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In a survey of Yelp Elites (the most-active reviewers) on the Top 100 BBQ Restaurants in the U.S., Las Vegas garnered five listings. Interestingly, given all the great Texas, Carolinas, Kansas City, Memphis, and St. Louis joints here, all five in the Yelp standings are Asian barbecues. Here they are: Samurai Japanese BBQ and Grill (#14), Hobak Korean BBQ (#27), 8OZ Korean Steakhouse and Bar (#55), Master Kim’s Korean BBQ (#78), and WinKee HK BBQ & Noodle (#97). We second the choice of 8OZ. Tops on the list was Little Miss BBQ-University in Phoenix.
Though prediction markets get most of the ink around sports betting nowadays, sometimes the exploding industry itself garners some attention. This morning's crop of stories is a case in point. First, a new national poll finds more Americans oppose sports betting than approve of it. An Overton Insights survey on political and public-policy issues queried nearly 1,400 people about their opinions on sports betting and overall, 47% were opposed, 31% were in support, and 22% didn't know (or didn't care). That's the most opposed we've seen in a poll in a long while. Next, an opinion piece on Futurism.com delves into the latest college sports betting scandal: the Texas Tech star quarterback's suspension over "hundreds of bets worth $90,000, including on games he was playing in." The conclusion is in the headline: "Sports Betting Scandals Are Tearing College Football Apart." Finally, there's the spectacle of UFC Freedom 250 (a.k.a. UFC White House), the mixed martial arts event scheduled for a week from Sunday on the South Lawn of the White House. Obviously, this is the first time the White House has ever hosted a wagering event, but when it comes to sports betting, there's a first time for a lot of things.
Climatological (a.k.a. meteorological) summer started yesterday and continues through August 31, encompassing the three hottest months of the year, as opposed to astronomical summer, solstice (June 21) to equinox (September 20). To commemorate the occasion, temperatures will rise into the triple digits tomorrow and stay there at least through the weekend. On Monday and Tuesday, it's back down a bit to the high 90s, then right back up to 105 on Wednesday and predicted high of 108 on Thursday, which would be the hottest day of the year.
Tomorrow starts the Stanley Cup Final between home team Golden Knights and the Carolina Hurricanes. Here are the biggest watch parties. The VGK themselves will host the official Game 1 party right at T-Mobile Arena; admission is $5. Proceeds will go to the Vegas Golden Knights Foundation. Doors open at 4 p.m. and the game starts at 5. Stadium Swim at Circa Las Vegas has been hosting watch parties throughout the playoffs and will continue until the Cup is hoisted. Doors open at 4 p.m. and you can get in free if you're wearing VGK gear (must be 21). The three Nacho Daddy's locations are serving a "power-play package" of two margaritas, nachos, churros, and choice of wings or queso dip for $49.95. Game 2 on Thursday can be viewed in the Water Street Plaza in downtown Henderson, with a DJ and food vendors. Also on Thursday, the Uncommons across from Durango will open up for fans who can bring chairs and buy food and beverage specials from the on-site restaurants and pop-up bars.
Ferraro’s Ristorante has brought back its “Summer in Italy” special, running from June 15 to Aug. 23. The four-course meal with antipasti, pasta, main course, and dessert is $75 per person, slightly up from last year’s $69. Ferraro’s is an excellent non-casino restaurant located across the street from Virgin Hotel.
On the heels of billionaire Tilman Fertitta's so-far successful buyout of Caesars Entertainment, billionaire media mogul Barry Diller has tendered a bid to buy MGM Resorts. Diller's company, People Inc., already owns 26.1% of the stock, having invested in MGM steadily over the past six years. Calling the company "wildly undervalued," Diller has offered to buy the other 74% at a 10% premium on the most recent closing price (which is up 15% this morning on the news). In a statement, Diller said he likes MGM, because "it represents a rare kind of business: one with real-world assets that AI cannot easily replicate or disintermediate and exceptional digital growth opportunities." People Inc. would close the deal with cash on hand and debt and funding commitments. MGM hasn't responded.