun Priest. Decisions. Lakeland, Florida: Small Dogma Publishing, 2008. 233 pages. Often, fiction does a better job of capturing reality than statistics and figures. Sometimes, there are no reliable numbers out there. Sports betting is a perfect example. There are not even solid estimates of the total amount bet illegally on sports each year because,
Book Review: Decisions Read More »
book reviewsWe were lucky to host an outstanding Gaming Research Colloquium talk today: Dr. Nicholas Tosney spoke about some parallels between early modern British gambling and 20th century Las Vegas gambling. Great stuff that I highly recommend. Nick Tosney: Commercialization, Crime, and Casinos – Center for Gaming Research. Subscribe to the UNLV Gaming Podcast in iTunes,
New podcast lecture up Read More »
what's new