The biggest news today might be the lack of news about the Harrah’s Entertainment LBO. From the LVRJ: A meeting that no one will confirm is taking place could determine the direction of the gaming industry’s largest casino operator. Almost 10 weeks after two private equity groups bid more than $15 billion to take Harrah’s
Harrah’s up for grabs? Read More »
atlantic city, life in vegas, news about gamblingNo big news today, besides the big fire on Tropicana that seems to be under control (my office window has an unobstructed view), so here’s another marathon story from the LV Sun: It was 6:15 a.m. Sunday, and by then the New Las Vegas Marathon, which is actually the semi-new Las Vegas Marathon, considering this
More marathon (plus, bookselling at the Bellagio buffet) Read More »
life in vegasThe New Las Vegas Marathon went off yesterday, and it was quite an experience. From the LVRJ: The gang of a couple dozen Elvises hit mile five, and a few of them decided to hydrate — with cold cans of beer that they had gamely pushed along in a stroller. “It’s light beer,” said 57-year-old
Race for the kitsch? Read More »
life in vegasI don’t have much time today–I’m off to Mandalay Bay for the LV Marathon expo–but this is newsworthy: Singapore awarded its second casino resort contract Friday to Genting International, whose proposal of a venture worth 5.2 billion Singapore dollars is intended to lure thousands of visitors with a Universal Studios theme park and a huge
Sentosa casino set Read More »
news about gamblingThis is a big story–the Seminole Tribe has bought Hard Rock (but not the Vegas casino). From the AP: The Seminole Tribe of Florida said Thursday it was buying the famed Hard Rock business, including its casinos, restaurants, hotels and huge collection of rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia, in a groundbreaking $965 million deal with a
The new (boneless) buffalo Read More »
news about gamblingI recently recorded an interview with Dr. Alvin Augustus Jones, whose radio show is billed as “”Where World Leaders And Thinkers Come To Chat.” It was one of my best interviews yet–Dr. Jones asked some excellent questions that not only let me talk about the book, but made me think about gambling, history, and politics
Interview on Dr. Alvin Jones Show Read More »
what's newThe other night, Suni and I watched a movie that neither of us had heard about called Love, Ludlow. It was between that and a few other things Tivo had decided we might like, and based on the description, we decided to give it a shot: Myra Smuldanski has done the unthinkable. After years of
Movie Review: Love, Ludlow Read More »
book reviewsPachinko 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 vegas