Pachinko is a major Japanese industry, earning about $300 billion a year–about six times what all American casinos make. But, despite hard proof to the contrary, some are limiting their play, fearful that some pachinko profits end up in the coffers of North Korea’s dictator Kim Jong Il. From the Mainichi Daily News: Gambling at […]
Pachinko funds N. Korean nukes? Read More »
gambling & cultureYesteday, Iowa governor Tom Vlisack announced his candidacy for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination. Anyone who was reading back in my Casino [ptz] days then will remember the controversy that Vilsack’s wife unleashed when she accused South Jerseyeans of talking like fish: “The only way I can speak like residents of New Jersey and eastern
Fish-talking (potential) first lady Read More »
atlantic cityI always keep an eye open for a good turn of phrase in the sometimes-dry world of gaming and casino news. Adam Goldman with the AP had some great phrases (anyone remember the great pedicab pedophiles line?) So I was pleased to see David McKee of the Las Vegas Business Press have some fun with
One-liner of the week Read More »
atlantic city, life in vegasIt’s November sweeps, so you might have noticed your local TV news ratcheting things up a little. Los Angeles’s CBS2 made the drive up I-15 and gave viewers a very slickly-produced glimpse inside the Las Vegas Hilton’s Sky Villas. These three suites–the Verona, Tusancy, and Conrad–were Hilton’s 1994 reaction to the high-roller wars. I don’t
Rare look inside the Sky Villas Read More »
life in vegasI’ve gotten another really positive review of Roll the Bones. This one appeared in the Motley Fool, and considers the book’s utility for investors: The ruffle of shuffled cards, the muted rumble of thrown dice, the dings of slot machines. The sounds of gambling are all over, with casinos found within a reasonable distance of
A foolish review of Roll the Bones Read More »
writingI borrowed the title from Philip K. Dick (don’t worry–I’ll return it when I’m done), because it completely suits this story. If you’ve got the money, an “ailibi service company” will gladly help you lie to those who trust and love you. From the Las Vegas Sun: Mary is married, and Mary is having an
Ian Fleming. Casino Royale. New York: Signet Books, 1953. 144 pages. “JAMES BOND declares war on Le Chiffre, French Communist of paymaster of the Soviet murder organization SMERSH. The battle begins for the ace secret agent in a fifty-million franc game of baccarat…gains momentum in his fiery love affair with a sensuous lady spy…and reaches
Book Review: Casino Royale Read More »
book reviewsSlot machines are wonderful things, if only for their power to transform formerly obscure sites into hotly-debated centers of finance. Seriously. Five years ago, if you had said that the goings-on at a Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania racetrack were going to be front-page news anywhere, people would have said you were nuts. Well, thanks to the almighty
Big money at Pocono Downs Read More »
news about gamblingI just love this headline: Tiny Antigua grabs the US by its illegal, online dice. The story is interesting, too: Has the time actually come for Congress to read its own legislation? In the wee hours before Congressmen could head off for their election year recess, they managed to churn out a mound of unread
Antigua v. US: Round three…fight!! Read More »
news about gamblingI didn’t get to post much last week because I was down at the Global Gaming Expo. Some of the time, I was hanging out at my exhibit on casino dining. Much of the rest of the time, I was trawling the expo floor, talking with exhibitors, in my continuing mission to remain an up-to-date
Since I’m two-thirds of the way through the Global Gaming Expo, I’ve reached capacity on gambling-related news and notes. So, instead of talking about EBITDA or racinos, I’m taking a moment to talk about something decidedly non-gambling. For an all-too-brief weekend, Las Vegas (or at least a very, very small part of it) will be
Mondo atomic blast Read More »
life in vegasI’m off to get interviewed on “Face to Face with Jon Ralston” so I’ve got about thirty seconds to get this down. First, I was down at G2E yesterday and it is looking immense as always. Remember, I’m doing the signing in room N110 tomorrow at 1:30, so if you are at the show, stop
New exhibit for G2E Read More »
life in vegasI haven’t done any concert/show reviews here yet, and I can’t think of any good reason. Well, actually I can: when I go to a show, I usually want to just enjoy, and not have to worry about analyzing it. The casino carpet thing has already ruined casinos for me. Every time I set foot
Manilow in concert Read More »
life in vegasWill Goa become the Indian Las Vegas, the Macau of Hindustan, or the Atlantic City of Baharat? According to Clickwalla, that might be in the cards: Goa, India’s beach paradise, is set to become the country’s gambling capital after local politicians said the state would allow 10 more floating casinos to operate off its shores.
Jay Sarno once said that it doesn’t take any talent to give stuff away. It might not be a coincidence that the Sands is celebrating its closing…by giving stuff away. From the AC Press: The Sands Casino Hotel will be giving money away on its final night of business. Really, it will. Lucky gamblers will
I don’t think this qualifies as breaking news, but Australians really like gambling. Well, it’s news in the Courier Mail: AUSTRALIANS love to punt, to the tune of $18.8 billion in the past year, an increase of 7.5 per cent. Spending on gambling has grown at a faster pace than total household spending for the
I don’t have much of a reason for putting this story up, except to prove perhaps that gambling can flourish anywhere. From The Raw Story: Police were searching for Senegal’s honorary consul after finding the consulate in Singapore was doubling as a gambling den packing up to 100 enthusiasts a night, officials said on Sunday.
Consul craps busted Read More »
news about gamblingYou can’t not love this AC Press headline: It’s church vs. state in Lower Twp. vulture war There’s actually a story behind it: The Rev. Robert Forbes takes the pulpit here at St. John of God Church to warn his parishioners about all kinds of problems in the world, but his latest concern is a
If you’ve been a regular reader, you should know that my latest book Roll the Bones came out last month. It’s a comprehensive history for the general reader (in other words, not a “dry” (boring) academic monograph). It’s been getting some nice press–check out the Reviews page to see thumbs-up reviews from everyone from the
Win a signed book! Read More »
what's new, writingFew people would be willing to turn down a free ride, particularly to a casino. But the Atlantic City Jitney Association is hoping that Harrah’s patrons will. At least that’s the story according to the AC Press: The drivers of the resort’s 190 jitneys are taking their campaign against a new casino shuttle to the