I’ve been meaning to sit down and do a comparative analysis of casino and lotteries revenues over the past year, to see whether the economic downturn (ED) is causing people to gamble less, or just forcing them to curtail trips to Las Vegas and other gaming destinations (and even local venues). Lo and behold, someone’s
Lottery records falling Read More »
news about gamblingAn earthquake moderately shook up LA and, supposedly Las Vegas this morning: A strong earthquake shook Southern California on Tuesday, causing buildings to sway and triggering some precautionary evacuations. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. The jolt was felt from Los Angeles to San Diego, and slightly in Las Vegas. The 11:42
I thought this was an interesting story. Monkeys don’t have much use for money, but since they like marshmallows, they are up for experiments like this one. From Psychology Today: Keith Chen and Marc Hauser at Yale University taught monkeys about resources that bear a strong resemblance to money. Monkeys dont care about money, per
Here’s another reasons not to move to Las Vegas: the cicadas. They’ve been buzzing pretty loudly for about a month now, and we’ve got another month to go. If you’re not familiar with the critters, the LV Sun has some great info: Cicadas are perfectly harmless. This may be hard to accept when walnut-sized insects
Another LV annoyance Read More »
life in vegasThere’s a new study on online gambling, and the authors think that playing online should be regulated. From the LV Sun: Gamblers in the UNLV study weren’t asked about gambling addiction, but rather what gambling meant to them and what motivated them to gamble online versus in bricks-and-mortar casinos. Researchers asked gamblers, 20 of whom
Online gaming study Read More »
news about gamblingSteve Wynn doesn’t think much of the blogosphere. And I agree with him on this point. In many cases, would-be pundits’ reach exceeds their comprehension. From the LVRJ: Wynn, who controls 24 million shares of the company’s 111.8 million outstanding shares, is bullish on the future, not only for Wynn Resorts but the gaming industry
Wynn hates bloggers Read More »
news about gamblingMy latest piece in the LVBP is small consolation for folks who’ve got a significant chunk of their net worth tied up in gaming stocks, but hey, there’s a reason that they call it “gambling.” I’ll spoil you with the last two paragraphs, from the LVBP: Today, with fears of an economic downturn souring even
There always seem to be a few lamentations when someone pulls down a Strip icon, but the protests are getting more and more muted. That’s mostly because Las Vegas resort architecture seems to be essentially disposable; it’s built for specific market conditions, and when they change, it is renovated beyond recognition or replaced. It’s just
Book review: The Leisure Architecture of Wayne McAllister Read More »
book reviewsThis is my 1000th post at the die is cast, and what better way to celebrate than a review of a 50 year-old book that has nothing to do with gambling or Las Vegas? Suffice it to say that I’m just not a centralist. You don’t know what that means yet, but if you go
Book Review: The Revelations of Dr. Modesto Read More »
book reviewsFor a long time now, I’ve been a total mark for anything written about con men, tricksters, and legerdemain specialists. Whether it’s fiction, memoir, or how-to, I’ll read it. It’s not that I want to cheat other people, or that I’m paranoid about falling victim to them–it’s my sheer fascination with guys who are masters
Book Review: 52 Ways to Cheat at Poker Read More »
book reviewsAnd it’s only seven months into the year, too the 2008 version of Winslow’s 11 Guide is out. Well, that’s the kind of devotion I show to something for which I receive faint but welcome praise and no cash. Seriously, I’ve had a lot going on, so getting this out is a real victory for
Winslow’s 11 2008 is out! Read More »
writingWhile shopping at a local outlet mall, I noticed this wonderful chapeau offered for sale: I’ve got a few problems with this. The chief one is that only a fool would advertise that they were part of a continuing criminal enterprise. The whole point of the mafia is that it’s supposed to be a shadowy
I assume that Rainawari is somewhere in the Kashmir, but from this story, I imagine that it’s quite different from Las Vegas. From Greater Kashmir Online Edition: The residents of Mirzabagh, Mughal Mohalla, Rainawari and other adjoining areas Tuesday alleged that the areas have become hub of gamblers. A delegation from the areas told Greater
A story you’ll never hear in Vegas Read More »
news about gamblingA couple has plead guilty to stealing a million bucks–then blowing it on slots in Atlantic City. From Newsday: A couple has admitted that they went on a million-dollar Atlantic City gambling spree with money the woman had stolen from her employer. New Jersey prosecutors say Jamine Alabre faces about six years in state prison,
Reviewing this one hasn’t been easy, mostly because it’s got some very difficult math and I haven’t taken a math class since my junior year in high school. Still, it’s a valuable addition to the literature, and I figured I give it a shot. Read on for more…
Book review: Optimal Play Read More »
book reviewsIt’s my last book review repost, and it’s one that I’ve regretted inflicting on the wrold. Sheesh, this one brings back memories that might have been better buried. Just look at the cover: Looking through the shelves of fiction in UNLV Special Collections for pulp crime/gambling novels to read, I stumbled across this gem. If
Book review: $50 a Night Read More »
book reviewsMy latest Business Press column is out, in which I turn an offhand comment by an LA Times movie reviewer into grist for 550 words about Fake Vegas. From the LVBP: Casinos, certainly, have taken their place as legitimate businesses, and a former Harvard business professor runs the world’s biggest gaming company. So it’s not
Fake Vegas explored Read More »
life in vegas, news about gamblingThe new issue of LAB magazine is out (its motto: A wunderkabinet of creative culture. With a cherry on top.), and I’ve got an article in it about my virtual collection of casino carpet. I knew that if I kept this up long enough, I’d end up in the avant garde of culture and design.
Casino carpet culture Read More »
writingIt’s two days old, but better late than never. This is a well-written article about how big-time poker players make outrageous proposition bets for more than most of us make in a year. From the NY Times: Over the years, so-called proposition betting — the sometimes absurd, usually spur-of-the-moment wagers that gamblers make among themselves
Poker prop betting in NYT Read More »
gambling & cultureIn a story that has only one obvious typo–nice work, editors!–we learn that, if you give people something besides warmed-over singers and comics in your showrooms, you can actually attract new people to Atlantic City casinos. Outstanding! From the AC Press: Casino shows used to feature aging crooners and old comics like Henny Youngman, who
‘Lifestyle celebs’ in AC Read More »
atlantic city, news about gambling