Las Vegas News

5X Points Today:

While most of the multiple-points deals will run tomorrow, both Fiestas are awarding 5X points today. Also, from 2 to 7 pm both days, once per minute a "randomly chosen slot machine" will be credited with $25 in free slot play at both casinos.

Las Vegas Packed:

Almost 300,000 visitors are expected in Las Vegas over this three-day weekend. McCarran Airport will have about 550,000 arrivals and departures. Be careful if you drive, as police have been setting up sobriety checkpoints on the roads leading away from the Strip.

Four Queens Promotion Alert:

The good Four Queens tiered-level promotion ends tomorrow. It's detailed in-depth in the August LVA, but the gist of it is you can get more than $450 in cash rebates for $16,000 in video poker play. Risky but positive. Plus the resulting Four Queens mailers have proven to be valuable.

ECan VP:

The video poker at the Eastside Cannery is good. Look, in particular for a bank of 12 machines located just below the main bar (it's raised like the bar at the original Cannery), that offers full-pay Deuces Wild, 10/7 Double Bonus, and 20/7 Kings or Better Joker Poker in 5-cent, 10-cent, and 25-cent denoms. All return better than 100% with optimal play. Throughout the rest of the casino, including the bars, you'll find 8/5 Bonus, 9/7/5 Double Bonus, and the 98.9% version of Deuces Wild up to $2. Add the good slot club and you have a decent video poker situation in Las Vegas' newest casino. See David McKee's review of the rest of the casino in his Stiffs & Georges blog.

Eastside Cannery Reviewed:

Our managing editor spent a couple of hours strolling the casino floor and sampling the good eating at Eastside Cannery last night and filed this review of Boulder Strip's newest casino.

Bargains Galore in LV:

"ROOMS AVAILABLE" That, in giant letters, was the entire message on Sam's Town's south-facing marquee last night. According to a story in today's Las Vegas Review-Journal, Vegas room rates "are down by double-digit percentages for the upcoming holiday weekend," as much as 50% in some cases. An Allegiant Air exec says casinos are having to compensate for the increased cost of airfares with ever-cheaper rooms. This has put some higher-priced hotels within the reach of guests who previously couldn't afford to stay there, said the CEO of Web-booking site i4Vegas.com.

Monte Carlo Goof Fueled Fire:

Parts of Monte Carlo Hotel & Casino's façade were covered in an unapproved resin, one which lacked flame-retardant capabilities, thereby aggravating the Jan. 25 fire at the Strip resort. That's the conclusion of consultants, including MVA Scientific, retained by Clark County. The fire was accidentally set by welders (using a window-washing permit) who failed to put down slag mats and take other precautionary measures.

Weekend Vegas Marathon on Travel Channel:

Commencing tomorrow, Sat. August 30 at 12 p.m., Travel Channel begins four days of intensive Las Vegas programming, featuring shows including "Vegas Urban Legends," "Top Ten Las Vegas Pools," "Las Vegas: Gambling with the Pros," "Las Vegas: Sucker Bets," and "Vegas Dos and Don'ts." Many of the shows feature LVA publisher Anthony Curtis and an array of Huntington Press staff, authors, and associates, so set your TiVo and get ready for a big dose of Vegas. For complete listings of all the coming week's Las Vegas and gambling-related programming, don't forget to check out our unique Vegas TV feature.

Adelson Outlines Macao Strategy:

Interviewed by Aomen.tv at the Four Seasons Macao opening, Sheldon Adelson praised competitors Lawrence Ho and Steve Wynn as operators of "quality" properties that were improving the market. He also stated that Sands feels it should be given a dedicated hangar and reception area at Macao's airport for its three-plane fleet. Las Vegas Sands' customer base is 40% Mainland Chinese and 60% from elsewhere, Adelson added, downplaying the effects of the Chinese government's repeated restrictions on its citizens' access to Macao.

Greektown Expansion Opens Today:

It's quite a weekend for casino openings: Eastside Cannery, Four Season Macao -- and don't forget Detroit's Greektown Casino. Today it unveils the first phase of a three-stage soft opening of its new hotel tower. The 400-room hotel itself won't be ready for occupancy until early next year, but a gaming floor with 600 slot machines debuts today. Late November brings a renovated VIP room, a new restaurant and two lounges, plus 400 more slots.

Mohegan Sun Opens New Casino:

Connecticut's tribal casinos are apparently remaining undaunted by the weak economy and a fall in slot revenues, with the opening today of Mohegan Sun's new 64,000-square-foot Casino of the Wind, the first phase of a $925 million expansion. The debut of the new facility comes just three months after Foxwoods opened its $700 million MGM Grand resort-casino.

Fugitive Machines:

Gray-market gambling devices called "Cherry Masters" were outlawed in Indiana last year, prompting a 3,000-machine exodus from the state. However, other Cherry Masters continue to lie low and accept wagers. Yesterday, the Indiana Gaming Commission announced it had smoked out 447 more, scattered across 69 sites. One of those was a trailer with eight machines, which were moved from place to place, to stay a step ahead of the law. Commission Chairman Ernest Yelton lauded the scofflaws as "very imaginative."

Las Vegas This Labor Day Weekend:

Las Vegas sure knows how to rock a three-day weekend and there are plenty of ways to celebrate the unofficial end of summer. The Kiss Army will be in full force at the Palms to see the legendary rockers strut their platform boots onstage at the Pearl Friday night. Chris Rock tops the list of comics with two big shows at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. Nightlife highlights include the much-anticipated launch of Paul Oakenfold’s Perfecto at Rain inside the Palms and the grand opening celebration of Rok Vegas at New York-New York with a performance by Katy Perry who kissed a girl, liked it and became an overnight sensation for singing about it. Music: 3 Doors Down will be joined by Stand and Hinder at the Mandalay Bay Events Center (8/29); Kiss makes a comeback at Pearl at the Palms (8/29); The Club at The Cannery will hold the End of Summer Bash featuring Gary U.S. Bonds and free admission (8/30); The Joint presents G. Love and Special Sauce (8/29) and Bob Dylan (9/1); The Tubes are in concert at Santa Fe Station’s Chrome Showroom (8/30); Phil Vassar performs at Ovation Lounge at Green Valley Ranch (8/29); House of Blues stays busy with Ramon Ayala and Sueno Norteno (8/29), Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers (8/30), Ice Cub (8/30, late show) and Toad the Wet Sprocket (8/31); Air Supply plays the Orleans Showroom (8/28-8/31); free concerts at MonteLago Village feature CCR tribute band Fortunate Son (8/29), the jazz group Anduze (8/30), and Acoustic Soul (8/31); The Dallas Events Center at Texas Motor Speedway welcomes the 40 Years Ago Today concert featuring Todd Rundgren, Bo Bice, and more (8/29) and the SMV tour with Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller and Victor Wooten (8/30); The Sugarhill Gang performs live at LAX Nightclub at Luxor (8/31); the Nevada Pops perform at UNLV’s Artemus Ham Hall (8/30); and Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr. perform together at the Suncoast Showroom (8/29-8/31) Comedy: Chris Rock performs at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace (8/29-8/30); Lewis Black goes apoplectic at the Mirage (8/30-8/31); Bill Engvall does stand up at the Treasure Island Theatre (8/29); Richard Cheese & Lounge Against the Machine entertain at A.J.’s Steakhouse inside the Hard Rock (8/29, 8/31); David Spade takes the mic at Planet Hollywood (8/30-8/31); Ralphie May keeps it funny at the South Point Showroom (8/29-8/31); see Bill Cosby at the Star of the Desert Arena in Primm (8/30) Sporting Events: the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels hold their season opener at home against Utah State at Sam Boyd Stadium (8/30); The Las Vegas 51s host a four-day stand against the Colorado Springs Sky Sox at Cashman Field (8/29-9/1); the Las Vegas Triathlon takes place at Lake Las Vegas (8/30); check out World Extreme Cagefighting at The Joint (8/29) Poolside Events: Planes Crash and Love Hate Hero headline Friday Night Live poolside at the Hard Rock (8/29), special guest DJ’s Jonathan Peters and DJ Juice join Rehab (8/31) and Scooter and Lavelle put a wrap on the holiday weekend at Relax (9/1); Wet Republic features Roger Sanchez (8/29), The Crystal Method (8/30), Sharam and Cedric Gervais (8/31) and Deadmau5 and Kaskade (9/1); the Pond at Green Valley Ranch is throwing a weekend-long party with sushi from Sushi Sake and sounds by DJ Jace One (8/31) and DJ Shift (9/1); Zowie Bowie’s the featured entertainment at the Mint Monday party at the Tropicana Pool (9/1) Other: Two chances to get freaky at Perry Mann’s Exotic Erotic Strippers & Hustlers Ball at the Orleans Arena (8/30-8/31) and the Pimp ‘n Ho: The Rockstars Ball at Rain Nightclub at the Palms (8/31); enjoy live entertainment, raffle drawings, and cooking demonstrations at the Carnival of Cuisine at The Venetian (8/30-8/31); DJ Riz spins at Christian Audigier at TI (8/30); Rain at the Palms features DJ Jazzy Jeff (8/29), the launch of Perfecto by Paul Oakenfeld (8/30) and the Pimp ‘n Ho Rockstars Ball (8/31); Studio 54

Congrats to Fremont Street Experience:

The free lightshow on downtown's Fremont Street canopy has topped MSN Travel's "Free Things to Do in Las Vegas," ahead of attractions including the Bellagio Fountain Show and Sirens of TI.

'Dancing' Odds Posted:

Wynn Las Vegas race- and sportsbook boss John Avello has posted -- for amusement purposes only -- odds on the fall season of "Dancing with the Stars." Oscar-winner Cloris Leachman is a 40-to-1 long shot, and athletes fare little better, with ex-Raider Warren Sapp at 30-1 and Olympic gold medalist Misty May Treanor at 22-1. Health problems aside, Toni Braxton is rated an 8-to-1 bet, while InSync's complex dance routines were only good enough to get Lance Bass the second-shortest odds (5-1), next to fellow teenybopper fave Cody Linley (4-1).

Flamingo Flummoxed by Braxton's Gig:

Las Vegas Review-Journal columnist Mike Weatherford found Flamingo LV President Don Marrandino somewhat taken aback that singer Toni Braxton was on the roster for the next season of ABC's "Dancing with the Stars." Braxton cut her Flamingo engagement short last April, due to health problems. "Dancing," however, is no lark. Marie Osmond once fainted in mid-show, Shannon Elizabeth was constantly winded and, as Weatherford observes, Penn Jillette lost 50 pounds during rehearsals (despite being one of the first contestants eliminated). All Marrandino can do is shrug, "I'm glad [Braxton] is well enough. I wish her luck."

'Ooh La La' to Rise Again?:

In the same Weatherford piece, hypnotist Anthony Cools says his topless-girl revue, which closes at Paris-Las Vegas on Sunday, is down but not out. He says he's looking for a larger hall, one more compatible for a production show than the converted tour-and-travel lobby in which Ooh La La performed. LVA checked the show out when it was new and agrees with Cools: The low-ceilinged space, with its meeting-room sightlines, was an awkward fit for Ooh La La, at best.

Free Beer:

This current issue Las Vegas Weekly features an outside wrap with a coupon good for one free bottle of MGD 64 at any Palms casino bar. The coupon is good for one bottle per customer and expires Oct. 12, 2008. Must be 21 years of age.

Adelson Courts India:

While marking the one-year anniversary of Venetian Macao, Sheldon Adelson disclosed that he's been in talks with government officials in India. "We would like to build a Cotai Strip in India. That would not affect Macau whatsoever. The market in India with more than 1.1 billion people will justify more than one Cotai Strip," he told The Associated Press, adding that his Las Vegas Sands is prepared to spend up to $14 billion to realize that goal. At present, India has one casino, plus a handful of gambling vessels, all based in the former Portugese protectorate of Goa, on the subcontinent's western coast.

Eastside Cannery Opens:

Today's the day for the opening of the Eastside Cannery on Boulder Highway. The doors open to the public at 8 pm. Entertainment will include celebrity impersonators in Marilyn's Lounge, followed at 10 p.m. by Super Boogie, a disco band. Spandex and platform shoes are optional.

Biden Against MOTS:

In his speech at the Democratic National Convention, Joe Biden used the hook "more of the same" in a condemnation of the policies of John McCain. In the gambling world, specifically sports betting, more of the same -- meaning, backing your original bet with more -- is commonly referred to as "MOTS."

Suge Knight Arrested ... Again:

This isn't a good day for rap moguls in Las Vegas. First, the 40-40 Club announces its imminent closure, then Death Row records impresario (and three-time prison inmate) Suge Knight was arrested, less than three blocks from LVA HQ. Knight was charged with assault with a deadly weapon, battery domestic violence, possession of a controlled substance and possession of dangerous drugs without a prescription, according to Las Vegas Metro. Knight is most famous for having been in the driver's seat when Tupac Shakur was gunned down at the intersection of Flamingo Road and Koval Lane, a murder chronicled in Cathy Scott's The Killing of Tupac Shakur.

Binion, Brunson in Macao:

Surprise guest host Jack Binion, along with Doyle Brunson, is emceeing the start of the Asian Poker Tour Macau, running through Sunday at StarWorld Casino, owned by Galaxy Entertainment. After a Brunson book signing was mobbed, the player/author proclaimed, "I thought Las Vegas was the gambling capital of the world but I was wrong, it feels like coming home." Johnny Chan, David Saab and Todd Brunson are among the players, but Macau Daily Times says "the Vietnamese contingent will be strong and are the ones to watch."

Brunson Book Deferred:

Publication of Doyle Brunson's autobiography has been pushed back into mid-2009, Poker News Daily reports. No reason for the delay is given.

Four Seasons Macao Previewed:

Thursday marks the opening of Sheldon Adelson's newest Cotai Strip property, Four Seasons Macao. A foretaste of the Four Seasons can be found here.

SWA Trimming Vegas Service:

Southwest Airlines is adding an Orange County-to-Vegas round trip flight to its daily schedule, but is cutting back on 13 other routes, for a net loss of 12 flights, at least until Jan. 11. Cities losing one SWA flight per day include Reno, Denver, Kansas City, San Francisco, Seattle, Oakland, Albuquerque, Sacramento, Raleigh-Durham, and Ontario, Calif. Vegas wasn't as hard-hit as Chicago's Midway Airport, which lost 22 SWA flights.

Retailers Flock to Macao:

According to Brand Republic, The Mall at Studio City has drawn such prospective tenants as Bulgari, Dolce & Gabbana, Cartier, Burberry, Christian Dior, Prada, Gucci, Versace, etc. Mall owner Taubman Centers is sanguine about possible visa restrictions on Chinese citizens, contending that fewer visiting opportunities will lead to longer stays, in order to maximize an ever-shrinking number of chances to patronize Macao. The Mall is scheduled for a 2011 opening.

Something New Coming to Vegas Skies...:

M Resort, the all-new $1 billion resort-casino currently under construction to the south of South Point, has just announced that it's signed an exclusive agreement with The Lightship Group, the world's largest airship operator. As of September 2009, the M Resort will become home to one of the world's three flying electronic lightships. The twin-engine A-170LS video lightship, which is essentially an electronic lightsign on a blimp, will apparently make use of an array of LEDs to create the world's largest aerial television screen, measuring 70' x 30'. It's able to broadcast a multitude of media from live television and streaming video, to Web sites and static images, and will be used to promote all that the new resort has to offer.

Wynn's Fountain-Maker Defunct:

Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Gary Loveman and other CEOs will have to go someplace else when they need a good fountain -- Trevi Architectural, purveyor of elegant Strip fountains for Caesars Palace, the Venetian, and all Wynn Resorts properties, is going out of business on Friday. Trevi blames its demise on private-equity company Ampersand Ventures, saying it tightened the screws after buying Trevi last fall. Trevi founder Scott Acton says he may try to reenter the fountain business on his own.

40-40 Club Finished:

Jay-Z has left the building. Or will very shortly. This morning, the Web site of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that the rap mogul's Palazzo nightclub and sports bar would close at a yet-to-be disclosed date. Las Vegas Sands will take over the space and convert it into a race and sports book. The 40-40 Club had been dogged by rumors of shaky financial health right from its January debut. An LVA visit to the sports bar turned up poor service and a smallish crowd -- during NBA playoffs, no less.

Useful Little Bonus for El Cortez:

The elderly downtown casino has just been awarded a $50,000 grant from the Las Vegas Redevelopment Agency, which it says it's going to put towards the renovations of its Ogden Tower, where a $6.3 million interior and exterior upgrade is already well underway and scheduled for completion by the end of the year. When finished, the building will reopen as a boutique hotel named Cortez Cabana Suites.

New Trump Taj Tower Previewed:

On Friday, Trump Taj Mahal, in Atlantic City, opens the first 20 floors of its 40-floor, 782-room, $225 million Chairman Tower (named in honor of You Know Who). The hotel will formally open on Sept. 18 and the remaining 20 floors are expected to be in service by the end of the year. The Press of Atlantic City says of the octagonal building, "the new tower boasts a sleek profile wrapped in reflective silver glass. The building has eight sides, cut like an irregular-shaped diamond. So many different sides ensure that guests will either have a view of the ocean or the surrounding bays in rooms and suites that include floor-to-ceiling windows." Another innovation: Donald Trump's name appears nowhere on the building.

New Poker Lounge at HRH:

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino "has created a decadent atmosphere," it says, with its new, full-service Poker Lounge. In addition to five private VIP tables for high-end play, there are 13 more tables for the playing public. But the Hard Rock's $30 million outlay doesn't stop there. The lounge boasts a full bar, bottle service, food service, restrooms, safety deposit boxes, a sports-betting kiosk, high-limit slots, video poker, an all-girl VIP host staff, and it even has masseuses on standby, to ease the decision of deciding whether or not to draw to an inside straight. Comped tickets and backstage passes to The Joint are available to patrons, as are free cabañas for Sunday's Rehab parties. Not only can players reserve tables, the Genesis Reservation System can text message them anywhere on property once their table is ready. This feature is a Vegas exclusive for the HRH. Legendary casino host Steve Cyr is the marketing manager for the Poker Lounge.

New Twist at Station:

As part of this year's "Great Giveaway" NFL contest, offered only at Station-branded properties, contestants who register in time for Week One of the NFL season will have their entry fees refunded in the form of comped slot play if they win neither the overall prize or a weekly prize. Entrants in "The Challenge" who register by Aug. 31 will get $100 credited toward their Sports Connection accounts. The Challenge "is based on picking five NFL selections each week or selecting one college winning team or one total against the Station Casinos’ contest line as part of the contestant’s five picks." Entry fee is a nonrefundable $1,000. Station-branded properties are also participating in "Last Man Standing" this year, but only on NFL games.

Southwest Offers Wynn LV Package:

If you book by Thursday, Southwest Airlines is offering airfare/hotel package deals with Wynn Las Vegas, valid through Christmas Eve. The deal is predicated on a three-night stay and a five-day advance purchase. Promo code SWV100 gets you $100 off.

New Football Promos at Fiesta:

On Sept. 4, from 5-7 p.m., Fiesta Rancho and Fiesta Henderson are hosting "No Juice" wagering on NFL and college games, waiving the 10% "juice" if your bet doesn't win. Wagers of up to $3K (NFL) and $1K (collegiate) are being taken. Amigo Card holders can also get one free entry apiece in the NFL-only "Football Frenzy Contest." Finally, as part of its ongoing differentiation between its Station and Fiesta brands, the "Last Man Standing Football Elimination Contest" is being offered only on college games at Fiesta properties. "Selections will be made against the point spread listed on the weekly contest card and if it is a winning selection, that entry will remain in the contest for the following week. The fee is $25 per entry," writes Station. Contestants who register for the maximum four entries will receive a fifth entry 'on the house.' Registration ends Sept. 6.

Record Year for AZ:

No, not temperatures -- gambling revenues. For the first time ever, Arizona's tribal casinos passed the $2 billion mark in annual revenues last year. Two billion dollars came from slots and card games, with restaurants and entertainment generating another $250 million. A late-2007/early-2008 decline is being countered by more events and promotional offers at Harrah's Ak-Chin, reports The Arizona Republic, and by new marketing efforts at Tucson's Sol Casinos that include targeting the Sonora, Mexico area, "telling new people we are a great entertainment option now that Vegas is harder to get to," according Sol CEO Wendell Long.

Ohio: 1 Casino or 4?:

Opponents of a Buckeye State ballot measure that would approve a $600 million casino near Wilmington are arguing that $240 million in promised tax revenues may evaporate. Should the Eastern Shawnee tribe succeed in having land elsewhere in the state taken into trust, they contend, that could result in as many as three Shawnee casinos -- and would release the Wilmington one from its tax obligation to the state. (Casino advocates are redrafting ballot language to close that loophole.) Lyle Berman, whose Lakes Entertainment is slated to manage the Wilmington casino, if it's approved, responded, "We know there's no Indian casino that's ever going to be opened in Ohio ... it would never happen."

More Strip Room Bargains:

MGM Mirage has e-mailed us with a quintet of Labor Day Weekend packages. Mandalay Bay's (promo code: PLABOR-P2) is basically a rehash of the "Endless Summer" $110/night rate, but without the extra goodies. Somewhat the same is true of MGM Grand's offer, which is "Summer's Last Chance!", but at a slightly higher room rate ($100/night and up), $10 less in on-property credit, but with a $300 return trip airfare credit award thrown into the mix. Visitors requesting the "5th Avenue Package" at New York-New York receive a comped upgrade to a Strip-view room, two free cocktails and a variety of on-property discounts, including 50% breakfast at Il Fornaio. Excalibur has an "End of Summer Celebration" deal that combines $41/night (and higher) room rates with $25 in F&B credits, and half-priced tickets to Tournament of Kings. In return for a slightly higher base rate ($42/night), Circus Circus throws in a whole slew of extras, including a free pitcher of margaritas at Garden Grill, discounted meals at the buffet and Mexitalia X-Press, discounted admission to Adventuredome rides, and a $10 on-property credit.

Biden Good Pick for Internet Gamblers?:

There's not a great deal in Sen. Joseph Biden's voting record that pertains to Internet gambling but, writes Online Casino Reports, "the little evidence there is would warm the hearts of pro-gambling advocates. Biden's voting record shows that he was one of just 10 senators to vote against a 1998 Internet gambling amendment that set higher penalties for knowingly gambling over the Internet and for knowingly creating an Internet gambling business." The article also cites Web site Political Base as rating Biden "moderately pro-legalization" where gambling is concerned, while ranking Sen. John McCain as "strongly anti-legalization."

Alaska Next Casino Market?:

Tomorrow, voters in Alaska will face the question of whether to set up a Gaming Commission as part of the state's revenue department. If the measure passes, Casino Gambling Web reports, "the Commission would then be allowed to expand gambling through any form of wagering game. That could include lotteries and casino gambling in the state. That decision would be solely the Commission's decision."

More Comps in PA, Fewer in N.J.:

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Atlantic City casinos laid out $47 million less in comps this spring. That came at a time when Pennsylvania racinos and slot parlors were racheting up their comping by 130%. Their total amount though ($24 million) is still a far cry from the $375 million in comps offered by their New Jersey competitors.

Dubai World to Buy More:

New Jersey's Casino Control Commission has OK'd Dubai World to buy as much as 20% of MGM Mirage, up from its current 9.4%. However, for the deal to be consummated, Michigan's casino regulators still have to approve. So far, they've only green-lit Dubai World for a slightly less than 15% stake in MGM Mirage, which co-owns CityCenter with Dubai World.

Sands Gets Loan:

Despite a Chinese newspaper report last week to the contrary, Las Vegas Sands landed the full $5.25 billion loan it's been seeking. The money will go toward retiring a previous loan and to continuing work on the Cotai Strip, in Macao.

My Station in Today's R-J:

Today's the day to buy the Las Vegas Review-Journal to get the September My Station insert from Station Casinos. This issue is again packed with coupons, from $25 matchplays to a $100 bottle at the Cherry's nightclub at Red Rock. Great value for a $2.50 outlay for the paper.

From Terrible to Lucky:

Lucky's booking operations, which recently surfaced at the Plaza, will do the same at the Terrible's, including the company's sports books in Primm. The deal is awaiting regulator approval, which should be quickly forthcoming.

U.S. Men's Basketball Line:

The United States men's basketball team is a prohibative favorite in the gold-medal game against Spain. The Americans are -22 in offshore lines.

Harrah's Wins KS Casino:

Besting both Penn National Gaming and Las Vegas-based Marvel Gaming, Harrah's Entertainment was awarded to concession to build and run a Wichita-area casino under the auspices of the Kansas state lottery. Penn didn't go home empty-handed, either, winning an uncontested bid for a Cherokee County casino. For full coverage, see Stiffs & Georges.

Cell Phone Ban Removed:

You can now let your fingers do the walking (and, in the case of text-messaging, the talking as well) when you're in a Nevada sports books. Yesterday, the Nevada Gaming Commission repealed the 10-year-old prohibition on the use of cell phones in race and sports books. The primary reason for the ban was to prevent "messenger bets" from out of state or from bookies. A representative for the Nevada Parimutuel Association called the ban virtually unenforceable but regulators said they will remain on the lookout for cell phone users with "less than pure motives."

Restaurant Week:

This year’s annual fundraising event will take place from Sept. 1-7 at a multitude of Las Vegas area restaurants. You pay just $25.08 per person for lunch or $50.08 per person for dinner at the finest eateries in town and a portion of the proceeds goes directly to Three Square to help end hunger. Click here or call 702/644-3663 for a complete list of participating restaurants.

Free Race Tickets:

The Orleans is giving away free tickets to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race to be run at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sept. 20. All Club Coast members may pick up two free tickets at the player card desk now through race day while supplies last.

Touch-Screen Maps at Paris:

Blogger Steve Friess paid a visit to Paris-Las Vegas yesterday and discovered a little-heralded innovation by Harrah's Entertainment: Automated kiosks that conjure up maps and directions for the property. "You just choose from the menu what you're looking for ... and then it generates a map for you with a line suggesting your path," writes Friess, who has photo coverage of this effort to create an even more user-friendly Vegas.

Pix No Longer Free at Binion's:

While Terry Caudill is rolling out a new version of the legendary million-dollar display at Binion's Gambling Hall, there will be at least one significant difference: Having your photo taken with the million clams will no longer be 'on the house.' According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, "to get a photo with the money, a customer needs to sign up for the slot club and plunk down $20 for the souvenir and $25 in slot or table play."

Philly Casino May Relocate:

Late yesterday afternoon, following a summit that included Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, it was announced that Foxwoods was considering moving its casino away from the Philadelphia waterfront. Both the location and the design of the Foxwoods project have come in for criticism. It's not clear where the Foxwoods project might relocate, and its options are fenced by the 10-mile zones of exclusivity enjoyed by nearby racinos, like Harrah's Chester. Backers of a second Philadelphia casino project, SugarHouse, boycotted the meeting.

Kaplan to Settle with Feds?:

Gambling911.com is reporting that BetOnSports founder Gary Kaplan may be close to a plea agreement with the Department of Justice. Kaplan, who has been jailed in St. Louis for the past 16 months, will reportedly plead out in exchange for "a stiff fine" and a year in jail, according to one source. "Amazingly, close confidants of Kaplan's believe he will return to the online gambling scene," writes Gambling911 Publisher Christopher Costigan.

'Guaranteed Play' Spreads:

Having already deployed 'Guaranteed Play' video poker, Barona Valley Ranch Resort, near San Diego, is adding an electronic-blackjack version. Buy-ins start at $20, for a minimum of 30 hands. "Barona has been planning for a downturn in the economy since 2006 so we are ahead of the curve," said casino GM Rick Salinas, whose property was also an early advocate of server-based gambling. In the Vegas area, Station Casinos has been offering Guaranteed Play VP.

Nguyen Apologizes for WSOP Antics:

"He cursed. He berated. He gloated. He scolded, steamed, and insulted. He drank beer after beer after beer and shouted when they weren’t coming fast enough." And, adds CardPlayer.com, WSOP H.O.R.S.E. tournament winner Scotty Nguyen may have violated two WSOP rules (#35 & 38) without being penalized. On Wednesday, Nguyen published a long mea culpa on CardPlayer.com that read, in part: "This tournament was too important for me ... my head was zoned in for this event, and for that time, I forgot the fans were watching me. I said things I shouldn't have said that have disappointed you, and I apologize for my actions."

Pinnacle Sticks to its Guns:

Las Vegas-based Pinnacle Entertainment, which continues to clear away the remnants of the Atlantic City Sands, told New Jersey regulators it isn't waffling on its commitment to build a Boardwalk megaresort. Pinnacle CEO Dan Lee outlined plans that included three towers with an aggregate of 3,000 hotel rooms (which would be the most in A.C.) and groundbreaking between January 2009 and February 2010, depending on market conditions. Pinnacle has already spent $400 million on acquisition and demolition of the Sands. Insisted Lee, "The land is not for sale. We don't have a real estate agent out there. We haven't talked to anybody about selling it."

Mohegan Sun to Open New Casino:

Next Friday, Mohegan Sun opens its Casino of the Wind, part of a $925 million expansion. Gambling options will include 28 table games and 650-plus slots. A Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville restaurant will follow in the autumn, as will a new, 10,000-seat auditorium, to be christened by Enrique Iglesias on Oct. 2. The Who plays Mohegan Sun on Oct. 28. A 42-table poker room will be inaugurated with the $750,000-prize pool Super Stack Tournament, which runs Oct. 1-26. Other inaugural promotions will include the giveaway of 31 hybrid cars.

Smaller Vegas Casinos Profiled:

Today's Las Vegas Sun takes a tour of several out-of-the-way locals casinos and finds that business is up, in some cases way up from last year. Smallness of scale, familiar faces, strong promotional offers and affordable dining are foremost among the reasons cited for the popularity of casinos like the Rainbow, Eureka, Skyline, Silver Nugget, Jerry's Nugget, and Opera House. The Rainbow's restaurant reports doing 8,000 covers a week.

Last Day for Palms Contest Bonus:

Today is the final day to get the early-entry bonus for this year's NFL contest at the Palms. Entry fee is $25, and it's a buy-three-get-three-free arrangement. But if you sign up today, you also get $10 in slot play, making it just under $11 per entry.

Hard Rock's Poker Room Debuts:

The long-awaited ultra poker room at Hard Rock opened today. It's a beautiful room, with hot cocktail waitresses working the surprisingly bustling floor. The stakes ranged from 3-6 limit to low-blind no-limit when we checked this afternoon.

Fewer Fly to Vegas:

July saw 3.9 million passengers fly in or out of McCarran International Airport, an almost 9% drop from last year. Southwest Airlines, the market's dominant carrier, was off by nearly 6%, while passenger loads for U.S. Airways were down 17%. Yesterday, the Clark County Commission voted to postpone until 2012 a number of capital improvements, while others (like new elevators and escalators into baggage claim) were eliminated outright. Airlines, which foot the bill for airport upgrades, have already asked Clark County to hold off building Terminal 3.

Binion's Restores $1 Million Display:

According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Binion's Hotel & Gambling Hall will once again put $1 million on display, a tradition that was discontinued several years ago, during the strife-ridden tenure of former owner Becky Behnen. The million smackeroos will be back in view, resting beneath acrylic on a poker table. Having one's photo taken in front of the million-dollar display was a popular ritual for downtown visitors until Behnen had the exhibit yanked from the casino floor.

Packer Writes off Vegas Losses:

Crown Las Vegas, the cancelled spire that was to have arisen on the former site of Wet 'n Wild, took a $45 million bite out of James Packer's Vegas portfolio. The Australian media heir's Crown Ltd. wrote down the value of its Vegas holdings from $414 million to $233 million. The remaining $136 million of that writedown was spread between Crown's Fontainebleau, Harrah's Entertainment and Station Casinos investments.

Las Vegas This Weekend:

Sheryl Crow is in town to soak up some Sin City sun and perform at Planet Hollywood this Friday night while the Cannery celebrates the psychedelic 60s with Cannerystock on Saturday. There are also numerous opportunities on Saturday to party for a good cause including the O Vino Wine Tasting Benefit at the World Market Center, the 22nd Annual Black & White Party at the Palms Pool and the Surfin’ Sin City Out There movie premiere and party poolside at Green Valley Ranch. Music: Poison, Dokken and Sebastian Bach rock Pearl at the Palms (8/22); Kansas is onstage at Texas Station’s Dallas Events Center (8/22); House of Blues is booked solid this weekend with Tokio Hotel (8/22), Mos Def (8/22, late show), Extreme (8/23), and Survivor (8/24); Gerry and the Pacemakers stop by the Suncoast Showroom (8/22-8/24); Hootie and the Blowfish perform at the Star of the Desert Arena in Primm (8/23); the South Point Showroom welcomes Bill Medley and Paul Revere and the Raiders (8/22-8/24); Cannerystock at The Club brings together The Cowsills, Vanilla Fudge, and Electric Prunes (8/23); The Orleans Showroom presents Gladys Knight (8/22-8/24); Jazz saxophonist Dave Koz takes to the stage at the Sunset Station Amphitheatre (8/22); Berlin is in concert at Green Valley Ranch’s Ovation Lounge (8/23); Faster Pussycat and Bang Tango play at Sunset Station’s Club Madrid (8/23); The Family Stone Project kicks off the Free Moonlight Concert Series at Clark County Amphitheater (8/23); free music series at MonteLago Village features SixtiesMania (8/22) and Lao Tizer (8/23) Poolside Events: The Palms Pool will host the Ship Wreck Pirate Treasure Hunt with Girl Next Door Bridget Marquardt (8/22) and the 22nd Annual Black & White Party to benefit Aid For Aids of Nevada (8/23); see Swingers at Mandalay Bay Beach’s Dive-In Movie Series (8/22); Big Bad Voodoo Daddy plays poolside at the Hard Rock (8/22); Miss Nine joins Daylife Sundays at Wet Republic for some fun in the sun (8/24); Sunset Sessions at Tao Beach will be hosted by Karma Magazine (8/24); Join in Surfin’ Sin City with the premier of Out There at the Green Valley Ranch pool (8/23) Other: O Vino Wine Tasting to benefit Opportunity Village (8/23); Shar Jackson celebrates her birthday at Blush Nightclub inside Wynn (8/22); Chinese Laundry gives away $6,500 in shoes at Body English (8/22); Hard Rock holds Rock ‘n Roll Fantasy Camp (8/23); the Orleans Arena hosts the Ultimate 3-on-3 basketball challenge (8/22-8/24); the Playboy Club at the Palms will host a Mustache Party (8/24); a seat at the 2009 World Series of Poker is on the line at HELP of Southern Nevada’s Charity Poker Tournament at the Palms (8/23); Free movie series at The District at Green Valley Ranch is showing Ratatouille (8/22) and College Road Trip (8/23); Rock of Love 2’s Ambre Lake hosts the evening at Jet Nightclub at Mirage (8/22); Sylvia Browne speaks at Excalibur (8/22-8/30) 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."

Encore Restaurants Revealed:

According to blogger John Curtas, the restaurants at Encore will include: Theo's, featuring "market-driven" Italian cuisine as interpreted by Theo Schoenegger; Switch, helmed by former Le Cirque chef Mark Poidevin; Botero Steak; a Thai sushi restaurant to be named later. Opening of Encore is currently slated for Dec. 22.

Vegas Hotel Nixed:

Clark County's zoning commission shot down a proposal to re-zone part of Dean Martin Drive to allow for a hotel and shopping mall. The site, between Silverado Ranch and Blue Diamond Road was targeted for a seven-story hotel, which met with a variety of objections, including the note that the property lacked speedy access to I-15. Outgoing Commissioner Bruce Woodbury called the venture "not really a project; it's land speculation."

New Contract at Trop:

What the Tropicana's Kentucky-based regime couldn't do in 14 months, new Tropicana Entertainment President Scott Butera accomplished in five hours, coming to terms with the Culinary Union on a new labor contract. "The things they were looking for were reasonable," said Butera of the Culinary Union's contract requests. While saying the deal was similar to the Culinary's other agreements along the Strip, neither party would discuss specifics. Previously, owner Columbia Sussex had been trying to increase the number of jobs outsourced, eliminate guaranteed work weeks, and replace the Culinary's benefit plan with a 401(k). "Of all the things we've accomplished so far since I've been here, this is probably the one I'm most proud of and most happy with," Butera told the Las Vegas Review Journal.

777s Pay off for Bally:

Slot-maker Bally Technologies closed out its 2008 fiscal year with a fourth quarter that saw revenues increase by 22% and profits up 69%. Despite the economy, Bally sold slightly more machines at slightly higher prices than in Spring 2007. Overseas sales and continuing strength of Bally's slot-management systems were cited as contributory factors to its success, as was the ongoing popularity of Millionaire 777s, Reel Winners and Hot Shots. Bally's lack of debt is certain to appeal to Wall Street, where the stock was up in early trading.

Becker's Closing:

Tough economic times have taken their toll on Becker's Steakhouse (2400 N. Buffalo) which will close its doors this Saturday, Aug. 23. According to a message received from the company's public relations department, the owners have plans to reopen the restaurant "once the economy changes for the better."

Wall Street Losing Taste for Macao:

Las Vegas Sands is denying a South China Morning Post that its $5.25 billion loan request to -- among other things -- continue work on the Cotai Strip -- has been shaved down by $250 million. Sands had previously reduced its request by $1.75 billion. Sands was the company hardest-hit yesterday when Wall Street reacted adversely to news that China might put drastic curbs on its citizens' visitation to Macao. "The potential for China to continue to slow visitation (and hence gaming revenues) in Macau underscores a major risk of operating in this region," wrote Lehman Brothers analyst Felicia Hendrix. Sands fell 12%, MGM Mirage was down 11% and Wynn Resorts slipped 7%.

'Sock Thief' Sentenced:

Peter Smith, the British casino employee who filched thousands of dollars in a single night by stuffing the money in his socks before hotfooting off to Ireland, and later to Thailand, was sentenced yesterday. In addition to drawing a year's jail time and a 10-year ban from working in the casino industry, Smith was fined the equivalent of $670 -- the amount he was carrying when he was finally apprehended.

New Room Bargains:

MGM Mirage has rolled out a half-dozen new travel offers. Expiring first (Sept. 27) is a three-nights-for-the price-of-two deal at Luxor, starting at $79/night (promo code: PSTAY8). From now until Sept. 30, a two-night stay at Monte Carlo includes $20 credits for room service and the spa, plus $10 worth of slot play and a $35 suite-upgrade option (code: "Labor Day"). Also now running, until Oct. 30, is MGM Grand's "Summer Last Chance!" Book a $79/night room or higher and you'll qualify for VIP access to Tabu, a variety of suite upgrades, two free poolside drinks and a $35 "activity credit" (code: INB202). Mandalay Bay has three simultaneous "Endless Summer" offers going, going from $110/night to $170/night, and named "Tan," "Bronze" and "Gold," running Sept. 1-Nov. 30. All include $300 in Mandalay Place coupons. Other incentives either escalate according to the package level (such as the restaurant discounts, travel credits and cabaña rates) or only available at "Bronze" or "Gold" level. The former includes half-off Mamma Mia! tickets, plus comped Moorea Beach Club and Mix Lounge entry. "Gold" buyers get the Moorea and Mix comps, but also land free spa passes in lieu of discounted show tix. Promo codes are PFALL1, PFALL2 and PFALL3, for "Tan," "Gold," and "Bronze" respectively.

'Ooh la la' to Close:

The newest topless show on the Strip has proven to be short-lived. Ooh la la, at Paris-Las Vegas, will close on Aug. 31, following its 11 p.m. performance. Anyone still wishing to see Ooh la la can take advantage of a two-for-one coupon in the Pocketbook of Values.

Moron on the Loose:

An Australian news site sent a reporter to check out Las Vegas and his "gee whiz" story begins with a reference to "McCarron [sic] International Airport." Worse follows, including the assertion that, as far as having casinos, "all hotels in Las Vegas do (bar Trump Towers [sic] after The Donald was repeatedly denied a gambling licence)." Uh, no, not all of them do and Donald Trump was licensed by the Nevada Gaming Commission in February 2004, at a time when he owned 10% of the Riviera. The News.com.au story has obviously been sitting in the can awhile. Published on Aug. 18, it includes the sentence: "The weekend I'm here, the artists performing include ... Toni Braxton" -- who hasn't appeared in Vegas since April 7.

Encore Sneak Peek:

Expedia is offering a first glimpse of hotel-room interiors at Encore, which doesn't open until mid-December. Go here and click on "Photos," and you'll find four views of model Encore rooms.

'Star Trek: The Experience' Reviewed:

With 12 days to go before it closes permanently, business appears strong over at the Las Vegas Hilton, where Star Trek: The Experience was drawing long lines for its thrill rides, museum, etc. How is the attraction holding up after 11 years? Stiffs & Georges had a look and filed this report.

Good-ish Month for Louisiana:

The Pelican State eked out a half-percentage-point increase in gaming revenues. All markets reported year-over-year increases, except Baton Rouge (-8%). Pinnacle Entertainment and Boyd Gaming led the gainers, while Harrah's Entertainment, Isle of Capri and Penn National were down overall.

Gulf Coast Casino a Film Set:

Hollywood Casino Bay St. Louis, in Mississippi, will be getting some screen time thanks to Werner Herzog's current project, Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans, a remake (uh-oh) of 1992's Bad Lieutenant, which made an unlikely star of Harvey Keitel. The new movie costars Eva Mendes and Val Kilmer, and its plot (protected witness gets loose in a casino hotel) bears a strong resemblance to Cage's 1998 flop, the all-too-aptly named Snake Eyes, shot partly on the Atlantic City Boardwalk.

Late Summer A-Fair:

CatHouse inside Luxor will transform into a funhouse on Wednesday, Aug. 20 for the "Late Summer A-Fair" to benefit Nevada Cancer Institute. The evening will feature classic carnival games, fortune tellers, and magicians. Other activities include a live and silent auction. Chef Kerry Simon will prepare a special menu of carnival inspired fare. The event will take place 7 p.m.-10 p.m. and tickets are $150 per person. Call 702/262-4228 for more information.

Best Reel Award:

Brenden Theatres at the Palms will host the 2008 fall lineup preview and "Best Reel Award" presented by the American Advertising Federation and Vegas Television Broadcasters tonight from 6-8:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 for members and $40 for non-members and include complimentary admission to Ghostbar after the event.

Harrah's Sued in KS:

Harrah's Entertainment's pursuit of a casino in Sumner County, Kan., has drawn the ire of -- and a lawsuit from -- the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, for whom Harrah's used to operate a tribal casino. Reports JP Morgan, "the suit argues that Harrah's active involvement in the proposed casino in Sumner County conflicts with its agreement to not develop/promote/encourage the expansion of casino gambling in Kansas for one year and not own/operate/manage another casino in Kansas for two years," ending in early 2010.

China May Tighten Macao's Screws (Again):

Residents of mainland China have already been curtailed to one visit to Macau every other month. According to Lusa News Agency, citing anonymous sources, China's government is now mulling cutting that back to one visit every six months.

Casinos Booming in Belgium:

American casinos may be undergoing rough times but Belgian ones just marked their fourth straight year of revenue growth. Increased interest in poker, more tournaments, more slot machines and a new casino in Brussels are credited with closing out 2007 with $167 million in revenues -- a 13% increase from 2006 and a 2.7X growth from 2004.

Golden Nugget Inks NBC Deal:

The fifth season of NBC's late-late-night "Poker After Dark" will land at the Golden Nugget, the property announced today. The Nugget's poker venue, The Grand, will be the location for a 60-episode shoot. Lensing will take place Oct. 26-Nov. 5, with the resulting shows to be aired in 2009. Leeann Tweeden will host and competitors are expected to include Phil Ivey, Daniel Negreanu, Doyle Brunson, Howard Lederer, Chris Ferguson, Jennifer Harman and Phil Hellmuth. "Poker After Dark" airs at 2:05 a.m., Mon.-Fri., and 1 a.m. on Saturdays.

Sorry, Wrong Number:

Ameristar Casinos claims a Chicagoland businessman has been playing pranks on them, but isn't amused. The Vegas-based casino company is suing Michael Kolar for defamation and deceptive trade practices. Seems that there's a one-digit difference between the 800 number for Kolar's Mr. Refund Co. (a tax preparer) and Ameristar's 866-MORE FUN. According to Crain's Chicago Business, Ameristar clams Kolar "sometimes pretended to be an Ameristar employee, answering the phone as 'Mr. Ameristar,' pretending to take hotel reservations, asking customers for personal information and credit card numbers or telling callers that Ameristar hotels had burned down." Kolar denies Ameristar's accusations, saying he fielded as many as 10 wrong-number calls a day, at his own expense, and Ameristar refused to reimburse him.

Connecticut Slots Still Down:

Slot play continues to slump at Connecticut's two tribal casinos. Although Mohegan Sun had the bigger July, it also posted the worst decline: almost 15%. CEO Mitchell Etess said that was "expected" coming off a record $1 billion slot handle in July 2007. Foxwoods Resort Casino's slot revenue was off 3%.

Moulin Rouge Movie Mooted:

Las Vegas' first integrated casino and its abbreviated history may soon be coming to a cinema near you. Funded by an array of backers that includes Mos Def, The Fabulous Moulin Rouge is being scripted by first-timer Milosz Feigin, Variety reports, and "will focus on a fictional African-American character who rises from mob debt collector to manager of the Moulin Rouge." Filming will take place in -- we're not making this up -- Dubai.

Shuffle Master a Bad Bet?:

Writing in SeekingAlpha.com, Canadian stock-picker Saj Karsan warns investors off Shuffle Master, pointing out that the company's debts far exceed its assets, and revenue isn't growing fast enough to close the gap. Refinancing of debt is an option for Shuffle Master, Karsan writes, "but considering the economic climate, the terms of such a refinance may not be that pretty for shareholders."

Loss-Limits Removal Disputed:

A Missouri assemblyman has filed a lawsuit challenging a November ballot initiative, heavily bankrolled by Ameristar Casinos, partly because (the lawsuit contends) it has seven different subjects, rather than the one allowed by law. The complex initiative would repeal the state's limit on casino buy-ins, slightly increase taxes on casino revenues, and prohibit any new casinos in the state. The suit was co-filed by a Cape Girardeau businessman who wants to bring a casino vessel to that market. An anti-casino group is pushing a lawsuit to have the initiative taken off the ballot on the grounds that it is misleadingly titled.

MSM Finally Gets Excalibur Bulletin:

It took until 12:25 this afternoon for the local paper to pick up on what LVA reported Aug. 12: Excalibur closed its poker room last night, preferatory to replacing live poker with automated PokerPro tables. That's the route Trump Plaza, in Atlantic City, went when introducing poker to its mix of game offerings, even though Trump Entertainment CEO Mark Juliano says of them, "They're boring. There's no interaction."

Getting Drunk Cheap Poll:

"What's the best inexpensive place in Vegas to go get rip-roaring drunk?" That's the latest "Stripper Poll" question at Vegas Happens Here. In early voting, LVA favorite Ellis Island (a hardy perennial in our "Top Ten") has taken the lead. Roseanne Barr came on strong down the stretch in the Stripper Poll for "Worst Regular Comedy Act," forcing early favorite Carrot Top to eke out a one-vote victory, with Danny Gans a distant third.

LVA at the Palms, 8/16:

Huntington Press was a contributor to the gift bags that were awarded at last Saturday's "Podcast-a-Palooza" at The Lounge in the Palms, and LVA Managing Editor David McKee was part of a panel that interviewed Palms owner George Maloof. photos and video can be found online.

Stanley Ho in WSJ:

Today's Wall Street Journal contains an article on Macau casino kingpin Stanley Ho. There's some interesting data in the story -- Macau has 29 casinos and Ho's SJM Holdings Ltd. owns 19 of them; however they generate 29% of the market's gambling revenues compared to 21% from only two Sands-owned casinos.

Harrah's Switching Slots:

It's been reported in a few different places that Harrah's is pulling "participation slots" off its floors. A participation slot is one for which the manufacturer gets a percentage of what the machine wins. Casinos have long disliked this arrangement, but it's been necessary to keep some of the more popular slots, most notably, Wheel of Fortune. Harrah's will apparently analyze the affect on revenues to determine its future slots mix.

New Book Opens:

Sunset Station has unveiled its new race & sports book. There will be $3,200 and a trip to the Breeder's Cup up for grabs this week in drawings Aug. 22, 29, and Sept. 5.

Gambler's Lunch:

South Point is offering a good deal through the end of the month. Play $300 through a machine between midnight and 1 pm and get a free lunch buffet. This equates with 240 hands on a 25¢ video poker machine, or about a half-hour of play. If you want to play another 20 minutes after that ($200 coin-in), you'll also get a free dinner buffet. The deal is offered Mondays through Thursdays. A similar deal is running the same days at Suncoast, requiring 300 points for breakfast and an additional 300 for dinner.

New Club Opens:

Sugarcane has opened at the Palazzo. It's a 4,000-square-foot late-night club that's part of the restaurant SushiSamba. It's open Thursdays-Saturdays from 11 pm to 4 am; there's no cover charge.

LVA Voters Pro Online Gambling:

The results from our big online-gambling poll are up today. Check "Poll Results" under "Features" to get the details of a nearly 5,000-vote outcome.

More 40-40 Details Emerge:

Although there is no official word of a deal for Las Vegas Sands to buy a 50% stake in Jay-Z's 40-40 Club chain, HipHopDX.com fleshes out the rumored transaction. According to the site, the Palazzo's 40-40 Club would become a full-fledged sports book (the casino's current one, just outside 40-40, is pitifully small). The mooted agreement would also give Sands rights to open 40-40 Clubs in London and across Europe.

Pittsburgh Casino Saved:

Construction on the stalled Majestic Star casino in Pittsburgh "is expected to restart within days," now that the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has unanimously approved a bailout plan. The rejiggered ownership structure puts Chicago real estate developer Neil Bluhm at the helm, while former owner Don Barden settles for a 20% interest. Barden had defaulted on his obligations to his contractors, leading to a July 1 work stoppage. Although Bluhm warned that the casino would be foreclosed were his plan not approved by July 30, in the end the various debtors proved willing to wait the extra fortnight it took for Bluhm to be given the green light. In related news, Barden's Majestic Star Casino company reported widening losses. It finished the second quarter over $8 million in the red, more than double the loss it posted a year ago.

Harrah's Value Downgraded:

Apollo Global Management is writing off $500 million of its investment in Harrah's Entertainment, the Financial Times reports. The disclosure was made through one of Apollo's European subsidiaries, Apollo Alternative Assets. According to the Telegraph, combined with writedowns by Harrah's co-owner Texas Pacific Group, this brings the total writeoff to $600 million. Replied Apollo Managing Partner Josh Harris, "The gaming industry has attractive long-term fundamentals and we believe we acquired a leading company in the industry." Apollo and TPG acquired Harrah's for $17 billion plus the assumption of $12 billion in debt.

Plaza Delayed -- Again:

Elad Group had been set to start prepping the former New Frontier site for construction of the Plaza megaresort in late 2008. But, according to the Wall Street Journal, the start of construction has been pushed sometime into 2009. The project's co-owners recently obtained an extension on a $625 million loan. As for the delay, an Elad spokeswoman told the WSJ, "They're doing what everyone else is doing."

Clint Holmes Sings Broadway:

Clint Holmes will present test runs of his new show through Sunday at UNLV’s Judy Bayley Theatre as a benefit for Nevada Conservatory Theatre. Holmes will perform with co-stars Earl Turner, Reva Rice, and Gayle Steele (Holmes’ sister). Tickets are $25/$30/$35 and may be purchased by calling 702/895-2787.

Free Moonlight Concert Series:

Clark County Amphitheater (500 S. Grand Central Parkway) will host a free concert series beginning Aug. 23 with a performance by The Family Stone Project. The schedule also features Rockapella (9/13), Joe Bonomassa (9/20), and Trent Tomlinson with The Lost Trailers (9/27). Picnics, blankets and low back chairs are welcome but no pets allowed. Food and drink are available for purchase on site. Gates open at 7 p.m. For more information call 702/455-8200.

New 'Mamma Mia! Offer:

Mandalay Bay is discounting Mamma Mia! tickets to $55 and $41.25 through Dec. 21 (limit eight tickets per person). Strangely, while the promotional e-mail says "final performance January 4, 2009," the click-through page proclaims "Indefinite engagement." Also, no December dates are yet available through the Web site, which also had difficulty accessing ticket info for most of November. Still, given what it costs to see even a low-budget show on the Strip, this is an extraordinary bargain play.

Hey, Hey He's a Monkee!:

Micky Dolenz will hold an autograph and photo opportunity for fans at the Field of Dreams inside the Forum shops today from noon to 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Dolenz was the drummer, singer and songwriter for the wildly popular made-for-TV music group, The Monkees in the mid-'60s.

40-40 for Sale?:

Page Six of the New York Post has reported that Jay-Z is considering a $44 million offer from Las Vegas Sands to buy into a 50/50 ownership of Jay-Z's 40-40 Club chain. Macao, Las Vegas Sands' principal base of operations, is one of the markets the rap impresario has targeted for extension of his 40-40 brand.

Las Vegas This Weekend:

The Palms goes all out this weekend as they transform the pool area into a medieval castle for their annual "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" celebration where costumes and masks are not only encouraged but required. Confirmed celebrity attendees include Jaime Pressly, Brody Jenner, and Girl Next Door Bridget Marquardt. Outdoor concerts include Daughtry rockin’ at Red Rock and Kenny G performing on the floating stage at MonteLago Village. We’ve also got our own version of Dueling Divas in the Desert with Cher back onstage at Caesars and Liza Minnelli in Primm for one night only. Music: Liza Minnelli belts out the classics at Star of the Desert Arena in Primm (8/16); Steve Lawrence performs solo in the Orleans Showroom (8/15-8/17); Cher’s back at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace (thru Oct. 5); Jamie Kennedy stops by Ovation Lounge at Green Valley Ranch (8/16); Gary Puckett is onstage at the South Point Showroom (8/15-8/17); Hall & Oates jam at The Joint (8/15); Tom Jones stays busy at MGM (through 8/20); Alan Jackson sings at the Mandalay Bay Events Center (8/16); Larry Carlton takes to the stage at the Suncoast Showroom (8/15-8/17); Vegas Rocks! celebrates their 4th anniversary with a concert at the Canyon Club featuring Enuff Z’ Nuff, K2, Karneval, John Zito, Kil Jaden, and The Sin City Sinners (8/16); Bow Wow at Mandalay Bay (8/16); Kenny G will perform on the floating stage at MonteLago Village (8/16); The Dells & and The Manhattans are in concert at The Club at The Cannery (8/16); tribute bands in town this weekend include Soul Sacrifice – A Santana Tribute (8/15) and Dennis Wise’s "King for a Night" (8/16) at Santa Fe Station (8/16) Poolside Events: Paolo Nutini plays for Friday Night Live at Hard Rock (8/15); Daughtry is cool by the pool at Red Rock Resort (8/15); Scooter & Lavelle join Daylife Sundays at Wet Republic (8/17) Comedy: Brad Garrett does stand up at Mirage (8/15-8/16); Terry Fator makes his monthly appearance at the Las Vegas Hilton (8/15-8/17); Jamie Kennedy makes jokes at Ovation Lounge inside Green Valley Ranch (8/16) Other: Brand Steakhouse at Monte Carlo hosts the next Rock ‘n Roll Wine event (8/15); The Black Music Awards are taking place at Cashman Center (8/16); The District at Green Valley presents free movies: Firehouse Dog (8/15) and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (8/16); The Super Summer Theatre series continues with Aida at Spring Mountain Ranch State Park (8/13-30); sample fine wines at the Wine Walk at The District at Green Valley (8/16); Rio Secco Golf Club hosts the Adiyl Mir Memorial Golf Tournament (8/16); socialite Kim Kardashian performs with the Las Vegas Pussy Cat Dolls in the PCD Lounge inside at Pure Nightclub 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."

News of the Weirdest:

Many strange tales have come across our blotter but this one may take the cake: Maoist-affiliated casino employees have been literally battling it out in and around several Nepalese casinos, coming to blows with members of Youth Force, a rival union. (That's right; casino workers who are dedicated disciples of Chairman Mao.) YF is responding in kind. "Some 500 YF members descended on Casino Everest today with an intention to attack the Maoist-affiliated employees," reports The Himalayan Times, adding that YF has reportedly issued death threats to four casino presidents. "We will attack them in their residences or wherever they are found outside the safety of their offices," a YF leader darkly intoned. "We are ready for anything."

Free Primm Concert Tickets:

Primm Valley Casino Resorts is offering 500 free tickets to every concert at Star of the Desert Arena through the end of the year. Click here to enroll for complimentary tickets. See our Show & Event listings for concert lineup.

Wynn Sues 'Porn Mogul':

Online news service WENN is reporting that Steve Wynn has launched a $10 million lawsuit, filed Monday, against "Girls Gone Wild" producer Joe Francis, charging him with "reckless disregard for the truth." Francis had accused Wynn of using sometimes illegal means to draw high rollers to his casinos. Francis is among the "whales" recently sued by Wynn for unpaid markers.

Togas on Trial:

Roman-themed costuming and role-playing ("I'm your Venus, goddess of love, giver of beauty. Drink my brew and you'll turn into a cutie.") at Caesars Atlantic City's Toga Bar have long since gone by the wayside. But legal fallout continues. A New Jersey Superior Court judge has ruled that the Toga Bar's 2004 women-only hiring policy was discriminatory, clearing the way for a class-action trial on Sept. 29, at which damages will be assessed.

Nevada Nixes Femme-Friendly Pricing:

Nevada's Equal Rights Commission has ruled that preferential rates for women at Las Vegas Athletic Club are discriminatory. "The ruling could also affect the ability of casino-resort operators to offer different prices for men and women at nightclubs and other attractions," writes Steve Friess in the New York Times, noting that a similar complaint is pending against Mandalay Bay, which charges women $10 to use its topless pool but men must pay $50. "The property is owned by MGM Mirage, which also has price differences for several nightclubs and at least two other adult-themed pools at its nine Strip resorts," Friess notes. MGM says it will not change its policy. Gender-based pricing is lawful in Illinois and Michigan, where MGM owns casinos, but not in New Jersey, where it intends to build one.

Goodman Pitches NFL Stadium:

"I thought I’d throw this out and let people chew on it." That was Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman's rationale for his seemingly impromptu proposal, made yesterday, that the city replace Cashman Center with an 80,000-seat football stadium for all "Monday Night Football" and Super Bowl games. "Believe me, they need us more than we need them," Goodman said of the NFL, which does not allow ads promoting Las Vegas to run during the Super Bowl and which has cracked down on special Super Bowl screenings here. Reaction in the blogosphere included the headline, "Oscar Goodman Has Lost His Mind."

Setback for Eldorado:

Four and a half months after it agreed to sell Casino Aztar, in Evansville, Ind., to Reno-based Eldorado Resorts, it appears that Tropicana Entertainment may renege on the deal, according to the Evansville Courier & Press. Hud Englehart, spokesman for Tropicana parent Columbia Sussex, would only say, "Everything needs to be re-evaluated as a matter of course." The pressure to void the sale, though, seems to be coming from Tropicana's debtholders, who also asked the State of New Jersey to give back the Atlantic City Tropicana (and were refused). Eldorado has until November to gets its Indiana casino license approved and has asked a Delaware bankruptcy court to force Tropicana to honor the terms of the sale.

Excalibur Poker Room Closing:

An MGM Mirage source informs LVA that Excalibur's poker room will close at 2 a.m. on Sunday, to be retrofitted with PokerPro automated poker tables. The projected reopening date is said to be on or around Aug. 22.

Convention Center Slows Pace:

A nearly $900 million overhaul of the Las Vegas Convention Center is more than the LVCVA wants to bite off right now, given the economic climate. The project will now be spread out over three phases, in as many years, ending in 2011.

Online Gambling Poll Closes Tonight:

Today's the last chance to voice your opinion in our current poll about legalizing online gambling. It closes at midnight tonight, when a new poll goes live, so be sure to cast your vote if you haven't already.

Context is Everything:

In today's Las Vegas Sun, Liz Benston provides a primer on why Nevada gambling revenues seemed to go from famine (May) to feast (June) practically overnight. Seemingly insignificant

Joan Collins Hits Casino Circuit:

We've been hearing for a while that soap opera stars are a big draw with casino patrons but never thought we'd live to see the day that Joan Collins plays Mohegan Sun. She'll be appearing there on Sept. 21 to reminisce over "just about everything about her life and career" (it's the parts she's omitting that we'd like to hear). Collins' opening act will be the musical stylings of "All My Children" star Jacob Young.

Grand Canyon Flight Reviewed:

Even after living here for years, some of us still wonder what it's like to take one of those helicopter flights to the Grand Canyon -- and what would we get for our money? Last weekend, David Matthews set forth on just such an excursion and offers a bird's-eye view of the experience. He also provides copious aerial photography of the Strip. Perhaps most interesting of all, this former U.S. Navy submariner reveals, "[I] don't like closed-in spaces."

Plaza Project Gets Extension:

New Frontier purchasers Yitzhak Tshuva and Nochi Dankner have gotten a breather from Credit Suisse and Goldman Sachs. The two lending houses have given the Israeli developers until May 2009 to repay $625 million that Tshuva and Dankner borrowed toward the cost of buying the New Frontier, which they soon demolished. Its successor, the Plaza, is currently budgeted in the $4.75 billion-$6.75 billion range. Groundbreaking is said to be eight to 10 months away.

More Numbers Down:

Roughly 3.2 million people visited Las Vegas in June, a 3.1% decrease from June 2007. Even a 16% drop in the average daily room rate (ADR) to $113 couldn't raise visitation into the plus zone; it was the largest one-month decrease in the ADR since February 2002. Drive-in traffic dropped 6.8% in June over the same period last year. In addition, June's occupancy rate fell 2% to 89.3%. Total airline traffic was down 7%. A sub-category that accounts for charters and direct international service was down 7.2%.

VP Promotion Gets Better:

The great video poker deal at the non-casino Michael's Pub has gotten better after extending the hours of a positive-return-yielding bonus. Previously available on Tuesdays and Wednesday evenings, the promo now runs around the clock from Monday at 8 am till Thursday at 11 pm. Want the details? This play was described in the July LVA, which is our current free-read issue. You can find it under "Local Play" on page 10.

Harrah's Romps in Atlantic City:

Another month, another downturn along the Boardwalk. But ... Harrah's Marina and Borgata (with its newly opened Water Club) recorded improved win. The refurbished Harrah's turned in a particularly sensational improvement, up 20%. Percentage-wise, the Atlantic City Hilton had the worst of it, with Trump Marina, Trump Resorts and Resorts Atlantic City all close behind, hammered at the slots and tables alike. By contrast, table win at Harrah's was up 86%, confirming reports that it's the city's new magnet for table play.

Nevada's June Not So Bad:

Had there been as many Fridays in June 2008 as there were the year before, casino revenues might not have even suffered the modest 1.1% year/year drop they logged last month. After a bad April and terrible May, Strip slot play was up 5%. At the tables, small increases in baccarat and craps were offset by larger declines in roulette and blackjack. But sports betting was off the charts, +62%. Laughlin, Washoe County, South Lake Tahoe and Carson Valley continue to slip but downtown Vegas, the Boulder Strip, North Las Vegas and Mesquite all posted robust gains.

Harrah's Has 2Q Loss:

An over 100% increase in interest payments helped push Harrah's Entertainment into the red last quarter. The company, which earned a $238 million profit last spring, lost almost $98 million in the second quarter of 2008. According to Forbes, CEO Gary Loveman "said the Las Vegas-based company has reduced some costs in response to reduced demand, but has continued to invest in expansions and re-branding at certain properties," including Caesars Palace, Horseshoe Hammond and Harrah's Casino Tunica.

Last Cheating Conspirator Pleads Out:

Last Friday, the 12th member of the "Tran Organization" racketeering scheme pled guilty in federal court to conspiring to cheat several casinos. Tien Duc Vu was part of a crew that defrauded casinos -- including Foxwoods, Beau Rivage and Louisiana's L'Auberge du Lac -- by bribing dealers and pit bosses to execute false shuffles that left "slugs" of unshuffled cards in the deck. Vu faces as much as 25 years in prison and $53,500 or more in forfeitures. Another conspirator drew a 27-month sentence and a bill for $1.9 million in restitution.

Excalibur Sacks Poker Dealers:

According to poker pro David Matthews, dealers at the Excalibur have been given their two weeks' notice and are "being replaced by computers." Save for a host or two, the Ex's poker room will be manned only by electronic PokerPro tables, starting Aug. 21. "One potential profitable opportunity for us could be the wheel money in reserve. They may give it back to the players which they'd likely do in a promotion that could be good," Matthews writes.

Football Season Kick Off Party:

Big Dog’s Draft House (4543 N. Rancho Dr.) will host a football season kick off party tonight with tailgaming, halftime brat feast, beer specials, and more. See the Green Bay Packers take on the Cincinnati Bengals on 23 flat screen televisions. 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Plus, sign up for this year’s Packer Backer Club – membership is $60.

Timely Initiative:

Colorado's secretary of state has certified a casino initiative for November's ballot that would boost bet limits to $100 (from $5). The reason this is noteworthy is that today's Question of the Day deals with an interesting implication (for casinos and card counters) of the $5 limit. The intiative would also add craps and roulette to Colorado's gambling options, and lengthen casinos' hours of operation in Cripple Creek, Black Hawk and Central City. Any new tax revenues generated from the changes would divided 78/22 between Colorado's community-college system and the three municipalities.

No Trouble in River City:

Damp economy damned, two companies are going full steam ahead. Harrah's formally opened its gargantuan new Horseshoe Hammond, exponentially larger than its previous vessel, on Friday. Pinnacle Entertainment, meanwhile, named a general contractor for its $375 million River City casino project in the St. Louis, Mo., suburbs.

Gumball Rally Stops By Sin City:

The Gumball 3000 Rally is all about cool cars, celebrities and exotic locations and this year’s event is making a pit stop at the Hard Rock today. This whirlwind tour for wealthy folks with enviable toys was the brainchild of Brit Maximillion Cooper, who organized the first rally in April 1999 as a 3000-mile party around Europe for 50 of his closest friends and named it after the 1976 comedy flick, The Gumball Rally. Expected participants include an eclectic group of icons from various walks of life including professional poker players Phil "The Unabomber" Laak and Antonio "The Magician" Esfandiari. The field will feature everything from exotic sports cars to customized classics to electric vehicles and even a Volkswagon van, all of which will be on display outside the Hard Rock.

M Looking Good:

We got a quickie tour of the M Resort, which is quietly rising south of South Point. In the midst of the troubled economy that has crippled several projects, the M continues on schedule for a March 2009 opening and it looks like it will have serveral innovative features, including an independent sports book operated by Cantor Gaming. Back to the resort's location, whereas the Silverton made news when it opened (as Boomtown) four miles out from Tropicana, M is five miles further south, nine miles outside of town.

USA BB Line:

The USA basketball team is 39.5-point favorite for it's Tuesday game against Angola. USA did not cover a 32-point spread against China, winning by only 31 after China made a last-second basket.

Big Media Off the Mark:

On Friday, a three-day Las Vegas itinerary was featured on AOL. Today, USA Weekend has a piece on finding low room rates in Vegas. Both are weak, with out-of-date prices or misleading information -- e.g., "go to the Web sites of the show discounters to get half-price tickets" (you have to go to the booth the day of and one of those listed is out of business).

Top Ten Deal Ending:

The World's Greatest Magic Show is scheduled to close at the Greek Isles September 1. This is noteworthy, given the show's bold attempt to draw by giving away up to 100 free tickets a day for just a $2 printing fee.

BB Faves:

The USA mens basketball team is about an 8-1 favorite to win the gold, while the women's team is about a 4-1 favorite. You can't bet these events in Nevada sports books, though you can online.

Another Great 8-8-08 Deal:

The regular Friday Steak, Seafood, and Wine night in Silverton's Seasons Buffet, normally priced at $19.99, is available for only $8 per person tonight. You must have a Discovery club card and be 21 or older.

Las Vegas This Weekend:

Big name music acts take a pass on Las Vegas this weekend but the industry’s future is being shaped downtown at the Amplify! festival which concludes today with a Best of show at Jillian’s. Jerry Seinfeld (Caesars), Jay Leno (Mirage) and Wanda Sykes (Planet Hollywood) have the comedy well-covered. Trekkies take over the Las Vegas Hilton this weekend for their annual convention that will likely include a fond farewell to Star Trek: The Experience (set to close Sept. 1). Music: Tom Jones will add to his panty collection with performances at MGM Grand’s Hollywood Theatre (8/7-8/20); The Club at the Cannery celebrates the King’s life with special performances by Elvis-alike Jamie Aaron Kelley, The Imperials, and others (8/8-8/9); Latin pop/rock diva Julieta Venegas sings at The Joint (8/8); Las Vegas Hilton welcomes Maze featuring Frankie Beverly (8/8-8/9); rapper Nas appears at House of Blues and then heads over to Rain at the Palms to host a special DJ performance by Green Lantern (8/8); free concerts at MonteLago Village include Southern Stue (8/8) and jazz by the Everett B. Walters Band (8/9); Steely Dan will be reelin’ in the years at Pearl at the Palms (8/8); The Romantics hit the stage for a free concert at the Chrome Showroom inside Santa Fe Station (8/8); Travis Tritt at the Orleans Showroom (8/8-8/10); Michael John performs his tribute to Billy Joel at Texas Station’s Club Armadillo (8/9); Steve Miller Band and Joe Cocker are in concert at the Orleans Arena (8/9) Sports: Las Vegas Motor Speedway stays busy with short track racing on Military Appreciation Night at The Bullring (8/8) and championship drag racing at The Strip (8/9); The Las Vegas 51s take on the Sacramento River Cats (8/8-8/11); Catch the Tuff-n-Uff MMA Fighting Championship at The Orleans inside the Mardi Gras Room (8/8) Poolside Events: Friday Night Live resents Julian Marley poolside at the Hard Rock (8/8); Animal House is the featured film for this week’s Dive-In Movie at Mandalay Bay Beach (8/8); Sammy Hagar (8/8) and UB40 (8/9) perform at the Red Rock Resort Pool (8/9); Dirty South makes an appearance at Wet Republic (8/10) Comedy: Jerry Seinfeld’s onstage at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace (8/8-8/9); Jay Leno returns to Mirage (8/8-8/9); Kyle Cease does stand-up at the South Point Showroom (8/8-8/10); Ian Bagg takes the mic for the Playboy Comedy Series at the Palms Lounge (8/9); Joel McHale stops by Mandalay Bay Theatre (8/8); Wanda Sykes gets funny at Planet Hollywood (8/8) Other: The Star Trek convention takes place at the Las Vegas Hilton (through 8/10); Sex and the City hottie Jason Lewis hosts the evening at Pure Nightclub inside Caesars Palace (8/8); The Bank at Bellagio features a special performance by Estelle (8/8); Blush Nightclub at Wynn gets into the Olympic spirit with the official lighting of the Blush torch at midnight (8/8); Lauren Conrad hosts the evening at Christian Audigier: The Nightclub (8/9): The Liberace Museum holds its monthly second Sunday celebration (8/10); enjoy free movies at the The District at Green Valley Ranch: Horton Hears a Who (8/8) and 10,000 BC (8/9); DJ Ikon celebrates the release of his newest CD at VooDoo Lounge (8/9) 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."

Trump Goes to Panama:

Trump Entertainment Resorts has told The Press of Atlantic City it's in negotiations to develop a $400 million casino-resort in Panama City. Closer to home, the company says it is on schedule for a soft Labor Day opening of its $255 million Chairman Tower, part of Trump Taj Mahal.

Foxwoods Gives Locals First Priority:

In an effort to improve community relations with the nearby towns of Ledyard, Preston and North Stonington, Foxwoods Resort Casino is changing its ticket-sales policy for some its concerts. Residents of those communities will have a window of exclusive access to concert tickets, including upcoming tour appearances by Bonnie Raitt, Sarah Silverman, and Alice Cooper, before Foxwoods puts them on sale to the general public. The genesis of the new policy is credited to Preston politician Bob Congdon, who told The Day, I get a lot of people coming into my office who say, 'Boy, I'd love to go see Brooks & Dunn at Foxwoods, but I can never get tickets.'" Now, with the right promo code, they can.

Four Casino Companies Post Losses:

It was a rough day for gaming companies, as a quartet reported adverse second-quarter results. Trump Entertainment Resorts' losses more than doubled from the same period last year and were well in excess of Wall Street's expectations (-$0.94/share rather than the -$0.50 forecast). Trump blamed competition from New York and Pennsylvania. Despite a best-ever performance in Lake Charles, La., Pinnacle Entertainment lost more than three times as much as analysts expected, finishing $18 million in the red. Flood-season closings and opening costs of St. Louis' Lumiere Place contributed to the surprise slump. Morgans Hotel Group, owner of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, lost less than it did last spring and less than stock analysts expected, -$730K. It expects an improved third quarter, due to its withdrawal from Boyd Gaming's Echelon. Lowered room rates at the Hard Rock helped maintain occupancy levels there. A minor player, Lakes Entertainment, had a $5 million loss. Management fees from Four Winds Casino Resort buoyed the numbers but diminishing TV-license revenue for the World Poker Tour drove them back down. But even though revenues at both its casinos were significantly down, Riviera Holdings offered the day's bright spot: It announced a $10 million profit for the quarter.

Cheating Ring Probed:

A 12-member crew took down Harrah's Cherokee for $286,000, according to Cherokee Indian police and The Associated Press. A dealer is being questioned, accused of making payouts on non-winning hands in return for a cut of the action. It took the casino three weeks to uncover a discrepancy between the winnings from its electronic table games and the money paid out. No arrests had been made, as of Wednesday. Harrah's Cherokee says this is the first cheating incident at the casino.

Cirque du Dubai:

Two subsidiaries of Dubai World have purchased a 20% stake in Cirque du Soleil for an undisclosed sum. Cirque founder Guy Laliberté said he would retain control while "accelerating our growth doing projects all over the world" thanks to the investment from Dubai, where Cirque will be building a theater and where it recently drew 100,000 spectators during a guest engagement. Dubai World is co-owner of CityCenter with MGM Mirage, Cirque's Las Vegas patron. On the Strip alone, Cirque employs 1,500 people and has five shows running, plus at least another two in preparation.

Tip-Sharing Program Broadens:

Today's Las Vegas Sun resolves one of the unanswered questions surround Steve Wynn's Encore: Would dealers at Encore be expected to share tips with pit bosses, as became the case at Wynn Las Vegas. Yes, they will, said Wynn, who added that labor relations at his Strip resort are now "absolutely delicious." While a dealer at a rival property didn't care for Wynn's policy, they allowed that "if you’re only making $80 a day at a downtown property and you can make at least $150 a day at Encore, you’re going to take that job."

Best, Worst Comedians Chosen:

According to a recent "Stripper Poll", Las Vegas' preferred comedians are Mac King, RIta Rudner, Wayne Brady and George Wallace (the last two coming on strong late in balloting to blow past Roseanne Barr). The new poll at Vegas Happens Here asks readers to choose the worst comic in Sin City. In early voting, Danny Gans and Carrot Top were locked in a tie for first (or worst?) place, closely trailed by Beacher's Madhouse.

Control Board Protests Cuts:

A 14% budget cut for the Nevada Gaming Control Board is being protested by NGCB Chairman Dennis Neilander. He's asking that his agency be exempted, noting that his enforcement staff hasn't been increased in 17 years and Gov. Jim Gibbons' proposed cuts would mean laying off dozens of his agents. In other regulatory news, the NGCB approved a new board of directors for Tropicana Entertainment, owner of the Las Vegas Tropicana and Laughlin's Tropicana Express. This is the first time casino board members have been approved without going through the licensing process. The board cited exigent circumstances (Tropicana's bankruptcy) to justify its precedent-setting move.

LV Homes Cheaper:

Last month's home sales in the Vegas area were double those of July 2007, according to a new Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors, returning to mid-2005 levels. House prices are lower on average, according to GLVAR, possibly contributing to the sales speedup.

Cosmo: Foreclosure Official:

That's what Bloomberg News is reporting, citing background sources. Deutsche Bank has been calling the shots on the Cosmopolitan ever since developer Ian Bruce Eichner defaulted on a $760 million loan and several top executives jumped ship. Bloomberg's sources tap either Hilton Hotel or MGM Mirage as Deutsche Bank's preferred operator for the Cosmopolitan's casino. Media reports variously place the cost of the project between $3 billion and $4 billion.

Additional 8-8-08 Promos:

For an overview of tomorrow's reputedly auspicious date and some of the associated promotions on offer around town, check out the current "Spotlight" feature. Here are some other deals that have come to light: South Point is offering 3X points tomorrow. Station Casinos are offering a range of promotions, including 8X points, a Jumbo Hold'em Poker Progressive bonus of $8,888 for four eights, and complete your bingo on B-8 in any Station bingo room for $8,888 (11 a.m., 1 p.m., 7 p.m., and 9 p.m. sessions only). The Orleans' Courtyard Cafe is serving a New York Sirloin Steak and Jumbo Breaded Shrimp special for $8.88 today and the casino's offering 8X points from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. tomorrow. In addition to the food and beverage deals highlighted in the Spotlight feature, the Silverton also has an ongoing promo for Discovery Club members throughout the month of August. Drawings take place on Saturdays Aug. 9, 16, 23, and 30 at 8 p.m. for a chance to win a $888,000 cash prize. From 2 p.m.-8 p.m. tomorrow Suncoast is giving away $8,000 every hour, plus check out the 88¢ Bud or Bud Light specials at all casino bars tomorrow through Aug. 10, plus a breakfast buffet for two for $8.88 (valid Thurs. and Fri. only), and a Prime Rib or Chinese Walnut Shrimp special for $8.88 in Cafe Siena.

Lance Burton Special Show:

Lance Burton & Friends will showcase some of Las Vegas’ most talented acts in a benefit show for The Shriners and tickets are only $25-$30-$35 for the special 7:00 p.m. show to be held on Sunday, August 10 at the Monte Carlo’s Lance Burton Theatre. The acts scheduled to perform include song stylist Gabriela Versace, comedy magician Jeff Hobson, magician Jason Byrne, magician Jeff McBride, magician Stan Allen, and comedy magician Fielding West. Call 702/382-5554 or stop by the Zelzah Shrine Temple at 222 Mesquite (the corner of Mesquite & Rancho) for tickets or more information about this special show.

Downtown Parking Amnesty:

Sitting on an unpaid parking ticket? Living in hiding because of the massive penalties you've accrued? We have good news for you: You have from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. tomorrow to take advantage of the last day of the parking ticket amnesty program initiated by Las Vegas city officials, who've agreed to waive all penalties in an attempt to recover unpaid fines that stretch back up to 10 years. Parking tickets can be paid at 417 North 7th Street in downtown Las Vegas. (Note: If your fine's already been turned over to collections, you'll have to pay an additional $10 fee.)

Black Book Violator Busted:

KLAS-TV reports that convicted slot cheat, forger and drug trafficker John Mealey Jr. has been arrested on nine counts of violating the 'Black Book' prohibition that bars him from any and all Nevada casinos. A two-month Nevada Gaming Control Board investigation shadowed Mealey to sports books in Sparks and Reno, where he was seen placing bets, according to the Control Board. If convicted, Mealey could face a maximum penalty of nine years' imprisonment and $9,000 in fines.

Venetian > Palazzo?:

Sheldon Adelson's Palazzo may be newer and bigger than his Venetian, but players clearly prefer the older place. Stiffs & Georges combed through some recent dollar figures and made some surprising discoveries.

'Mamma Mia!' Two-fer at Town Square:

Through Sept. 30, Rave Motion Pictures at Town Square is running a Mamma Mia! promotion in conjunction with Mandalay Bay. Holders of ticket stubs from screenings of the movie version of Mamma Mia! can get two tickets for the stage version at MBay at half price. It's a promo in true ABBA spirit: The group's hits included a ditty entitled -- you guessed it -- "Two For the Price of One."

Pinnacle Stands Pat in A.C.:

In today's earnings call, Pinnacle Entertainment stated that its planned, $2 billion Atlantic City resort is "in a holding pattern," pending improvement in the credit markets. Pinnacle has amassed over 20 acres but won't start construction before 2010. Company CEO Dan Lee was quoted as saying Pinnacle is "almost done with the conceptual design" for the Boardwalk project. Lee also revealed that Pinnacle had abandoned an attempted takeover of Ameristar Casinos and would be selling its Emerald Bay casino in the Bahamas.

Correction: Maheu Funeral:

Contrary to yesterday's report, the funeral of longtime Howard Hughes aide Robert Maheu will be Saturday at noon (not Friday, as reported) at St. Viator Catholic Church, at Eastern Ave. and Flamingo Rd. We regret the error.

Bargain Spree on Strip:

"Come to Vegas and the next trip's on us." That's the value message coming from several major Strip casinos. It's part of a larger trend we profiled earlier and which drew national attention. Here's a quick bargain roundup: MGM Grand: Through Sept. 30 (if you book by Aug. 30), the Grand is offering a $300 credit on return-trip airfare, plus cocktails, retail and spa discounts of 15%, and a $25 "activity credit." Call 866/929-1111. New York-New York: Less lavish than MGM's package, this deal discounts your hotel room (rates start at $64) by 15% and offers 20% off spa treatments of $100 or more. It's available through Sept. 30, if you use promo code 15JJASPR. Call 866/815-4365. Mandalay Bay: Outdoing the Grand, MBay antes up a $500 "Travel Gift Card," which can be put toward either "airfare on any airline or hotel costs" at MBay. Suite upgrades are $40 at THEhotel, $30 at MBay. Also included are $50 cabaña rentals, a ten-buck gambling credit, VIP pool access, comped entry to the Moorea Beach Club (Mon.-Thurs. only) and to miX. Three hundred dollars' worth of Mandalay Place "savings certificates" are thrown in. (Our recommendation: Try the Reading Room.) Room rates are $169.99 for THEhotel (promo code SPF-169) and $129 even at MBay (SPF-129), tax not included. This one runs through Sept. 4, so move quickly and call 877/632-7800. Caesars Palace, Paris, Bally's, Imperial Palace, Harrah's, Flamingo, The Rio : A slew of airfare and dining incentives are on tap, but a "Guilt-Free Rates" offer on rooms expired last week, sadly. Harrah's Total Rewards was the runaway winner of our recent Best Players Club poll, with an impressive plurality of 28% (the runner-up garnered only 11%).

Silver Lining for MGM:

Although yesterday's headlines made much of MGM Mirage's 69% second-quarter decline in profits, that stat may be out of context, when one takes a closer look at the numbers. Also, casino companies continue to slowly back away from the Florida market, Isle of Capri being the latest. And a company that's been doing much better than Isle, Ameristar Casinos appears to be showing signs of panic, having just sacked 3% of its workforce. More details are in Stiffs & Georges.

Theatrical Auction Scheduled:

Do you need Yorick's skull? What about a poisoned chalice? Now, we can't promise that such relics will be on sale when Las Vegas Little Theatre holds its "Indoor Theatre Yard Sale" on Saturday, but who knows? The company is proffering "unique and interesting items" that include "all styles of clothing, furniture pieces, glassware and other unique prop items, scripts and books." The fundraiser will run from 7 a.m. to noon (and yard-sale veterans know that the best pickings go to the Dawn Patrol) at 3920 Schiff Dr., between Spring Mountain and Twain.

Loss-Limits Repeal Qualifies:

Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan says the Missouri Loss Limit Initiative has met the criteria for inclusion on November ballot. If successful, the referendum would repeal a Show-Me State law that caps casino buy-ins at $500 for every two hours of play. Also, no new casino licensees will be permitted. In return, casinos will assent to a 1% tax increase.

Online Gaming Expert Resigns:

Sue Schneider, famous as an authority on Internet gambling, is stepping down as CEO of Clarion Gaming, her two-year contract with the company having run its course. She will remain affiliated with Clarion (purchaser of Schneider's River City Group in mid-2006) in an advisory role. "Schneider became notorious a few years ago for donning a sumo costume and taking on the founder of Gambling911.com in a bloody grudge match in Montreal, Quebec," reports Gambling911's news page. "She would lose handily." More notably, Schneider was a co-producer of the European i-Gaming Conference & Expo, held annually in Barcelona.

Good News from Greektown:

Lately, if Detroit's Greektown Casino has been in the papers, it's because it filed bankruptcy in order to be able to finish an expansion. Today, however, The Detroit News announced that Greektown's 700-slot addition to its casino floor will open on Aug. 29, far sooner than expected. Completion of the new hotel tower is still projected for early '09. The 100,000-square-foot augmentation of the casino floor will raise Greektown's slot inventory to 3,000 machines.

One-Armed 'Bandits' Indeed:

Here's a new one for the crime blotter: Florida resident Carlos Gutierrez placed a 911 call yesterday to report that a slot machine at Tampa's Hard Rock Hotel & Casino had stolen his money. He then followed up with a second call to police, reiterating his complaint. Not amused, the cops arrested him for making a false 911 call.

Frederic Apcar, 1914-2008:

Las Vegas impresario Frederic Apcar died last week, at the age of 93. His name is associated with the halcyon days of Vegas topless revues, particularly two he mounted for the Dunes: "Casino de Paris," which ran from 1963-1982 and 1961's "Vive les Girls." Those wishing to honor Apcar are asked to make donatons to the Nevada Ballet Theatre or Lou Ruvo Brain Institute.

Hughes' Closest Aide Dies:

Robert Maheu, the former FBI agent who became Howard Hughes liaison to the outside world, died yesterday at age 90. In addition to being the keeper of Hughes' secrets, Maheu's colorful past included putting an attempted "hit" on Fidel Castro. Maheu's funeral will be held Friday at noon, at St. Viator Catholic Chuch, at Eastern Ave. and Flamingo Rd.

Encore's Big Ad Push:

One might think, given widespread media coverage, that everyone in Las Vegas knows that Steve Wynn is looking for a few (OK, more like 5,300) good people to staff Encore. Evidently not. Steve Friess has catalogued an ever-expanding ad campaign by Wynn Resorts to get the word out that it's hiring. In addition to full-page Las Vegas Review-Journal ads, the media blitz includes display ads at bus kiosks and in Q Vegas, as well as one in the "Eye on Vegas" e-mail blast.

Getting High in Henderson, cont.:

View News has a story on the AeroBalloon franchise that will soon be taking off from the former Roadhouse casino, at 2100 N. Boulder, in Henderson. Flights are scheduled to begin next month, running through 1/1/09 and taking five passengers aloft per 10-minute trip. The balloon will double as an aerodynamic billboard, carrying family-friendly advertising. AeroBalloon hopes to relocate to a Strip casino and, failing that, may eventually move down to Laughlin.

Live Like a Primm:

USA Today's spotlight on Las Vegas reveals that, for a cool $21 million, you can pick up a modest pied-a-terre belonging to former casino mogul Gary Primm. The six-bedroom/six-bath domicile comes with a long list of amenities, including a "beauty salon, personal gym, billiards room, climate-controlled wine cellar, outside pool with water slide and waterfalls, tunnel to a showcase garage with separate autowashing and repair stations, a kennel, stable and equestrian training facility, [and] an underground shooting range." We have only one question: When's the open house?

Signs of Recovery for Vegas:

Prior to today's earnings call, MGM Mirage reported booking trends were improving for late 2008 and into 2009. It also said it had what were characterized as "pretty firm commitments" for $1.65 billion of the $3 billion-plus it needs to finish CityCenter. Haaretz reports that IBI Investment House has named Africa Israel, owner of the consolidated 'W' and 'Las Ramblas' parcels on Harmon Ave. as a "buy" and is bullish on Las Vegas real estate, albeit at reduced price targets. IBI is also keen on IDB Group's Properties & Building arm, which recently increased its stake in the Queensridge condo project in Summerlin. Real estate analyst Shai Lipman adds, "The planning stage for the Plaza hotel project in Las Vegas [a joint venture with Yitzhak Tshuva's Elad Properties] will only be completed in another 8-10 months, and we believe that by then conditions in the market will be clearer." Meanwhile, according to USA Today, there's a "glimmer of hope in the neon city of Nevada, where home sales are starting to heat up after two dismal years." Record foreclosures have apparently been a blessing in disguise, with foreclosed homes making up 60% of sales, at $0.50-$0.60 on the dollar. "We're not looking for things to rally vastly until the end of 2009," cautioned Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors President Patty Kelley.

Bingo Boosts 888:

888 Holdings, owner of online-gambling brands like Pacific Poker, announced that although its poker revenues were flat this spring, new offerings drove a 25% increase in net revenues. Bingo and sports betting, along were backgammon, were foremost among 888's new enticements to players. Traditional casino games were languishing, though, contributing $35 million in revenue. Average daily win in the third quarter is already up 2%.

Riviera Reinvests:

Sunday's Las Vegas Review-Journal described a series of renovations going on over at the Riviera. Since Riviera brass are usually pretty close-lipped, the piece made for interesting reading, detailing a $17 million upgrade that will include adding WiFi capability and iPod docks to Riviera guest rooms. President Robert Vannucci says the Riv is not for sale for the time being and reiterated his faith in a business model that sees 60% of the room inventory set aside for conventioneers.

Echelon-cam Back in Biz:

We're happy to report that the video feed of Echelon is up and running again at full pan-tilt-zoom capability (plus temperature readings). Boyd Gaming managed to get an impressive amount of work done before going into temporary-stoppage mode.

Fiesta Henderson Reviewed:

Our Stiffs & Georges correspondent took a gander at Fiesta Henderson last weekend and reports on his findings. Once upon a time, Fiesta Henderson began life as The Reserve, an African-themed casino that went over like a lead balloon. Despite a change of name and a few Hispanic-friendly touches, S&G finds it "about as Latin as Nelson Mandela in a sombrero," which is not to say that Fiesta Henderson doesn't have its attractions.

MGM Scraps Jean Plans:

Nevada Landing may have died in vain. Citing present market conditions, MGM Mirage has informed the SEC that its joint-venture master-planned community in Jean is a no-go. The now-demolished Nevada Landing occupied several of the 166 acres where the MGM/Cloobeck Cos./American Nevada project was meant to go.

More Trouble for Bodog:

Bodoglife, the online gambling site formerly known as Bodog, is back in the news. The IRS has confiscated over $24 million from a pair of firms, JBL and ZipPayments, which stand accused of processing payments for Bodoglife. Bodog and Forbes have published conflicting accounts of the affair. Nevada State Bank is among the financial institutions from which the feds have seized money. The court case in the Nevada State matter is formally titled, believe it or not, United States of America v. $9,869,283.05.

Posh, Longoria Eye Vegas:

A news report has Eva Longoria and Victoria Beckham joining forces to open Beso II, an offshoot of Longoria's L.A. restaurant, to Las Vegas, featuring cuisine by Todd English. The oddball news item states that the former Posh Spice and the current "Desperate Housewives" star were lured to the casino capital "due to their interest in dominoes" (surely they mean pai gow?) and hope to open a mini-casino within their restaurant. Bar-top video poker is old news around here, but dealing up '21' in a restaurant? That'd be a stretch, to put it mildly.

Echelon-cam Offline:

Now that construction activity at Echelon has been suspended, so has our online window into activity at the site. When last we visited the Echelon Web cam, the video feed had been disconnected.

Green Vegas:

Eco-friendly is the new thing and Las Vegas is taking a lead role according to an article by Steve Friess in today's USA Today. The story identifies the many ways the big new projects are striving to be environmentally responsible. In this same issue, a report on the Zab Judah/Joshua Clottey boxing match last Saturday refers to the Palms as "the Palm."

Macao Passes June Swoon:

After an unexpectedly weak June, it's casino business as usual in Macao. According to JP Morgan analysts, this is good news for James Packer and Lawrence Ho's Crown Melco consortium thanks to the latter's "strong position in the VIP gaming segment, the fastest growing segment of the Macau gaming market ... exclusive relationship with the largest junket consolidator in Macau," providing a pipeline of VIP players, and "tempered investor expectations."

NY Times Does Steve Wynn:

A big feature titled "The Chips are Down in Las Vegas, but Steve Wynn is Betting Big" runs in the business section of today's New York Times. The piece profiles and interviews Wynn, mostly in the context of how Las Vegas is weathering the current economy. "Like other businesses dependent on consumers and consumption to make a fast buck, the gambling trade looks particularly vulnerable," the Times premises ("particularly vulnerable," whoever thought we'd be reading that?). Anthony Curtis is quoted within. Read the article today at NewYorkTimes.com. Check out LVA's recent big press at LVA in the Media in our blog section.

Cell Phone Ban on Last Legs:

The aggravating ban on the use of cell phones in sports books appears poised to be rescinded. A vote by regulators, scheduled for later this month, is expected to abolish the rule.

More Hurdles for Moulin:

Ongoing attempts to revive the historic Moulin Rouge continue to attract trouble. A recent story in the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that there are "currently five active lawsuits against the company in Clark County alone." The group presses on with its plans.

6X Points at Stations:

It's another 6X points day at Station Casinos. This marks the second consecutive weekend of 6X points running Friday and Saturday, but not Sunday.

Echelon Announcement Analyzed:

Stiffs & Georges has a lengthy take on this morning's double-whammy from Boyd Gaming and Morgans Hotel Group, putting Echelon into a year's limbo. Find out who did the right thing and who screwed up mightily.

Ameristar in Play:

Due to recent turnover at the top and other uncertainties, Ameristar Casinos is regarded more than ever as a possible takeover candidate. Stiffs & Georges evaluates some potential buyers. It also susses out a casino megaresort planned for the Vietnam coast.

Morgans Balks on Echelon:

Unlike Wall Street investors, Morgans Hotel Group didn't cotton to Boyd Gaming's announcement that it was suspending work on Echelon, issuing a statement, saying it "does not intend to further extend the joint venture agreement on its current terms." Boyd stays it is still in talks with Morgan regarding the project. Ironically, it was Morgans, not Boyd, who was the initial laggard on Echelon, being unable to fund its Mondrian and Delano hotel components. Morgans is the in the middle of an expensive enlargement of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

Echelon Halted, Boyd Stock Soars:

Wall Street had an overwhelmingly positive reaction to Boyd Gaming's announcement that it had put a 9-12 month freeze on construction of Echelon, its Strip metaresort. Nor did it hurt that earnings per share, cash flow and profit margins were all higher than expected, or that management will buy back an additional $100 million in stock. "We think today’s results display management’s ability to prudently manage costs in the locals and regional properties despite significant year-over-year revenue declines," wrote JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff. "We think this bodes well going forward." As of 1:30 pm EST, shares of Boyd had jumped 20%, hovering near $12/share.

Tahoe Casino Axes Table Games:

No more craps or blackjack at Bill's Casino, one of three Harrah's properties in the Lake Tahoe area, which pink-slipped 28 employees yesterday and shut down its table game pit. Company spokesman Gary Thompson blamed the slow economy, which had cut into players' spending. "This is really indicative of how bad things are if they're doing it in...the height of the Lake Tahoe season," Reno-based consultant Ken Adams told theSacramento Bee. Bill's casino is only one-third the size of Harrah's Tahoe and one-eighth that of Harvey's, also owned by Harrah's.

Sad Loss for Revel, Tishman:

Several employees of Revel Entertainment's Atlantic City casino project and its lead contractor, Tishman Construction, were killed in a plane crash yesterday. An East Coast Jets Hawker 800 went down during stormy conditions in Owatonna, Minn., killing all on board. The Revel and Tishman execs were en route to Minnesota to meet with a glass supplier for Revel.

More Troubles for Trump:

Just days after Donald Trump, in a profanity-spiced tirade to KVBC-TV, proclaimed the Trump International condo-hotel an "incredible success," 400 of his timeshare owners filed for arbitration with Clark County and lodged a complaint with Nevada Division of Business & Industry. Their grievances include claims that Trump enjoys special exemption from consumer-protection enforcement and that the building was advertised as having 64 stories when it only has 56.