Atlantic City has an important decision to make: how to sell the last big piece of casino-developable land (at least until the zoning is changed). Right now, the Casino Redevelopment Agency is planning to take bids on the 140-acre tract at Bader Field, but Penn National wants to do an end-run around the process by
Penn National offer…stupid or savvy? Read More »
atlantic cityI’m back from the Winter Getaway, transitioning from creative non-fiction back into gaming archives and analysis. So why not plug my recent column in the LVBP prognosticating on the coming year? The massive consolidation that left Harrah’s and MGM Mirage as the world’s largest casino companies likely won’t return, but developments on the ownership front
LVBP column about the future Read More »
writingNo, the Tropicana didn’t sign Celine Dion. Instead, in the best AC tradition, the casino is launching a new advertising campaign to convince visitors that there’s no place for squalor and surliness in the court-appointed conservator-run casino. From the AC Press: Tropicana Casino and Resort is overhauling its battered image with the help of a
A new day at the Trop Read More »
atlantic cityIf you’ve ever wanted commit to something but need online peer pressure to make you go through with it, check out stickK.com (via the Undercover Economist): On stickK, you draw up an official commitment contract that binds you to achieving a personal goal, be it big or small. By agreeing to this contract, you publicly
In a few days I’ll be heading the the Winter Poetry & Prose Getaway in Cape May, NJ to lead a workshop in creative nonfiction, so don’t expect too much from me the rest of the week. You might have noticed that I’ve gotten away from straight-up gaming news stories in the past few weeks.
Ordinarily I wouldn’t spend the time posting about an adult entertainment expo, but this Las Vegas Sun article got me thinking, particularly this bit: Representing a more directly applied technology, Marques Lyons, a promoter for Zeus Electrosex, is luring passers-by with a demo of his somewhat frightening battery-operated products. “What we’ve done is take stimulation
Ever wonder what sorts of information you’d need to disclose if you want to own a casino? If you’re really curious, you could download the Multi Jurisdicitonal Personal History Form (pdf) yourself. If not, check out this list of tidbits that’s I’ve pulled out on a slow news day. You’ve got to tell regulators: Any
Things you need to tell the GCB Read More »
gambling & culture, news about gamblingIf you’re a Vegas fan, you’ve probably read plenty of stuff about the 5-star, 5-diamond properties, three-star Michelin restaurants, and other top-notch accommodations. If you can’t afford to stay or eat at one of these places, you might get Vegas envy worrying that other people are having a better time in town than you. But
The worst hotel in Las Vegas Read More »
life in vegasDon’t necessarily believe what you read: they just remodeled the Taj bac pit and are now calling it a salon. For a laugh, check in there and ask for an appointment for a cut and color. From the AC Press: This is no mere gambling den or baccarat pit, but rather, ahem – French accent
Taj bac pit gets makeover Read More »
atlantic city, news about gamblingThis story didn’t happen in Las Vegas, but it could have. From the LVRJ: A 6-foot-3, 265-pound man says a restaurant overcharged him for his trips to the buffet line, then banned him and a relative because they’re hearty eaters. A spokesman for the restaurant denies the claim. Ricky Labit, a disabled offshore worker, said
Banned at the buffet Read More »
haphazard worldYes, it had a very soft opening last weekend, but in my mind the Palazzo is now really open for business: its carpet is immortalized in the Die is Cast casino carpet gallery. Clearly the color palette is related to the Venetian’s, yet it is different enough to have its own identity. But it still
Palazzo opening official Read More »
life in vegas, news about gamblingI stopped by Palazzo today and thought I’d share my impressions. Here are a few disorganized thoughts, without even the dignity of ellipses…. It’s a VERY soft opening, with incomplete finishes in the casino area and very little open. It’s neat seeing the casino as a work in progress, but if I was a paying
First thoughts on Palazzo Read More »
news about gamblingI haven’t posted in a very long time, but I wrote a draft of this a few days ago. It’s not breaking news now, but it’s still significant. From PC Mag: Antigua and Barbuda won compensation from the United States on Friday in a long-running trade dispute about gambling, but the amount was far lower
Antigua to get $21m from US Read More »
news about gamblingLike many a would-be empire-builder, Columbia Sussex met with a serious reverse on its Eastern Front. Having lost its license in New Jersey, the company now has to sell off 3 casinos, and even then might not be in the clear. From the Philly Inquirer: Add Philadelphia; Baton Rouge, La.; and Las Vegas to the
Trop woes continue Read More »
atlantic city, news about gamblingIf you’ve ever wondered what “pressing a bet” is, thanks to the magic of YouTube, you can see it for yourself: Link if you can’t view the embed:YouTube – Casino Scam #3 One comment: it looks like the guy demonstrating the move drops a black ($100) on top of a pile of green ($25) chips.
Bet pressing demonstrated Read More »
gambling & cultureIn yesterday’s article on the Tropicana license denial, the Press of Pleasantville (I saw that in one of the comments and couldn’t resist) ran a sidebar on past license bids that fizzled. Here it is: 1979 – The Casino Control Commission orders the chairman and vice chairman of the Caesars World board, Clifford and Stuart
Past AC license denials Read More »
atlantic cityI’m not going to pile on the Tropicana AC story today. They got their license ripped, and I’ve said all I’m going to say about it on this thread at 2 Way Hard 3 and to several journalists who’ve called me just to chat about this today. Instead, I’m going to provide a public service:
Vegas winter travel advisory Read More »
life in vegasYou don’t read too much about casino owner Don Barden in the Las Vegas or gambling media, but he’s got a nice-sized casino company and great prospects for the future, particularly in Pittsburgh. The NY Times has a short piece detailing his rise to wealth and moderate fame: Don H. Barden could have scheduled the
Barden profile in NYT Read More »
news about gamblingI’m not totally sure that this is news, but I’m going with it today anyway–otherwise, I’d have to post my usual thoughts on the lower AC revenue numbers. Caesars Palace has raised its table limits to what it says are the highest in town (but which may not in fact be). From the LVRJ: The
Caesars raises limits Read More »
life in vegas, news about gamblingLike most of you, I spent some time this morning browsing through the Mahabharata looking for material for a class. And I was struck by the courtly fashion in which hospitality-related customer complaints were resolved back in Vedic times: And the king having signified his assent, entertained Utanka duly. And Utanka seeing that the food
Customer complaints, the old-fashioned way Read More »
haphazard world