Las Vegas News

February LVA is Live:

With word on the latest (and novel) downtown development, a great Asian eatery in an unlikely location, new gaming promotions, dining and show reviews, two "free-coffee" plays, our ongoing survey of the best budget-breakfast buffets, and the tax-law changes that every gambler needs to know about, the February edition of the LVA newsletter is your one-stop shop for the inside scoop on all the latest happenings in your favorite city.

Zarkana Returns:

The Cirque show that took over from troubled Viva Elvis! has returned to Aria after a month-long break during which it apparently underwent a few tweaks, including the silencing of the "Zark" wizard title character.

New Pizza Joint at Planet Ho:

Planet Hollywood is now home to Pin-Up Pizza, which is boasting the "longest slice on the Strip" with it's 15-incher. The New York-style pizzeria, which takes over the space formerly occupied by PH Pizza, is located next to Pink's Hot Dogs, with access direct from the Strip, and is open 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and till 4 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

The Cromwell - It's Official!:

Confirming what everybody pretty much knew a month ago (see Today's News 12/29/13), CET has now officially confirmed that the property formerly known as Barbary Coast, Bill's Gamblin' Hall & Saloon and, briefly, Gansevoort Las Vegas, is henceforward to be known as The Cromwell. While the opening date is still unconfirmed, Total Rewards members may book rooms commencing Feb. 21, and the general public can start making reservations three days later, which would seem to be a pretty big hint as to the approximate opening date.

Shops at Summerlin Update:

Additional tenants, including Victoria's Secret, True Religion, and Sephora, have been added to the lineup announced for the new Shops at Summerlin retail complex and Fox5Vegas has posted a video showing construction progress. After six years in the works, it's actually starting to look like a shopping mall!

Kung Hei Fat Choi!:

Happy Lunar New Year! Check out Question of the Day for a round-up of all the upcoming celebrations, which start in 8 minutes with a dragon dance in the Forum Shops at Caesars, followed by Crystals at 1 p.m. (and again at 6 p.m.), and 3 p.m. at Palazzo.

Tropicana Update:

First, we have the definite news that the New Tropicana resort has unveiled a series of new luxury Sky Villa Suites as the latest phase of the property's ongoing $20 million upgrade. Located on the 20th floor of the Paradise tower, the new suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the Strip and amenities including his-and-hers walk-in closets, walk-in steam showers with LED showerheads, and whirlpool spas built for two, plus a whole bunch of other examples of the latest hi-tech wizardry. Meanwhile, as featured in our current Reader Poll, which just went live yesterday, the word on the street is that the much-rumored imminent demise of the casino's elaborate stained-glass ceiling, which is one of the few original remaining features from the Trop's original glory days, may not yet be set in stone. Apparently, the plans for the new two-story exterior shopping mall have not yet been completely finalized, and there's a chance that the glass ceiling may be spared a date with the wrecking ball. Let's hope so!

Windy Weather Knocks Out Power:

NV Energy is reporting that 1,400 people are currently without power, with most instances occurring in the northwest area, around Tenaya and Lake Mead. The outages are being attributed to the high winds we're currently experiencing, with gusts of up to 50 mph, bringing down power lines and otherwise wreaking minor havoc. The good news is that the north part of Las Vegas Boulevard is open once more, following an earlier SWAT situation in which a man, thought to be armed, had barricaded himself into a parking facility at Nellis Air Force Base. The man is now in custody and all north and southbound lanes have reopened.

Cyndi to Support Cher:

Cher has just announced that eccentric '80s pop icon Cyndi Lauper will be the support act for her "Dressed To Kill Tour" tour when it hits the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Vegas on May 25. Tickets, which start at $64.60, are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com

Warm & Windy:

That's the forecast (in fact, it's occurring right now!), with temperatures at McCarran Airport rising a massive 13 degrees this morning in less than an hour, rising to hit an unseasonally warm -- in fact, record-breaking -- 73 degrees just before noon. A high-wind advisory is also in effect until around 8 p.m., but enjoy the heat while you can; it's set to descend to the high-50s by the weekend.

North Las Vegas Blvd. Closed:

Las Vegas Boulevard is currently on lockdown in both directions, between Range and Craig Roads, while a SWAT Team negotiates with a man who has barricaded himself in a hospital parking lot on Nellis Air Force Base and is believed to be armed and trying to harm himself. Watch this space for updates.

Las Vegas This Weekend:

Obviously, this weekend sees that ginormous sporting-and-betting-and-eating-and-beering event that shall remain nameless, but which we will daringly allude to here as the Super Big Pigskin Day-After-Saturday Game Party Thingy (we're pretty sure you know what we mean, but keep it on the downlow). Many of the big parties, especially on the Strip, are already sold out, but there are still plenty of wings and beers to be had and, if you're lucky, something to sit on. Plus, there's a welcome invasion of comedic talent, and the unique acrobatics -- vocal and otherwise -- of Pink!, who we're pretty sure is a football fan, so it should all make for one big happy (super-secret) party. Enjoy, and may your team win! Non-F**tball Highlights: Comedian Dana Carvey entertains at the Orleans (1/31-2/1) Daniel Tosh makes 'em laugh at the Mirage (1/31-2/1) The Palms welcomes Larry the Cable Guy (1/31) Rob Schneider does stand up at the South Point (1/30-2/1) P!nk performs at the MGM Grand (1/31), followed by Country icon George Strait (2/1) Some Notable Super (Sssshhh) Sunday 2014 Happenings That Aren't Necessarily Sold-Out Yet: South Point will have plenty of room for football fans this year, with no less than five different viewing parties (Sports Book, Grand Ballroom, Napa Room, Showroom, and Exhibit Hall). There will be food and drink specials, including $5 Patrón margaritas, $3 Bud, Bud Light, or Bud Lime bottles, $3 pizza, and $1 hot dogs. All doors open at 10:30 a.m (don't go through the wrong one!) Aliante is offering an all-you-can-eat buffet for $25 per person inside the ETA Lounge and Race & Sports Book. The game-day celebration kicks of at 2 p.m. and will feature traditional fare, like hot dogs, bratwursts, and chicken wings, plus $25 Bud buckets and $100 bottle service. The Super Sunday Party at The Piano Bar inside Harrah's is priced at $125 per person and includes an all-you-can-drink bar and a guaranteed seat. Doors will open at 1:30 p.m. And Cabo Wabo Cantina inside the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood hosts an all-you-can-eat-and-drink buffet for their viewing party, priced at $200 per person. For a complete list of Super Sunday parties check out VegasChatter.com, who we must thank for saving us a LOT of typing. Cheers, mate!

Good News for Chip Collectors:

If you're bummed out about the clampdown on Chinese New Year chips, we have some good news for you collectible fans: Jerry's Nugget continues to celebrate its 50th anniversary by issuing commemorative $5-denomination chips, so if you're buying in at the cage, be sure to request one of the limited-editions while they last. As the casino put it, "From our local customers to collectors across the nation, we know there is a great following for our chips and we’re excited to share our newest edition."

Chinese Chip Update:

As promised, we placed a call to Gaming Control as a follow-up to our recent Question of the Day (1/27/14, in the QoD Archives) regarding commemorative Year of the Horse chips. There's a new Chief of Enforcement, but we were informed from the highest level that there's no knowledge of an active change of policy with regard to clamping down on souvenir chips. The practice of "selling" chips at the casino cage has always been a violation of Regulation 12 governing chips and tokens however, and it does appear that over the past couple of years, the GCB has become more active in enforcing that regulation. Hence, here's the result of our call-around today: Bally's: No souvenir chips this year. Aria: No chips because "we were told by Gaming Control that we're not allowed to issue them anymore, since we're a gaming establishment, not a retail store." Aria also explained that their former $8 chips were a different size and although they were technically accepted at the tables, no one ever played them, as they were obtained purely as collectibles. Venetian: No Cash Value 43mm commemorative numeral 8 baccarat chips were approved and issued for Venetian and Palazzo, but these are being distributed solely by the Asian Marketing department to preferred players and are not available from the cages. Gold Coast: No Cash Value numeral 25 and 100 Year of the Horse chips were approved back in December of last year but again, these are not available at the cage. Wynn/Encore: $1 cash value regular-sized Year of the Horse chips will be available from the cage as of one minute past midnight on Feb. 1. The casino told us they were for purchase, but they shouldn't have! Technically, you can buy in for $1 at the cage and just hope you get lucky with the chip they give you (if not, discreetly request a Year of the Horse chip and see what happens...) So, with this news, yet another Las Vegas tradition/institution comes to an end. We should have included this as a voting option in our current Reader Poll about things you miss! (If you would have voted for that option, pick "Other," then drop us a line to explain what your vote is for).

Gilley Plays Gilley's:

Country crossover performer Mickey Gilley, who rose to fame with his version of "Stand By Me" in '80s hit movie Urban Cowboy, performs tonight in his namesake saloon at Treasure Island. There's no cover; doors open at 7:30.

Cage Fighting at ECann:

Saturday, February 8, King of the Cage returns to the Eastside Cannery Events Center for "Future Legends 21," with three titles on the line. The main event for the Amateur Welterweight World Title at 170 pounds will feature local fighter Robbie Mezanava putting his perfect record on the line against JJ Torres, also from Las Vegas. The other "co-main events" will be a championship bout for the Amateur Bantamweight (145lb) World Title and Amateur Straw Weight Division. As a note of local interest, also on the card will be a bout featuring Palomino strip club owner Adam Gentile, who is no stranger to MMA, both in and out of the cage (he's previously hosted an event at the North Las Vegas nude club). Doors open at 6 p.m. and tickets start at $30.

Free Bingo Shake-Up:

Commencing February, the rest of the Station Casino bingo rooms will follow GVR's lead and cease offering their early-morning free bingo sessions (see QoD 11/11/13); until further notice, "free' bingo will move to a 5 p.m. slot and will be open to Gold-level Boarding Pass members only. Since we penned that Question of the Day, Gold Coast also discontinued its free Saturday-morning sessions, too; South Point, Ellis Island, Jerry's Nugget, and Silver Nugget still offer their complimentary sessions (EI requires $20 in slot play the day prior, while the Silver Nugget sessions are for seniors only).

Get Flayed on the Strip:

It's okay, we're not talking about a new form of "thrill" experience involving public flogging, but rather announcing the debut today of Bobby Flay's new Burger Palace, located beneath Mandarin Oriental at CityCenter and open daily for lunch and dinner, featuring an array of gourmet burgers and more.

Reader Poll Email Feedback Update:

We just switched our email provider and it seems a couple of addresses are not working, including the Poll Feedback. Our apologies if you already sent a response to today's poll about what you miss; we really want to hear your responses, so please be kind enough to resend using the form on http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/qofdform.cfm, or just email direct to qofday@huntingtonpress.com. Thanks!

Angel on the Mend, Hosting MAGICjam:

While he recuperates from intensive shoulder surgery that has put Cirque's Criss Angel BeLIEve on hiatus until April, the SPIKE TV star will host a showcase of top magicians in his showroom at Luxor. With performances from Feb. 4 through March 29, MAGICjam will feature a compilation of top close-up, "mentalist," comedy-magic, and illusionist talent, with a closing set by Angel. Times and ticket prices have yet to be announced.

Last Day for Reader Poll:

The current survey, about the new FREE LVA Casino and your preferences, closes at midnight; a new Reader Poll then goes live, so get your votes and comments in now for this one, if you haven't already. Thanks!

Brooklyn Bowl Preview:

The original New York venue has been called "one of the most incredible places on Earth" by Rolling Stone magazine, and now Las Vegas is set to have its own Brooklyn Bowl as part of The Linq complex. Debuting this March, the 2,000-capacity live-music venue, which also offers bowling and a full dining experience, has released the initial band line-up and it features performances by such musical heavy-hitters as Elvis Costello & The Roots, The Avett Brothers, Jane’s Addiction, Phil Lesh & Friends, The String Cheese Incident, Cake, Primus, O.A.R., Steve Winwood, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Thievery Corporation, Trombone Shorty, Gogol Bordello, and Chromeo in an eclectic schedule that includes late-night shows. Tickets for announced performances are due to go on sale Saturday, Feb. 1 at brooklynbowl.com.

Kudos to Mandarin Oriental:

The 2014 Trip Advisor Traveler's Choice Awards have been announced, and Mandarin Oriental at CityCenter was the only Las Vegas hotel to make the exclusive Top 25 list, garnering gushing praise like, "Luxurious oasis on the Strip," "The only place to stay in Las Vegas," and "Fantastic Hotel for a classy stay." Bravo, MO!

Last Week for CityLife:

The free alt weekly ceases publication Jan. 30, so grab your commemorative final copy of CityLife while you can.

Why is Video Poker Like Square Dancing?:

If, like us, you are unable to answer this question, you'd better check out Bob Dancer's latest weekly column. Actually, it's less about dancing and more about a little-discussed attribute of successful gamblers (and decision-makers in general), so it really doesn't matter if you wouldn't know an "allemande left" if it bit you on the butt; just read it!

Update for Rock Vault:

The rock tribute/showcase production at LVH, which features a house band comprising performers from known bands, plus special guests, has revamped its lineup by adding Whitesnake/Dio guitarist Doug Alrich, plus a rotation of two new female vocalists, who will rotate, in Stephanie Calvert (Starship) and local leading lady Carol-Lyn Liddle. The hit line-up has also been updated, with the addition of songs by Fleetwood Mac, Pat Benatar, Heart, Aerosmith, and AC/DC. The new season of shows kicked off last Friday.

Seafood Massacre:

Actually, with word that Red Rock has already discontinued its seafood night in the buffet, and MGM Grand serves its last specialty Seafood Night tomorrow, it's actually only bad news for crustacean lovers, but good news for shrimp and crabs, so we should really have titled this "Seafood Buffet Massacre." MGM says it's upping the seafood quotient for Friday and Saturday night's regular dinner spread and, as a result, is upping the price by one dollar.

Rio to Axe Breakfast Buffet:

Commencing February 16, Rio's Carnival World Buffet will cease serving breakfast and switch to a lunch-and-dinner-only schedule; the staff has yet to be informed as to whether any pricing changes will also kick in. Watch this space! (And don't forget the twofer deal, good on all meals at this buffet, is back in the 2014 Member Rewards Book)/.

Life is Beautiful - Again!:

Wow, it seems like only last week that the inaugural Life is Beautiful festival took over downtown Las Vegas, but already the dates for the 2014 event have been announced, and those dates are Oct. 24-26. What's billing itself as an "urban festival experience that celebrates music, food, art, and learning" will again be hosted by downtown Las Vegas; here's a YouTube recap of the 2013 event, just in case you missed it and have no idea what we're talking about.

Rehab Job Fair:

No, it's not a recruitment drive by Betty Ford Clinic, but rather the Hard Rock party pool hiring for the 2014 season, with a search on today and tomorrow for servers, bartenders, barbacks, lifeguards, runners, cabana attendants, and security, etc. The job fair takes place from noon to 4 p.m. both days inside Body English (and if you can't make it this week, fear not, as there's a second opportunity Feb. 3-4). Note: All positions are prefixed with the term "model," (with the possible exception of security, we assume, not that we're implying security guards are ugly or anything).

Uncork'd Events Selling Out:

The annual food 'n booze fest (one of Las Vegas' many such events), held in conjunction with Bon Appétit magazine and with multiple host venues around town, is not scheduled to take place until May 8-11, but some events are already selling out, so get your reservations made ASAP to avoid disappointment

Grosjean on Casino:

Someone recently persuaded

Lagasse's Makes Sports Bar List:

Lagasse's Stadium made the Jan. 24 USA Today's list of the "10 Best Places to Do Game Day Right." The description says, "It's not the cheapest place, but it is a kind of heaven."

New Sunday Mag:

Starting Feb. 9, Greenspun Media will begin circulating a new free Sunday magazine named, appropriately enough, THE SUNDAY. 65,000 copies of what promises to be a"thought-provoking, informative, graphically rich, lively, and fun" publication will be available for fee at 1,500+ locations across the valley.

Nersesian Elected to Blackjack HoF:

Gamblers’ attorney Robert Nersesian was elected to the Blackjack Hall of Fame at this year’s Blackjack Ball, held last night in Las Vegas. In making the announcement, Ball host Max Rubin cited Nersesian’s work to preserve the rights of gamblers who encounter problems with casinos. The selection struck a friendly chord with us, as Huntington Press is publishing a new book by Nersesion, due out this year. In the skills competition, a gambler who goes by the name "Smoke" took the title.

Rugby Finals Today:

The championship rounds of the USA Sevens rugby tournament are today at Sam Boyd Stadium, beginning at 11:30 a.m., with New Zealand, Samoa, Canada, and defending tournament champs South Africa remaining. The championship game will be played at 2:30 p.m. Today's games air at 1:30 p.m. PST on NBC.

Speedway Fundraiser:

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. today, Las Vegas Motor Speedway hosts the annual Speedway Children’s Charities’ "Laps for Charity" event, where drivers are able to take their onw car around the track at speeds of up to 75 mph, following a pace car. For a $30 donation per vehicle, drivers can complete three laps. For an additional $20 you can take three more spins; while for $10 you can have your photo taken in victory lane.

UFC Thompson/Henderson:

Benson Henderson is a -300 favorite over Josh Thompson in tonight's UFC main event. In the other featured matches, Donald Cerrone is -170 over Adriano Martins and Stipe Miocic is -260 over Gabriel Gonzaga.

NFR Staying:

After looking as though the National Finals Rodeo would move to Florida, it's been announced that it will remain in Las Vegas for another 10 years. Check out today's "Question of the Day" for all the details.

Pool Time:

It's that time of year again when all the party pools around town start hiring for "daylife" season, with TAO Beach at Venetian hosting an open casting call for all positions Jan. 29-Feb. 1, from noon to 5 p.m., inside TAO nightclub, while Rehab at Hard Rock is hiring Jan. 27-28 and Feb. 3-4, from noon to 4 p.m., inside Body English.

Rugby Sevens Weekend:

The USA Sevens rugby tournament runs today and tomorrow at Sam Boyd Stadium. These are fast 14-minute games that follow one another immediately, so there are about 20 games today starting at noon. Tomorrow's championship play begins at 9:30 a.m. In yesterday's play, the U.S. team went 0-2 with close losses to Argentina and France. Today's games air at 1 p.m. PST on NBC.

Friday Awesomeness:

This may be the last thing we post today, as after this, anything else is going to be a serious anticlimax. Yes, it's back: More NFL: A Bad Lip Reading. Viewing is obligatory. And a big shout out to whoever the anonymous person is who creates these wonderful compilations for our viewing pleasure; unlike most sequels, this one's just as good as last year's.

Las Vegas This Weekend:

So, this weekend, it's pretty much all about bikes, boobs, and big hairy blokes: Comedian Jay Mohr entertains at the South Point (1/24-1/26) Primm Valley welcomes Dolly Parton (1/25) Nitro Circus Live takes over the MGM Grand (1/25) And the 2014 USA Sevens Rugby Tournament and Festival takes place at Sam Boyd Stadium (1/24-1/26)

Harley Ground-Breaking:

On Thursday, Las Vegas Harley-Davidson broke ground on the full-line dealership that's soon to be part of the Las Vegas Strip and revealed the Nevada Sesquicentennial-themed motorcycle, celebrating the state’s 150th anniversary, which one lucky rider will win it at the store’s grand opening, set for this fall. The 50,000 square-foot store is located at 5191 S. Las Vegas Boulevard, close to the "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign, and will feature a dealership, rentals, and retail store.

AC on Dancer Show:

Now, Anthony Curtis is not a new contestant on "Dancing with the Stars," but he is the guest on Bob Dancer's "Gambling with an Edge" radio show, live tonight from 7 p.m. on 1230 AM "The Talk of Las Vegas." Co-hosted by fellow gambling expert and author Richard Munchkin. We don't know what tonight's topic up for discussion is, but with those three brains in the studio, it's sure to be erudite and informative listening. And don't forget to check out the weekly column by Bob Dancer, posted each Tuesday on our site. To call in to tonight's show, dial 702-731-1230 or 8666-820-5528.

Biz Bad at Foxwoods:

Effective March 1, Foxwoods tribal casino in Connecticut is down-sizing to the tune of 125 dealer positions, citing poor business conditions stemming from slow economic recovery and increased neighboring competition. Despite generating more than $1 billion in revenue last year, the casino failed to meet its own financial projections.

Extreme Thing Lineup:

The 19th Annual Extreme Thing Sports & Music Festival will return to Desert Breeze Skate Park March 29, from 11 a.m.–10 p.m., and GA tix are $20 General Admission tickets are $20. Visit the official ExtremeThing website for the full line-up of performers and more information about the event.

More Bars Close:

Long-operating bars Big Dog's on Sahara and Triple Play on Decatur have closed. Both will apparently be converted to Jackpot Joanie's video poker locations.

Props Come Out Tonight:

The first wave of Super Bowl proposition bets go up this evening at LVH. The unveiling of the props has turned into something of an event, as the odds board will go dark, then light up with the lines at 7 p.m. The book will be packed with gamblers who show up to bet at the opening numbers before the lines are moved into place by the market. Other books will follow after they've gotten a look at the LVH numbers.

New Bitcoin Casino:

As two of downtown Las Vegas' hotel-casinos today begin accepting Bitcoins for non-gaming transactions (see "Today's News" 1/21/14), CoinBet this week became the first fully-licensed gaming operator to offer legal online gambling to all U.S. residents, regardless of their geographical location. Since Bitcoin isn't officially recognized as currency by the U.S. government, the full-suite casino, poker, and sports-betting site can legally accept real-money bets without violating the Wire Act or Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act and also offers an anonymous registration option that requires only an email and password. It's also the first online casino and sportsbook to process cash payouts for players within minutes of a wagering result becoming final. If you're not ready, willing, or legally able to wager real money online, check out our newly launched LVA Casino, where you can play live blackjack, poker, slots, video poker, and roulette, with tournaments currently held every weekday afternoon for chips and prizes. It's a lot of fun and you get to play against LVA staffers, including former tournament legend Anthony Curtis (who's been killing it in the poker tournaments lately and needs to be stopped!) Just sign up with a valid email address to join the fun.

Job Fair for Summerlin Bar:

Distill, a new bar set to open Feb. 22, is hiring all positions for immediate employment. The bar comes from the same stable as Remedy's and Elixir and is looking for experienced bartenders, cocktail servers, food runners, line cooks, doormen, and more, with the hiring window set for Monday, Jan. 27–Friday, Jan. 31, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at 10820 West Charleston Blvd. (inside the Costco shopping complex off I-215). Applicants must be 21+ and should bring Health Card, Social Security Card, Driver’s License, Alcohol Awareness, and Sheriff’s Card (if applicable for position).

Nitro Circus Live:

This Saturday, Jan. 25, MGM Grand Garden Arena hosts Travis Pastrana's Nitro Circus Live tour, the "action-sport collective" featuring the American motorsports champ and friends riding dirtbikes, base jumping, and performing stunts. Tickets start at $63.

Buffett Bets a Billion:

Berkshire Hathaway, the multinational conglomerate holding company helmed by Warren Buffett, has made a $1 billion bet insuring the prize offered by Quicken Loans Inc. to anyone who can pick the perfect bracket for the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. The prize, which would pay out a lump sumo of $500 million, or $25 million a year for the next 40 years, is by far the largest ever offered for this feat, but with the odds of filling out a flawless, 64-team bracket being in the region of 1 in 9 quintillion, it's a pretty safe bet by Buffett: As Bloomberg puts it, it's more likely for someone to win three consecutive Powerball lotteries, or hit three straight holes-in-one.

Modern Family at MBay:

Popular ABC comedy "Modern Family" is on location at Mandalay Bay this week, filming a special episode of the show, so look out for your favorite cast members (they've been posting their own amusing behind-the-scenes pics and vids to Twitter, Instagram, and Vine). The filming is expected to continue through Thursday. "Modern Family" is just the last in a long long line of TV shows to feature the de rigueur "Gang Goes to Vegas" episode, dating all the way back to the mid-'50s. Check out the Question of the Day Archives for 10/3-10/4/2013, where we ran a two-parter listing the more than 50 shows/episodes we identified, from "I Love Lucy" to "The Sopranos"; if you know of one we missed, please drop us a line.

Pep Rally for US Eagles Wednesday:

The Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood is hosting a pep rally for the USA Eagles Rugby Sevens team tomorrow from 11 a.m. as they prepare to compete in the 2014 USA Sevens International Tournament Jan. 24–26 at Sam Boyd Stadium, where they will take on Argentina, France, and Spain in Pool D. The event will feature a welcome address by former mayor Oscar Goodman and a performance by the Coronado High School Drum Line. Everyone in attendance will be given American flags to show their support for Team USA and following the rally, guests can enjoy food and drink specials at PBR Rock Bar & Grill.

Supermarkets Shutting:

While today's R-J reports that Albertsons is to close its locations at 2650 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway in Henderson and 2575 S. Maryland Parkway on or around Feb. 20, we also learned that the Smith's at Flamingo and Jones, handy for being open 24/7, is to close on Thursday. The staff only just learned and about half the store has already been emptied, giving it an eerie look resonant of 1970s Soviet Union stores (or at least the ones we were shown footage of). All the fresh produce has gone, but there are still some deals to be had, and likely more items will be discounted closer to closing.

Grosjean on Gambling Humor:

What's the difference between a blackjack dealer and a comedian? For the answer, check out the latest post from gambling guru James Grosjean -- and the Comments posted in response -- at his exclusive Las Vegas Advisor blog, Beyond Numbers.

Dowtown Gets Digital:

In a bold technological step forward, downtown's Golden Gate and the D hotel-casinos on Wednesday will start accepting Bitcoins in payment for rooms, food, drinks, gifts, and souvenirs. The digital currency, which was greeted as a novelty at its launch four years ago, is now gaining momentum and credibility, as demonstrated by online retailer Overstock.com's recent decision to start accepting Bitcoins. The use of Bitcoins has not been cleared for brick-and-mortar casino transactions, and is unlikely to be so anytime soon; for one thing, unlike government-issued currency, the value of Bitcoin fluctuates rapidly, so the two casinos will be using a broker to immediately exchange the digital coins into their current value in dollars.

New Downtown Resort Fee:

The onward march of the resort fee seems to be irrepressible, with the once-immune downtown area now jumping on board, where the latest hotel to implement a mandatory nightly charge for amenities being El Cortez. Still, for $8.95/night, this one isn't so bad, with the inclusion of Wi-Fi in all rooms, local calls, access to the fitness center, entry into a daily slot tournament, two bottles of water, and a bottle of wine (or two glasses, for solo travelers) when dining in The Flame Steakhouse. "Free" parking is included, too, which would seem to be pushing it if we hadn't stayed at hotels that charge for parking/valet (which the Stratosphere has been doing for years, regardless of whether or not you have a vehicle). If you don't drink, work out, use the Internet, gamble, or get thirsty, then it will be hard to get value from this fee, but for most, we figure this is one of the more acceptable resort charges. It's due to kick in Feb. 1; guests with bookings made prior to this date will not be affected. And, on a tentative positive note, there's a chance that these controversial charges may be on the way out, following a warning from the Federal Trade Commission that resort fees "might" be deceptive. According to a recent article in USA Today, the FTC is working with the Bureau of Consumer Protection to improve upfront disclosures about such fees and there's a possibility an outright ban could be in the pipeline. If so, presumably most hotels currently operating with resort fees will likely follow the move made by Las Vegas' M Resort, which soon after its debut ditched a $25/night surcharge and simply added it to the cost of the nightly room rate. Most consumers seem to welcome such transparency over a "stealth" charge for amenities they don't use and which often comes as a nasty surprise at check-out. Watch this space for updates but in the meantime, here's a comprehensive guide to all current Las Vegas Resort Fees (or equivalent charges that go by other euphemisms).

Furry Fundraiser Tonight:

Tonight, Hard Rock's Vinyl Vegas venue hosts performer Mark Shunock's (Rock of Ages) regular charity showcase, which this week raises funds for Nevada SPCA and will feature guest performances by Strip headliners from Absinthe, Million Dollar Quartet, Jersey Boys, and more. Tickets for Monday's Dark are $20 and door's at 8:30 p.m.

Stake Your Claim to Food Truck Spots:

Calling all food-truck vendors interested in having access to four designated parking spots in downtown Las Vegas, as part of the City of Las Vegas' pilot program for accommodating mobile vendors in designated spots sufficiently removed from proximity to brick-and-mortar restaurants. There's a lottery taking place on Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 8 a.m. at City Hall and all interested parties must register by 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27. Entries will be limited to one per company and there's a non-refundable fee of $50 per licensee to enter the drawing. For more information visit lasvegasnevada.gov/business or call business licensing at 702-229-6281.

Another Job Fair:

Evidently, there are still vacancies at The Linq following last weekend's job fair, because on Jan. 21 and 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Flour & Barley pizzeria by Block 16 (The Barrymore, Pink's, Holstein's, Public House, etc.) is hiring for all positions front and back of house, including pizza makers, sous chefs, and pastry cooks for the soon-to-debut venue adjacent to the High Roller.

Commissary Kitchen Loves Locals:

Locals get 50% off food at downtown's Commissary Latin Kitchen, located across the street from the Downtown Grand. The restaurant is considered part of the DG, and is an option in the casino-wide 50%-off discount on dining there that we told you about earlier in this space. Just bring a valid I.D. and a My Points players club card. The restaurant is currently open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with late-night hours (until midnight) in the pipeline.

Downtown Road Closures for MLK Day:

Much of the downtown is hosting the to host the 32nd running of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade which, with feature 130 entries, is said to be the largest such parade in southern Nevada. The event will start at 10 a.m. at Hoover and finish at Ogden Avenue, at approximately 2 p.m., with participants heading north of Stewart Avenue. All roads should reopen by 3 p.m.

Super Bowl Opening Line:

The line opened pick 'em for the Super Bowl between the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos. Early money has come in on the Broncos, who are currently -2.5 favorites. The total opened at 48 and has remained there.

NFL Conference Championship 49ers/Seahawks:

In today's NFC Championship, the Seattle Seahawks are -4 favorites over the San Francisco 49ers. The total is 41.

Bill Maher Spreads B'day Cheer:

Enjoy a celebratory discount for Bill Maher tickets at the Palms on Monday, Jan. 20, in celebration of the comedian's birthday. The $20-off discount will be available at palms.com Monday only, from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m.; just use the password BIRTHDAY at checkout.

NFL Conference Championship Pats/Broncos:

In today's AFC Championship, the Denver Broncos are -5 favorites over the New England Patriots. The total is 56.5.

Dinner Near the Max:

If you're looking for something special to do tonight, there are still a few tickets left for the benefit dinner for Max Jacobson. One of our three Eating Las Vegas authors, Max was struck by a truck while crossing the street before Christmas and remains in a coma. Tonight's 8-course dinner, prepared by several of the top chefs in Las Vegas, will be held at Rick Moonen's RX Boiler Room beginning at 6 p.m. and, according to today's LV Review-Journal, 87 of 100 available seats have been sold. The price is $1,000 per plate, plus a $28 service fee.

Free Popcorn:

Today is National Popcorn Day and Cannery Galaxy Luxury+ Theater is celebrating by doling out free bags of the stuff on Sunday. Any ticket-purchasing moviegoer who mentions "National Popcorn Day" at the North LV Cannery location will receive a free bag, which they can then rest on the snack table attached to their power-reclining leather chair (with footrest), while enjoying beer and wine on tap. And, if you're still hungry, check out the gourmet sausage bar. As the good folks at Cannery Galaxy Luxury+ say, "pop on!"

Binion's Snack Bar Closed:

The east-side snack bar at Binion's is closed, apparently to create a new coffee shop. The west-side snack bar remains, but that one doesn't have a grill, leaving in doubt the fate of the famous Binion's hamburger. The great ham & beans is still served on the west side, though the price has been raised 50 cents to $4.95.

Atlantic City Win Drops Below $3 Billion:

Atlantic City casinos won $2.86 billion in 2013, dropping below $3 billion for the first time in 22 years. The win has declined seven straight years since it was $5.2 billion in 2006, the year the first of Pennsylvania's 12 casinos opened.

Skating at Caesars:

This is the last weekend to enjoy Caesars Palace's winter wonderland, with ice skating, falling snow, seasonal snacks, warming beverages, and some skilled skaters to show you the ropes if you're a wobbler. Caesars Chalet is open daily 11 a.m. – 12:30 a.m. through January 20, only. Admission's $11, or $10 for Total Rewards members.

Linq Job Fair:

Here's a quick reminder that the Linq is hiring, with no less than 550 positions to fill across the board, and there's a recruitment fair today from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Sunset Ballroom at the Flamingo. See "Today's News" 1/8 for more details.

Clampdown on Long-Hauling Cabbies:

The notorious practice of "long hauling" -- when taxi drivers allegedly take passengers on a longer route than is optimal for their destination -- could become a thing of the past, as today the Nevada Taxicab Authority and McCarran International Airport unveil their latest attempt to thwart the practice via signs displayed on doors 1 and 4 of Terminal 1 and outside the taxi staging stands at Terminal 3 that list the approximate mileage, time, and fare from the airport to downtown and Strip resorts. (Why did no one think of this before?) Should temporary traffic snarl ups, of which we have many, be a factor, the driver is still at liberty to take an alternate route, provided permission is first sought and received from the passenger.

Calling All Evil Fans:

Tonight and tomorrow, fans of Evil Dead the Musical have the chance to be part of a live cast-recording CD to be recorded inside V Theater at Planet Hollywood when the production records the audience during its 10 p.m. performances tonight and it's 11:30 p.m. show Saturday, so get your best scream ready.

Bakeries -- Win Some, Lose Some:

While Bread & Butter, the Henderson bakery that made it into the list of "Best Desserts" venue in the 2013 edition of Eating Las Vegas, has bitten the dust, but with its demise comes word that Gimme Some Sugar has now expanded from being a mere purveyor of custom sugary creations to the stars and has launched a brick-and-mortar venue. While a relatively standard, if upscale bakery by day, the store at 19 S. Stephanie Street in Henderson transforms into something else by night, when the Bake Shoppe* now compliments its Maple Bacon Macarons and Chambord Mousse Domes with wine and craft beers. (As an aside, we're not sure why using archaic spelling is thought to transform a mere shop into something far more sophisticated, nor why the trend for "haute" chocolate -- it doesn't mean "hot," nor does the usage work as it does with "haute cuisine" or "haute couture," plus chocolate is masculine, so to be grammatically correct it should be "haut chocolate," or in fact "haut chocolat," although neither makes any sense whatsoever. Just sayin'...)

Final Female Munchkin Dies in Las Vegas:

Ruth Robinson Duccini, the last of the original cast of female Munchkins from the The Wizard of Oz, has died of natural causes at a Las Vegas hospice, reports the R-J. She was 95. With Duccini's death, there remains just one original from the 1939 classic's cast of little people -- male Munchkin Jerry Maren, 93, who resides in L.A.

Bellagio Ushers in Year of the Horse:

The seasonal display in the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens has made the annual transition to Chinese New Year in a vibrant celebration of the Year of the Horse that runs through March 1. The display, described as a "festive sanctuary" and guided by the principals of Feng Shui, honors the stallion, symbol of happiness and luck, with multiple gardens each featuring water for positive energy flow. There are clusters of red silk lanterns and red firecrackers hanging from the ceiling to ward off evil and a centerpiece featuring seven life-size horses on a lush three-tier mountain, topped by a gold stallion, bringing the total number to the lucky number eight. There's also a pond filled with more than 150 Koi fish and an 18-foot-tall custom-made Chinese money tree.

Burning Man Presale:

The ticket presale for Burning Man 2014 has launched, with tickets selling for $650. You need to set up a full Burner profile in order to take advantage of the offer.

Supreme Court Building Evacuated:

The Nevada Supreme Court building in Carson City has been evacuated following the discovery of a suspicious "white powdery substance" in the mail today. Authorities are currently working to determine what the substance is; the court, and its ventilation system, remain shut down while the mystery substance is tested.

We Are a Natural Disaster:

So proclaims a new declaration by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, whose officials have declared nine Nevada counties, including Clark, to be primary natural disaster areas because of the effects of the ongoing drought in the state. Other counties affected include: Washoe, Lyon, Nye, Churchill, Lander, Mineral, Pershing, and Humboldt, where eligible farmers may now qualify for low-interest emergency loans from the agriculture department. Adjacent counties, including Douglas, Esmeralda, Lincoln, White Pine, Elko, Eureka, Storey, and Carson City, are also eligible for assistance. For another dimension to the ongoing water shortage and how it may affect Las Vegas' future, check out today's Question of the Day concerning the so-called "third [final?] straw" at Lake Mead, the (almost) conclusion of a $1+ billion engineering project designed to sustain Las Vegas as a viable habitable location for the indefinite future.

Rampart Goes Bonkerz:

Actually, it's Bonkerz that's going (to) Rampart, with news that the long-running comedy club will be taking over the Edge Lounge at the Summerlin casino each Thursday, commencing Feb. 6. The show starts at 7 p.m. and tickets, which include a complimentary drink, are $15 (inclusive of LET). This is the latest addition to the entertainment lineup at Rampart/JW Marriott, which celebrates its 15th anniversary this year.

Good News for Monorail:

In a welcome change of fortunes, the Las Vegas Monorail, which has struggled -- and failed -- to achieve economic viability since it debuted in 2007 actually saw an increase in passenger traffic in 2013, albeit a modest one percent increase. Use of the facility during the recent CES expo was up 2.5 percent on 2013 and, with a slightly boosted marketing budget, the Monorail is hoping to see a sustained departure from the pattern that saw ridership fall by a drastic 50 percent from opening and a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, from which it emerged in 2012.

Da Vinci Returns:

It's been a year since "Da Vinci - The Genius," the traveling exhibition highlighting the extraordinary achievements of the Renaissance thinker, departed from the Venetian. Now comes word that a different, but remarkably similar-sounding showcase called "Da Vinci, Machines in Motion" will open at Springs Preserve Jan. 26., featuring 40 life-size machines for visitors to touch and set in motion. Models include Leonardo's hang glider, tank, robot, printing press, oil press, parachute, machine gun, bicycle-powered flying machine, revolving crane, and odometer and the exhibit will run daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through May 4.

CET Dining Update:

The changes continue throughout CET's Las Vegas properties, with word that a Pho Da Nang Vietnamese Kitchen has opened at the Rio, open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. (1 a.m. Fri./Sat.) with entrées starting at $11. Meanwhile, the Galleria Bar at Caesars is closed for renovation until later this spring and Bally's Steakhouse (and with it the famous Sterling Sunday Brunch) is still set to close Feb. 2.

Harley Davidson Hits the Strip:

On Thursday, Jan. 23 at 9:30 a.m., there will be a ground-breaking ceremony for the new Harley-Davidson showroom located at 5191 South Las Vegas Boulevard. The event will unveil a one-of-a-kind motorcycle celebrating Nevada's 150th anniversary, along with details on how one lucky rider can win it.

New Lola's Location:

Downtown's popular Louisiana Kitchen eatery is expanding into a second, much larger location in Summerlin in a former Ruby Tuesday's that's been closed for three years. Scheduled to open in April, the new venue is at Town Center Drive and Covington Cross and will feature a year-round outdoor courtyard, plus private event rooms, plus a full liquor license. The venue will be open daily, with brunch served on Saturdays and Sundays.

Secrets of a Vegas Whale:

That's the subtitle of Bloomberg Television's documentary about how (now) notorious high roller Don Johnson was able to take the casinos of Atlantic City for $15 million playing blackjack, which premieres Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The in-depth investigation features interviews with top industry players (on the other side of the table), including Steve Wynn, Jim Murren, Gary Loveman, and Bill Boyd. You can catch a preview online at bloomberg.com/tv/. For more about the behind-the-scenes secrets of the casino "whale" business (and believe us, sometimes the truth is crazier than fiction), check out Whale Hunt in the Desert in which Las Vegas "superhost" Steve Cyr spills the beans on what really goes down in the Hi-Limit Room/penthouse suite...

Porn Time:

It's that time of year again, when Las Vegas becomes submerged in adult entertainers all here for the annual AVN Awards (this Saturday at the Hard Rock) and Adult Entertainment Expo., which gets underway with Fan Preview Day today (G.A. $40). avnshow.com for all he deets and to reserve your tickets. (Tip: There's a $25 discount offer for Saturday's award show, reg. price $300.) In addition to the main events, there are spinoffs, including: AEE Fan Fest (Jan. 16-18); the AVN Novelty Expo (15-17); Porn Star Karaoke; Porn Star Beer Pong (now, that should be an Olympic sport); and male revues. The parties get underway tonight, with some hightlights including a FREE "hardcore sideshow" burlesque performance by Suicide Sirens in the Sin City Theater at Planet Ho, featuring power tools, stunts, and special (porn star) guests, and adult star Katie Morgan hosting at Crazy Horse III's regular "Neon Flow" party tonight. The Sirens perform again tomorrow at Backstage Bar & Billiards downtown ($5 cover and more porn stars will be in attendance), while Haze nightclub at Aria hosts the Wicked Pictures party on Thursday, with Jessica Drake ?and other Wicked artists. Follow @ToplessVegas for more events and updates. Have fun!

Happy Birthday Jerry's Nugget:

The venerable North Las Vegas casino celebrates a major milestone today, with its 50th anniversary festivities including a free éclair to the first 50 customers through the door at the coffee shop beginning 10:30 a.m., free bakery treats to players on the casino floor and in the bingo hall beginning at 1 p.m., and 50-cent "Jerry’s Nugget celebratory punch" offered at the Main Bar. As if beer and cake isn't enough, slot and video poker players who earn 50 points can also swipe their card at the MoreClub kiosk for prizes, including $50 cash, from 2–6 p.m.

Reader Poll Closing:

If you haven't already, you have until midnight to vote in our current Reader Poll, which is all about our 2014 Member Rewards package and will help us to make the product better and better for our subscribers; tomorrow, a new poll goes live.

Another Job Fair:

There's been positive news the past few days for those seeking employment, and now here comes another job fair, with word that Station Casinos is already recruiting for the summer season at its too main party pools. There are 130 positions up for grabs across all positions and the first two hiring sessions take place at Red Rock from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. this Thursday, Jan. 16, and Friday, Jan. 17 at Red Rock. A follow-up job fair will be hosted by Green Valley Ranch Jan. 23 and 24. Applicants interested in attending the fairs must first apply online at www.sclv.com; interviews will take place on-site at the and applicants should bring a resume with them.

Green Screen on the Strip:

The giant video screen that wraps the faced of the Harmon Retail Corner on the Strip is now not only the largest LED screen in the world, but has now also been officially recognized as the largest "green" LED screen, having completed an eco-friendly upgrade that's expected to reduce water use by 31 percent and electricity usage by 12 percent, earning the site's owner a partial property tax incentive of 25 percent for six years.

PT's Expands:

Golden Gaming's bar-and-tavern brand is almost as prevalent as the omnipresent Dotty's chain, and has recently launched three new venues at: 215 and Post Road (formerly an O’Aces Bar & Grill); Boulder Highway & Horizon Drive (previously Tomfoolery); and Eastern Avenue & Pebble Road (a former Roadrunner). The latter location actually launches a new concept for the brand called PT’s Ranch, which features distinctive western décor (like Roadrunner) and introduces several exclusive southwestern-style menu items and drink specials.

Fire at Monte Carlo - Again:

We can't believe it's been six years since we witnessed the first conflagration at the Monte Carlo, which started on the roof and affected the top five floors of the hotel. That time around, the property turned lemons into lemonade by jumping on the prevailing "hotel-within-a-hotel" concept and converted the gutted top floors into the new boutique "Hotel 32"-branded accommodations. It's unlikely any such "save" is possible after last night's blaze, however, which started in the under-construction two-story Double Barrel Roadhouse on the façade of the building and did an estimated $100,000-worth of property. The new venue is part of the drastic transformation underway at Monte Carlo and New York-New York and is being introduced in conjunction with SBE, the lifestyle brand behind SLS (formerly the Sahara) that's also due to debut this year. The cause of last night's fire is still under investigation.

LVA Bloggers:

This week, video poker expert and coach (yes, he offers private tuition in addition to the free seminars, which start up again Feb. 5 at South Point) explains why a difference of 32 cents an hour does matter when it comes to perfecting your play strategy, so check it out. Also, we'd like to refer you to a recent post by fellow LVA contributor Jean "Queen of Comps" Scott, who responds to some comments made in the analysis of our recent

Free Wheelin':

A former director for the Wheelchair Foundation's Nevada chapter is aiming to hand out 150 wheelchairs to those in need by Jan. 25, with more than 100 already having been donated to-date this year to help ameliorate what John Williams describes as a "scary need [that] I didn't know ... was this bad." Wheelchairs normally cost around $300 to purchase; if you're in need and unable to afford one, contact Williams by calling 702/285-4053 so your case can be assessed.

Adventure Dome Down:

It's just a temporary closure for routine maintenance, but from today through Jan. 16, the indoor theme park at Circus Circus is closed. There's still no word on when the new El Loco roller coaster will debut, with the latest press release alluding to that day merely as being "soon." Watch this space for updates. Meanwhile, all the current rides will be open for business again at 10 a.m. Friday.

Double Whammy for A.C.:

Not only did the Atlantic Club close for good today, the first New Jersey casino-casualty since the Sands back in 2006, but it's also being reported that HBO has decided to axe the "Boardwalk Empire" series, set in Prohibition-era Atlantic City and starring Steve Buscemi; the show will wrap this fall after its fifth season.

Pizza Rock Rockin' It:

This Wednesday, Jan. 15, the new and highly acclaimed Pizza Rock downtown is hosting a customer appreciation party, with an open Bacardi bar for all fans/followers of the restaurant on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Don't forget, we have an exclusive 2-for-1 slice deal in the 2014 LVA Member Rewards Book, plus the restaurant has a late-night happy hour Friday and Saturday, from midnight to 2 a.m., with $3 wells and domestics, $3 off premium cocktails, $5 draft craft beers, and a $3-$5-$7 happy hour menu.

QoD Update:

Today's Question of the Day is one for all you fans of History Channel's Las Vegas takeover and the "Pawn Stars" spinoff reality series based on various colorful associated restoration businesses around town. We asked for some reader feedback and our request was answered, so revisit the page if you're interested to learn more about behind-the-scenes tour possibilities etc.

N9NE Back in Biz:

We just learned indirectly that the popular steakhouse at the Palms, which has been closed for a remodel, is now open once more, courtesy of a press release publicizing the fact that a bunch of bigwig beauties from the 2014 Miss Nevada USA Pageant had dined there on Saturday, ahead of Sunday's pageant, which took place in UNLV’s Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall (no, we don't know who won). Actually, it's been open since New Year's Eve but evidently got lost in the quagmire of our festive-season "in" box, but from none of the close-up press photos we've seen can you glean much of an impression of what the facelift consisted of, aside from the addition of a crazy candy-colored asymmetrical geometrical chaise in pink and purple and green and blue and more pink and black that every celebrity who's passed through to-date seems to have posed on for photos.

NFL Championship Lines:

In next week's championship games, the Denver Broncos opened as -7 favorites over the New England Patriots in the AFC and the Seattle Seahawks opened -3 over the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC. The Broncos line moved quickly and now stands at -5, while some 3.5s have shown for the Seahawks.

Vegas 24-7:

A new show called "Vegas 24-7" begins shooting this week. The reality show that will air on the Discovery Channel will concentrate on City Hall, and specifically Mayor Carolyn Goodman.

NFL Divisional Playoffs Chargers/Broncos:

In today's AFC playoff, the Denver Broncos are -8 favorites over the San Diego Chargers. The total is 55.

NFL Divisional Playoffs 49ers/Panthers:

In today's NFC playoff, the San Francisco 49ers are -1 favorites over the Carolina Panthers. The total is 41.5.

Angel on the Mend:

Criss Angel is apparently "resting and doing well" after surgery on his shoulder, the result of injuries caused by performing too many punishing stunts. His Cirque show, Believe, will remain dark until early April, while the magic star recuperates.

NFL Divisional Playoffs Colts/Patriots:

In today's AFC playoff, the New England Patriots are -7 favorites over the Baltimore Colts. The total is 51.5.

Casinos Lose:

Nevada casinos posted their fifth straight losing year in fiscal 2013. According to a report analyzing 263 casinos with combined gaming and non-gaming income of $1 million or more, 2013 produced a net loss of $1.3 billion. Strip casinos alone had a net loss of $1.5 billion, which means other casinos around the state generated a slight profit. This doesn't mean the casinos lost money gambling, only that expenses, much of which was attributed to "financial restructurings" in 2012, exceeded income.

NFL Divisional Playoffs Saints/Seahawks:

In today's NFC playoff, the Seattle Seahawks are -9.5 favorites over the New Orleans Saints. The total is 43.5.

Recycling Day:

Don't forget, Thomas & Mack hosts a day-long recycling event today, where you can shred your documents, unload your shedding Christmas tree, donate unwanted clothing and furniture, even offload old computer and phone hardware. See Friday's item in this column for all the details (the event is free, but a $20 charge applies if you want to ditch a monitor, TV, or hard drive).

Strat Hearts Locals:

The Stratosphere Tower is offering a complimentary ride to the 107th or 108th floors on weekends in January. Nevada residents who present a valid state ID to Stratosphere Ticketing, located at casino level near Roxy's Diner, are eligible for the free passes (reg. price $18), while accompanying children will be admitted free of charge. Note that the pass does not include access to the multiple rides atop the Tower, but LVA members can enjoy a 2-for-1 offer in the 2014 Member Rewards Book.

Target Fallout:

In more bad news from the high street retailer, which just disclosed that not 40 million, but as many as 70 million of its customers may be affected by the recent credit card security breach, Target has announced that two of its Las Vegas locations are among eight stores slated to close this May. The two local locations to be affected are at 278 S. Decatur Blvd. and 2189 W. Craig Road in North Las Vegas.

Candyland Tix:

Marquee at Cosmopolitan is giving away 200 tix to see Candyland on Jan. 24 in a social-media promo on Facebook, with a chance to win extra entries via Twitter. Two fans will also get to dine with Candyland prior to the gig.

Super Recycling Saturday:

Tomorrow, Las Vegas' Channel 8 will host a huge recycling event in the parking lot at Thomas & Mack from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Held in conjunction with Goodwill of Southern Nevada, Springs Preserve, Cintas, and others, you can bring along everything from clothing and furniture, to Christmas trees, papers for shredding, and electronics. There's a $20 fee for TVs, monitors, and hard drives, but everything else is free.

New Mississippi Poker Room Goes Live:

Horseshoe Tunica officially opened the largest poker room in Mississippi today. The room reopens after a recent renovation and expansion project and now features 25 tables, a WSOP Lounge, and updated décor and amenities.

Correction to "Old Rockers" Item:

We thought that Meat Loaf was done with his successful 18-show run in Planet Hollywood's Showroom, but it turns out the Rocky Horror rocker will be back for more hits and tales with a new season of performances set to run at 7 p.m. every Thursday, Saturday, and Tuesday, commencing Tuesday, Feb. 13 and running through Tuesday, April 8. Tickets are $64 to $149 and go on sale next Tuesday at 10 a.m.; a meet-and-greet package is available for an additional $400. So, the good news is that The Jacksons are not instead of Meat Loaf, but as well as him! The new "legacy" artists, who debuts Feb. 20, will perform at 9:30 p.m., Thursday through Sunday, and tickets start at $54 (plus tax/fees).

More Good News for Old Rockers:

On the heels of the LVH Rock Vault news comes word that RockTellz & CockTails, the intimate music-and-memoir experience with diverse music icons that kicked off at Planet Hollywood with a stint from Meat Loaf, will change musical direction for the next resident guests and, beginning Feb. 20, will feature The Jacksons as the series’ next legacy artist. Tickets, which start at $54, go on sale this Saturday, Jan. 11, at 10 a.m. PST.

Las Vegas This Weekend:

There's a welcome little post-New Year breather this weekend, with some respite from the crazy partying, but that doesn't mean there isn't a heap of entertainment options to choose from, 'cos this is Vegas, baby! Here are some of the highlights: The Zelzah Shrine Circus is at the Orleans Arena (1/9-1/12) Paul Revere and The Raiders entertain at South Point (1/10-1/12) The Hard Rock welcomes Linkin Park (1/10), followed by the Zac Brown Band (1/11-1/12) David Cook performs at the Hard Rock Cafe (1/11) Mamma Mia! is live at the Smith Center (1/7-1/12) It's the last-but-one weekend to take advantage of Caesars' seasonal holiday ice rink and chalet (open through Jan. 20) And it's Second Saturday, which means the monthly Vegas StrEATs food truck and music fest downtown, hosted by the El Cortez.

LVH Still Raiding the Rock Vault:

It's been announced that Raiding the Rock Vault, the celebration of three decades of classic rock that features guest appearances and a house line-up comprised of former headlining-band members, has signed a long-term contract with LVH to perform through 2014, with a new roster of celebrity stars poised to guest. Tickets start at $49 and when the show reopens Jan. 14, there will be a limited-time 2-for-1 locals discount available (must present valid Nevada ID).

Las Vegas Job Fairs:

We only just got wind of the hiring spree for Bobby's Burger Palace at CityCenter (see earlier post today), which kicked off today but runs through Friday. Presumably, all front and back-of-house positions are up for grabs, although posted details are scant. The job fair takes place each day from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. in Training Room 3 at Aria. There's an application form you can download and complete on the Bobby's Burger Palace website. Meanwhile, The Linq will be hiring big time at an upcoming recruitment fair scheduled for Jan. 18. There are apparently 550 positions to be filled (by some weird coincidence, that works out as one hire for every $1 million spent on the project, and/or one employee for every foot in height of the High Roller). The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. that day in the Sunset Ballroom at the Flamingo. Candidates for positions both with CET and with some of The Linq's tenants can apply online at bit.ly/1iVdFDu. Openings, some of which are at management level, include roles for: High Roller observation wheel ambassadors; concierges; sales staff; bartenders; servers; hosts; security; and food and beverage.

WSOP 2014:

It was only a couple of months back that the Final Table of the 2013 World Series of Poker played out at the Rio, but already details are being released for the 2014 event, which will kick off May 27 at the Rio and run for 29 consecutive days, with the $10,000 main event championship running from July 5-14. Highlights announced include the $1,500 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em "Millionaire Maker" on Saturday, May 31; the return of the Big One for ONE DROP, the $1,000,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em fundraiser to benefit clean-water charity ONE DROP; and the July 3-4 Little One for ONE DROP event, with a $1,111 buy-in and unlimited re-entry (through first four levels). Additional details about the 45th World Series of Poker, which features events with buy-ins as low as $75, will be released in coming weeks.

Cantor Fined:

The gaming component of Wall Street firm Cantor Fitzgerald, which changed its name Monday from Cantor Gaming to CG Technology, is looking at a $5 million fine from Nevada gaming regulators, in connection with the case of former chief bookmaker Michael Colbert, who last year pleaded guilty to federal charges of having accepted illegal sports bets while in Cantor's employ. Colbert is currently cooperating with Brooklyn prosecutors in an ongoing investigation, while his former employer is under scrutiny in Nevada for possible negligence in allowing the illegal sports-betting activities, for violating money-laundering laws by failing to report suspicious transactions, and for additional infractions of state gaming regulations, including failure to keep proper player records and allowing employees to bet. If the current freshly negotiated settlement holds firm, the company will pay more than $2 million in fines, with the atypically high figure reflecting how seriously the allegations are being viewed by Nevada's gaming regulators and how any whiff of such illegal practices "tends to reflect poorly on the reputation of gaming in the State of Nevada," which in turn could cause significant damage to the state's primary industry.

2014 Monster F&B Update:

There's so much going on, we've been delaying writing a round-up for fear of missing some new announcement, but we figured it's time to bite the bullet and we'll do a follow up when there's more news, as there undoubtedly will be, as 2014 seems to be all about change. Here are some of the more noteworthy recent announcements and changes: Bally's Steakhouse will close Feb. 2 after four decades on the Strip, bringing to an end, or at least a hiatus, that vintage Vegas tradition known as the Sunday Sterling Brunch. However, in mid-May New York export BLT Steak will take over the space, which will be expanded to about twice the size and will reintroduce the brunch concept, in some shape or form. While the current fetish for naming things with initials continues, there'll be one less in the restaurant listings come Feb. 3, when LBS Burger is set to close at Red Rock. Owners Block 16 will continue to operate their Pink's Hot Dogs franchise at the resort and recently opened Haute Doggery at The Linq, where they'll also be debuting a pizza-and-beer concept called Flour & Barley later in the year. Rumors that have been circulating since the unwelcome news about P.J. Clarke's departure from the Forum Shops at Caesars last year have now been confirmed, via EaterVegas.com: The vacant spot will become home later this year to a second Las Vegas Border Grill. Change continues apace downtown, with a food court named International Cafe having taken over the space briefly occupied by Luna Rossa Italian eatery, while upgrades are underway at Binion's, in the form of a major expansion to the coffee shop and new casino carpet (see VitalVegas.com. Kerry Simon and Le Thai's Dan Coughlin will be opening their joint venture, Carson Kitchen, sometime this year in what was once the John E. Carson Hotel on Sixth Street. The Strip gets yet another gourmet burger brand, perhaps as soon as this month, with the debut of Bobby [Flay's] Burger Palace at Crystals in CityCenter, while MGM Grand's Tap pub concept, already operating in the Detroit property, is under construction at the Las Vegas location. A compact new cocktail bar called Apostrophe has also opened at Caesars, in the space adjacent to the Bacchanal Buffet and Rao's, previously occupied by a fountain. There's more already, but our head is spinning so we're going to take a break for a moment.

Tipping Tax Change in Effect:

We just learned that as of Jan. 1, 2014, a 2012 ruling by the Internal Revenue Service came into effect, meaning that restaurants nationwide may no longer apply an automatic gratuity -- typically 18 percent -- to the check for parties of eight diners or more. From now on, tipping will be discretionary at all times, which is expected to impact the pockets of workers in the restaurant and bar industry; we understand that some Las Vegas locations have been stamping or otherwise indicating on patrons' checks that service has not been added.

Strip Sign Retired:

The marquee that has straddled the Las Vegas Strip entrance to New York-New York since the resort first opened in 1997 was retired to the Neon Museum today, as part of the drastic remodeling effort that is underway at the property and its neighbor the Monte Carlo. Workers from Young Electric Sign Company (YESCO) removed the 30-foot neon reader board and canopy to make way for construction of an all-new exterior façade at the southeast corner of the resort; the sign will be given a new home at downtown's Neon Museum, although it will remain in storage for a few months while its worked on and reassembled, prior to going on public view in the "Boneyard."

Jerry's Nugget Goes Big for 50:

On Wednesday, Jan. 15, the North Las Vegas casino that narrowly escaped a forced bank sale last year to remain in its local owners' hands, will show gratitude for the last-minute bailout that saved its bacon and celebrate its 50th anniversary in style, commencing with a proclamation by North Las Vegas Mayor John J. Lee naming the date "Jerry’s Nugget Day." In addition, beginning 10:30 a.m. the first 50 customers through the doors of the casino, which is famed for its desserts, will receive a free éclair; free bakery treats to players on the casino floor and Bingo Hall will be handed out from 1 p.m., while 50-cent "Jerry’s Nugget celebratory punch" (whoaa! we're scared already!) will be offered at the Main Bar. Slot and video poker players who earn 50 MoreClub points will also be eligible to swipe for prizes, including $50 cash, at the players club kiosk from 2-6 p.m.

Chinese New Year ... in Venice:

The Year of the Horse is ushered in this Jan. 31 and Venetian and Palazzo are already announcing their planned festivities and décor. In addition to tonight's premiere of new show PANDA!, which features acrobatics and martial arts demonstrations by members of the China National Acrobatic Troupe and Shaolin Monastery Kung Fu Monks (see "Today's News" 1/4/14), the Year of the Horse will get underway with a traditional ceremonial dragon dance on Friday, Jan. 31 at 3 p.m., commencing with an eye-painting ceremony at The Venetian porte-cochère. In addition, Waterfall Atrium & Gardens of The Palazzo has been decked out, in consultation with a Feng Shui master, with 8 unique hand-sculpted and hand-painted horses and a sculpted lamb (secret friend to The Horse). The installation will run through Feb. 16.

Dancer Takes Trip Down Memory Lane:

This week's column, aptly titled Endurance*, finds Bob Dancer in reflective mode, looking back at his Million Dollar Video Poker days and wondering how his knowledge and play strategies have changed in the interim. (*Our sympathy to his girlfriend, who apparently has to make do with this memoir as her bedtime story currently; perhaps he'll move on to Sex, Lies, and Video Poker next...)

Online Uptake Slow in N.J.:

Despite hopeful predictions from state regulators that the online-casino business in New Jersey could generate up to $1 billion/year in revenues, to date less than 150,000 players have registered for accounts since Internet wagering was legalized at the end of last November, which includes some players who have different accounts at different casinos. The state will issue its first report next week on online gambling revenue won by the seven casinos currently licensed to offer Internet wagering. Resorts Casino Hotel is not currently among those seven: The brick-and-mortar property has received regulatory approval but its online partner, PokerStars, has been suspended from offering Internet gambling in New Jersey for two years due to an indictment against its founder (the door was left open for an earlier reappraisal, should PokerStars' circumstances change sufficiently in the interim to bring the company into compliance with state regulations).

New Copperfield Dates:

2014 dates have been announced for David Copperfield in the theater at MGM Grand that was recently renamed for the magician. The first shows of 2014 will take place now through Jan. 27, with additional shows Feb. 2-25, with performances Sun.-Fri. at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Tickets start at $69.99 (plus tax and fees).

Name Change for Cantor:

As a prelude to an expected IPO, sports book and tech company Cantor Gaming is changing its name to CG Technology. Since its 2009 entry onto the Nevada gambling scene, the company estimates it now has more than 30 percent of the state's sports-betting business.

Food Court Deals at the Castle:

Now through Super Sunday, Feb. 2, all nine outlets in the Castle Walk food court at Excalibur will offer 20% off all meals during NFL playoffs when guests present their sports betting ticket from the Excalibur's race and sports book. There are seven flat-panel TVs located throughout the facility for guests wanting to catch all the football action.

Strip Show in Search of New Blood:

No, it's not a drive for United Blood Services -- Evil Dead The Musical is looking for additional cast members as it expands its performance schedule at the V Theater. The zombie-horror parody currently plays Fridays and Saturdays only, but commencing February this will expand to four nights per week, ramping up to six nights this summer. As a result, two additional male and three female performers are sought for roles of varying ages. All hopefuls must reside in Las Vegas and be aged 18+, with comedic timing, singing ability, and a sense of fun. Interested parties should submit a headshot and resume to sircmichaelsproductions@gmail.com; possibles will be contacted to schedule an audition (video submissions will not be accepted).

Atlantic Club Update:

If you're holding chips, tokens, winning vouchers*, or comps from New Jersey's Atlantic Club casino, you must redeem them before midnight Jan. 13, when the casino, which opened in 1980, shuts down for good. In some good news, Resorts Casino Hotel has announced it will match slot cash and play offers, and loyalty-card levels, for current Atlantic Club players in January and February, while the soon-to-be-defunct casino's customer data was part of the package that the Tropicana Atlantic City spent $8.4 million for at auction, so Atlantic Club players can no doubt expect to receive some marketing incentives in the mail sometime soon. *Vouchers acquired via the Club Local promo program for use at non-gaming businesses are excluded; these will expire after Jan. 12.

Cold Weather Closes Casino:

With dangerous wind-chill temperatures projected, the Horseshoe Casino Cleveland closed its doors until further notice at 3 a.m. local time this morning, while the ThistleDown Racino plans to remain open, but with a reduced staff. Even area ski slopes, including Boston Mills, Brandywine, and Alpine Valley are currently closed, although nearby resorts including Snow Trails in Mansfield and Peek'n Peak in western New York remain open.

Geektime:

Starting tomorrow, Las Vegas will be awash with tech gurus, in the annual international gathering known as CES. The largest consumer-electronics show in the world, 150,000 are expected to descend on Las Vegas this year, to showcase all the latest innovations in the gadget world. The Las Vegas Convention Center plays host to the main event, which is trade only, but the public can follow the announcements and unveilings on Twitter using hashtag #CES2014.

January Twofers:

Get 2-for-1 buffets at Aliante on Wednesdays and Silverton on Thursdays. These are both higher-end spreads. Both deals run through the end of January and require only that you show a players card.

NFL Wild Card Packers/49ers:

In today's NFC Wild Card Playoff, the San Francisco 49ers are -3 favorites over the Green Bay Packers. The total is 46.

Update on The Park:

The Eater Vegas blog has an interesting update on MGM Mirage International's parallel projects, in various states of progress, at the south end of the Strip, and points out that since plans were first announced for the outdoor meeting and recreation area dubbed The Park, the company has seemed reticent to use that name anymore. Apparently, the work is being undertaken by a specially-established company named Park District Holdings LLC, so perhaps there's a hint in that, which would identify the area with the company's retail complex, The District, across the street at MGM Grand.

NFL Wild Card Chargers/Bengals:

In today's AFC Wild Card Playoff, the Cincinnati Bengals are -6 favorites over the San Diego Chargers. The total is 47.5.

Casino Collectibles:

Collectors of chips, dice, silver strikes, slot cards, ashtrays, and other casino ephemera and memorabilia should mark their calendars, because Jan. 31 marks the commencement of the 11th Annual Super Casino Collectibles Show at Arizona Charlie's Decatur. The event runs Friday and Saturday and admission, good for both days, is $5 at the door.

Pawn Star Parody:

Broadway-style comedy Pawn Shop Live!, a send-up of the story behind History Channel's reality hit "Pawn Stars," is set to open in the Gordie Brown Showroom inside the Golden Nugget on Tuesday, Jan. 21. Based on the true story of downtown's Gold & Silver Pawn, the show includes story contributions from Rick Harrison and the rest of the family, who have fully endorsed the production. The show, which stars seven humans and a puppet, is scheduled to run Tuesday through Saturday at 4 p.m. and tickets start at $24.95.

NFL Wild Card Saints/Eagles:

In today's NFC Wild Card Playoff, the Philadelphia Eagles are -3 favorites over the New Orleans Saints. The total is 54.5.

NFL Wild Card Saints/Eagles:

In today's NFC Wild Card Playoff, the Philadelphia Eagles are -3 favorites over the New Orleans Saints. The total is 54.5.

NFL Wild Card Chiefs/Colts:

In today's AFC Wild Card Playoff, the Kansas City Chiefs are -2.5 favorites over the Indianapolis Colts. The total is 47.5.

Panda at Palazzo:

No, it's not a wild animal on the loose but a new "theatrical spectacular" that's opening at Venetian/Palazzo on Tuesday, Jan. 7. The new resident show is produced by a team whose credits include the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing and combines high-flying acrobatics, martial arts, music, and dance, with performers from China National Acrobatic Troupe and Shaolin Monastery Kung Fu Monks Troupe. Tix start at $48.

National Spaghetti Day:

It's today, and Trevi in the Forum Shops at Caesars is celebrating by offering its spaghetti-and-meatballs entree for $10 all day (reg. price $18.95). If we hear of any other specials around town, we'll let you know.

Orange Bowl Line:

Ohio St. is a -2.5 favorite over Clemson in today's Orange Bowl. The total is 71.5.

Strip Club Reopens:

Tonight sees the grand re-opening party of Striptease, a gentlemen's club located just around the corner from the LVA office on Valley View that's had more incarnations than we care to recall (Eden, Velvet Lion, and a few more, including a brief dalliance with being a gay club). Anyhow, looks like it's back in biz as Striptease and tonight's party, hosted by pornstar Puma Swede, is kicking off early at 5 p.m., with drink and bottle specials. Puma hits the stage at 11 p.m. and the club is raffling off a full "VIP experience" with the adult performer to the first 100 guests, so get on over there!

Cotton Bowl Line:

Oklahoma St. is a -3 favorite over Missouri in today's Cotton Bowl. The total is 62.5.

Fundraisers for Max Jacobson:

As we've reported, Huntington Press author and friend Max Jacobson remains in critical condition in Sunrise Hospital, having suffered serious head injuries when struck by a car Dec. 23 on his way to the gym. Doctors just removed Max from the medically induced coma he's been in since the accident, but it will be possibly weeks before his condition and recovery can be gauged and in the meantime, Max's family remains at his bedside around the clock. In order to help take care of medical and other expenses, various of Jacobson's many friends and colleagues in the Las Vegas food and beverage community will be hosting fundraising efforts in the coming weeks. These kick off tonight with an open bar at downtown's Commonwealth, with hors d'oeuvres provided by sister property The Park. A collection will be taken and all contributions are much appreciated. This will be followed by a series of high-end celebrity-chef prepared dinners in a series that's been dubbed Chefs to the Max and kicks off Jan. 19 with Rick Moonen's new Rx Boiler Room serving as host venue. Click the link for more details about this and future events; tix for the Jan. 19 dinner, which features a stellar line up in the kitchen, are $1,000.

Jean Scott on January Promos:

The Queen of Comps has posted her monthly survey of casino promos at her Frugal Vegas blog, with lots of useful tips, as usual, including news of a chance to make your voice heard with an off-Strip casino that's actively requesting ideas from its players to make them happy again, after downgrading its offers with some evidently disastrous effects.

Some Welcome Good News for AC Club Workers:

Workers at Atlantic City's soon-to-be-shuttered Atlantic Club Casino -- or at least some of them -- finally have some good news, with the announcement from Maryland Live! casino (located 160+ miles away, so not exactly a quick commute) that it will hold a job fair next week specifically for the soon-to-be laid-off employees to fill more than 100 openings across all departments. More positions will open up down the line, too, although not enough to give all 1,600 displaced Atlantic Club workers an opportunity after the casino closes for good Jan. 13.

Jubilee! Update:

The final performance of Jubilee! in its current classic/tired (depending on your POV) incarnation will be on Thursday, Jan. 30, after which the show will close until sometime in March to undergo a major modernization process under the aegis of choreographer and creative director extraordinaire Frank Gatson Jr., whose roster of previous clients reads like a "Who's Who," including: Michael Jackson; J. Lo; Rihanna; Diana Ross; Vanessa Williams; En Vogue; Usher; Mariah Carey; The Band Perry; and Beyoncé, with whom he's been collaborating for 15 years. It'll be interesting to see what his plans are for Las Vegas' only remaining classic showgirl spectacular, which has indeed been reeking of mothballs for a good few years now.

Busiest Denny's Closed:

The highest-volume Denny's restaurant on the planet -- which is the one located next to the Best Western Plus Casino Royale (which itself wins the prize for snappiest name on the Strip) -- has been closed. Fear not, however, hungry breakfast hunters: The closure is not permanent, but for the purposes of reconstruction, including the incorporation of the company's new Heritage brand, plus additional seating. It must be a pretty intensive makeover that's planned, since the restaurant is due to remain closed through some time in 2015; one of the oldest venues in the chain, it debuted in 1966 and in 2013 served no less than 746,000 guests.

Sugar Bowl Line:

Alabama is a -16.5 favorite over Oklahoma in today's Fiesta Bowl. The total is 51.5.

WSO(B)P at Flamingo:

It's been a great start to the New Year for beer pong enthusiasts, with first the recent reopening of that palace of pong known as O'Sheas, and now the World Series of Beer Pong that's underway at the Flamingo. More than a thousand top beer-pongers from around the world are currently converged upon the Strip casino, where the ninth annual tournament is underway, running through Saturday. Tickets are $20 per day or $35 for a two-day pass if you want to watch the action. Visit bpong.com for more info.

Mob Tour -- with Real-Life Mobster:

The Las Vegas Mob Tour experience is now offering once-a-month specials with ex-mobster Frank Cullotta as your personal tour guide. The 2-hour coach ride takes in various real crime scenes around Las Vegas and you get to hear about what really went down from Tony "the Ant" Spiltro's right-hand (hit)man. The next tour is scheduled for Feb. 11 and the tickets are $99. Call 866-218-4935 for more details and to make your reservation, and tell Frank we said hi!

Showgirls Wanted:

Jubilee!, the last surviving classic showgirl spectacular on the Strip, which is about to undergo a big revamp any minute now, is casting for performers. Auditions for female and male dancers and singers will take place from 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 14, with specific time slots for different artists. In general, performers should be comfortable with a range of genres, including jazz, show music, pop, country, and R&B. Must be 18+; bring a headshot. The new-look show is slated to debut later this spring. Audition schedule: Male Dancers: 9 a.m. Female Dancers & Showgirls: 11 a.m. Male & Female Singers: 1 p.m. Principal Dancers: 3 p.m. Callbacks: 4 p.m.

Peaceful Start to 2014 in LV:

The stats are out and Las Vegas revelers can give themselves a big pat on the back this year, with word that only seven people were arrested on the Strip and six downtown on New Year's Eve, mainly due to over-intoxication. Reno managed to live up to its reputation as one of America's drunkest cities (don't take our word for it, take the word of the Daily Beast and Men's Health), with police arresting 27 people Tuesday night on violations ranging from battery to urinating in public.

LVA Member Rewards Books Are Heeere!:

Yes, it's the moment you've been waiting for all year: The 2014 Member Rewards Books are fresh off the presses and in-house. Not only do they look really pretty this year, but open 'em up and what's inside is even cooler -- 132 exclusive savings on buffets, restaurants, shows, spa treatments, drinking (use those ones first, then go detox at the spa), plus a heap of gambling matchplays, free-play, and other gaming bonuses. These offers are exclusive to Las Vegas Advisor members and unlike many other discounts, these babies are all valid through the end of 2014. This year more than ever, there's a great spread of venues on the Strip (Mandalay Bay, Tropicana, Mirage, Paris, Riviera, Harrah's, Planet Hollywood, The Quad, etc.), downtown (pretty much everywhere, minus Downtown Grand -- boo! -- but plus Pizza Rock--hooray!; and at cool "locals'" casinos, bars, and restaurants valley-wide (Palms, all the Stations, all the Boyd's, Ellis Island, Eureka, Naked City Pizza, Home Plate Bar & Grill, Sagos, Mint Indian Bistro, and too many more to mention.) For $37, you really can't afford not to join, which also scores you 12-months worth of our awesome newsletter and all kinds of other perks, like our current free-room deal with Cosmopolitan. You can get your hands on one right now, so what the heck are you waiting for?

More Monster Growth for Macau:

There's no slowdown in sight for the Asian gambling hub, with casino-revenue growth in Macau rising by 18.6 percent, to $45.2 billion, in 2013, widening what was already a 700 percent lead over the Las Vegas Strip. The six casino operators have directed recent efforts specifically toward marketing to the local Chinese market, who accounted for more than 60 percent of visitation to Macau last year. After this latest spurt, growth is now expected to decelerate, in the absence of any new resort openings on the horizon.

Fiesta Bowl Line:

Baylor is a -16.5 favorite over Central Florida in today's Fiesta Bowl. The total is 73.5.

November Gambling and Visitation Numbers:

Nevada's statewide gambling win was up 11.9% in November compared to the same month last year. It was even better on the Strip, where a 94% jump in baccarat pushed the win up 22.6%. Visitation increased 4.6%, putting the year-to-date tally a slight .1% ahead of 2012, with 36.71 million visitors to 36.69 million.

Rose Bowl Line:

Stanford is a -7.5 favorite over Michigan St. in today's Rose Bowl. The total is 41.5.

Happy New Year:

An estimated 335,000 came to town to celebrate the new year. The America's Party fireworks display went off without a hitch and so far no major incidents have been reported. The sports books are jumping with the college bowl games today. South Point is awarding 5X points on slots and 2X on video poker.