Las Vegas News

No More 'Dancing' for Poker Star:

Despite the use of a prosthetic posterior (and several phone-in votes from an LVA staffer), actress and poker pro Shannon Elizabeth, along with partner Derek Hough, got cashed out in Tuesday night's "Dancing with the Stars" elimination show. Elizabeth, a semi-finalist in the 2007 NBC Heads-Up Championship (and a breakout player at the previous year's WSOP), outlasted half the original field of 12 but was voted off this week, even though she and Hough had notched their highest score to date. Celeb hoofers still in the hunt include cumulative points leader Kristi Yamaguchi, her closest challenger, Jason Taylor, and R&B star Mario.

Coloradans Eye Gambling Expansion:

In the aftermath of a new smoking ban, Colorado casinos have reeling -- revenues were down 15% last month. Casino owners are pushing back with a ballot initiative which would extend business hours, introduce table games and raise bet limits. The referendum would have to pass statewide, then again in Central City, Black Hawk and Cripple Creek. Bets, currently capped at $5, could go as high as $100, craps and roulette would be legalized, and casino operating hours would be 'round the clock. "Initial polling in the state shows support for the initiative," reports Bear Stearns.

Who Said It?:

Which casino mogul told Reuters, "I'm working very hard to do two things: grow old ungracefully and cling with the desperation of a drowning man to my immaturity"? See Stiffs & Georges.

Shuffle Master Gets Honor:

Today's Wall Street Journal carries the "Patent Scorecard," officially known as The Patent Board's Consumer Electronic Scorecard. It names Shuffle Master as one of the 35 most innovative companies (and the second-most in the U.S.). The Board's Industry Impact index showed Shuffle Master out in front, in terms of the influence its technology portfolio has exerted upon the industry. "Shuffle Master’s intellectual property portfolio was measured on its technical strength, science and research strength, and the speed at which the Company’s patents become assets," the company said in an official statement.

Rhode Island Gambling Goes 24/7:

Battling back amendment after amendment, Rhode Island's state senate voted 27-6 to allow the state's two slot parlors to operate around the clock on weekends and holidays. In return, $14 million in additional gambling proceeds will be earmarked for education funding. Local voters, in nonbinding referenda have overwhelmingly opposed the change but sailed through the House, 51-19. An amendment to raise the state's legal gambling age to 21 was defeated after it was pointed out that the move would cost Rhode Island $15 million a year in tax revenue, negating the revenue-relief effect of the extended operating hours.

Laughlin Lawsuit Settled:

Six waitresses and their supervisor will be splitting a $200,000 settlement brokered between a federal court and the River Palms Resort & Casino, in Laughlin. "Federal officials who brought the lawsuit say the casino's former management tried to harass senior cocktail servers into quitting and planned to replace them with younger employees," reports The Associated Press. EEOC officials made it clear that the incidents reflected upon prior ownership and were not the fault of current owner Columbia Sussex.

Kentucky Derby Promos Begin:

The race and sports book at Jerry’s Nugget is the first venue to get into the Kentucky Derby celebrations, with promotions May 1 through 3. Get a free souvenir with a minimum bet on any Derby horse, including an officially licensed Kentucky Derby glass for a $10 wager and a Jerry’s Nugget polo shirt with a $25 wager on the Jerry’s Nugget Derby Matchup. Limit two souvenir gifts per person. A Derby viewing party will be held in the race and sports book on May 3, with free food for qualified race bettors, including donuts and coffee in the morning and track sandwiches in the afternoon. Mint Juleps will be available at the Main Bar from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. for $1.50. Watch this space for word on other upcoming Derby parties and promos around town.

Beer-Tasting Party:

Big Dog’s Draft House at the corner of North Rancho and Craig Road will host a tasting party to introduce their newest specialty brew, Belgian White. Try a pint on the house, May 1 from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Belgian White will be available for a limited time while supplies last at all Big Dog’s Neighborhood Brewpubs starting Friday, May 2. Served by the 20 oz. Pilsner, pitcher, and half-gallon Growlers and garnished with a slice of orange.

Free Popcorn with Iron Man:

Galaxy Cannery Theatres (located inside the Cannery Casino) will provide free popcorn to those who purchase a ticket for the 8 p.m. special advanced screening of Iron Man Thursday, May 1.

Las Vegas "Conman" on Today:

Check out the "Today" show this morning for a segment on BMX biking that features Las Vegas' Connor Fields, known on YouTube as "Conman." BMX debuts this year as an Olympic event and Connor is one of the World's top riders; however, he won't compete in this year's games, because, at just 15, he's one year too young. Connor is also the son of Action Gaming executive, Mike Fields and his wife Lisa. Mike oversees the Web site videopoker.com and Action is our publishing partner for the software program Video Poker for Winners.

New Cirque Show 'Cosmos':

According to Macau Tripping, Cirque du Soleil's production show for Venetian Macao is to be called Cosmos. Opening night is slated for August 29.

Online Bookies Win Big One:

The French Tennis Federation (FFT) doubled-faulted in court, in a legal bout that pitted it against online bookmakers Bwin, Ladbrokes and Betfair. A Liege, Belgium court backhanded both the French Open's attempt to impose a ban on Internet wagering on the Grand Slam event and its accusation that the wagering companies were "parasites" sponging off the genteel sport. Bookmakers successfully argued that it was they who were the victims of match-fixing players like Nikolai Davidenko. A similar case is playing out in Paris, where the FFT is being countersued for damages by Bwin.

Second Casting Call for Eastside Cannery:

The follow-up recruitment session for this new property, slated to open in August, takes place from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. tomorrow, April 30, at the College of Southern Nevada's Cheyenne Campus (3200 E. Cheyenne). They're looking for staff to fill all positions, from dealers to chefs, bellpersons to bartenders. If you can't make it tomorrow, a final job fair takes place from noon-3 p.m. on Thursday in the Key West Ballroom inside the Palms.

Florida Spoils Boyd's Quarter:

Boyd Gaming would have beat analysts' profit expectations for the first quarter of '07, were it not for disappointment in Florida, where it owns a slot parlor, Dania Jai-Alai. Despite a 9% revenue decline, Boyd was on track to post earnings of $0.34 a share -- two cents per share higher than Wall Street's consensus. However, Boyd wrote off $84 million in Dania Jai-Alai license rights, converting a profitable quarter into a $0.37/share loss. ""Consumers across the country faced an increasing number of hardships, including higher food prices, higher mortgage payments, unprecedented gas prices and the prospects of higher unemployment," stated CEO Keith Smith, who predicted the company would be slightly below estimated earnings for next quarter.

Aristocrat Profits Still Stagnant:

Aristocrat Leisure stock hit a 42-month low after the company announced what Bloomberg News described as "a third straight year of little or no profit growth." Part of that stall was blamed on U.S. casinos, which the company said are hesitant to buy new equipment, and on lower U.S. consumer spending. Smoking bans in Australia have also slowed the replacement cycle there. In response, Aristocrat will focus on new U.S. jurisdictions and on speeding up development of games for the Japanese market. "It's a high-quality business," Australian fund manager John Grace said of Aristocrat, "but it's going through a period of flat performance in key markets because of economic and regulatory factors.'

Illinois Records Good 2007:

While the effects of a statewide smoking ban are yet to be felt, Illinois regulators can close the books on a positive 2007 for the state's casinos. Attendance rose 2% and spending was up 3%, with gamblers leaving roughly $115-$150 per visit. Only Casino Rock Island, in the competitive Quad Cities market, had a down year. Some of the revenue leaders included Harrah's Joliet, which raked in $381 million and Hollywood Casino, in Aurora, with revenues of $272.5 million.

Casino Sideswiped by Runaway Barges:

Grand Soleil Casino in Natchez, Miss., had a close call yesterday when a loose barge ricocheted off a cement silo and struck a glancing blow. Initial inspections found no breach of the hull. In all, 24 barges ran amuck when a strong Mississippi River current proved too much for the tugboat hauling them upstream. Three barges snagged on the US 84 bridge and 20 others were rounded up. One remains on the loose.

Resorts A.C. Has Biggest Jackpot Ever:

A member of the "Greatest Generation" gave Resorts Atlantic City its biggest slot jackpot in the casino's three-decade history. Retired steelworker Robert M. Schaeffer, 83, was playing max-coin bets on a nickel Megabucks machine when it hit a $4.2 million jackpot. (The largest jackpot in Boardwalk history was a $10 million nickel Megabucks win scored at Harrah's Marina two years ago.) Schaeffer won't be splurging any of his winnings on himself, he said, but will use to it to set up trust funds for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He did accept a comped limo ride back to Temple, Pa., though.

Free (and Almost Free) Ice Cream:

In case you didn't catch this in David Matthew's most recent blog entry, you can get a free scoop of ice cream at participating Ben & Jerry's ice cream shops throughout the US and Canada. To find participating shops in your area, visit the Ben & Jerry's Web site. What David didn't mention is that from 5-10 p.m. tomorrow is also 31¢-scoop night at Baskin Robbins, who've teamed up with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to support local firefighters. For more information, click here.

Macau Casino Project Scrapped:

Last week, Macau CEO Edmund Ho announced a freeze on casino growth in the south China enclave. Retrenchment was quick to follow. Stanley Ho has announced the cancellation of his giant Oceanus casino project, which might have threatened walk-in business to Sheldon Adelson's Sands Macao. The Macanese tycoon will, instead, renovate his superannuated Jai Alai Casino, the city's oldest. For details on this and on a blockbuster new report on the Macau market, see Stiffs & Georges.

No Casino? How 'Bout Opera?:

Manchester, England, having been promised a 'supercasino,' only to see it snatched away, is being offered a consolation prize in the form of a publicly financed opera house. That's the favored 'regeneration' plan of Prime Minster Gordon Brown, though MP Graham Stringer gloomily mused that "I suspect it won't have the same knock-on effect" as would a casino. The opera house would act as a host venue for London's Covent Garden company and, presumably, the nearby Royal Northern College of Music. Of course, there's no reason that Britain couldn't take a page from the past and combine casino *and* opera house: Italian opera companies of the 18th and 19th centuries were underwritten from the proceeds of the gaming tables in the foyer.

Scientific Games Wins Pennsylvania Contract:

GTECH Corp., American subsidiary of Milan-based Lottomatica, believed it had sewn up a contract to provide online and instantaneous lottery services to the State of Pennsylvania. Delays in providing GTECH's Imagine terminals were blamed for the Pennsylvania Lottery's about-face, which awarded the contract to Scientific Games, which went from bridesmaid to bride. GTECH is exploring the viability of legal action.

Mississippi Floods Close Another Riverboat:

Isle Capri Casinos halted operations at its Davenport, Iowa, riverboat casino yesterday afternoon, due to rains to the northward and rising floodwaters on the Mississippi River. Isle assured the public that it remained business as usual at its sister riverboat and hotel in nearby Bettendorf, Iowa.

Macao Tourism Up 26%:

Visitation to Macao this past March grew 26% from the year before, according to the Macao Statistics & Census Service. The biggest growth sector was Southeast Asia, up 60%. Southeast Asians, though, still comprise a small slice of Macanese tourism compared to punters from Mainland China and Hong Kong, who represented an aggregate 85% of all visitors to the special administrative region, home to 29 casinos.

How Much is a Pool Worth?:

Or, more accurately, how much does it add to the value of a house? That's a question answered by Robin Camacho in today's House Advantage. Robin also reports on a possible bottoming-out of the valley's condo glut, as demand begins to keep pace with supply.

Station's Viva #1 Priority:

Forget Station Casino's Rhodes Ranch, Inspirada, 'Castaways Station' and South Strip projects, its amassing of vast acreage around Palace Station or even its announced expansion into Reno: "Viva," a $10 billion megaresort planned for the current site of Wild Wild West has been moved to head of the development queue, according to company leaders Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta. Although Station's brand name and financial track record should loosen investors' purse strings, the Fertitta brothers say they'll wait to see the early returns on MGM Mirage's CityCenter before they turn a spadeful of earth -- their timeline on the project is 10 year. A sports arena (presumably for UFC events) is part of the package, which could be an interesting wrinkle in the arena war currently in progress: Harrah's Entertainment plans one, in conjunction with AEG, while the City of Las Vegas has been proceeding, in fits and starts, with a rival project downtown.

Airlines May Push for Cheaper LV Rooms:

That's one of the prognostications in a Las Vegas Sun story about current airline woes. The good news is that, given their tiny collective market share, the collapses of Aloha, Champion, ATA and MAXjet airlines are unlikely to make sizable dent in Vegas-bound traffic. The proposed Delta/Northwest merger could be another story. Airlines are supposedly irked that they are compelled by market forces to keep fares low while Las Vegas room rates continue to climb. One airline analyst tells the Sun air carriers "will attempt to negotiate better vacation packages with their resort partners," wherein a higher ticket price would be softened by better deals at Vegas hotels.

Chiu New WPT Champ:

David Chiu won the $25,000 buy-in WPT Championship last night, mounting an incredible comeback to overtake Gus Hanson. When they began heads-up play, Hanson led in chips 22.9 million to 4.3 million, but Chiu stormed back to take the $3,389,140 first-place prize.

GG Ups Price for Shrimp:

Here's a shocker. We've heard that the price of the famous 99 cent Golden Gate shrimp cocktail goes up to $1.99 today. This is the first price increase for what LVA had ranked as Las Vegas' #1 value in almost 15 years (when it was raised from 50 cents). But not all the news is bad. It's our understanding that the shrimp cocktail will still cost 99 cents if you show a GG players card. Get to the window and sign up.

DUI Alert:

Anyone planning on alcohol-fueled fun this weekend in Henderson may want to designate a driver before leaving the house. The Henderson Police Department's Traffic Unit will be out in full force targeting drunken drivers this weekend. While there won't be any checkpoints, officers will be targeting several different streets at a time using saturation patrols. Alcohol was involved in nearly 40% of all fatal crashes in Nevada in 2005, according to the Nevada Office of Traffic Safety. In Henderson for 2007, about half of the fatal crashes involved alcohol. So do the smart thing and don't drink and drive. Ever.

Caesars Erects New Sign:

Caesars Windsor, that is, the newly redubbed Casino Windsor, just across the river from the heart of downtown Detroit. Video of the event can be seen at Stiffs & Georges, along with the latest news on the prospects for a sale of the Hooters casino.

LVCVA Bonds on Sale This Summer:

Forty to fifty million dollars' worth of LVCVA-backed bonds will go on sale sometime this summer, according to John Bonow, Public Financial Management's managing director. That will be the first salvo in an eventual $300 million in bond offerings by the LVCVA over a three-year period. Proceeds will go toward "infrastructure in projects that will benefit the tourism corridor," LVCVA spokesman Jeremy Handel is quoted as saying. The bonds will be repaid out of hotel room-tax revenues.

Dutch Gamblers Visit More, Spend Less:

U.S. casinos aren't the only ones having to cope with changing spending patterns by their clientele. Holland Casino, in its annual report, announced a 7.6% increase in visitors from 2006, or 7.5 million customers overall. However, net operating income was off by 4%. Why? Partly because taxes went up and partly due to players spending three Euros fewer per visit (101 Euros per visit is the current average). Confronting the certainty of an impending rise in the slot machine tax (up to 29%) plus a ban on smoking, CEO Dick Flink said, "We are facing an important and exciting year."

Palms Stuff Store Sale:

Get 50%-80% discounts on men's, women's and kids' logo and fashion merchandise at the Palms today and tomorrow. The sale will be held in the Jazz Room on the second level of the Fantasy Tower. Acceptable payment options include cash, credit cards, room charge, N9NE gift cards, Palms gift cards, comps, players cards, plus N9NE Group and Palms payroll deductions.

'Sue!', Trump Says:

Faced with an impending ban on smoking in all Atlantic City casinos, Donald Trump is calling for somebody (somebody other than himself, that is) to file a lawsuit, preferably the Casino Association of New Jersey. "I'm not a smoker, and I don't personally like what smoking does to people," Trump said, presumably by way of explaining why Trump Entertainment Resorts wouldn't be going to court. But, he added, the ban would create "a huge disadvantage." He may have a tough sell: According to The Associated Press, Casino Association President Joseph Corbo "has previously said the industry would reluctantly go along with a ban if it had enough time to prepare." Will six months be enough? The ban goes into effect Oct. 15.

Unwelcome News for Chip Collectors:

A work crew excavating a path for a new community center in Hernando, Miss. earlier this month uncovered a bizarre treasure trove: a huge stash of chips from the Playboy Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, which closed a couple of decades ago. The chips should have been destroyed by the company that formerly occupied the site and had been hired for the purpose, but for some reason they buried them instead. The flood of these once rare chips onto the market (eye witnesses say locals, and even cops, were scooping up bucketfuls of them) has reduced the value of the $100 chip, previously trading at a book value of $3,000, to almost nothing, as reported in yesterday's New Jersey Star-Ledger. For more information on chip collecting, visit www.ccgtcc.com.

House Prices on the Rise?:

That's what Robin Camacho is finding as she negotiates home purchases these days. Banks are holding firm and rock-bottom offers are either being rejected or bettered. Who's causing this upward shift in prices? It looks like there's a new wave of buyers and they're not from Las Vegas.

Scott: Bargains Offset Cuts:

LVA readers have been airing their gripes about small but annoying casino thrift measures. Jean Scott weighs in today with a few of her own, but notes that the annoyances are outweighed by the increased comping and lower room rates that are -- with some diligent searching -- to be had, such as a particularly lavish offer from the Palms.

Matthews Here, Matthews There:

David Matthews has been busy lately. He paid a visit to Bellagio's Conservatory and was pleased to discover that the butterflies are back, along with giant (topiary) frogs and snails. Not that his gambling play is suffering: He recently hit a $20,000 royal. See it and weep.

Donny and Marie Sign On:

Rumor again became reality yesterday when Donny and Marie Osmond signed to play a six-month egagement at the Flamingo, beginning September 9. Tickets have been announced at $85-$250. The last time the Osmonds played an extended run in Las Vegas was 29 years ago at the Hilton.

Las Vegas This Weekend:

There's a mini British invasion brewing on the local music scene this weekend, as Pearl at the Palms welcomes Def Leppard and The Verve (reunited after eight years). UFO hits the stage over at the Railhead inside Boulder Station and last, but not least, The Searchers and the Fortunes share the bill at The Club at the Cannery. Beyond that, diverse acts abound. Kanye West kicks off Red Rock Resort's summer outdoor concert series and Spyro Gyra gets the free Jazz in the Park Series underway at the Clark County Amphitheater. Music: The Goo Goo Dolls headline the Lili Claire Foundation’s 6th Annual Benefit Dinner & Concert at the MBay Events Center (4/26); The Joint welcomes supergroup The Raconteurs (4/26); Def Leppard (4/25) and the Verve (4/26) take over Pearl at the Palms; Rock star hopefuls battle it out in the Live Indie Rock Wars at Lake Las Vegas (4/25-4/27); Goodfellas is in concert at The Club at the Cannery (4/25) as are The Searchers and the Fortunes (4/26); Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco, and N.E.R.D. are in concert outside at Red Rock Resort (4/25); Christine Ebersole performs at UNLV's Artemus Ham Hall as part of the New York Stage & Beyond Series (4/26); Country singer Collin Raye sings at the South Point Showroom (4/25-4/26); Clark County’s free Jazz in the Park Series at the Amphitheater gets underway with Spyro Gyra (4/26); The Honky Tonk Tailgate Party takes place at Ovation Lounge at Green Valley Ranch (4/25-4/26); The Four Tops perform in the Orleans Showroom (4/25-4/27); tribute acts include Aeromyth at Santa Fe Station's Chrome Showroom (4/25) and A Tribute to the Beatles inside the Suncoast Showroom (4/2504/27); Michael McDonald's onstage at the Star of the Desert Arena in Primm (4/26); the Las Vegas City of Lights Jazz and R&B Festival will be at Hills Park in Summerlin (4/26-4/27); and UNLVs Classical Guitar Series presents Roland Dyens at the Doc Rando Recital Hall (4/25). Phew. Other: Rehab at the Hard Rock Pool makes its 2008 debut with after party at Body English hosted by Sugar Hill Gang (4/27); Las Vegas 51s make a weekend stand against the Portland Beavers at Cashman Field (4/25 – seat cushion night, through 4/27); McFadden’s at the Rio is hosing a Ho’ Down Throw Down with cash prizes for the best cowgirl & cowboy in attendance (4/26); Krave Nightclub turns Bathhouse (4/26); see Sesame Street Live at the Cox Pavilion and spend the day with Elmo and friends (through 4/27); sport your best stilettos at the Sex and Sin City party at V Bar inside the Venetian (4/25); Jesse McCartney is celebrating his 21st birthday at Pure Nightclub at Caesars Palace (4/25); Madonna's Hard Candy music video viewing party will be held at Jet Nightclub at Mirage (4/25); Privé at Planet Hollywood will host a Christian Audigier fashion experience hosted by Boogie The Voice of Hollywood and Tattooed Millionaires (4/26); and Hawaiian Tropic Zone launches its Torrid patio party with hosts Playmate Amanda Paige and FHM model Brook Banx (4/25) For more details about these and other events, plus full listings of all the permanent shows Las Vegas plays home to, click here to use our "Shows & Events" finder, under "Shows & Nightlife."

Second Venetian Mall to Open:

Las Vegas Sands has set July for the opening of its second (of an eventual five) shopping mall at Venetian Macao. When completed, the mall will offer 210,000 square feet of retail, with 100 storefronts. "We're trying to cater for everybody," Sands Vice President of Retail Development (Asia) David Sylvester told the International Herald Tribune. "There's nothing they can't obtain." Sands continues to build a series of hotel-casinos on the Cotai Strip. Projects already in progress are unaffected by this week's freeze on new casinos in Macau. For more on that decree, see Stiffs & Georges.

Fewer Layoffs Reported at Station:

Freelance journalist Steve Friess has modified a previous report about layoffs at Station Casinos. The downsizing has, after conferring with Station, been downsized to 70 employees. As for previously reported project delays, "we haven't announced the timetables for any other projects," Station's Lori Nelson told Friess.

Jamaican Casino Winner Named:

Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding has tapped a developer to create the nation's first casino-based destination resort (and the nation's first legitimate casino per se). While Golding had promised to give the concession to an international hotel-casino developer, his selection may come as a surprise. To learn the identity of the lucky company, see Stiffs & Georges.

Haney's Complaints Spark Probe:

When the sports book at Harrah's Las Vegas refused to take three wagers from Las Vegas Sun sports-betting columnist Jeff Haney, it probably didn't expect to set off a Nevada Gaming Control Board investigation. But that's what happened. During the waning days of the NBA season, Haney attempted to place bets that were accepted, then voided by the book's supervisor on the grounds that he "didn't like the lines" into which Haney had bet and, besides, it was late in the NBA season to be taking wagers. Haney now reports that he has been contacted by the NGCB and that "we're looking into it."

Buyers Found for Crazy Horse:

Two out-of-state businessmen have put down nearly $500,000 toward an eventual $30 million purchase price for the Crazy Horse Too topless club. LCC Cafe Nevada, the prospective owner, was formed by Carolina residents Mahesh Patel and David Dupont. The former runs strip clubs in North Carolina and West Virgina, while the latter is president of mortgage lender Estate Funding Inc. The duo has passed a Las Vegas Metro background check but needs to get the club reopened before its temporary liquor license expires on June 30.

Deal Premieres at Palms:

The world premiere of Deal, the new poker movie starring Bret Harrison, Burt Reynolds, and Shannon Elizabeth, takes place at the Palms' Brenden Theatres tonight. The red carpet ceremony's slated to begin at 7:30 p.m., with celebrities scheduled to attend including Mimi Rogers, Efren Ramirez, and Lorrie Morgan, along with assorted Playboy playmates and stars from the world of poker. The movie will open in select cities, including Las Vegas, on Friday, April 25.

Puffing Snuffed in A.C.:

Atlantic City's city council has unanimously ratified an earlier vote that would ban smoking on the Boardwalk's casino floors, starting Oct. 15. Should casino choose to build enclosed smoking lounges, players will be able to smoke (but not gamble) there. Casino industry figures, including Donald Trump, have warned of a player exodus, should the ban take effect, but city fathers were unmoved. "We're going to save lives with this," said Mayor Scott Evans. "People are going to be able to come here and enjoy a nice, smoke-free environment."

$10 Billion Station Casino Complex:

In a sort of stealth announcement that appeared in only one place yesterday (a Liz Benston business article in the Las Vegas Sun), Station Casinos has finally unveiled plans for a 110-acre parcel that includes and surrounds the Wild Wild West at the corner of W. Tropicana and Dean Martin Drive, next to Interstate 15, about a mile west of the Strip. The Viva metaresort would eventually cost $10 billion, $2 billion or so more than CityCenter, making it the most expensive casino complex ever. When built out, it would boast 10,000 rooms, though the first phase would host "only" three casino-hotels with 5,200 total rooms. No timetable has been announced and financing hasn't been secured, but the private company plans to line up lenders by 2010, when it'll be ready to begin construction (after opening Aliante Station, which will be completed later this year, and Durango Station, which is scheduled to break ground early next year).

More News from Harrah's:

Harrah's Entertainment has just announced a new partnership with C3 Presents, one of the nation's leading concert, promotion, and talent management companies, which is behind events including the Austin City Limits Music Festival and Lollapalooza. The arrangement aims to capitalize on C3's booking and marketing expertise to procure top entertainment talent for 19 of Harrah's properties throughout the United States. Acts already booked to perform include Black Crowes, Cake, Elvis Costello & The Imposters, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Sheryl Crow, Gladys Knight with Al Green, Journey, Willie Nelson, Stone Temple Pilots, The Roots, and ZZ Top.

Vegas Getting Greener?:

Following on the heels of the Palazzo's announcement of Silver LEED certification and Harrah's joining of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Climate Leaders group, comes another statement from the global casino giant, touting its environmental credentials. As we covered in the 12/13/07 QoD about casino recycling, all the major groups in Las Vegas have embarked on "green" initiatives in recent years and Harrah's is in the forefront, having launched 74 different environmental programs in the past four years, which the group estimates are saving over 150 million pounds of CO2 emissions annually. "I am very proud of our team members, who have implemented a compelling, comprehensive set of green programs," announced CEO Gary Loveman on yesterday's Earth Day.

Poll Email Link Fixed:

We're not sure what happened with the email link in the current poll -- one minute it was working, the next it wasn't. The good news is that it's now been fixed, so if you were trying to share your feedback with us, please try again as we'd love to hear your thoughts. Thank you!

'People Mover' Dismantled:

Atlantic City's Brighton Park conveyer, a 668-foot-long, elevated pedestrian passageway, is coming down. The people-mover, which conveyed customers from the Boardwalk into the Claridge Casino Hotel and the now-imploded Sands, is being dismantled this week, after having been closed for over a year. It had lasted almost 20 years, having been opened to traffic in May 1988.

Bodog Boss 'Packs It In':

"It's true, I'm packing it in." With those words, online-gaming mogul Calvin Ayre announced his resignation from Bodog, which the Vancouver Sun described as "the online gambling empire that brought him fame, fortune and heat." Ayre had been suffering a series of escalating conflicts with U.S. and Canadian authorities. A former People Magazine "Hottest Bachelor," Ayre is currently living in Antigua, well away from the U.S. Justice Department's ongoing crackdown on Internet sports books.

Deal or No Deal Not Guilty:

The Georgia Supreme Court has held that the claim brought by a couple that the gameshow was guilty of of illegal gambling was invalid. Michael and Michele Hardin had contested that, by charging 99 cents per text message to enter a game involving picking the right suitcase among six, "Deal or No Deal" had entered into an illegal gambling contract, and therefore the texting fee had to be refunded. The justices, however, found that text messages do not constitute a bet, and that NBC's contention that the feature was a promotional tool rather than a lottery, was accurate.

Macao Boss Caps Casino Market:

Six is enough: That's the verdict of Macao CEO Edmund Ho, who says he has decided not to issue any new casino concessions or sub-concessions in the near term (the issue was expected to be revisited in 2009). He said the current regime, with its six casino operators (Las Vegas Sands, Wynn Resorts, MGM Mirage, SJM, Galaxy Entertainment and PBL/Melco), "will likely be maintained for a long time." He added that applications for expanding gaming capacity at any of the city-state's existing casinos would not be approved. Early reports indicate that in-progress projects will be grandfathered, and that land grants to Wynn and MGM on the Cotai Strip will probably be honored. Shares of Wynn, Sands and MGM stock all rose in this morning's trading. For additional coverage, see Stiffs & Georges.

Another British Casino Setback:

Prime Minister Gordon Brown's Labour government "faces fresh embarrassment over its casino laws as potential bidders for the 16 new licences start to walk away from the process - just as the legal framework is finalised," according to ThisIsMoney.co.uk. Raising concerns about taxes (a 24% rate), commercial viability and Labour's tendency to assign casino rights to distressed industrial towns, companies like Aspers, Rank and Genting are downsizing or simply abandoning their casino plans. The story also cast doubt on MGM Mirage's likelihood of entering the market, given its recent job cuts.

Water Club Taking Bookings:

If you're looking for an excuse to make a summertime getaway to Atlantic City, look no more. The Water Club, Boyd Gaming's 800-room, $400 million "boutique" counterpart to Borgata, is now taking bookings. Borgata President Larry Mullin promises "a distinctly cosmopolitan hotel experience." While the Water Club will open in June, room reservations are available for July 1 and onwards. Call 800/800-8817 or log onto www.thewaterclubatborgata.com.

Louisiana Revenues Mixed Bag:

Casinos in Louisiana took in $2 million less in March than they did the year before, according to newly released figures. Declines in the riverboat and racino markets were slightly ameliorated by a modest increase in New Orleans revenues. Overall, the industry's Lousiana take came to just under $230 million.

Email Address Fixed:

Apologies to anyone who's tried to email the address in the current "Spotlight" feature about special-needs visitors -- the address included was incorrect, but has now been fixed.

Free Hats for Moms:

Not the wearing kind. Now through May 11, Harrah's is offering a Mother's Day deal for HATS!, the musical inspired by the Red Hat Society: Buy one regularly priced ticket ($49.95, plus tax & fees) for performances from May 1-May 11 and get another ticket for free. For more information call 702/369-5111 or visit www.harrahs.com/las-vegas-entertainment. The show performs at 6 p.m. and is dark on Fridays.

Wasted Space Casting Call:

From noon to 6 p.m. tomorrow, Wasted Space, the new venue inside the Hard Rock, will be holding an open casting call for table attendants, cocktail waitresses, bartenders, and barbacks. Interviews will take place inside Body English nightclub.

Beware of the Dragon!:

What has "60 dagger-like, serrated teeth, deadly saliva, and piercing razor-sharp claws"? The Komodo Dragon, especially feared among reptiles. And, starting June 20, one of them will be joining the cast of scaly characters at Mandalay Bay's Shark Reef Aquarium. The Komodo Dragon's bite is considerably worse than its bark: "virulent saliva containing about 50 kinds of bacteria reacts with the prey’s blood. Special enzymes in the saliva prevent blood from clotting, causing the infection to spread and ultimately leading to the death of the prey," says a MBay press release. In other words, a real bad hombre. We're not sure how this exhibit will help this beast's conservation, as referenced in the press materials, since they only have a single specimen. Even if it turns out to be a female, we're not planning to introduce it to Mojo, HP's office iguana, as it would probably eat him for breakfast. For more information on the dragon, call 702/632-4555.

Oprah Plays Caesars; Tix Available:

This week, during its weekday-morning news show, KLAS-TV is giving away tickets to see Oprah Winfrey interview Tina Turner and Cher at Caesars Palace on April 26 (air date: May 8). The location of the taping has also been disclosed: Unsurprisingly, it's the Colosseum, Cher's venue-to-be, starting May 6. Event promoters had been unaccountably coy, given that the Colosseum was the obvious choice, for a variety of reasons, Winfrey's drawing power not least among them.

New Hotel Planned for Downtown:

Possibly spurred by the growth of the World Market Center, a new hotel-convention center complex has been proposed for the downtown area. The 61-story, non-gaming hotel would be south of the Clark County Government Center, bounded on the west by Grand Central Parkway, on the south by Charleston Boulevard and on the east by the Union Pacific railroad track. The "Grand Central" project goes before the City of Las Vegas Planning Commission on Thursday.

Only Her Hairdresser Knows for Sure:

Today in Frugal Vegas, Jean Scott answers questions on everything from whether she actually makes money off her video poker play to her hair color. You read that right.

Wynn Buffet Reviewed:

David Matthews' ongoing gastronomic survey of Las Vegas now includes the buffet at Wynn Las Vegas. After being initially taken aback by the $40/person cost of dinner, Matthews concludes, given the range and quality of gourmet offerings, "the price is well-justified, just a little eye-popping at first glance." David's full report, with photos, can be found at Gambling in Space.

Coney Cited:

The weekend Wall Street Journal ran a story titled "Home for Hot Dogs," in which columnist Raymond Sokolov responds to readers taking him to task for not mentioning the Detroit Coney Island hot dogs in a prior feature on the best hot dogs in the country. The feature tells the story of the Detroit Coneys that use hot dogs from the Dearborn Sausage Company and are topped with beanless chili, mustard, and raw onions. We mention this because Las Vegas has its own outlet for these hot dogs, the Detroit Motor City Coney Island located at 19-0 S. Water St. (Henderson). They bring their dogs in from Dearborn Sausage and the final product comes out very close to the original.

Jamie Wins:

Jamie Little ran according to form to win the Celebrity edition of yesterday's Long Beach Grand Prix. The LasVegasAdvisor.com celebrity odds-on-favorite held off the pro favorite, Mike Skinner, to take honors. Amazingly, in the same day, Danica Patrick became the first ever female driver to win an Indy event. Definite girl power at work.

Bare Opening:

Today's the grand opening of tbe Bare pool at the Mirage. It's open to the public with complimentary cocktails and barbecue.

AC on the Travel Show:

Anthony Curtis will join Arthur and Pauline Frommer today for a radio interview on The Travel Show. The show broadcasts nationally on WOR at noon EST.

Next Cirque Date:

Details have been released on the next Cirque du Soleil show, which will play at Luxor. The show starring magician Criss Angel will be called Criss Angel Believe, and will open for preview performances on September 1. Ticket prices will reportedly range from $59 to $150.

This Weekend in 'Stiffs & Georges':

Cocktail waitresses are up in arms over new toga-like short dresses they're expected to wear when Casino Windsor, in Ontario, is re-branded as Caesars Windsor. Across the Pacific, revenues are just plain up in Macao, where they notched a 62% increase over the first quarter of 2007. Did Sheldon Adelson's casinos come out in front? Read Stiffs & Georges for the answer.

A.C. on Fox This Afternoon:

This time we are talking about Anthony Curtis. He'll be on Fox Business News live at 4:38 p.m. PST (7:38 p.m. EST) with Charles Payne, talking about how Las Vegas is moving to counter the effects of the current economic climate by offering better deals to the consumer.

Happy Birthday to A.C.:

No, not Anthony Curtis: Arizona Charlie's Decatur is celebrating its 20th anniversary with several specials over the next two days. Today they'll be serving free cake and champagne in the lobby from 1 p.m.-8 p.m. and releasing a limited-edition $5 commemorative chip, available for purchase at the main cage. On Sat., Apr. 19 bingo players will have a chance to win an extra $1,988 in cash with a bingo on the bonus ball, plus there'll be a video slot tournament with a $25 buy-in and the chance to win $500. In addition, the Sourdough Café's offering special deals for A.C.E. Rewards Club card holders, including 88-cent chili fries, chili dogs, bay shrimp cocktail, pancake short stack, strawberry shortcake, and chips and salsa on Apr. 18 & 19 from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. The café also features a special dinner for two on those two days from 4 p.m.-10 p.m. for $19.88 per couple. (Price without A.C.E. Rewards Club Card is $25.88.)

Movie Star Meet & Greets:

Movie fans are in luck, with special meet and greet sessions taking place in the Gallery of Legends (Miracle Mile Shops) from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. today through Sunday with Richard Kiel ("Jaws" in the James Bond movies) and from April 24-April 27 with Kane Hodder (Jason from Friday the 13th). For more info call 702/471-8300.

Record Month for Coast Casinos:

No, not as in "Suncoast" but rather the ones on Mississippi's Gulf Coast, which notched their highest March gross revenue ever, bringing in $121 million, surpassing the pre-Katrina high of $118 million. The river counties had their second-best March on record, down 1% from March 2007.

Bumping up 'Bumping' Rewards:

Passenger rewards for being 'bumped' from flights have been doubled, on orders from the U.S. Transportation Dept. Jean Scott takes a closer look and finds it's not quite as good a bargain as it sounds, but a bargain play just the same.

Internet Gambling and Presidential Politics:

In today's Gambling in Space, David Matthews presents the guest opinions of I. Nelson Rose, leading authority on gambling law. Rose's take on the presidential race, as it impacts the possible repeal of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, is that only an Obama administration would roll back the UIGEA. Why not Clinton or McCain? Read Gambling in Space for the answers.

Danny Gans to Move to Encore:

The rumors have just been confirmed and impressionist Danny Gans, voted Vegas "Entertainer of the Year" for 11 straight years, will be leaving the Mirage and rejoining the Wynn fold in February, 2009, when he'll open at the new Encore resort. Wynn Resorts Chairman and CEO Steve Wynn commented: "I built the Danny Gans Theater at the Mirage in 2000 as a result of being convinced that he would bring to our family a standard of performing artistry unequaled by any other single star in Las Vegas...The result has been obvious, and he has occupied that singular position ever since. On a very personal as well as professional level, I am absolutely delighted to welcome him back into our newer family across the street. We are going to have a great time together -- just like the audience."

Today in 'House Advantage':

Given that home prices are falling and that Nevada leads the nation in the rate of foreclosure, perhaps out-of-state readers are considering buying a second home in Nevada. If so, Robin Camacho walks you through Nevada's escrow laws and appends some helpful documents in the latest installment of House Advantage.

Las Vegas This Weekend:

We’re moving the party outdoors this weekend as Everclear headlines the first major poolside concert at Mandalay Bay Beach on Sunday. Tao Beach at the Venetian gets in on the act with the launch of two weekly parties: "Good Friday" debuts with a bikini fashion show while "Sunset Sessions" makes its return on Sunday evening. Bare Pool Lounge at Mirage has been open for a month but that won’t stop them from celebrating their "grand opening" on Sunday with a two-hour open bar followed by a free BBQ. For all things Polynesian, check out the Pure Aloha Festival at The Cannery featuring food, live music, and vendors all weekend long. Other musical highlights: The Van Halen lineup du jour – three Van Halens and a Roth – is the headlining act for Tiger Jam XI at the Mandalay Bay Events Center (4/19); Mary J. Blige and Jay-Z take to the stage at the MGM Grand Garden Center (4/19) and you can join Mary J. for the official after concert party at Tao Beach at the Venetian (4/19); Kottonmouth Kings are in concert at The Joint (4/19); Strip show stars Brent Barrett (Phantom), Reva Rice (Spamalot), and Tina Walsh (Phantom) appear in Too Darn Hot! The Golden Age of Broadway one night only at Cashman Theatre (4/18); tribute band Queen Nation perform on the 3rd Street Stage at the Fremont Street Experience (4/17-4/22) in celebration of the new Viva Vision show "A Tribute to Queen" (debuts 4/17); Clint Holmes and Friends take over the Suncoast Showroom (4/18-4/20); Strunz & Farah are at the Railhead at Boulder Station (4/19); See the Nevada Jazz Orchestra perform its annual Latin Connection Concert at the Winchester Cultural Center Theater (4/20); Average White Band’s at Red Rock (4/18); and Tony Bennett croons at the Las Vegas Hilton (4/18-4/19) Comedy: Howie Mandel jokes at the Mirage (4/18-4/19); Henry Cho’s onstage at the South Point Showroom (4/18-4/20); George Carlin takes the mic at the Orleans (4/17-4/20); and Mike Epps takes his act to Pearl at the Palms (4/18) Sports Events: Bernard Hopkins takes on Joe Calzaghe in the Planet Hollywood Ring at the Thomas & Mack Center for the World Light Heavyweight Championship (4/19) with official after party at Privé (4/19); The Las Vegas 51s host the Sacramento River Cats at Cashman Field Center (4/19-4/22); and the Plaza’s Triple Crown Ballroom will host one final NWA Wrestling Showcase (4/19) Other: Poker stars will congregate at the Venetian for the Jennifer Harman Charity Poker Tournament to benefit the Nevada SPCA (4/18); The Green Valley Ranch pool will host an open bar with complimentary Skyy Vodka cocktails and music by Jeremy Cornwell and DJ Danny Boy (4/19); the 2nd Annual Arabian Breeders World Cup is free to the public at the South Point Equestrian Center (4/18-4/20); the City of Henderson holds its annual Heritage Parade and Festival in the Water Street District (4/19); Irving Berlin fans will want to catch his off-Broadway musical I Love a Piano at the Henderson Pavilion (4/18); the Great Craft Festival takes place at Cashman Center (4/18-4/20); AIDS Walk Las Vegas will begin at the World Market Center (4/20); Psychic Sylvia Browne wraps up her current gig at Excalibur (through 4/18); Lied discovery Children’s Museum will hold a Mad Hatter Tea Party and Fashion Show on the Main Stage at Fashion Show Mall (4/20); and it’s the SCORES annual charity golf tournament at Bali Hai Golf Club (4/18) For more details about these and other events, plus full listings of all the permanent shows Las Vegas plays home to, click here to use our "Shows & Events" finder under "Entertainment & Nightlife."

Your Chance to Be a Rockstar...:

Puff Lounge, the new hookah lounge at 1030 E. Flamingo, is launching the latest of its nightlife offerings tonight with the introduction of 'Fantasy Karaoke Thursdays' -- karaoke with backing from a live 6-piece band (like the long-running Rockstar Karoake night at House of Blues). It's your chance to show off your vocal or guitar skills, and the best performances will be recorded for inclusion on upcoming CDs and perhaps even a TV show. For more info visit www.myspace.com/pufflounge.com or www.pufflounge.com

Spamalot Tix: Get 'Em Now:

A locals-only 'twofer' promotion on Spamalot, in honor of the show's first anniversary at Wynn Las Vegas, continues through May 31. Which is a good thing because the show is closing on July 13. That news is semi-buried in a Las Vegas Review-Journal news flash heralding Danny Gans' arrival at Wynn in 2009. The Spamalot Theater will be remodeled and redubbed the Encore Theater. To take advantage of the two-for-one offer, call 702/770-WYNN (9966) and mention "Anniversary."

Who Follows Braxton?:

In today's Las Vegas Review-Journal, entertainment columnist Mike Weatherford speculates on who will inherit the Flamingo's showroom if and when Toni Braxton wraps up her extended engagement as planned (currently, she's scheduled to close Aug. 20). Braxton is on hiatus until May 7, recuperating from a bout of heart palpitations. Weatherford puts his money on Donny and Marie Osmond, even though they're playing at archrival MGM Grand this summer. He also expects Morris Day & The Time to fill some summer dates at the Flamingo, as well.

Bill's Gets Nod from Sun:

In its ongoing survey of area casino bargains, the Las Vegas Sun turns its nod to Bill's Gamblin' Hall, formerly the Barbary Coast. The Sun story, part of its "The Coin Bucket" series, praises Bill's "vintage prices and table limits," as well as its 99-cent margaritas and $1.50 Coors drafts (admittedly, in smaller-than-usual glasses). The service culture also earns high praise, although the food offerings are deemed rather high-end. Compared to nearby O'Shea's and Casino Royale, Bill's provides "a few more amenities in a more relaxed environment," notes the column.

Pawnbrokers in the Casino Nixed:

A bring-in-your-gold promotion that the Atlantic City Hilton was to have hosted April 25-27 has been scrubbed. The casino-hotel was informed by police that licenses to conduct second-hand gold sales in Atlantic City were maxed out. Maryland-based Get Cash Gold Inc. was to have conducted the purchases. The police department chided the Hilton for not conducting due diligence, while gaming analyst Joe Weinert told The Press of Atlantic City, "you have to give the Hilton credit for thinking outside the box, but you have to be careful that it doesn't speak to the unseemly side of Atlantic City," which is already home to 32 pawn shops.

Atlantic City Scores Stunning Upset:

In a Market Metrix Hospitality Index of approximately 10,000 customers, Atlantic City outscored Las Vegas -- yes, Las Vegas -- in six out of six categories, including "Hip/cool" and "sophisticated." Given Atlantic City's popular image as a destination for bused-in senior citizens, this news came as quite a shock -- even to Market Metrix. The LVCVA's Erika Pope pled ignorance of Market Metrix and its methodology but took the high road: "We produce our own annual visitor profile study, and in two decades, our results, such as they are, continue to indicate year after year that our visitors are overwhelmingly happy with their experience here and would, if asked, recommend Las Vegas to friends, neighbors, relatives and such," she told The Press of Atlantic City, which has additional details of the survey.

MGM, IGT Make CityCenter Deal:

MGM Mirage has retained IGT to install a server-based gaming infrastructure, encompassing both slots and table games, at its CityCenter casino. While server-based gambling is still in the testing phase in Nevada, City Center's opening is as much as 20 months away. The dollar value of the agreement was not announced but it somewhat brightened a day that, for IGT, was marred by the news that second-quarter profits had come in well below expectations. For more on both stories, plus the unveiling of a new casino blog, see Stiffs & Georges.

Oprah Plays Vegas:

Oprah Winfrey takes her show on the road to Sin City for an April 26 taping at an undisclosed location. Scheduled guests are Tina Turner and Cher. To apply for tickets, click here.

Smart-Chip Deal Announced:

Gaming Partners Int'l, the makers of Paulson chips, has announced a partnership with Progressive Gaming. GPI, which makes RFID-embedded chips and 'smart chip' readers will integrate that technology with player-tracking and table game-management software. GPI also manufactures the Bud Jones and Bourgogne et Grasset chip lines.

Job Fairs at Eastside Cannery:

The new hotel-casino on the site of the former Nevada Palace is holding a series of job fairs, beginning at today with a recruitment fair from 12:30 p.m.-4 p.m. at the Estancia Ballroom at Green Valley Ranch. The next session will take place April 30 from 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. at the College of Southern Nevada's Cheyenne Campus, with the final job fair scheduled for May 1 from noon-3 p.m. in the Palms' Key West Ballroom. The property is seeking staff members for positions in all areas, including front office agents, sales reps, valet and bell persons, housekeeping, pool attendants, restaurant and kitchen staff, bartenders, security officers, cashiers, floor persons, slot techs, and dealers. For more information or to apply online, visit www.cannerycasinos.com

New Show for Fremont Street:

"A Tribute to Queen," the new Viva Vision canopy show at Fremont Street debuts tonight at 8 p.m., with repeats at 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. The show features rock anthems "We Are the Champions" and "We Will Rock You" and to celebrate the premiere, tribute band Queen Nation will perform nightly for free on the 3rd Street Stage from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. through April 22.

WSJ on Vegas Deals:

Today's Wall Street Journal features an article titled "Las Vegas Casinos Roll Out the Deals" that provides an overview of the discounting stance Las Vegas is moving toward to combat the economic slowdown. The article focuses mostly on price-drops on rooms and travel packages and provides some good leads for searching them.

Today in Stiffs & Georges:

Sifting through the latest dispatches we find MGM Mirage changing its stance on the recent spate of layoffs, plus news that could affect the future of the Las Vegas Tropicana, an explanation from Harrah's as to why it dropped the Review-Journal from its stores, a possible ban on casino smoking in Pennsylvania, and the challenges facing a two- to six-casino metaresort in Tunica.

Another Win for Sands:

By a unanimous vote, the Edwardsville, Kan., city council approved Las Vegas Sands' proposal for a $777 million casino project. The Edwardsville council's nod moves Sands Kansas along to the state's Lottery Commission, which will choose casino licensees from among numerous proposals. One of the rival bids is that of another Las Vegas operator, Golden Gaming (which ran the Hard Rock's casino while its new owner was getting its Nevada gaming license). An extensive "fly-through" video preview of Golden Heartland can be seen here.

Stars on the Strip:

Tonight Planet Hollywood will host the premiere of 88 Minutes, the new Sony Pictures thriller starring Al Pacino, who's slated to grace the red carpet along with co-stars Alicia Witt, Leelee Sobieski, Amy Brenneman, Deborah Kara Unger, Benjamin McKenzie, and Neal McDonough from 6:30 p.m. this evening.

Isle's McDowell is Tops:

Isle of Capri Casinos President/COO Virginia McDowell has been named one of Casino Enterprise Management Magazine's "Great Women of Gaming" for 2008. McDowell was previously part of the executive trio (including Isle CEO James Perry) who made Argosy the leading riverboat casino company, prior to its acquisition by Penn National. Isle is currently grappling with growing pains brought on by overseas expansion under its previous CEO and a tightening U.S. market. For more details, see Stiffs & Georges.

Excursion to Primm Valley:

David Matthews joined forces with "Wizard of Odds" Mike Shackleford to play a round at MGM Mirage's Primm Valley Golf Club. For a review of the course, some golf cart etiquette, and photos from the excursion, see Gambling in Space.

Cirque Gallery Opens:

Just as fine art galleries seemed to be on the way out, with the Guggenheim-Hermitage heading for the same fate as the Wynn Collection, a new venue debuts today at Bellagio, home to the one remaining fine art gallery on the Las Vegas Strip. The press opening of The Art of Richard McDonald Fine Art Gallery takes place from 1 p.m.-3 p.m. today in the newly renovated O Theatre Lobby. The 8,200-square-foot space will house over 50 bronze sculptures of the Cirque de Soleil performers who have modeled for McDonald, the first and only artist to be given behind-the-scenes access, plus original drawings, serigraphs, and lithographs, all of which are for sale. The gallery, which opens to the general public on April 18, is free to enter and will be open from 10 a.m.-1 a.m. Wednesday through Sunday and from 10 a.m.-11 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday. Note that during the grand opening on April 18-19, the gallery will be open from noon-5 p.m. and Richard McDonald will be there to meet and greet guests.

Caesar is Homeless:

A 12-foot, 750-pound statue of Julius Caesar is getting bumped from its plinth outside Caesars Indiana, home to the Glory of Rome riverboat casino. Harrah's Entertainment is re-theming the property under the Horseshoe brand (the Caesars name having been deemed too upscale to be expended on a riverboat), meaning that the emperor's statue had to go. Harrah's has donated its statue to Harrison County, so "Councilman Carl Mathes says he will store the statue on his farm until commissioners can figure out what to do with it," according to The Associated Press.

TAO Top Earner -- Again:

Restaurants & Institutions magazine just posted their list of the top 100 top-grossing independently owned restaurants in the country and, for the second year running, TAO Las Vegas topped the list with sales in food & beverage totaling $66.6 million in 2007. That's up $11.3 million from the year before, thanks to the addition of TAO Beach in May of last year.

Flood Threat Closes MS Casinos:

Following the Isle of Capri casino's closure due to flood threats earlier this week, a second riverboat casino has been temporarily closed due to rising waters on the Mississippi River. The President Casino, located in St. Louis, has been shut by owners Pinnacle Entertainment until river conditions improve, which is unlikely to be anytime soon -- more rain is expected over the next few days.

WSOP to Delay Final Table?:

According to David Matthews' Gambling in Space, the World Series of Poker is contemplating a hiatus in play once the field has been winnowed down to nine. A three-month layoff would ensue, followed by a live-TV transmission of the final hands. For more on this potential shakeup, see David's blog.

February: Gaming Down, Conventions Up:

Even if Clark County gambling revenue was down in February, it wasn't a bad month for Las Vegas, with visitor volume up 3%, according to figures released by the LVCVA. Convention attendance was up 16%, while international air traffic increased nearly 8%. Room rates were off 5% compared to February '07 but number of room nights occupied rose 3%. Visitation by air rose 3.4%, offsetting a dropoff in drive-in traffic --particularly from California, which was down almost 9%. In terms of gambling dollars, the Boulder Strip suffered the greatest erosion (-14%) while Downtown displayed surprising strength.

Nevada's Gambling Tax:

The Nevada Supreme Court will hear the lawsuit filed by the Nevada Resorts Association against the Nevada State Education Association's proposal to increase the state's gambling tax from 6.75% to 9.75% on July 1. Meanwhile, the education lobby continues to gather signatures for the intiative; it needs 58,628 by May 20 to get the initiative on the November 2008 ballot. If the proposal is approved, it has to pass another vote in 2010 (amendments to the state constitution via public vote must pass twice). If it passes the second time, the higher tax would take effect in 2011.

Visitors Staying Longer in Macao:

Average stays for guests at Macao's hotels continue to lengthen, up to an average 1.4 nights in February. The addition of over 3,000 rooms to the market accounts for a decline in occupancy rates, although the high end sector was faring better than average, at 74% occupancy. The actual number of hotel guests grew by 13%. Almost three-quarters of hotel guests came from either the Chinese mainland or from Hong Kong.

Mississippi Casino Incentives Down to Wire:

For the second year, it's a race against the clock to see whether the Mississippi Legislature votes in tax rebates to casinos, in order to incentivize them to diversify their offerings. Casinos that invest in excess of $10 million on non-gambling attractions (including "theme parks, water parks, cultural or historical centers, motor speedways," etc., according to the Biloxi Sun Herald) will be able, for a decade, to recoup 30% of sales taxes derived from those projects. As part of a deal pending to get the bill through both houses of the legislature, casino growth would be restricted to those counties where gambling is currently permitted.

Mojave Max Emerges -- At Last:

After his longest-ever hibernation (officially "brumation") period, the Bureau of Land Management's mascot desert tortoise has finally emerged from his Red Rock Canyon burrow, heralding the official arrival of spring to the area. We were beginning to worry about the little chap, who last year was out and about by April 3, so we're glad to hear all is well.

New Nightclub for Wynn:

As reported in online nightlife newsletter The Circuit, nightclub impresario Victor Drai, the man behind Tryst at the Wynn and Drai's After Hours, has announced he will be opening a new club called XS at Encore, the new Wynn tower scheduled to open in December of this year. The 40,000-square-foot nightclub will apparently be built around a pool and will feature an interior that's "very sexy, very pretty, very rich," according to its creator.

Pawnbrokers in the Casino:

In a novel promotion, the Atlantic City Hilton Casino Resort is holding a "Gold For Cash" event April 25-7. Maryland-based Get Cash Gold Inc. will set up shop in a Hilton ballroom to "allow [Hilton] customers to trade in their rings, watches and other gold items without having to go to the pawnbrokers crowding Pacific Avenue," reports The Press of Atlantic City. The Hilton's senior VP of marketing, Phil Juliano, took issue with the characterization, saying, "I don't liken this to a pawn shop, but a convenience ... We think our customers will enjoy having more ammunition to play with in the casino." The event ties into a new sign-up push for the Hilton's players card.

MGM Mirage Axes Jobs:

As reported in today's Wall Street Journal, gambling giant MGM Mirage has announced it's cutting around 440 management employees -- the latest evidence that even the casino business is not immune to the current economic downturn. Last week, numbers released by Nevada officials showed a decline in Las Vegas gambling revenues for the second straight month and MGM Mirage spokesman Alan Feldman said the bulk of the staff cuts will likely come from Las Vegas, where the company owns 10 properties.

MGM, Foxwoods Roll Out Player Card:

On May 1, players at both Foxwoods Resort Casino and MGM Grand at Foxwoods can start racking up points on the new Dream Card, which supersedes Foxwoods' existing Wampum Rewards Program. In addition to providing cash back on slot play, points earned on the program are convertible to merchandise, hotel rooms, meals, show tickets and spa treatments at the two Foxwoods properties. Points can also be used to purchase gift cards that can be cashed in at MGM Grand in Las Vegas. To promote the new card, Foxwoods and MGM are offering a "Dream Escape Sweepstakes," winners of which will receive a show-and-accomodations package to see either Gloria Estefan or Jerry Seinfeld perform at Foxwoods. To enter, log onto www.mgmatfoxwoods.com or www.foxwoods.com/dreamescape.

Taxes and Chocolate:

If sharks aren't your bag, there's another tax day option, namely the official unveiling of the François Payard chocolate clock at the Payard Pâtisserie & Bistro at Caesars Palace at 10 a.m. tomorrow morning. The Las Vegas Postal Service will have a mailbox at the restaurant from 8 a.m.-10 p.m. for guests to send their taxes in on time, according to the new confectionery timepiece, and free truffles for your taxes will be dispensed every 15 minutes.

Trump Speaks, Analysts Listen:

... and now maybe he wishes they hadn't. Some doom-and-gloom pronouncements from The Donald about Atlantic City (where he owns three casinos that have gone on and off the market lately) displeased Wall Street, which rewarded Trump with a big sell-off of his stock. In other news, Harrah's Entertainment has gotten into the bad graces of both the Las Vegas Review-Journal and the Las Vegas Sun. For additional coverage, see Stiffs & Georges.

Stretching Your Gambling Budget:

Inspired by an article about the lengths to which some Pennsylvania gamblers to keep their pastime going through the recession, Jean Scott provides four tips on how to make the most of your bankroll in the latest installment of Frugal Vegas.

Matthews Mingles with Brunson, Others:

David Matthews had a busy weekend, which included playing beer pong amongst the likes of Doyle Brunson, Jennifer Harman and Phil Hellmuth at Hogs & Heifers. To prove it, he filed a a report, complete with pictures and video. He also took time to look in on Adopt a Rescue Pet, which finds homes for shelter animals and which was responsible for introducing David to his beloved dog (and friend of LVA Flocki). For pictures and video of adorable dogs, see Gambling in Space.

Braxton Out 'Til May:

Singer Toni Braxton is scrapping this week's series of shows at the Flamingo. Combined with a previously planned, two-week layoff, this means she won't perform again until May. Braxton, who was hospitalized April 7 for chest pains, has been treated in the past for pericarditis. Whether or not that is the cause of her current indisposition remains undisclosed.

Taxes and Sharks:

Mail your tax return from the Shark Reef drive-thru lanes in the east convention center parking lot located off of Russell and Las Vegas Blvd. on Tuesday, April 15 from noon to 10 p.m. and receive two FREE Shark Reef Aquarium tickets plus one Tax Relief Contest Package. The winner receives one night at THEhotel at Mandalay Bay, a $200 dining credit, and two 1-hour spa treatments (up to $125 value.)

Night Train in the News:

Rick "Night Train" Blaine was the subject of a feature on card counting in today's New Jersey Star Ledger. Rick is the author of our book, Blackjack Blueprint, which covers many of the techniques used by card counters and card-counting teams.

Tao Beach Opens:

Pool season cranks up another notch today with the opening of Tao Beach, the extension of Tao nightclub at the Venetian, which offers the now de rigueur array of luxury cabanas, masseuses, and cocktail services. We'll be running our first pool party feature of the season next week, so stay tuned for the initial round-up of who has the hottest pool scene this summer.

2-for-1 Locals Spamalot Deal:

To celebrate the show's recent first anniversary performance in Las Vegas, Spamalot at the Wynn is offering a 2-for-1 ticket special for local residents now through May 31. It's available only by calling the box office on 702/770-WYNN and mentioning the code word "ANNIVERSARY" and applies just to ticket categories 2 and 3 (i.e., the $69 and $89 seats). Must present valid local ID when tickets are collected.

Airline Crisis = Strip Bargains?:

A story in today's Las Vegas Review-Journal contends that the crunch which has pushed Aloha and ATA airlines out of business, and has exerted upward pressure on airfares, will have the opposite effect on Vegas hotel room prices. "Our concern is that it is going to cause (resorts) to discount room rates," fretted Macquarie Capital analyst Joel Simkins. As an example, the article cited a couple who received discounted room rates at The Rio in return for dropping $150 on Dockers apparel.

Free Chocolate!:

As if David Matthews' mouth-watering review of Caesars' Payard Pâtisserie in his Gambling in Space blog today wasn't enough, it's just been announced that this gourmet breakfast joint has a new centerpiece, namely an elaborate 13-foot tall chocolate clock that not only tells the time (a rare find in itself in clockless Las Vegas) but also dispenses free truffles to bystanders at intervals during operating hours.

Free Football Clinic for Kids:

As part of this weekend's ongoing Easter Seals of Southern Nevada fundraising event, on Saturday April 12, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. there will be a free youth football clinic at the UNLV Practice Fields for children ages nine to eighteen, during which Steven Jackson and other professional athletes will run position-based drills along with local football coaches. For more details visit eastersealssn-events.org.

Gambler's Husband Gets an Earful:

Or rather, a mouthful of ear. The latest evidence indicating that an excess of gambling can be bad for your health has just emerged from Hong Kong, where a woman allegedly addicted to gambling in the casinos of Macau had her left hear bitten off by her enraged husband during a heated fight on Monday night. The husband had apparently had enough of being fed take-out meals and opted instead for a large chunk of his wife's lobe. Having managed to free herself from the frenzied attack, the lady was apparently rushed to hospital, where doctors were attempting to re-affix the severed lobe, but were less than optimistic of a full recovery due to the minute size of the blood vessels found in the ear.

MGM Mirage Crowned 'King of Deals':

Travelzoo, the online company dedicated to publishing the best travel deals worldwide, has named the MGM Mirage group "Best Overall Provider of Outstanding Travel Deals" at the 2008 Travelzoo Awards™ in Chicago on April 9. The ceremony, also known as 'The Tzoos,' celebrates the companies behind the best deals in 20 categories ranging from hotels to cruise lines. To determine this year's finalists, more than 67,000 deals were assessed on reliability, appeal, competitiveness, consistency, and quality. Tip: Be the first to hear of bonus specials by signing your favorite hotels' online guestbooks to receive advance and exclusive email notifications of upcoming special offers.

Trump Tower Debuts Today:

Donald Trump and Phil Ruffin will celebrate the official opening of Trump International Hotel & Tower with a champagne toast and ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. today. Mayor Oscar Goodman and the reigning Miss Universe, Riyo Mori, will also be in attendance.

Braxton Out Till Tuesday:

The remainder of this week's Toni Braxton shows have been canceled as she continues to recuperate at home following her hospitalization with chest pain earlier this week. A spokesman for the Flamingo stated, "We expect she'll return to the stage next Tuesday." The Flamingo Showroom is offering refunds for the canceled shows.

Matthews Does Breakfast:

The Los Angeles Times calls it "the best bargain in Vegas." Is it? David Matthews decided to check it out for himself and renders his verdict (accompanied by copious photography) in Gambling in Space.

A.C. Can't Match Record Month:

Atlantic City enjoyed its best March ever last year. No surprise, that -- with slot parlors and racinos ramping up in Pennsylvania -- the Boardwalk was 10% off last year's pace. At opposite ends of the spectrum were Harrah's Marina, down by less than a percentage, and the Tropicana, 20% behind its 2007 totals. In dollar numbers, the leader in gaming win (by a considerable margin) was Borgata, followed in descending order by Bally's Atlantic City, Caesars Atlantic City, Harrah's Marina (giving Harrah's three of the four winning-est properties in town), Trump Taj Mahal, then Showboat, Tropicana, Atlantic City Hilton, Trump Plaza, Resorts International and Trump Marina. For a fuller breakdown, see Stiffs & Georges.

Las Vegas This Weekend:

It’s Pick-A-Palooza weekend in Sin City. Puff Lounge (1030 E. Flamingo Rd.) will celebrate their grand opening on Friday night with Puff-A-Palooza, a 36-hour marathon party featuring live music, DJs and extreme performances of all kinds. Or there's Artapalooza at the CSN Henderson campus on Friday with free exhibits and performances by local bands. Finally, pet lovers and their furry friends will gather at Sam Boyd Stadium on Saturday for the ninth annual Pet-A-Palooza. And retro rules at the Gold Coast where they’re hosting the annual Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend. Music: Bon Jovi’s Lost Highway World Tour makes a one night stand at the MGM Grand Garden Arena (4/12); The Head Cat and Cash’d out are performing a free concert in The Joint Lounge at Hard Rock (4/12); KC and the Sunshine Band boogie down at the Las Vegas Hilton (4/13); take in a pair of free jazz concerts featuring Sophie Milman at the Henderson Events Plaza (4/11) and Yacht Club in The District at Green Valley Courtyard (4/12); Starship, starring Mickey Thomas touches down at the Tropicana (4/12); Daughtry performs a live acoustic set at Revolution Lounge inside Mirage (4/13); Creedence Clearwater Revisited is in concert at The Club at the Cannery (4/12); Ben Vereen spends the weekend in the South Point Showroom (4/11-4/13); Testament (4/11) and Dillinger Escape Plan (4/12) fill the bill at the Canyon Club at Four Queens; Aaron Tippin appears in Santa Fe Station’s Chrome Showroom (4/11); punk rockers X are in concert at House of Blues 4/12); Gladys Knight performs (sans Pips) in the Orleans Showroom (4/11-4/13); Frankie Avalon sings in the Suncoast Showroom (4/11-4/13); Isaac Hayes stops by the Dallas Events Center at Texas Station (4/11); The Fab pays tribute to The Beatles in a free concert at The Club at the Cannery (4/11); Poison’s Bret Michaels flies solo at Sunset Station’s Club Madrid (4/12); Loverboy takes to the stage at the Railhead inside Boulder Station (4/12) Comedy: Lewis Black gets all riled up at MGM’s Hollywood Theatre (4/10-4/16); Ray Romano and Brad Garrett are together again at Mirage (4/11-4/12); David Spade returns to the Planet Hollywood (4/11-4/12); Fear and Laughing debuts at the Canyon Club inside Four Queens and features Nick Thune (4/12); Playboy Comedy 2008 presents Steve Byrne in the Palms Lounge (4/12) Sports Events: The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway features the NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals (4/11-4/13); The Las Vegas Wranglers take on the Stockton Thunder in Kelly Cup National Conference Quarterfinals playoffs at the Orleans Arena (4/11-4/12); the NWA Wrestling Showcase will be in the Plaza’s Triple Crown Ballroom (4/12) Other: Gold Coast hosts the Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend (4/10-4/13) and associated events include the Cocktails and Cheesecake Party at Art Bar (4/11); other rockabilly related activities include the Shifters Pre-1963 Car Show in the Gold Coast’s northeast parking lot (4/12) and vintage vendor shopping in the California Room at the Gold Coast and at The Orleans (4/11-4/13); New Vista Community’s Wine Walk tries out its new location at The District in Green Valley (4/12); Puff Lounge celebrates their grand opening with the 36-hour Puff-A-Palooza (4/11-4/13); Pet-A-Palooza is taking place at Star Nursery Fields at Sam Boyd Stadium (4/12); Miss USA 2008 will be crowned at Planet Hollywood (4/11); home improvement buffs won’t want to miss the free Home, Spa and Outdoor Expo at the South Point Events Equestrian and Event Center (4/11-4/13); the Nevada Conservatory Theatre’s production of Lysistrata continues (through 4/20); there are two psychics in town this weekend with John Edward at Flamingo (4/13) and Sylvia Brown over at Excalibur (4/13-4/17); the CSN Henderson Campus hosts Artapalooza, a free outdoor festival (4/11) For more details about these and other events, plus full listings of all the permanen

I Bet You Season Premiere:

The second season of MOJO HD’s I Bet You premieres tonight with the first of 14 episodes airing at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT. The series follows championship poker pros Phil "The Unabomber" Laak and Antonio "The Magician" Esfandiari to Miami, Tennessee, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Los Angeles as they bet on virtually everything they encounter along the way. New this season are appearances by a slew of celebrities including Shannon Elizabeth, George Segal, and Las Vegas’ own Lance Burton. Also slated to appear are pro poker players Howard Lederer and Eli Elezra.

Monster Fave:

That would be Tiger Woods, who is an amazing 6-5 favorite to win in the big Masters field filled with the best golfers in the world. As an indication of how big a favorite he is, the odds on the second choice, Phil Mickelson, jump all the way up to 10-1. You can also bet the proposition of Tiger vs. the Field, where Woods is a +130 underdog to the field's -150.

Echelon, Plaza Tweak Schedules:

Echelon is the latest Strip mega-project to encounter money problems, according to Reuters, ones that could mess with Boyd Gaming's plan to open the entire metaresort simultaneously in the fall of 2010. Financing "has not been secured" for the nearly $1 billion, two-hotel component that is the responsibility of Morgans Hotel Group. Boyd spokesman Rob Stillwell told Reuters that Boyd was willing to be flexible on the timeline for that part of the project. In other news, Elad Properties has set the end of 2008 as a the target date for starting to excavate the former New Frontier site, preparatory to building its multi-tower Plaza megaresort. For additional details on both Echelon and the Plaza, see Stiffs & Georges.

Guggenheim to Close:

Rumors of its demise have been circulating for over a year and now the end of the road for the Guggenheim-Hermitage at the Venetian has been confirmed, with the closing date set for May 11. The Guggenheim Las Vegas, which opened simultaneously in October, 2001, lasted only until January, 2002 and hosted only one exhibit. The Guggenheim-Hermitage has limped on since then, but a lack of funds has sealed its fate. With this closure and the dismantling of the Wynn gallery, which lasted less than a year, that leaves the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art as the lone survivor on the Strip. The good news for art lovers is that from tomorrow until the closing date, the Guggenheim-Hermitage is waiving the usual $15 admission charge and will be free to all, so enjoy it while you can.

A.C. Casinos Lose Smoking War:

To the pleasure of the American Cancer Society and the UAW, both of which were present in force, Atlantic City's city council voted to ban smoking entirely from the city's casino floors -- except in enclosed smoking lounges, devoid of gaming devices. A previous edict had set a 75/25 ratio of no-smoking/smoking areas in casinos but compliance was slow to materialize. Some casinos -- in what became a self-fulfilling prophecy -- argued that, even if they segregated their floors to honor the 75/25 ratio, smoking would soon be completely prohibited anyway. The city council's unanimous vote must be ratified in two weeks and will go into effect Oct. 15.

Ladies Month at AGO:

The new upscale Italian eatery at the Hard Rock is honoring female guests during the month of April, offering "Ladies Night Out" specials Tuesday through Thursday. Between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. ladies who dine in AGO’s lounge will receive 50% off food & beverages chosen from the bar menu, which features Tuscan-style dishes including sliced tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella with extra virgin olive oil; beef carpaccio with arugula and Grana Padano; and a 10-ounce black Angus New York steak with mushroom and raw spinach salad. Yum.

Harrah's to Become Caesars:

Yesterday, Harrah's Entertainment announced that it will, pending regulatory approval, become Caesars Entertainment. The Harrah's brand isn't going away; it and the Horseshoe brands will be maintained under the Caesars umbrella. The Caesars brand enjoys a greater high-end connotation in the gaming world. UNLV's William Thompson voiced a widely held sentiment when he told the Las Vegas Review-Journal, "Harrah's is a good name, but it's middle-class. Harrah's is like Kmart." He hailed the Caesars move but called it overdue. Even Harrah's CEO Gary Loveman basically agreed, saying, "Adoption of the name Caesars Entertainment will provide our company with greater prestige and help attract strategic business partners." The company currently owns a large number of brands, including a slew inherited when it purchased the former Hilton Gaming, then called ... Caesars Entertainment.

Westin Conventioneers Get Refunds:

Attendees to a dental convention at the Westin Casuarina got quite a surprise, five months later, when they discovered that the hotel -- stuck with a $57,000 unpaid bill from convention sponsor The Coaching Center -- had passed the cost onto them, in the former of hundreds of dollars charged to their credit cards. A storm of bad publicity ensued. And it made a difference. The Westin Casuarina's owner has now reversed itself and will issue refunds to the 85 conventioneers, "as a matter of customer relations."

Show Takes New, Bargain-Oriented Tack:

In the face of the "mark up now, discount later" show-pricing mentality (encountered by Anthony Curtis in the current LVA), "World's Greatest Magic Show" producer Dick Feeney is offering an alternative. As Feeney tells Mike Weatherford of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the Greek Isles-based show is going from a $63.75/$74.75 face price to $19.95/$24.95. And, in return for a $2 ticket-printing charge, the first 100 tickets of the day are otherwise free, as a promotion. Feeney predicts his approach will "be copied within months." For the full recent LVA report on the current state of Las Vegas show pricing, check out the Las Vegas Show Ticket Survey in our new "Spotlight" column.

It's Official - People Like to Gamble:

According to the latest survey by TripAdvisor, 36% of worldwide respondents and 42% of Americans plan to go gambling while on vacation during the next 12 months. Despite the economic downturn, eight percent of the 1,600 respondents said they'd gamble more this year than last. Bellagio was voted the favorite casino and Las Vegas the top gambling destination, followed by Monte Carlo, Lake Tahoe, and Macau.

Palazzo Gets Big Green Thumbs-Up:

The Palazzo’s been officially named the largest "green" building in the world by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), which presented the property with a Silver LEED® Certificate (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) yesterday. The building’s environmentally-friendly credentials include using recycled structural steel and concrete, a waste recycling program implemented from inception that diverted over 70% of waste from the landfill, water-efficient bathroom fixtures, solar-heated pools, and air conditioning sensors that react to guests’ presence or absence in the hotel suites.

Wet Republic Debuts:

The latest innovation in Las Vegas pool concepts will be unveiled today with the "soft" opening of Wet Republic, MGM Grand's new "ultra pool." Dubbed the debut of "daylife" (as opposed to nightlife), the 53,000-square-foot complex boasts eight separate pools and spas, including the Strip's first saltwater pools, plus waterfalls, a poolside ultralounge, a 4,100-square-foot sundeck, luxury cabanas, DJs, and dance platforms. The pool is open to non-guests but you must be 21 to enter. Local ladies receive complimentary entry while cover charges for others will vary, depending on holidays and weekends. The grand opening is slated for April 25.

Tax Update from Jean Scott:

If you're counting on that economic-stimulus check from Uncle Sam *and* you have a high gross (as opposed to net) gambling income ... well, you'd better read what Jean Scott has to say on the subject in the latest Frugal Vegas.

Iowa Gamblers Are Spared:

Punters in the Hawkeye State can still light up, thanks to a bill passed out of the Legislature and sent to Gov. Chet Culver. While the measure enacts a statewide ban on public smoking, Iowa's casino floors are exempted, enabling gamblers to continue to enjoy the conjoined pleasures of wagering and tobacco.

Matthews Spotlights VP Bargain Plays:

In his latest Gambling in Space, our David Matthews turns the spotlight on three area restaurants that "offer an excellent value for 25-cent video poker play." Not only will they comp drinks, they even have special menus for VP players (menus that David has thoughtfully scanned and uploaded). "It's one of the best values in Las Vegas for quarter players," Matthews proclaims. Praise from a lofty source indeed!

NV Revenues Down Again:

First, the good news: Nevada casinos raked in over $1 billion in win this February. The bad news: That's almost 4% off last year's pace, leaving the state still microscopically ahead of the pace set last year. The Strip was down by just over 3% but Downtown lost just a fraction of a percent, as did Laughlin and Wendover. The only significant increase was notched by the Carson Valley area, up almost 4%. Hit hardest were Mesquite (-31%), North Lake Tahoe (-26%), outlying Washoe County (-16%), the Boulder Strip (-14%) and North Las Vegas (-13%). According to a Bear Stearns breakout of the results, despite a favorable calendar (nine weekend days), the Strip was afflicted by flat baccarat win and below-par table win. A 6% falloff in locals-market revenue also contributed to the downturn.

Masters Prop Bets Posted:

A lengthy list of prop bets on The Masters, including "Will There Be a Hole in One?", has been posted -- with odds -- by the Las Vegas Sun.

Dubai World Buys Into Fontainebleau:

... but not the one on the Strip. Dubai World subsidiary Nakheel Hotels has put $375 million into the half-billion-dollar renovation of Fontainebleau's signature Miami Beach property. Nakheel Hotels is also among MGM Mirage's joint-venture partners in City Center. As the Las Vegas Sun's Liz Benston notes, money from Dubai is particularly welcome in an investment climate that has seen Wall Street cooling towards Las Vegas.

Casino CEO to Retire:

Mountaineer Racetrack & Resort CEO Edson "Ted" Arneault today announced his retirement, effective at the close of 2008 (possibly later if a smooth transition cannot be achieved by year's end). Under Arneault's leadership, Mountaineer's parent company, MTR Gaming Group, successfully expanded in West Virginia sand into Minnesota, but struggled with the Las Vegas market, where its acquisitions included Binion's and the Speedway Casino, both of which MTR later sold. Earlier today, union workers at MTR's Chester, W.V., racetrack ratified a new contract, ending a 10-day strike. Under the new pact, the average wage will rise from $9.34/hour to $10.69/hour over three years, with employee health co-pays declining over the same period.

April Promos at Silverton:

The $750,000 Pull-Tab party runs through Apr. 30. Play slots, video poker, and table games to earn pull tabs -- every tab's a winner and five are worth $10,000 each, with other prizes including Bass Pro Shops gift cards, slot points, and complimentary hotel nights. April dining specials include 2-for-1 fajitas at Mi Casa Grill Cantino, $5 burgers at Mermaid Restaurant and Lounge, and $4 chicken-wing baskets at Sundance Grill.

Analyst Report Impacts Boyd Stock:

Shares of Boyd Gaming (ticker symbol: BYD) declined today on the heels of a report by Jefferies & Co.'s Larry Klatzkin, who predicts a larger-than-expected impact from Eastside Cannery Casino when it opens in August. The new Cannery is within walking distance from Boyd's flagship Vegas property (at least while the former Stardust morphs into Echelon Place), Sam's Town. Klatzkin trmmed his earnings-per-share projections by eight cents for this and 12 cents for 2009. Taking the long-term view, Klatzkin maintained a "Buy" rating, citing expansion at Borgata and potentially bigger business for Vegas locals casinos. Boyd shares slipped $1.15/share over the day's trading, closing at $18.95.

Gambling Canada's Favorite Pastime?:

According to a report released yesterday by the Canadian Gaming Association, that nation's largest and most financially significant entertainment industry is gambling, accounting for 267,000 full-time jobs and contributing $15.3 billion a year to the economy. The report, based on 2006 data, says 57% of gambling revenue – $8.7 billion – supported government services and charities while the other $6.6 billion was "spent to sustain operations, paid out as salaries, and used to purchase goods and services."

VA's Vegas Expenses Raise Eyebrows:

Among a litany of charges to government credit cards by Veteran Administration employees, one item causing a stir is $26,198 to casino-hotels in Las Vegas (out of a $2.6 billion total in dubious expenditures, including a big Sharper Image bill). A VA spokesman justified the Vegas casino outlay on the grounds that the "VA is building a new medical center and an increasing number of veterans are calling [Vegas] home." However, some Vegas-visiting bureaucrats were thriftier, like the one who booked a room at a Holiday Inn Express instead.

Hope for Homeowners?:

"Will the national economy affect Las Vegas housing prices?" That's the question asked by today's House Advantage, in which Robin Camacho looks at a variety of economic indicators and perceives a glimmer of hope. She also floats a theory whereby Nevada's nation-leading status in rate of foreclosures may be the result of a quirk in Silver State foreclosure laws. For more, see Robin's blog.

Anthony Curtis in Newsweek:

This week's Newsweek magazine contains a feature on the the current box office smash 21, which quotes both Anthony Curtis and Knock-Out Blackjack author Olaf Vancura.

Braxton Discharged From Hospital:

Toni Braxton has been discharged from a local Las Vegas hospital after undergoing tests for chest pains. Her show at the Flamingo currently remains on hold with the status day-to-day. Braxton did not perform last night and a call to the casino box office revealed that tonight's show has also been canceled.

Dubai World Seeking Gaming License:

MGM Mirage's primary development partner, Dubai World, has applied for a Nevada gaming license, a clear indicator it intends to take its ownership stake in MGM Mirage past the 9.5% it currently holds. Once a stakeholder passes the 10% threshold, the licensing process in Nevada becomes mandatory. Dubai World and MGM Mirage are partnered both in CityCenter and in projects overseas.

Wyndham Announces Fifth Vegas Timeshare:

A 19-story condo tower, to be called Wyndham Desert Blue, will arise on 14.75 acres at the intersection of W. Twain Avenue and Dean Martin Drive, according to an announcement made today at the American Resort Development Association conference, in Las Vegas. Wyndham Vacation Ownership already has four buildings in the area, including the soon-to-open WorldMark Las Vegas Tropicana. It cited seven years of sales growth, totaling $1 billion, as its incentive to expand in the Vegas market. The first 281 Wyndham Desert Blue condos are scheduled for completion in 2010.

Rock Rocks Symbolic Gallery:

Glam rock/punk chronicler Mick Rock, former official photographer of David Bowie during the latter's Ziggy Stardust phase, will be displaying his art work at Symbolic Gallery, May 3-June 15 (a May 2 opening-night gala is by invitation only) and admission is free. Musicians documented by Rock include Michael Stipe, Iggy Pop, Blondie, Lou Reed, and the Sex Pistols. Symbolic Gallery is at 4631 S. Dean Martin Dr., Suite 100 and can be reached either via 702/507-5263 or www.symboliccollection.com.

Braxton Hospitalized:

According to a Flamingo spokesperson, headliner Toni Braxton was taken to an area hospital last night, suffering from an undisclosed malady. The singer is expected to be released this afternoon. The Flamingo said it was in the dark as to what ailed Braxton or where she fell ill. Tonight's show is expected to be canceled.

Word from the Pit:

That's the racing pit, not the casino pit. Anthony Curtis has just called in with his latest trackside report from the Toyota Pro/Celeb Grand Prix training camp and the big news is that he'll be adjusting the opening odds in favor of the celebrities, having had pros confide that they don't fancy their chances, given the head-start the other racers will receive. AC will be returning tonight with the full story and our reader poll goes live at midnight and will remain open until just prior to the race itself. For details on the 2008 race participants and AC's initial commentary and opening lines, click here.

Mezrich Book Back in Spotlight:

While the movie 21 is being criticized for the liberties it takes with Ben Mezrich's Bringing Down the House*, those alterations may be small change compared to the ones made by Mezrich himself. In a Boston Globe article, former team member John Chang says, "I don’t even know if you want to call the things in there exaggerations, because they’re so exaggerated they’re basically untrue." Jeff Ma becomes the basis for "Kevin Lewis," who Mezrich portrays doing "things that Ma himself said he never heard of until he read the book," according to the Globe, which interviewed numerous MIT members in the course of its background investigation into the book. "The idea that the story is true is more important than being able to prove that it’s true," Mezrich says. *See today's earlier news item on this subject.

Jean Scott Hits the Airwaves:

With Tax Day drawing nigh, Jean Scott, co-author of Tax Help for Gamblers will be doing a series of talk-radio guest spots, dispensing advice on how to report your winnings to the IRS. Jean's schedule of radio gigs can be found at Frugal Vegas.

21 Still Rules at Box Office:

In spite of mixed reviews, the blackjack movie 21, based loosely on the exploits of the legendary MIT card counting team, has continued its winning streak as it took in $15.1 million to stay on top of the box office for a second straight week. For anyone interested in learning more about the real strategies that the MIT players used to "break Vegas," check out our title Blackjack Blueprint by author Rick "Night Train" Blaine, who has applied them for years as a money-making hobby while maintaining his day job at a New York Fortune 500 company. It's the most comprehensive training manual for blackjack players ever written and includes not only those of the team's strategies that have been publicized but also a few that they never disclosed.

Mobile Billboards Getting Scrutiny:

If you've been stuck in slow Strip traffic behind one of those truck-mounted billboards, Clark County Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani feels your pain. "It’s clearly a safety, traffic, congestion and air-quality issue," she told the Las Vegas Sun, saying she wants to bring the matter before the Commission. The rolling billboards have already been a bone of contention at Taxicab Authority meetings.

Upside to LV Downturn?:

While Chris Ayres of the London Times likes to huff and puff about Las Vegas at regular intervals (and his latest piece is no exception), he actually seems to have enjoyed his most recent visit. He finds a silver lining in the recent tourism slump, writing that "the place is a lot more fun than it used to be. There's less traffic, the restaurants are less crowded and you can actually get some elbow room at the blackjack tables."

AC Heads Out to CA:

Oddsmaker Anthony Curtis is California-bound for his coverage of the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Grand Prix, so tune in tomorrow for his latest update, direct from the secret desert training camp. He'll be observing the practice sessions and adjusting his opening lines with inside information and eye-witness reports plus, from midnight tomorrow, you get to add your own votes to the mix when our next reader poll goes live...

Rampart Celebrates!:

Rampart Casino celebrates its anniversary on Tuesday, April 8th with free cake and champagne in Addison’s Lounge tomorrow. Free T-shirts for players from 2 p.m.-6p.m. and 2X points all day.

Signature in Saturday's WSJ:

Saturday's WSJ used Las Vegas as a prime (or maybe sub-prime?)example of problems in the condo market. Many purchasers invested in condo/hotel deals here with the belief they could recoup their mortgage payments by renting out the units to Vegas visitors, but it hasn't worked out that way. MGM Grand's Signature was the focal project in the article.

Basketball Party at Sapphire Tonight:

Complimentary hot dogs and hamburgers, plus drink specials, at the NCAA Championship tailgate party at Sapphire gentlemen's club (3025 Industrial Rd.) tonight. Fox Sports Radio will be on hand for a live remote from 4 p.m.-6 p.m. and other entertainment includes the second annual "Stripper Shoot Out."

Plaza on Back Burner:

Elad Properties, owner of the New Frontier site, now concedes its Plaza megaresort is in "go slow" mode, after all. Company spokesperson Miki Naftali told Haaretz the Plaza "might have to be delayed by the subprime-cum-credit crisis," which the company thinks will ease early next year, paving the way for development. If not, "postponement may become inevitable."

Line Moving for NCAA Final:

After Kansas opened a 1- to 1.5-point favorite, money has come in on Memphis for tonight's NCAA basketball championship and the Tigers are now the favorite. The line is -1.5 to -2 for Memphis in most locations in Las Vegas and offshore, which means you should be able to lay 1.5 if you want to bet Memphis and take 2 if you want Kansas. The total is 147.5.

More Pullback:

Donald Trump says he "hasn't decided" on a start date for building the second Trump Tower. This leaves this area of the center Strip in limbo, as plans remain unclear for the Plaza project on the site of the former New Frontier.

Leroy's Hits 30:

Leroy's sports book marks its 30th anniversary today. What began as a small alternative operation now has dozens of locations throughout Nevada. Check out a big ad in the sports section of today's LV Review-Journal for a huge list of all the casinos, several of them now defunct, that Leroy's has operated from.

Book Signing Reminder:

Don't forget Matt O'Brien's book signing at today's Big Read Book Festival at the Clark County Library. The festival runs from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and Matt will be signing Beneath the Neon from 1 to 3.

Calling All Blue Men - And Women:

Blue Man Group's holding an open casting call on Monday, April 7 for their current shows in Las Vegas, New York, Boston, Chicago, and Orlando. Hopeful male or female performers must be 5'10" to 6'1" with an athletic build, solid drumming and excellent acting skills. If you'e interested, bring a photo and resume to The Blue Man Theatre at the Venetian between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Monday. For more information visit www.bluemancasting.com

Jersey Boys Debuts Tonight:

The acclaimed musical about the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons premieres tonight at Palazzo. It's not quite sold out, if you don't mind sitting alone -- we just called and there's one VIP seat left for $257 and very limited seating at the $147.70 price. If you can't make it tonight, the show performs Mon., Tues, and Thursday at 7 p.m., with additional 10 p.m. shows on Friday and Saturday. Use the booking/search tool at the bottom of this page for reservations.

Neon Booksigning Tomorrow:

Huntington Press author Matt O'Brien will be signing copies of his acclaimed Beneath the Neon from 1 p.m.-3 p.m. as part of Saturday's Big Read Book Festival at the Clark County Library. The festival runs from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and features workshops and a used book sale, in addition to book signings by Matt and other authors.

The Queen Takes Questions:

Jean Scott answers reader questions in today's Frugal Vegas. Find out how Jean's eye surgery turned out, how her son's latest tour of duty in Iraq is going, and whether Palazzo installed drawers in its new bureaus (remember, this is a place that opened without toilets in some of its bathrooms).

Restaurants Opening:

Dos Caminos has opened at Palazzo. Tommy Bahamas Tropical Cafe has opened in the Town Square district, and Blue Martini opens there at 4 p.m. today.

Las Vegas This Weekend:

All hail Hef! The quintessential bachelor turns 82 years young next week but why wait? He and the "Girls Next Door" will get the party started early this Saturday night with festivities planned at the Playboy Club (of course) and Moon inside the Palms. You can also expect plenty of Playboy Playmate sightings on the nightclub circuit this weekend. Music acts are plentiful but comics are scarce. Funny man Jay Leno has a two-day gig at Mirage and is the lone A-lister on this weekend’s docket. Music: HoB rocks with Anti-Flag (4/5) and Big Head Todd and the Monsters (4/6); The Club at Cannery welcomes Las Vegas’ own Mocca (4/4) and Fran Cosmo (former lead singer of Boston) (4/5); Keiko Matsui plays Ovation Lounge at Green Valley Ranch (4/4); Lez Zeppelin stops by Santa Fe’s Chrome Showroom (4/4) and Boulder’s Railhead (4/5); Boston tribute band Smokin’ takes their turn at Railhead (4/4); Arturo Sandoval sings at Sante Fe Station’s Chrome Showroom (4/5); Merle Haggard entertains the crowd at Star of the Desert Arena in Primm (4/5); The Bamboozle Roadshow hits the Joint with a five band line-up featuring Saves the Day (4/4); CSN presents the Joe Williams Scholarship Fund Concert at the South Point Showroom (4/6); Beto Cuevas drops in at The Joint (4/5); Dokken checks in at Sunset Station’s Club Madrid (4/5); Elton John returns to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace (4/4-4/6); Tom Jones is still beltin’ out the oldies but goodies at the MGM (through 4/9) and Englebert Humperdinck does likewise at the Orleans Showroom (4/3-4/6); Al Jardine and his band perform at the Suncoast Showroom (4/4-4/6); the Las Vegas Tenors are in concert at the Las Vegas Hilton (4/6); James Darren is on stage at the South Point Showroom (4/4-4/5); and the Las Vegas Philharmonic makes music at UNLV’s Artemus Ham Hall (4/5) Sports Events: Las Vegas 51s open their season at Cashman Field Center this weekend against the Salt Lake Bees (4/4 is Russell Martin Bobblehead Doll day and 4/5's the fireworks), while Las Vegas Wranglers host the Bakersfield Condors (4/4) and the Phoenix Roadrunners (4/5) at the Orleans Arena Other: The 2008 Miss USA Pageant Prelim takes place at Planet Hollywood (4/5); the annual UNLVino fundraising soirée takes place this weekend with separate events at Hard Rock (4/3), The District at Green Valley (4/4), and Paris (4/5); the Hawaiian Tropic Zone is hopping this weekend with Playboy Playmate Jordan Monroe on hand to host the evening (4/4) and Terra Jole (AKA Mini Britney) scheduled to perform (4/5); Dr. Manus from Dr. 90210 will be hosting the evening at Privé inside Planet Hollywood with free breast enhancement up for grabs (4/5); the CineVegas Art House Screening Series presents The Witnesses at Galaxy Neonopolis (4/4-4/10); the Big Read Book Festival features workshops, book sales, and book signings at the Clark County Library (4/5); it’s Sneaker Madness at McFadden’s as the Final Four face off in the NCAA championship (4/5); the Nevada Conservatory Theatre presents Lysistrata in UNLV’s Black Box Theatre (4/4-4/20); check out the Native American Arts Festival at the Clark County Museum (4/4-4/6); let the little ones get up close and personal with big vehicles at the Touch-A-Truck event in the Orleans northwest parking lot (4/5); and don’t forget First Friday events in the downtown arts district (4/4) For more details about these and other events, plus full listings of all the permanent shows Las Vegas plays home to, click here to use our "Shows & Events" finder, under "Vegas Info." Plus, tickets to many of the above-listed events are available by clicking here; if not, just contact the box office direct.

Williams Honored, Breitling Reviewed, Hooters Down:

Sweeping up various stray bits of news, Stiffs & Georges discusses: a well-earned honor for Claudine Williams, a casino industry pioneer; a review by David Schwartz of Double or Nothing, the memoir of former Golden Nugget co-owner Tom Breitling; another bad quarter for the Hooters hotel-casino and yet another delay in its long-discussed sale -- plus a casino implosion. With video. (Well, a casino garage, anyway.)

New Shows for Fremont Street:

A series of new "Viva Vision" canopy light shows will kick off at 8 p.m., Thursday, April 17 when "A Tribute to Queen" debuts, featuring 3D sound and hits "We Will Rock You" and "We Are the Champions." The occasion will be marked with nightly performances from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. by Queen tribute band Queen Nation, who will perform for free on the 3rd Street Stage from April 17 through 22. The themes of the other two new canopy light shows have yet to be announced.

LVA Tix Survey in R-J:

Las Vegas Review-Journal columnist Mike Weatherford reports in today's paper on LVA's annual survey of show-ticket prices. He notes that the overall 1% increase "essentially puts the brakes on the spiraling price trends of years past. Weatherford has a few quibbles, such as the inclusion of "Vegas Mob Tour" as a "show" but takes particular delight in Publisher Anthony Curtis' accompanying essay, which explores the difficulty of establishing a definitive price for any show, given the plethora of coupon offers and alternate ticket outlets. (Let's not even get into the "secondary market" -- that way lies madness.)

Moulin Rouge a "Go":

Las Vegas' City Council gave project approval today to a new casino-hotel, to be built on the site of historic Moulin Rouge, the city's casino to break the color barrier. Rezoning approval had already been granted by the city's Planning Commission. For additional details of the project, plus new information on the Monte Carlo fire, see Stiffs & Georges.

Poker Pro Helps Vegas Animals:

On Monday, Jennifer Harman cut the ribbon on two new wings at the headquarters of the Nevada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, reports CardPlayer.com. The expansions were built with the proceeds of Harman's first charity tournament, which raked in $130,000 last year. Venetian Director of Poker Operations Kathy Raymond was on hand, as were several poker pros, including Doyle Brunson. The second Harman tournament kicks off April 18 and is open to pre-registration through the NSPCA. Johnny Chan, Phil Hellmuth, Phil Ivey and Shaun King are among those expected to play this year.

Sands Rallies Support in Kansas:

Although Las Vegas Sands' casino proposal got ash-canned by the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City (the only proposal to get bounced), LVS isn't taking it lying down. It has presented the Unified Government with a 5,000-signature petition, seeking consideration of two new casino plans. State courts had overruled Wyandotte/Kansas City's Dec. 31, 2007 deadline, at which time LVS' first proposal hadn't received governmental endorsement. Six other proposals passed muster. Even if Sands gets back into the running, the state lottery can award only one license to Wyandotte County, regardless of the number of submissions -- assuming that the state Supreme Court upholds the Kansas Expanded Lottery Act of 2007.

Illinois Casinos Want to Go 24/7:

On April 8, several Illinois casinos will petition the Illinois Gaming Board to be allowed to go to round-the-clock operations. "The state's nine casinos now are open 19 to 22 hours a day. Meanwhile, competing casinos in northwest Indiana hum around the clock, while those in Iowa and Missouri stay open 24 hours on weekends," reports the Sun-Times News Group. The state's riverboats are coming off year-over-year revenue declines of -18% and -13% in January and February, respectively. Illinois casino revenues have been in a steep slide of late, while neighboring states have merely stagnated. Casino executives blame it on a recent smoking ban, although regulators -- citing the recession and a harsh winter -- may prove difficult to persuade. Their decision will be handed down April 22.

A.C. Trop Deal No Dice:

Columbia Sussex, former owner of the Atlantic City Tropicana, is being sued for $960 million by Wilmington Trust Company, partly because of the loss of the A.C. Trop. We could go bankrupt, Columbia Sussex says. Give us back the title to the Trop to help us cure the default. Trop trustee Justice Gary Stein took this plea, which would involve him surrendering his own conservatorship, to the New Jersey Casino Control Commission but found no takers. NJCCC Chair Linda Kassekert's argument that Columbia Sussex could have tried to cure the default but had instead done nothing and looked to the Commission for rescue appears to have carried more weight with fellow commissioners. Keeping Columbia Sussex out of Chapter 11, she said, isn't the state's problem. For additional coverage, plus reports on the turnover and new business plan for Casino Aztar, in Evansville, Ind., being purchased by Reno-based Eldorado Resorts, see Stiffs & Georges and scroll down to "More Trop Trouble."

A.C. Posts $60 Million Loss:

To say Atlantic City had a bad 2007 would be putting it mildly. Cash flow was down almost 10% and a Boardwalk-wide profit of $365 million in 2006 turned into a loss of $60 million last year. The fourth quarter got hammered especially hard, with A.C.'s casinos posting a collective loss of $230 million where they had made a $58 million profit the year before. While Borgata reported the highest cash flow in the city, only Caesars Atlantic City actually increased its cash flow (by 4%) over 2006. Promotional comps were slightly cut back and hotel occupancy fell by a microscopic amount, still just above 91%. Among casinos reporting declines in cash flow, they were -- in descending order -- Atlantic City Hilton (-39%), Trump Marina (-34%) Bally's Atlantic City (-19%), Tropicana (-15%), Showboat (-12%), Harrah's Marina (-8%), Resorts International (-7%), Trump Taj Mahal (-3%), Borgata (-2%) and Trump Plaza (-%).

Westin Socks It to Conventioneers:

When an Austin, Tex.-based company had trouble meeting its $50K tab for a dental convention held at the Westin Casuarina, the hotel took advantage of some fine print in its invoices and billed the 50 grand to the conventioneers themselves. Attendees found charges ranging from $665 to over $1,000 on their credit card statements. For a fuller account, see Stiffs & Georges.

Herbst Gaming, Ritz-Carlton Facing Bankruptcy:

Staggering under the debt burden of two major buyouts in 2007 and further hammered by the impact of Question 5 on slot routes in Nevada, Herbst Gaming is looking at bankruptcy, asset sales and other desperate remedies. In its annual report, Herbst indicated that a bad 2007 is leading into a poor 2008 and that higher revenues haven't offset higher debt -- a $1.1 billion hole out of which it must dig itself. In other news, the owner of Ritz-Carlton Lake Las Vegas has had to seek Chapter 11 protection, lest it see its assets sold off. But the owners of Planet Hollywood were able announce they'd reduced losses at the long-struggling property by 22% and had increased gambling revenue by 9%. For in-depth coverage of the three stories, see Stiffs & Georges.

Zero Hour for Moulin Rouge:

At 1 p.m., the companies behind the latest attempt to revive the Moulin Rouge go before the Las Vegas City Council, seeking approval of their plans (which will require rezoning of the site). Moulin Rouge Development Corp. CEO Dale Scott, Republic Urban Properties Senior VP Michael VanEvery and architect Edward Vance will be submitting their vision of a revived Moulin Rouge to City Hall. An informed source tells LVA that "Republic Urban Properties ... is the real deal. They've done $4 billion worth of projects nationwide."

Double Race Points at Stations:

If you bet horse racing, you can get 2X club points on your bets at Station race books in April. The bonus is offered every evening after 5 pm.

Elton Cancels:

Tonight's Elton John Red Piano at Caesars' Colosseum has been canceled. No further information about why was available when we called to confirm, but so far the venue's expecting his shows this weekend to take place as scheduled. If you have tickets for tonight's show, refunds are available at the point of purchase.

Ladies Month at Spin:

Throughout the month of April, all ladies can enjoy an open bar all night every night that Spin nightclub is open (Wed, Fri, & Sat). Get on the guest list by calling 800/261-7400 or text 702/885-7587 and receive free admission, too.

Tao Beach Hiring:

As pool season gets underway, expect multiple upcoming auditions for seasonal staff. The latest to hire is Tao Beach at the Venetian, which is holding open recruiting sessions for cocktail waitresses and bartenders from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. daily now through Friday, April 4. Auditions will take place in Tao nightclub. Bring your swimsuit.

Pay the Man:

The 2007 compensation for Steve Wynn has been divulged. Pay for the man who oversaw a 19.5% increase in Wynn Resorts stock was $3.2 million in salary, $7.5 million in incentives, and approximately $575,000 in other compensation (primarily perks and expenses), adding up to a total of $11.2 million. Wynn retains a 21.1% stake in the company.