Las Vegas News

October LVA Newsletter is Live:

The new issue of our member-only newsletter has just been posted, with a massive overview of football season in Vegas, from contests (paid and free), to Monday Night Football parties, to a list of 73 bars that affiliate with a particular team, plus everything else we've found happening in the casinos, bars, and strip clubs this season. In addition, we have an exclusive BOGO room offer at the Plaza, a free trial membership to an exclusive blackjack-players message bard, the scoop on where to get $1 oysters daily on the Strip, the best crab cake deal in town, free entry into a baccarat tourney with a $10 million prize pool, a monster burger for $2.99, a -105 football line, a pick-n-pay orchard just outside of town, a VP promo paying up to 102.75%, and even a restaurant that brings tableside magic back to Vegas, so if you don't want to miss out, either log on, or sign up (which means you also qualify for our exclusive Member Rewards package), right now!

Professional Bridge World Rocked by Massive Cheating Scandal:

While playing bridge may, to many readers, be something that only their granny does, on the professional circuit it has a lot more in common with the new poker-playing demographic of young males. And now any former mantel of genteel respectability for the game has been shattered, thanks to the tireless and extremely courageous efforts of a young Norwegian pro who smelled a rat, pursued his quarry tirelessly, and made substantial personal and financial sacrifices (including being on the receiving end of death threats) in order to blow wide open what turned out to be an endemic cheating racket at the highest echelons of the game. Now, several world champions are facing a lifetime ban from the game, which although deservedly has the image of being a rich man's game (Bill Gates and Warren Buffett are avid players and pros may be recruited to a team for six-figure sums), there are no big cash jackpots for the main events -- it's much more about ego. For the whole story of how Boye Brogeland broke the code and sent shockwaves through the bridge world, check out this recent article from Newsweek, which was brought to our attention by Richard Munchkin of podcast Gambling with an Edge.

Free Tix for Suicide Sirens Burlesque Tonight:

If you'd like to see some very high caliber erotic entertainment tonight, from classic burlesque routines to pole-dancing acrobatics, with some sword-swallowing and snake-charming thrown in for good measure, then we have great news for you as the highly talented neo-burlesque Suicide Sirens commence an ongoing monthly gig in House of Blues at Mandalay Bay tonight and they've kindly given our "adult" sister site, ToplessVegasOnline, a bunch of free tix to give away to readers. Doors are at 8 p.m., the show starts at 9 p.m. (click the first link above for a review of a previous show at Brooklyn Bowl), mention that "Topless Vegas sent me" to receive free entry.

Big Elvis is Back!:

Elvis impersonators are getting pretty thin on the ground these days in Las Vegas, with The Parlour at El Cortez having axed all its live entertainment, including tribute acts John Brooks (Elvis) and Pete Pavone (Frank Sinatra), although you can catch them still at the Casablanca in Mesquite and the latter has made appearances at Sam's Town Live, while Westgate Las Vegas ditched the popular Trent Carlini in favor of the more extravagant Elvis Experience production, which quickly folded. However, there is some great news, in that Pete "Big Elvis" Vallee is evidently recovered from his extended bout with ill-health and exhaustion and returned to the Lounge at Harrah's on Aug. 31, where he continues to perform in the Piano Bar, for free, at 2 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 5 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. We discovered this only by chance, since for some mysterious reason Harrah's appeared to remain in denial about his absence this summer (he still appeared as a performer in every press release we received) and kept equally mum about his return.

Canal Street Closed:

No, that's not part of the Venetian gondola experience, but rather the steakhouse at the Orleans, which debuted with the off-Strip hotel-casino back in 1996, has closed. The move is permanent and part of Boyd's ongoing dining upgrade, but what will take its place has yet to be announced.

A Game of 'Musical Breweries':

Just as established local favorite Tenaya Creek Brewery readies to move to its new, bigger home on Bonanza Road (see Today's News 9/16/15) comes word, via Las Vegas Weekly, that locals bar-and-tavern chain PT's plans to take over the existing Tenaya location in order to launch its own signature line of beers and seasonal crafts. PT's Brewing Company is set open in Q1 of 2016, following a remodel of the venue.

Las Vegas Boasts First-Ever American Ninja Warrior!:

We really can take zero credit for the incredible achievement of celebrated rock climber, international conservationist, and Las Vegas resident, Isaac Caldiero, but we're definitely celebrating his victory: Last night this local 33-year-old made history when he became the first-ever athlete to win NBC's "American Ninja Warrior". Filmed on location in the Las Vegas desert, the grand-finale obstacle course culminates in the notorious, and until-now seemingly insuperable, "Mt. Midoriyama" rope-climb challenge that has defeated more than 3,500 athletes and aspiring "ninjas" during the course of the show's seven series; Caldiero conquered it in just 26.14 seconds. As his reward, not only does the uber-stud Las Vegan gain some serious bragging rights, but he also takes home the until-now elusive $1 million first prize. Kudos, Isaac!

Free Coffee!:

To celebrate #NationalCoffeeDay, Dunkin' Donuts is offering a free medium cup of hot or iced Rainforest Alliance Dark Roast Coffee to all coffee drinkers (limit one per customer). In addition, the popular chain, which has multiple Las Vegas locations, in and out of the casinos, is offering a one-day only Snapchat Geofilter design, which can be unlocked at any of Dunkin' Donuts' U.S. stores.

Sammy Gets a Street:

Actually, it's not a street, but a stretch of Industrial Road that today is being officially named for Sammy Davis Jr. and which will connect with fellow Rat Packers' Las Vegas roadways at the intersection of Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra drives. The signage should be switched out within 24 hours, according to Clark County commissioners, with 1.8 miles of Industrial Road, extending northward to the intersection with Sahara Avenue, now officially designated Sammy Davis Jr. Drive.

Wynn Withdraws NJ i-Gaming Application:

A little more than two years after submitting the application for an online-gaming license, and several years since Steve Wynn exited the Atlantic brick-and-mortar casino scene, Wynn Interactive has officially nixed any attempt to enter the New Jersey iGaming market. Last year state gaming regulators gave their approval for Wynn Interactive to operate in conjunction with Caesars Interactive, but Steve Wynn has always appeared lukewarm on the issue of online gaming, so the recent change of heart has not come as a great surprise.

Unique Vegas Opportunity for Michael Jackson Fans:

Presumably on the back of our recent Question of the Day all about the King of Pop and his and association with Las Vegas, we just received an alert from an event company called "In the Studio with MJ" regarding an interesting upcoming experience for Michael Jackson fans. This October 9-11, Jackson's last residence in Las Vegas, Hacienda Palomino, a.k.a. "The Thriller Villa", (2710 Palomino Ln.), will host a series of three one-day (six-hour) seminar sessions around the concept of "In the Studio with MJ." Conducted by some of the acclaimed producers, sound engineers, and other technicians who worked closely with Jackson on multiple albums and other projects, the aim of these sessions, apparently, is to give attendees a true sense of what is was like to work with the master and observe his unique creative process in the studio. The website's somewhat confusing, but you can click here for more info; single-day tickets, which include transportation to/from the venue, plus lunch, are $265, but for the diehards among you there are multi-day discount packages available, with each day featuring a different era of Jackson's career.

New Harrah's Casino Open:s:

While cash-strapped Caesars Entertainment may be selling off properties left and right, this afternoon the company debuted a new resort-casino, Harrah's Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel, in conjunction with the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation. The new $110 million resort, which has taken two years to complete, features 50,000 square feet of gaming space and a full-service hotel. It joins the much larger Harrah's Cherokee Casino, which opened in 1997 and draws more than four million visitors annually.

Overnight-Construction Brings Closures to US 95:

From 9 p.m. tonight until 5 a.m. tomorrow, and again on Tuesday night, northbound lanes of US 95 will be closed between Russell and Galleria to accommodate work on the $18.5 million Stephanie Street Roadway and Bridge project. On Wednesday, Sept. 30 and Thursday, Oct. 1, southbound lanes will be closed as work continues. Drivers will be detoured around the construction by exiting at Galleria Drive and returning to the highway using Russell Road Monday and Tuesday, and vice versa for the next two nights.

MNF Packers/Chiefs:

The Green Bay Packers are -5 favorites over the Kansas City Chiefs in tonight's Monday Night Football game. The total is 47.5. Packers fans will congregate tonight at Big Dog’s Draft House, Jackson’s, Rum Runner Boulder Hwy., Rum Runner E. Tropicana, Rum Runner E. Desert Inn, Tenaya Lodge, Timbers E. Lake Mead, and Chilly Palmers. Chiefs fans will be at the Blue Diamond Saloon. The hometown specialties tonight in Lagasse’s Stadium at Palazzo will be parmesan beer cheese soup ($9) for the Green Bay Packers and burnt ends and BBQ sauce with jalapeno cornbread ($14) representing the Kansas City Chiefs.

Match Made in Heaven at Miracle Mile Shops:

Each Friday and Saturday in October, Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood is hosting the inaugural "Shoptoberfest," fusing benefits of retail therapy with the joy of beer for a true his-and-hers experience (they should revisit this concept for Valentine's Day, no, and let the ladies sink pints while their significant others go shopping for their gifts!) Here's how it works: starting at 10 a.m. each day, guests may purchase a $5 souvenir beer mug and wristband from Blondies Sports Bar & Grill, which you may fill at participating restaurants throughout the shopping plaza for just $2, plus there will be $5 food specials along the way so you don't get too tipsy. What's more, Shoptoberfesters receive 20 percent off specials at participating retail stores, too, and if you spend $250 or more, take your receipts to the customer service kiosk and redeem for a $25 gift card (limit one redemption per day, but you can use on the same day you qualify).

Upgrades Continue at Casino Royale, with New Sports Book:

William Hill, the U.K.-based bookmaking giant that currently operates 104 race and sports books in Nevada, is soon to make that 105, with news that Casino Royale on the Strip is slated to open a brand new facility this winter, regulatory approval permitting. The full-service William Hill Sports Book will be part of a new sports bar located in the heart of the casino, which has recently undergone some major dining upgrades, with the expansion of the world's busiest Denny's outlet and the opening of a White Castle.

SNF Lions/Broncos:

The Denver Broncos are -3 favorites over the Detroit Lions in tonight's Sunday Night Football game. The total is 44.5.

Britney on the Floor:

The new Britney Spears slot machine is out and on the floors at Planet Hollywood, where she performs, as well as other CET properties. The slots incorporate several of Spears’ biggest hits, including "[Hit Me] … Baby One More Time," "Toxic," and "Oops! … I Did it Again." Did what? Cashed another hundred?

Oktoberfest Comes to Crush:

Crush, the upscale-casual shared-plate concept at MGM Grand, is celebrating Oktoberfest with a limited-time dish-and-beer pairing, available from Sunday, Sept. 28 through Sunday, Oct. 4. Priced at $16, the themed meal includes grilled bratwurst with house-made sauerkraut, new potatoes, and Pommery mustard, paired with a Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest beer.

Tattling on Trump:

In today's LV Review-Journal, columnist (and HP author) John L. Smith writes about Donald Trump's claim to have won a $1 million bet at 20-1 odds on the Holyfield/Tyson championship boxing match in 1996. It's a good column worth reading if you can access it. But in case you can't, multiple top Nevada bookmakers call BS, saying a $20 million sports-betting win absolutely didn't happen at a legal Nevada book and likely didn't happen anywhere. Oh, Donald.

Flu Shot Time:

As of Monday, Sept. 28, the Southern Nevada Health District will commence offering this season's influenza vaccine, at $41/shot, with a high-dose "upgrade" available for those aged 65 and over, for $59. Flu vaccines are covered under the federal Vaccines for Children program.

UFC Nelson/Barnett:

Josh Barnett is a -340 favorite over Roy Nelson in tonight's UFC main event. In the other featured match, Gegard Mousasi is -550 over Uriah Hall.

More Gates, Tunnel, Planned for McCarran:

A $51 million expansion has been announced for McCarran Airport that will double the number of international gates and possibly add a new tunnel that connects the D gates to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection arrival facility. Work is expected to begin in November and be completed in 2017.

Wynn Out Online:

Wynn Interactive has withdrawn its application for an online license in New Jersey. The company established a holding position in 2013 that left its options open with NJ regulators, but never made any serious moves to get into the space and is now out completely.

Freakling Reminder:

Today sees Freakling Bros. Horror Show's second, and final, casting call for scaremongers for their trilogy of 2015 haunted houses; you can find out all the details in our previous post on the subject.

Las Vegas This Life is Beautiful Weekend:

Obviously, the giant lifestyle fest downtown is the headliner this weekend, but that's really just the tip of our entertainment iceberg: Life is Beautiful Music & Art Festival descends upon downtown Las Vegas this weekend (9/25-27) - check yesterday's post for transportation tips Smith Center welcomes The Book of Mormon (9/22-10/18), while David Perrico's Pop Strings Orchestra also performs(9/25); and "Conversation with Norm!" features Suzanne Somers (9/27) Mandalay Bay brings you Dodge Rocks Multi-City Tour (9/24-26) while the '80s Live Show takes center stage at Mandalay Bay Beach (9/26) It's the Super Run Classic Car Show at the Henderson Events Plaza (9/24-27), while the Barrett-Jackson car auctions and events continue at Mandalay Bay (9/25-26) Green Valley Ranch welcomes CCR & John Fogerty Tribute act (9/25) Critical Ways and Astaires will take center stage at Babes Rockin Sports Bar (9/25), with High Voltage performing the following evening (9/26) Elevate will perform at Hard Rock Live (/25) Frank Caliendo is at the Orleans (9/25-26) Frankie Avalon is featured at South Point (9/25-27) Silverton presents Future Stars of Wrestling (9/25) Tivoli Village hosts Comedy Open Mic Night at Crepe Bistro (9/25) Pitbull - Time of Our Lives takes over at Axis, Planet Hollywood (9/25-26) Nashville Unplugged returns to Sunset Station with Annie Bosko (9/25) It's the Tuff N Uff Event at the Cannery (9/25) Comedy wise you have Wanda Sykes at TI (9/25), with Wayne Brady and Daniel Tosh performing at neighboring Mirage (9/25-26) Suncoast hosts its 15th Annual Pool Party (9/26), with Robin and Joan: A Tribute Concert in the Showroom (9/26) Springs Preserve welcomes the Asian Heritage Celebration (9/26) Ladies may enjoy the Las Vegas Woman's Day Out Expo at the Santa Fe Station (9/26) Town Square is hosting the MDA Muscle Walk 2015 (9/26), while UNLV brings you Run Walk Roll Against Bullying (9/26) Oliver Dragojevic will perform at The Pearl inside the Palms (9/26) Peter White's at Aliante (9/26) SPEKTRE, Spacebyrdz, Justin Baule, Daniel Mihai and Audiovana take center stage at Backstage Bar & Billiards (9/26) Earth Rising will perform at Huntridge Circle Park (9/26) Rampart hosts the South Southwest Beer Festival (/26) Michael Grimm is at Eastside Cannery (9/27) Las Vegas Motor Speedway welcomes The 11th Annual Las Vegas Ride for Kids (9/27) Or you have Dinner with Ex-Mobster Sal Polisi in Fuso Lounge and Nightclub at Larry Flynt's Hustler Club (9/27)

Caesars Bankruptcy Plan Hits a Wall:

With various creditors withdrawing support for Caesars Entertainment Corp.'s bankrupcty plan, the outlook is currently looking a little dicey, with a risk that the parent company could now also be pushed over the brink. For in-depth coverage, check our casino-business blog, Stiffs &Georges.

Summerlin Shake Shack Opening Date Confirmed:

Not only do we have the opening date, but we even have confirmation of the opening hour for the next Las Vegas location for the cult burger-and-shake joint. Although it has yet to be officially announced, Shake Shack comes to Downtown Summerlin October 7th, with doors opening at 11 a.m. Remember, you read it here first!

Sign-Up Offer for Serious Carnivores:

Love meat? Sign up for the free Via Brazil Steakhouse newsletter, the authentic churrascaria in Summerlin, and receive 30% off your next meal (check out the all-you-can-eat Sunday brunch for a fixed price of $24.99, with eight different roasted meats -- plus roasted pineapple -- served tableside.

See Summer Out Atop the Strat:

Radius, the remodeled rooftop pool that finally meant the return of toptional sunbathing to the Stratosphere this season, is saying sayonara to summer in style, with the final party of the season this Saturday, Sept. 26. The "End of Summer" bash will feature 2-for-1 cocktails all day and is free to hotel guests, or $15 guys/$10 ladies, with additional discounts for 'Take Back Vegas' club members (free to join; must be 21+).

New Vegas TV Show, The Player, Debuts on NBC Tonight:

Set in Las Vegas and co-starring Wesley Snipes as a pit boss and Charity Wakefield as the dealer in a high-stakes operation that doesn't feature the usual casino games, NBC's new thriller "The Player" debuts on NBC at 10 p.m. local time tonight. We haven't watched any trailers but Anthony Curtis plans to tune in, so we should have his take on it soon.

Navigating Life is Beautiful:

This weekend's three-day music-and-lifestyle festival downtown is expected to attract 100,000 visitors and, with all kinds of road closures to accommodate the revelers (some of which are already in effect, while others will be rolled out over the next couple of days), the City of Las Vegas has released a handy guide to how to get around (including pick-up and drop-off points for the festival shuttle service, which costs $45 for a three-day pass and is available online through end of today, thereafter in person at the festival site), where to park your vehicle, and other handy tips whether you're attending the festival, or attempting to navigate your way around it.

Martorano's Throws Down Pasta Gauntlet:

Calling all competitive eaters! On Saturday, Oct. 10., at 1 p.m., Major League Eating will partner with Martorano's at Paris Las Vegas for the inaugural "Martorano’s Masters World Pasta Eating Championship". The event, which will take place al fresco, beneath the Arc de Triomphe, will pitch 12 professional and amateur competitive eaters against each other in a bid to out-gorge each other on as much of chef Steve Martorano's signature pasta as they can in eight minutes. The event is free and open to the public, and is being held in honor of National Pasta Month and of the first anniversary of the restaurant at Paris Las Vegas. There's a top prize of $2,000 for winner, with additional cash prizes places two through four. If you feel you've got what it takes, register here.

TNF Giants/Redskins:

The NY Giants are -3 favorites over the Washington Redskins in tonight's Thursday Night Football game. The total is 45.

Life is Beautiful Kickoff Party:

Tonight from 7 p.m., Foxtail pool at SLS Las Vegas hosts the official Life is Beautiful festival kickoff party, with GA tix still available for Grills & Guitars for $150/person. The backyard BBQ-style event will feature a live performance by Spoon (did they book them just on account of the name?), plus food-and-beverage offerings courtesy of an array of local chefs and eateries, including Kim Canteenwalla of Andiron Steak & Sea, Susan Feniger of Border Grill, Hubert Keller of Fleur fame, and many others.

Freakling Seeks Freaks!:

This Saturday sees the second, and final of Freakling Bros. hiring events for this year's "Trilogy of Terror." Featuring Castle Vampyre, the Gates of Hell (Nevada’s first-and-only R-rated attraction), and the newly-constructed COVEN of 13, marks its 23rd year of scaring the pants of Las Vegas this Halloween season, and they're on the prowl for cast members to help them accomplish this mission. The ideal candidates must be 18+, with a "big personality", and get a kick out of terrifying people. Saturday's casting call commences promptly at 1 p.m. on Sat., Sept. 26, at Joe's Crab Shack (N. Rainbow location); candidates must complete an application form online prior to attending the job fair.

New Post at Beyond Numbers:

James Grosjean has posted the latest in his "How We Do It" series, with his attention focused on "Buying a Seat" in a casino. 'Huh?!', you may react and no, he's not referring to tipping the maître d'. You can find out what the notorious gambling wiz is talking about at Beyond Numbers.

Barrett Jackson Time:

Today through Saturday, Mandalay Bay hosts the 8th Annual Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas auction, a three-day action-packed extravaganza from the leading auctioneer specializing in collector cars. Just go along to browse, or experience one of the Ride ’N Drives and Thrill Rides presented by Ford, Chevrolet, and Dodge. There will be autograph-signing sessions, opportunities to get car-care tips from the experts, plus lots of merchandise from myriad vendors. Adult tix are $25 at the gate ($20 in advance online); here's a link to the full Barrett-Jackson 2015 schedule of events (which you can also stream live, if you can't make it there in person -- you'll find all the details on the website). Plus, by a stroke of (almost) pure coincidence, today's Question of the Day is all about Las Vegas' several auto collections, exotic-car showrooms, and test-driving experiences, so check that out, too!

Listen Up, Chippers!:

The Museum of Gaming History recently reached a major milestone, with the addition of the 150,000th chip to its world-renowned casino-collectibles catalog. The chip in question is a $5 Hard Rock Hotel chip from Sioux City, Iowa, which features Elvis Presley.

Happenings at the Strat, Part II:

In other news from the Stratosphere Tower, the SkyJump "decelerated descent" attraction, which debuted in April 2010, is approaching a major milestone, as it prepares to welcome the 200,000th jumper. The lucky winner will score a major grand prize, featuring a 3-night stay at the hotel-casino, plus a 7-day Norwegian Cruise Line cruise to Mexico, and a party at Level 107 Lounge and RADIUS° "toptional" pool. Other paid jumpers after the winner on the celebration day will also get the chance to choose from a range of prizes, including free rooms, dining comps, and other perks and discounts. For more info, and to reserve a jump right now, visit the official website.

Happenings at the Stratosphere, Part I:

What's becoming of the LA Comedy Club and its new "Dragon Room" location at the Stratosphere, slated to open last month, we are still trying to ascertain, but in the meantime there's other cool news to report from the Tower. For one thing, the property just tweeted that tomorrow, it's hosting the 2015 3 Wall Ball World Championships, featuring the best in handball, racquetball, and paddleball duking it out all day at the specially rigged outdoor courts, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Competitions continue Saturday and Sunday -- visit the official 3 Wall Ball website for more information -- and all events are free to view, whether in person or via a live stream (Court 2 events) you can access on the site, or via the ESPN player at watchespn.com and the WatchESPN app (free to download) for the action on Court 1.

Timely Brew News for Beer Fans:

There's good and bad, but mainly it's good! The bad applies only really to local fans of the original Tenaya Creek brewery and pub, which has been operating near the Tenaya Way/Cheyenne Ave. intersection since 1999, since it will soon be closing. The good news is that the popular local brewery is relocating to a new bigger venue, currently under construction but slated to open (after some delays) sometime next month at 831 W. Bonanza Road (west of the I-15 and north of the U.S. 95 Interchange). The new Tenaya Creek will ditch its current dining component and focus solely on beer, but the expansive parking lot is slated to play host to food trucks, food festivals, and more. In other brew news, the taproom at Bad Beat Brewing (located in Henderson's "Booze District" at 7380 Eastgate Rd.) will be open from 5-10 p.m., with all Next Level bottles half price today only, so go score an Imperial IPA for just four bucks!

Kudos to UNLV with Landing of Presidential Debate:

It's been announced that the campus of Las Vegas' university has been selected as the host venue for the third, and final, presidential debate in the run up to the next election, scheduled for October 19, 2016. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority has already voted to set aside $4 million dollars to be spent on the debate -- investment that is hoped to yield a healthy return: Reportedly, presidential debate sites earned an estimated $50 million in media exposure during the 2012 election cycle.

Playboy Gets Back in the Gambling Game:

Playboy, which this summer ended its on-off dalliance with its own branded online casino, PlayboyPoker.com, is now entering the mobile-gaming market in a joint venture with Gamblit Gaming. Commencing in 2016, Playboy Enterprises intends to release a suite of skill-based games for the U.K. mobile market and for land-based casinos in the U.S. located in jurisdictions where mobile gaming is permitted, including Las Vegas and Atlantic City. In addition with skill-based casino games, including poker, Gamblit is working with other game developers to "gamblify" their product.

It's Officially Fall in (Indoor) Las Vegas:

Both Bellagio and Palazzo have switched their horticultural exhibits to reflect the onset of Fall, with the design teams of the former's Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, and the latter's giant atrium, both opting to feature giant autumnal leaves suspended from the ceiling (it looks like they shopped at the same store!) Other highlights of Palazzo's elegant exhibit include 3,000 preserved giant (up to 16-foot-tall!) cattails and topiary pumpkins, comprised of thousands of carnation blooms, the largest of which weighs in at 930 pounds. It's all on display through Nov. 16. At Bellagio, meanwhile, the lofty leaves (and dangling giant pine cones) of 'Artistry of Autumn' are complemented by an opulent-yet-earthy array of displays in warm fall colors, including fairytale-like trees, giant pumpkins and gourds, a central arbor, and a mill house with a working water wheel. You can view it live -- through Nov. 27 -- in person, or from the comfort of your armchair via the live-feed link in our Vegas Webcams section.

Dunham Done at Planet Hollywood:

The popular ventriloquist, who's currently Not Playing with a Full Deck at Planet Hollywood, soon won't be playing with any deck at all. October 4 marks the end of the first-ever residency for Dunham, who previously was known for keeping his show exclusively on the road. For the time being, however, Jeff Dunham likely won't venturing too far from home, since his wife just gave birth to twins -- the reason for his departure from Sin City. Congrats!

9/23 = 10X Points at Silverton:

On Wednesday, Sept. 23, Silverton casino's offering 10X points ($1=10 points) on all video reels and slots. Swipe your players card at any kiosk to activate the bonus.

Why is Professional Gambling Like the Atkins* Diet?:

This Alice in Wonderland-esque riddle is the subject of Bob Dancer's new column, in which the video poker maestro 'fesses up about his personal struggles with an expanding waistline (the downside of all those comped buffets and a chosen profession that's about as sedentary as you can get) and the parallels he's observed in terms of the discipline it takes to successfully keep in shape or to be a proficient professional gambler. It's worth a read if you're attempting either of these endeavors -- or just to take consolation in the knowledge that even Blob Bob Dancer, the Double Bonus Deity and Sultan of Sticking to Strategy, who has been known to liken professional gamblers to professional athletes**, actually has some chinks of human weakness! *Actually, it's the Paleo diet that Bob references, but we'd never heard of that so we took some poetic license. ** While we do wholeheartedly subscribe to the argument that actual live poker is a game of skill, we have trouble accepting the argument that it's a "sport," and on that subject once quipped to a nonplussed Phil Hellmuth that lifting a stack of chips hardly equates to major physical exertion (although we concede that carrying all those WSOP bracelets and bricks of cash could conceivably make a guy break out in a sweat.

End of the Road for Wynn's Ferrari Showroom:

Days are numbered for the always slightly incongruous (at least to us) Penske Wynn Ferrari Maserati showroom, located by the poker room/parking garage, which debuted with the property back in 2008, is to close, it's been announced. A call to the venue, which charges a $10 admission fee to eyeball its collection of 35-40 cars located in two showrooms, informed us that the exact exit date has yet to be confirmed, but the word on the street is sometime in mid October. They are hoping to relocate to a new venue in Las Vegas, but as yet nothing has been confirmed, or at least not to the venue's staff. For fans of exotic cars, both new and vintage, Las Vegas still has several options, however, both for viewing and actually getting behind the wheel -- look out for details in an upcoming Question of the Day.

Lottery Apparently No Guaranteed License to Print Money:

At least not in Illinois, where the state governor has just fired Northstar Lottery Group, the nation's first private company to manage a state lottery, after it missed its promised revenue targets to the tune of almost half a billion dollars over a three-year period. In a press release issued last Friday, Gov. Bruce Rauner announced that the decision will actually save taxpayers some $22 million, thanks to a $10 million fine to be levied against Northstar for their under-performance, coupled with a reduction in fees the state would have been obliged to pay the independent operator. The search is now on for a new private manager to turn around the fortunes of Illinois' lottery.

High Roller Lowers Prices for First Responders:

In honor of "Thank a Cop Week," the High Roller observation wheel at The LINQ Promenade is offering a $10 discount off regular pricing on up to four tickets now through Sept. 27. The discount applies to all local fire, police, and emergency medical personnel -- must show valid ID when collecting tickets, and the offer excludes "Happy Half Hour" rides.

Las Vegas Arena Confirms Opening Act:

Country star George Strait, aka "The Cowboy," will be the inaugural performer to grace the stage of the MGM Resorts Int'l/AEG Las Vegas Arena when it debuts in 2016, it's been announced. The 2014 ACM "Entertainer of the Year" is slated to play concerts on April 22-23, 2016 returning Sept. 9-10 (which in Vegas counts as a "mini-residency"!) and, while seat prices have yet to be confirmed, presale tix are set to become available as of Oct. 2, so stay tuned!

Rita Rudner to Red Rock:

Having quietly curtailed her weekly performances at Harrah's a few months or so ago, funny lady Rita Rudner, who's been out on the road (with and without Louie Anderson), returns to Sin City this October with a one-off gig as part of the new recently announced comedy line-up in Red Rock's Rocks Lounge. For reasons that have not been explained, Rudner will play the venue on October 17 in place of the previously announced performance by Mark Curry; future show dates/performers include: Orny Adams (Nov. 21); Hal Sparks (Jan. 23); and Justin Willman (Feb. 20). Tickets start at just $25 (plus tax/fees), which is a steal, considering the acclaimed comedian's most recent performances in Las Vegas, at Venetian, and previously at Harrah's, have carried a $50+ price tag.

MNF Jets/Colts:

The Indianapolis colts are -6 favorites over the New York Jets in tonight's Monday Night Football game. The total is 45.5.

MNF Parties Tonight:

Anthony Curtis checked out 27 parties last week (yes, you did read that correctly) and will be looking at several more tonight. The busiest he's seen are at South Point, M Resort, Main Street Station, Ellis Island, Suncoast, and Sam's Town. The only one still giving anything away free is the last of those, where your first beer is on the house. Neither of tonight's teams has a specific "Team Bar" in town that follows them, but Lagasse's Stadium at Palazzo is serving up linguini and clams with focaccia bread ($23) to represent the New York Jets, and breaded pork loin sandwich & fries ($14) for the Indianapolis Colts. It also looks like some of the best parties are at the gentlemen's clubs, Sapphire and Deja Vu, in particular. You can get the full up-to-date (and in-your-face) rundown on the strip-club parties via the latest post at ToplessVegasOnline.com.

Las Vegas EDC Tix on Sale and Going Fast:

The bad news is, the super-early birds and butterflies have already snapped up all of the most-economical worms three-day event passes for this year's Las Vegas Electric Daisy Carnival; the good news, however, is that there are still "Later Owl" passes available, which are just twenty bucks more ($355, plus fees). So, take your fingers off those snooze buttons, neon-flower children, and bag your spot at this year's 20th-anniversary EDM happening while you can. As usual, it's hosted by Las Vegas Motor Speedway and runs June 17-19. Shuttle passes are also available from the official website.

Roadwork in Vicinity of CityCenter:

Las night work began on sewer lines in the vicinity of CityCenter on the Strip and sporadic delays are anticipated for the next month, with 24-hour closures scheduled for two northbound and two southbound lanes between Harmon Ave. and Aria Place. Intermittent closures of Harmon Ave. at the Strip intersection are also planned, but at least one east-west traffic lane should remain open to traffic throughout the work. While the majority of the work will take place between the hours of 11 p.m. and 10 a.m., the street restrictions will be in effect at all times until the project is completed.

All Kinds of F&B Happenings at Venetian:

A press release received this morning outlines a slew of seasonal updates among Venetian/Palazzo's 40+ eateries. Here are the highlights that caught our eye (including a couple of reminders about things we've already posted about): Zine Noodles Dim Sum at Palazzo closed Sept. 18 and will remain so through October for a major remodel and "reconcepting", details of which have yet to be announed. The dollar oyster happy hour continues at db Brasserie from 5-6 p.m. daily (limit two dozen per person) in the bar and lounge. For the third consecutive season, Lagasse's Stadium will be rolling out special team-specific menu items for Monday and Thursday night's televised games, commencing Oct. 5, including Coney Island hot dogs and seasoned fries for Detroit Lions fans and organic baby arugula with toasted garlic costinis (really?!) for the Seattle Seahawks, while Oct. 12's Steelers vs. Chargers game will feature a Primanti Brothers-style Italian Hoagie and seasoned French fries and grilled fish tacos with black bean and corn salsa, respectively, for fans. Canyon Ranch Grill, the casual eatery at the resort's famous spa, has launched a new healthy Sunday Brunch menu. The three-course prix-fixe brunch offers a range of dishes, many of which are organic and/or gluten free, including the likes of lobster cakes Benedict, build-your-own omelets, and sweet potato pancakes, and includes a complimentary mimosa or glass of sparkling wine. Otto Enoteca Pizzeria has introduced a kind of afternoon happy hour, showcasing a variety of $5 antipasti boards served from 3-5 p.m. daily and 2-for-1 draft Peronis. Sweet! Rockhouse gets magical, with tableside magic on Fridays and Saturdays, from 7 to 9 p.m., featuring Seth Grabel of "America's Got Talent" fame. During football season only, B&B Burger and Beer will be open for breakfast from 9 a.m. Sundays, serving specials like pastrami hash with mushroom hollandaise and poached eggs ($14) and a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich with jalapeno pesto ($13) until noon. The venue will also be offering a "buy 4, get one free" deal on buckets of beer as part of the promo, some come thirsty and bring friends!

Fundraising Walk for Homeless Vets Tuesday:

The imminent Life is Beautiful Music & Arts Festival is teaming with Cadillac of Las Vegas, the City of Las Vegas, and Metro, to lead a fundraising walk in support of homeless veterans tomorrow, and Vegas residents (plus any other supporters of the cause) are encouraged to join in and/or donate. The walk kicks off at 6:30 a.m. at the corner of Main St. and Foremaster downtown and will culminate in the unveiling of a mural tribute by local artist Alex Lilley. Following the event, members of Las Vegas' homeless community will be fed by Father Krier of St. Joseph Church on N. 9th Street and entertained by The Las Vegas Mass Choir, Deblanc Music artist Kassidy, and some additional celebrity guests. The press release gives no indication of how or where to donate, so presumably there will be volunteers collecting in person on the day.

SNF Packers/Seahawks:

The Green Bay Packers are -3 favorites over the Seattle Seahawks in tonight's Sunday Night Football game. The total is 49.5.

BOGO at Silverton:

Get a 2-for-1 entree in the Sundance coffee shop at Silverton on Tuesdays through the end of the month. Must be a Silverton Rewards Club member and the maximum discount is $15.

Sunday Funday 20 Poker Tournament at Noon:

Registration is now open for our "Sunday Funday 20" poker tournament. Play begins at noon PST/3 p.m. EST today. Prizes are $100 for first; a suite of three of our top poker books for second; Full LVA membership for third, and prizes for all final-table contestants, including books and gift cards. There's also a "bubble" prize for 10th place. See the entire prize pool and register to play at the LVA Casino (once signed in, click on "Poker Tournaments" and register for Tourney ID 9410). This tournament is completely free to play. There will also be other tourneys running all day for gift cards and play chips. Come have some fun! See you at noon.

Fantasy Blitz:

The lid blew off the Daily Fantasy Sports ad war between FanDuel and DraftKings last week, with the two companies dominating spots on TV and radio. DraftKings led the way as the No. 1 advertiser of all companies on TV, running a $21.8 million campaign comprising 5,800 commercials over a seven-day period. FanDuel spent $11.8 million for 2,600 commercials. The DK effort resulted in 1 million new members. Get ready for MOTS (more of the same) today.

Most Football Betting Illegal:

The American Gaming Association estimates that $95 billion will be wagered on NFL and college football games this season. However, only $2 billion of that will be wagered in Nevada sports books, with $93 billion bet illegally. The numbers were offered up as part of the continuing effort to legalize sports betting outside of Nevada.

Play the LVA Poker Tourney Tomorrow:

Reserve some time tomorrow to play in our 20th Sunday Funday online poker tournament. First place gets $100 and everyone at the final table will win prizes. The game kicks off at 3 p.m. EST/noon PST. It's completely free to play, with registration beginning two hours before the tournament at the LVA Casino.

Contest Metric Confirmed:

We speculated in the September LVA that a win is worth 2 yards in Station Casinos' Gridiron Glory football contest. After the first week's result, we can confirm that 2-yards-per-win is accurate. This is a good free contest that awards a prize after your first 20 wins, then for every 80 wins subsequently, which isn't as daunting as it sounds given that you're not picking against the spread and there are 12-16 games per week.

Jabbawockeez Return to MGM:

The Jabbawockeez return to site of their original Las Vegas appearance, debuting their new show at the MGM Grand on Nov. 2. The show will play in the newly named Jabbawockeez Theater, with tickets starting at $49.99 base.

Trilogy of Terror Hiring:

Freakling Bros. trio of haunted houses, including Nevada's first and only R-rated attraction, are looking to recruit Las Vegas' scariest actors and actresses for the 2015 Halloween season, with the first recruiting session taking place today at Joe's Crab Shack (1991 N. Rainbow Blvd.) from 1 p.m. You must complete the online application form first and be 18+ -- visit the official website for more details. If you can't make it today, there's a second casting call on Sept. 26, which we'll remind you about in due course.

Oktoberfest Comes Early to Hofbräuhaus:

The first keg-tapping ceremony of the season takes place at 7 p.m. this evening at Las Vegas' official Bavarian Beerhall, with magicians Siegfried & Roy on hand, as has become traditional, to do the honors and strike the first mallet. Hofbräuhaus' Oktoberfestbier is, like their other brews, imported direct from Munich and sports a robust 6.3 percent alcohol by volume. During the festival, guest can test their own strength each Friday and Saturday in the Stein-Holding contest for a chance to win a six-pack of the seasonal brew and and be entered in a drawing for a dinner for 10. The fun continues with spankings (Ed: what?!), dancing on the benches, food specials, and the taste of fresh-roasted almonds and pecans, not to mention a lineup of celebrity tappers, with Chippendales on Saturday and Terry Fator and Dirk Vermin confirmed for future dates. We'll keep you posted (Holly Madison has traditionally been an enthusiastic participant but we're not sure if she's in on the action this season or not).

Dog Daze of Summer this Saturday:

As promised, we're still working on our update to "pet-friendly" Las Vegas and what that actually means (basically, often pretty canine-unfriendly, if you ask us, and downright hostile if happen to be cat; reptiles and primates? fuhgeddaboudit!), but there is some good news for local dogs, with their annual party taking place at Desert Breeze Park on Saturday, from 8 to 11 a.m. "Dog Daze of Summer" features raffles and pet contests ("Tallest Dog," "Funniest Pet Trick" and so on), plus the doggie swim in the pool (no humans, please). You need to register online or by phone to secure a place and have proof of up-to-date vaccinations. Visit the official website for more info or call (702) 455-7798.

Qu. of the Day Update with New Name Added to 'Black Book':

Wow! Talk about topical. Today's LasVegasAdvisor.com "Question of the Day" feature is all about the Nevada List of Excluded Persons, a.k.a. the "Black Book," including its history and an update on recently added names (and one person who's campaigning to make history and have his name removed). Apparently, as we were penning the answer yesterday, a new name was added and it's a notorious one, namely Archie Karas, himself the subject of a previous QoD on 12/7/08 and whose legendary 1992-93 roller coaster run in Las Vegas is detailed in former Cigar Aficionado gaming columnist Michael Konik's The Man With the $100,000 Breasts. Karas, who has legitimate earnings from multiple WSOP cashes over the years (although no bracelet), has also been arrested for cheating on about as many occasions both in Nevada and California, where he's already on the casinos' persona non grata list. He was finally added to Nevada's Black Book on September 17 as the result his arrest and conviction for cheating at blackjack at San Diego's Barona Casino in 2014; Karas did not show up for yesterday's hearing to contest his placing on the list, we gather.

Gay PRIDE Event Recap:

The festivities got underway earlier this week, but the main events, including the annual parade, take place over the course of this weekend. Check out our post earlier this week for a round-up of what's happening where, and when.

It's Simple, But We Call it Home - Welcome to Chez Wayne:

It's been a long and tortuous path for "Mr Las Vegas'" plan to convert his family estate into a tourist attraction, but today Casa de Shenandoah finally opened its doors to the public only a day past schedule (well, depending on which of the many schedules announced over the past five years that you refer to). Inside the ornate gates at the corner of Sunset and Pecos, visitors will find not only a lifetime's collection of memorabilia collected by the Wayner, displayed throughout the palatial mansion, but the 52-acre estate is also home to the singer's extensive menagerie of Arabian horses, peacocks, wallabies, a Capuchin monkey, and more, plus his private jet and automobile collection. There are also several gift stores. Tours start at $35, with VIP upgrade packages available. Visit the official website for a preview, via the large photo gallery, and to book your tour.

Bonus Prize for Strip Magician:

Not only has "America's Got Talent" Season 10 winner Mat Franco succeeded in landing himself a residency on the Las Vegas Strip, a feat not achieved by any of the show's victors since 2007 winner Terry Fator, but tonight he'll also be celebrated with a two-hour special on NBC, featuring guest appearances by fellow Vegas magicians Penn & Teller, along with Heidi Klum, Neil Patrick Harris, and Jason Mraz. The boy done good!

TNF Broncos/Chiefs:

The Kansas City Chiefs are -3 favorites over the Denver Broncos in tonight's Thursday Night Football game. The total is 42.

Las Vegas This Weekend:

If pole-dancing porn stars ain't your thang, or if the thought of being in a confined space with Lil' Kim scares the pants off you, fear not! Here's all the other stuff going down this weekend in Sin City: The Orleans hosts Joe Weider's Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend (9/17-19) and The Temptations (9/19-20) The Smith Center hosts An Evening with Paul Anka (9/18); the musical Once on This Island (9/18-20); and Rad Trads (9/18-19) Catch Elevate (9/18) and NightHowl presents NGHTMRE (9/19) at Hard Rock Live on the Strip The Biggest Tattoo Show on Earth is at the Las Vegas Convention Center (9/18-21) It's Vintage Bike Night at The Arts Factory with motorcycles, music, and art (9/18) Hard Rock brings you Friday Night Live at The Pool with Blue October (9/18); Joan Jett and The Blackhearts at The Joint (9/18) and Fueled by Monster Energy: Five Finger Death Punch and Papa Roach (9/19), while Rusty Maples & Brumby with The National Parks (9/18), An Acoustic Evening with Blue October (9/19), and An Evening with Todd Snider (9/20) are all at Vinyl For something a little more sedate, Henderson Pavilion presents the Henderson Symphony Orchestra (9/18) The iHeartRadio Music Festival returns to MGM Garden Arena (9/18-19) and Las Vegas Village (9/19) Jay Leno returns to the Mirage (9/18-19) Joey Diaz is at South Point (9/18-20) Tyler Ward's Yellow Boxes Tour hits the Downtown Container Park (9/18) Caesars Palace welcomes Jerry Seinfeld (9/18-19) and "The Joy of Sake Las Vegas" (9/19) Lakeside Casino & RV Park will host the Las Vegas Championship Super Arena Water Cross (9/18) Ms. Lauryn Hill is in the spotlight at Brooklyn Bowl (9/18), followed by Singles: Sin City's '90s Music Experience (9/19) Nashville Unplugged at Sunset Station features Jeff Silvey (9/18), while George Thorogood & The Destroyers perform the following night (9/19) O.A.R. are center stage at Mandalay Bay Beach (9/18) It's a busy weekend for Tommy Emmanuel, who's at Boulder Station (9/18) and Red Rock Resort (9/19) The Rio hosts the final Vampire Diaries Official Convention (9/18-20) Nations are center stage at Backstage Bar & Billiards (9/19) Cashman Center hosts the Las Vegas Southwestern Women's Expo (9/19-21) It's Dog Daze of Summer, with raffles, pet contests, and the doggie swimfest at Desert Breeze Aquatics Facility (9/19) Naturally 7 are in the spotlight at Aliante (9/19) Planet Hollywood brings the Old School Block Party to Axis (9/19) Town Square hosts the Positively Kids Lucky Duck Family Festival (9/19) Sonny Turner performs at Suncoast (9/19) The Beach Boys are at the Cannery (9/19) It's The Ultimate Wedding Planning Experience at Alexis Park (9/20) and the Bridal Fair at Rhodes Ranch Golf Club (9/20) Via Brasil Steakhouse brings back the Brazilian Outdoor Festival, featuring live music, food and drink specials, fire-breathing, and more (9/20) And, if you're feeling energetic, UNLV Track & Field hosts the "This One's for Boys & Girls" 5K run/walk (9/19) while Circus Circus hosts the Biggest Loser Half Marathon and Kids Fit Fun Run (9/20) Personally, we're exhausted just typing all that.

Janet Jackson, The Who Both Out of iHeart Lineup:

We almost missed this, but it just came to our attention that both Janet Jackson and The Who are last-minute no-shows for this year's (as usual) sold-out iHeart Radio festival, which takes over the MGM Grand Garden Arena (by night) and MGM Festival Village (by day) this weekend. The Who had already canceled their Sept. 19 gig at Caesars' Colosseum due to Roger Daltrey's ill health, so their absence was to be expected, but now Janet Jackson is also out of the festival, reportedly due to an ear problem. So far, there's no indication that she'll be canceling her upcoming gigs at Planet Hollywood, but we'll keep you posted...

Happy Birthday Hustler:

Larry Flynt's Hustler Club, technically the largest strip club in Las Vegas (and possibly the known universe), is celebrating its fifth anniversary with a non-stop party through Saturday, Sept. 19, with a lineup of porn stars, rappers, and rockers for your entertainment pleasure. Check out the post at ToplessVegasOnline.com for the details.

Santana Contest:

Carlos Santana's Greatest Hits Live show at Mandalay Bay's House of Blues will soon see the sale of its 100,000th ticket and, to celebrate this milestone, the guitar legend and his host casino are launching an online contest. Beginning September 17 and running through October 23, fans aged 18+ may log on to www.houseofblues.com/Santana and register to win a grand prize package comprising an autographed PRS Santana SE Custom Electric Guitar, signed by Carlos, two tickets to the performance on Nov. 7, including a meet-and-greet opportunity, plus overnight accommodation at MBay and dinner for two at the resort's Foundation room. Complete rules and prize details can be found on the official website.

Cool Comedian Co-Hosting Vegas Show Today:

Paul Scally, the Brit. emcee whose "Grand Laughs Comedy Club" received a rave review from Anthony Curtis ("Did we love it? Yes!") during its recent residency at Downtown Grand, and will be at the Palms on October 1, is co-hosting the Valley View Live local TV show today. Not only is Paul a cool and funny guy, but it's "Valley View Live's" first anniversary, so tune in to Channel 13 at 2 p.m. for what should be an entertaining show.

Question of the Day Snafu:

We apologize for a database error that resulted in the wrong QoD briefly showing today. Today's intended Q&A is, in fact, about Britney Spears and how much she's being paid for her Planet Hollywood residency, not slot-hold percentages and Gaming Control regulations. For anyone who read the other answer before we caught it and switched it out, the "95%" number for minimum slot hold is a typo that should have read 75%. That complete answer will appear at a (near-)future date but we just wanted to clear up any confusion that reading the draft may have caused. Oops!...We did it again. Sorry.

Musical Chairs, Advantage-Player Style:

Or, as the pros might put it, "Sorting Out the Men from the 'Ploppies'". Yes, the man widely held to be the greatest living gambler has just posted at Beyond Numbers and, as is his way, James Grosjean is mincing no words and taking no prisoners. The topic du jour is "http://beyondnumbers.lvablog.com/2015/09/16/location-location-location/" target="_blank">Location! Location! Location!, with aspects under consideration including: exploding the Anchorman Myth; heat patrol; real estate with a view; safety nest; and landlocking civilians. (Oh, and in case we lost you no, this blog post is not about combating piracy on the high seas, nor house-hunting in Death Valley -- it's about which seat to choose when you sit down to play table games in a casino.)

Downtown Buskers Surrounded:

In light of mounting public dissatisfaction with the proliferation of downtown's melting pot of street entertainers, panhandlers, and hustlers, Las Vegas City Council members finally reached a unanimous solution that aims to balance the constitutional rights of performers and the party ambiance of the Fremont Street Experience with public decency laws and safety considerations. Commencing Nov. 1, the five-block pedestrianized area under the Viva Vision light canopy will feature designated six-foot "performance" circles within which buskers, costumed characters, and others will be required to confine themselves. The ordinance that the various interested parties today finally agreed on also requires performers to register, for free, with the city and to remain at least 100 feet back from official concerts, among other provisions. Access to the roughly three-dozen performance rings will be assigned daily via a random lottery system and individual performance stints will be limited to two hours. It sounds like an administrative nightmare, but time will tell...

Update on Ellis Island Coin-Cashing Promo:

The ever-intrepid Queen of Comps has been in training for a couple of weeks so that she was able to carry her enormous stash of coins out of the house, but finally she made it to Ellis Island to see if their September coins-for-cash/freeplay bonus is as good as it appeared to be on paper. And the answer is a resounding yes, although there are a couple of caveats worth noting. Check out Jean Scott's latest post at Frugal Vegas for all the details (and maybe post a "thank you" to a great-grandmother for doing all the legwork for us!)

G2E Gets in on the Foodie Frenzy:

While traditionally the annual Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas has been the launchpad for all things gaming, from showcasing new slot machines and table games, to introducing the latest in surveillance, card-shuffling, or iGaming technology, this year's event will see a whole new dimension with the debut of the Integrated Resort Experience (IRE). This new component focuses on all the other aspects of a contemporary resort-casino, including: hotel accommodation (or what the official blurb designates as "sleeping rooms"), dining, bars, and nightlife; spa and fitness facilities; meeting and event spaces; and entertainment venues. In addition to showcasing the latest in everything from hotel furnishings to A/V equipment, industrial kitchen equipment to aromatherapy potions, there will also be fun stuff to do, like daily competitions featuring celebrity chefs including Wolfgang Puck and/or Daniel Boulud (we've seen conflicting reports), Buddy Valastro, and Steak Shapiro, plus mixology demos and even fashion shows by CINTAS. Unlike many trade expos, G2E, which runs Sept. 29 to Oct. 1, is open to the public, but for a fee, which starts at $299 for a three-day Exhibit Hall & Seminar Pass, which includes access to the new IRE component.

Secret Italian Debuts at Red Rock Tonight:

By "secret" we don't mean as in the nameless, hidden, cult pizza joint at Cosmopolitan, but rather that there's been very little fanfare about the arrival of the latest dining upgrade from Station Casinos, which comes in the form of Salute, set for an ultra-soft opening tonight at Red Rock Resort. A traditional Italian restaurant from third-generation Neapolitan Chef Luciano Sautto, signature dishes include ossobuco raviolio, chicken piccata, and truffle tagliatelle, plus there's an expansive antipasto bar offering classic appetizer fare, together with fresh seafood and an array of vegetarian options. The decor features lots of natural wood, with an entryway of imported Italian marble. The restaurant takes the spot formerly occupied by Terra Rossa and marks the conclusion of a $35 million dining upgrade at the Summerlin resort (which has also totally revamped its race and sports book and is still in the midst of a spa makeover); a $20 million upgrade at sister property Green Valley Ranch, on the other side of the valley, remains ongoing. Salute comes from the CliQue Hospitality group, also behind Chef Brian Massie's two Hearthstone venues (one also at Red Rock Resort, the other on W. Charleston) and will be debuting CliQue Bar & Lounge sometime "this winter" at Cosmopolitan, we just discovered.

Psychopaths and Corpses Wanted:

Evil Dead - The Musical, the award-winning slasher-movie parody that's now in its fourth year (in 4-D!) on the Strip, is holding auditions in light of some upcoming expansions for the production. The producers are big supporters of the Las Vegas community and, hence, only local residents, of both the male and female variety and aged 18+, need apply. Other criteria for applicants include the ability to sing (if you read music it's a plus, but it's not a deal-breaker if you don't) and comedic timing, plus you need to love having fun on stage. Interested parties should submit a resume and headshot (we think they'd still like it to be attached to your body at this juncture, but they don't need to see that part) to Sirc Michaels Productions at sircmichaelsproductions@gmail.com. Auditions will be held in person and will be by appointment only. No video submissions, please.

Another STAR for Planet Hollywood:

It has just been announced that Lionel Richie will be joining Britney and JLo at Planet Hollywood for a mini-residency starting on April 27, 2016, with 20 dates set through Oct. 12. Ticketmaster, Live Nation or Total Rewards members will have access to pre-sale tickets on Thursday at 10 a.m., while tix will become available to the general public on Friday at 10 a.m. Tickets start at $59.

Bob Dancer on When It Ain't Worth Fighting Over:

In life, it's generally wise to pick your battles and sometimes it makes more sense just to walk away, especially when you've just had a four-day winning vacation comped by a casino and the bone of contention amounts to $1.80 in "missing" Tier credits. Still, it could have been more, and lessons to be learned from this week's Bob Dancer column -- and believe* us, there are always lessons to be learned -- include the need to remain vigilant at all times and never to trust someone who says, "Trust* me," especially in a casino. *Ed: Note deliberate choice of wording.

Immortalize Yourself at Cosmopolitan:

Even prior to opening, the Cosmopolitan has been a supporter of the arts, with programs ranging from its 2010 "Wallworks" parking-garage graffiti project, to the poolside "Sunset Sessions" showcasing up-and-coming musical talent, to hosting the avant-garde "ARTrageous Vegas" fashion event. Now, what we believe is the only Las Vegas resort-casino to feature an "artist in residence" program, is offering guests the chance to get interactive and leave a permanent mark with a project from New York artist Shantell Martin. Commencing tomorrow, Sept. 16, and running through Oct. 11, the area of Cosmo's P3Studio will feature Martin's "Record & Play" project, featuring a lab where visitors are invited to enter, leave behind some object that represents them (from a fingerprint, to a lock of hair, to a found object, or whatever feels appropriate), record their story in the "Who Are You" booth, and even talk to and have their portrait drawn by the artist. There will also be a "You Are You" booth where guests can experience the autobiographies of previous guests. Interesting.

Downtown Gets Real (World), Maybe?:

According to DTLV.com, the information site dedicated to all things news-and-rumor-wise regarding downtown Las Vegas, rumors are swirling that MTV's reality show "Real World," which has previously had series hosted at the Palms and the Hard Rock, may well be returning to Sin City, but this time to a new location, as-yet-to-be-disclosed (our instant gut reaction upon reading the story was the D, but who knows?) We'll keep you posted if the gossip translates to reality (no pun intended).

Monsters of the Deep Coming to Shark Reef:

A collection of polymer-preserved sea creatures -- the largest of its kind in the world -- will be coming to Mandalay Bay's Shark Reef attraction on Oct. 1 as a temporary but extended-duration exhibit, to be on display through Oct. 2016. "Sea Monsters Revealed: Aquatic Bodies" features an 18-foot, 3,000-pound whale shark, a 15-foot-long mako shark, and a giant sunfish among a collection of 18 full-body sea creatures, plus an array of smaller specimens, from crustaceans to octopuses, and even a collection of 150 individual organs, all preserved using a technique known as "plastination". The exhibit will be located adjacent to the main Shark Reef Aquarium and tickets will be $12, or $5 with purchase of a ticket to Shark Reef.

Gay PRIDE Week Events:

The official parade is this Saturday (more of that to come), but events kick off today, with a mandatory meeting for at least one representative from all parade contingents in the Apollo Ballroom at Alexis Park at 7 p.m. Now for the fun stuff: Location: Piranha Nightclub (4633 Paradise Rd.) hosts "La Noche at the Tropics" tonight from 10 p.m., with DJs Virus and Fantasy. Wednesday sees the regular Gay Family PRIDE bingo fun fundraising event at Alexis Park, with all ages welcome (the event's been going since 2005 at various venues around the valley, and for awhile was obliged to institute a 21+-only age restriction, but no more!) "SNAPI Hour", with food and drink specials, runs in the Pegasus Lounge from 6-7 p.m., then the bingo balls start rolling out as 7 p.m. promptly in the Ballroom, so don't be late! Bingo packets (11 games including cover all) are $10 at the door; raffle tickets are 10 for $5. As if that's not enough fun for one night, you can follow up bingo with the "Rockin' Rainbow Underwear Party" at Charlie's (5012 Arville, Ste. 4) from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., with an open bar for all boys in the undies. On Thursday, Sept. 17, Share, Las Vegas' only gay strip club, hosts the official PRIDE Boy’s Party from 10 p.m., with no cover, big name DJs and emcees, and an outdoor carnival with a 3-D LED wall. Check the official

MNF Vikings/49ers:

In tonight's second Monday Night Football game, the Minnesota Vikings are -2.5 favorites over the San Francisco 49ers. The total is 41.5 and here's where to catch the game if you're a Niners or a Vikings fan.

MNF In -- and Out -- of the Vegas Strip Clubs:

Our adult sister site, ToplessVegasOnline.com, has a great round-up of Monday Night Football parties in the city's gentlemen's clubs (check out the awesome deals at Déjà Vu Showgirls), plus our other sibling, LVASports.com, has our traditional -- and newly updated for 2015 -- Team Bar listings. We have a total of 32, with 13 "bar-less" teams, by our reckoning, so if you know of one that we missed, please drop us a line. Anthony Curtis just set out on the first of his annual odysseys in search of the best bar and casino MNF parties, so stay tuned for updates.

MNF Eagles/Falcons:

In the first of tonight's Monday Night Football double-header, the Philadelphia Eagles are -3 favorites over the Atlanta Falcons. The total is 55.5.

Ride-Shares Get the Thumbs Up:

The saga of ride-share services, like Uber and Lyft, has been a long and tortuous one, especially in Nevada, where they have faced staunch opposition from the Taxicab Authority, among others, today moved a step closer toward resolution, with both Uber and Lyft being granted approval by the Nevada Board of Transportation to operate in the state, the latter's provisional on some amendments to their insurance disclosures and legal liability. The next step is for the creation of a legal operating framework by Clark County to regulate the issuance of driver business licenses, a process set to get underway at a meeting Tuesday. Officials at McCarran International Airport are also working on plans to enable ride-sharing drivers to pick up passengers from the airport, with insiders predicting that the two app-based services could be operational by the end of next month.

New Sin City Promo from Smashburger:

Gourmet burger chain Smashburger continues its love affair with Las Vegas with the launch of the Sin City Burger, which features their standard Angus burger, topped with applewood-smoked bacon, a fried egg, haystack onions, signature house sauce, and melted American Cheese, served in an egg bun, and to celebrate they're holding a contest with the prize of a trip for two to our fair city. Entry is simple as all you're required to do is share a tip on Instagram or Twitter that helped you survive your last trip to Vegas, using #SinCitySurvivalTips, but they're looking for outside-of-the-box thinking, so get creative (you can check out the contest page on the official Smashburger website for inspiration. (You might also want to investigate LVA's own Reader Poll Archives for previous surveys on your personal hangover cures (8/14/13 and 6/4/08); "naughtiest thing you've done in Sin City" (11/6/13, with copious confessional feedback in the QoD Archives 11/25/13); getting sick in Sin City (5/7/14); or the most "only-in-Vegas" thing you've ever done here (09/05/07).) Good luck!

Evil Dead -- the App:

Evil Dead - The Musical, the campy splatter-movie parody that's been bringing comedy mutilation to V Theater for almost four years, has now launched a mobile game called "Splatter Zone," available both for Apple and Android users. As far as we can tell it's free to download and play.

db Brasserie Extends Locals Love:

The nightly Oyster Happy Hour at db Brasserie (Venetian) has been going for a while now, featuring $1 west coast bivalves while supplies last, along with a regular happy hour from 3-6 p.m. and late night from 10 p.m. to close (weekends included), but they've now extended the 30%-off-for-locals offer through Dec. 30 (not applicable to happy hour items), just fyi, if you have valid ID.

SNF Cowboys/Giants:

The Dallas Cowboys are -6 favorites over the New York Giants in tonight's Sunday Night Football game. The total is 52.5.

Men's US Open Finals Line:

Novak Djokovic is a -145 favorite over Roger Federer in the U.S. Open men's tennis final. Djokovic is ranked #1 to Federer's #2, but Federer has a slight edge in matches between the two, 21-20.

Burlesque Roulette:

If you didn't catch Friday's "Sinfusion" fest at Velveteen Rabbit (or even/especially if you did), there's plenty more where that came from, with a double dose of downtown titillation this weekend courtesy of Burlesque Roulette at the Artifice (1025 First St.). The show's at 9 p.m., with $10 cover -- click the link for more info and check out ToplessVegasOnline for an overview of Las Vegas' vibrant neo-burlesque scene and reviews of all the regular shows and top acts in and around town.

Football Deadline:

You have till kick-off today to get your contest picks in. The best of them are "Airin' it Out" at Aliante with a $25 entry fee and "Gridiron Glory" at Station, which is free. You can start playing the Station contest after today, but you lose value every week you miss (this was covered in the September LVA). The other worth playing is the free "Pick the Pros" contest at Boyd casinos, but this one is independent week-to-week, which means there's no season-prize equity to consider.

Mayweather/Berto Line:

Floyd Mayweather is a prohibitive -2800 favorite over Andre Berto in tonight's championship fight. The take back on Berto is +1400. The total is 11.5 rounds, over -240.

Sayonara Sensi:

Tomorrow is the last day of operations for Sensi at Bellagio, the sustainability-minded Asian-fusion restaurant from Executive Chef Roy Ellamar that introduced a roof-top herb garden to the Strip resort. The venue will be closed through mid-December for a complete makeover, reopening as a new concept named Harvest, which Ellamar describes in an open letter on the resort's website as "where land meets sea, and simplicity meets sensational" and as "the reinvention of locally-sourced rustic cooking."

Woman's US Open Finals Line:

Flavia Pennetta is a -240 favorite over Roberta Vinci in today's US Open woman's tennis final. Vinci defeated Serena Williams in the semi-finals to prevent Williams from going for tennis' Grand Slam in this match.

Players Ante Up for Big Contests:

The Golden Nugget's football contest, Friday Football Showdown, attracted 87 players. It's the most expensive in town with a $2K entry fee. The deadline for the Westgate's SuperContest with its $1.5K entry fee is 11 a.m. this morning. At last count there were 1,550 entrants.

Last Hurrah (for 2015) at Sapphire Dayclub:

With the end of summer in sight, Sapphire Gentlemen's Club is, characteristically, going out with a bang, and offering free drinks today for Selfie Saturday followed by a "Bon Voyage" open bar and BBQ from 3-6 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 13.

Sinfusion Friday at the Velveteen Rabbit:

The sultry Velveteen Rabbit venue downtown (1218 S. Main St.) hosts a night of Sinfusion burlesque tonight, with doors at 8 p.m. and a $10 (cash-only) cover. The show starts at 9 p.m., starring the "Nymphet of Burlesque" Lolita Haze, plus a bevy of other local underground talent of the tease variety. 21+ only, obviously.

Palms Farms Out Casual Dining Ops:

From the beginning of November, management of the buffet and coffee shop at the Palms, plus room service and employee dining facilities, will be out-sourced to contractor Sodexo, it was disclosed recently to employees. The move follows a trend among Las Vegas resorts to turn over high-volume eateries to third-party operators, although some, like Station Casinos, have experimented with outside franchisees only to revert to house-run brands.

Comedy Coming to Rocks Lounge:

Red Rock Resort has announced a new comedy series coming to Rocks Lounge, hosted by Carla Rea. The new events will take place on the third Saturday of each month at 8 p.m., commencing with Mark Curry on Saturday, Oct. 17. Other acts announced so far include Orny Adams (Nov. 21), Hal Sparks (Jan. 23), and Justin Willman (Feb. 20). Tickets for all shows are priced at $25 and $35 and go on sale for Mark Curry on Sept. 11.

FREE Freaky Friday Screening Tonight:

Huntridge Circle Park (1251 S Maryland Pkwy.) hosts a free screening of 1976 fantasy comedy Freaky Friday. These complimentary summer al fresco movie shows are sponsored by local businesses and commence at sundown, as opposed to a fixed time, so you make the call on when to be there!

LAVO Casino Club Debuts Today:

Last month it was announced that LAVO, the hip eatery and celebrity hangout at Palazzo, would be reinventing itself as LAVO Italian Restaurant & Casino Club, offering live blackjack and craps on the second level and multiple TV screens for sports fans throughout (see Today's News 8/20/15). This weekend marks the grand opening opening of the collaborative effort between the LAVO/Tao nightlife brand and Venetian/Palazzo, with a Showtime pre-fight party hosted by Stephen Espinoza tonight, followed by the Grand Opening celebration on Saturday, hosted by Joe Manganiello, and a football viewing party with Shawne Merriman on Sunday. In addition to live gaming, guests will be able to place bets and play casino games on their Apple and Android devices thanks to Venetian's partnership with CG Technology.

RIP Kerry Simon:

It's with much sadness that we report the passing of "Rock 'n' Roll Chef" Kerry Simon who, we understand, finally lost his valiant battle with MSA, a rare and incurable form of Parkinson's disease, Friday morning. Simon, who was 60, has been a major force on the Las Vegas dining scene and a supporter both of LVA, via a long-time exclusive offer for our members at his eponymous restaurant at Palms Place, and of our Eating Las Vegas restaurant guide (about which we hope to have some good news in the not-too-distant future). He will be missed.

Rock Shot Bingo at GVR Tonight:

It's the monthly bingo-with-booze session at the original home of Station Casino's Rock Shot Bingo tonight, with doors/registration at 8 p.m.; the game starts at 9 p.m. and runs for around an hour. Aimed at the 21+ millennial crowd, the night features a live DJ and club-like ambiance, with a top prize of $1,000, plus free shots for the whole table when someone wins. The buy-in's $25, which includes 10 games/30 electronic cards.

TNF Patriots/Steelers:

The New England Patriots are -7 favorites over the Pittsburgh Steelers in tonight's Thursday Night Football game that opens the 2015 NFL season. The total is 50.5.

Vegas Food & Wine Fest:

Tickets for tonight's and Friday's events are sold out, but there's still limited availability on Saturday and Sunday for the Vegas Food & Wine Fest, so get yours now before they're all gone, if you wish to sample an array of food and beverage options from some of the valley's top culinary and mixology talent.

Football at Via Brasil, with FREE Shots:

Via Brasil Steakhouse in Summerlin is screening the Patriots v. Steelers game tonight. Wear your team's jersey (or borrow one) for a free shot with every touchdown they score.

Aliante Contest Sign-Ups Closing Soon:

One of LVASports' picks for the best football contests this year is at Aliante, and sign-ups close at 9:30 a.m., Sunday Sept. 13, so don't miss out. Entry is $25 for the $100,000 "Airin' It Out" contest (by three, get one free), with weekly, quarterly, and season-end prizes -- click the link for more info and Frank B's analysis.

Las Vegas This (Multi-Cultural and Culinary) Weekend:

Vegas doesn't sleep, in fact it doesn't even snooze or take naps, so brace yourself for another monster weekend of diverse entertainment options, free and paid, inside and out, with a distinct Mexican flavor, ahead of Independence Day Sept. 16, plus a touch of Island culture, pancakes, and a picnic! Whatever you choose to do, have fun! Orleans is hosting the 2015 Wrestling Championships (9/7-12) The Big Blues Blender fest returns to Vegas, this year hosted by the Plaza (9/10-13) It's the 18th annual A.C.T.S. Talent Show Safe Nest benefit night, with members of the advertising and media industry showing off their hidden talents at Santa Fe Station ((9/11) Elevate performs at Hard Rock Live (9/11) Mandalay Bay hosts the M.E.N.U.S. at The Beach fundraiser (9/11), with Hollywood Undead (9/12) and El Tri (9/13) at the House of Blues, while the Event Center welcomes Luis Miguel (9/12) and by Juan Gabriel on (9/13) Cashman Field Center welcomes the annual Harvest Festival (9/11-13) Westgate Las Vegas brings you Heavyweights of Comedy (9/11) South Point features the Home Improvement & Backyard Expo (9/11-13) Red Rocks "In It's Entirety" continues with Chicago IX - Chicago's Greatest Hits. (9/11), plus the Vegas Food and Wine Fest is in full effect (9/10-13) Marco Antonio Solis will perform at the Axis, Planet Hollywood (9/11), followed by Chayanne (9/12), and Ricardo Arjona's Viaje Tour (9/13) Nashville Unplugged returns to Sunset Station with Ruston Kelley (9/11) There's more pole dancing at the Hard Rock, courtesy of the Pole Show LA Las Vegas inside The Joint (9/11), with the Growlers taking center stage at Vinyl (9/11) Ramon Ayala's at Eastside Cannery (9/11) Sam's Town welcomes Real MMA - Mixed Martial Arts (9/11) and the Stand Up Stars & Stripes on (9/12) Smashing Alice is center stage at Babes Rockin Sports Bar (9/11) while Master of Puppets perform the following evening (9/12) Bee Gees tribute band Stayin' Alive plays at South Point (9/11-13) The Cosmopolitan welcomes The Metro PCS Friday Night Knockout (9/11) It's the World Championship Taco & Salsa Festival 2015 at the Rio (9/11) You can catch Alejandra Guzman at The Pearl inside the Palms (9/12) Texas Station brings you the Almost Manilow tribute to Barry (9/12) The Banda El Recodo will be in the spotlight at Brooklyn Bowl (9/12) Smith Center welcomes Beethoven & Brahms at Reynolds Hall (9/12), with the free Picnic by Design at Symphony Park (9/12) Backstage Bar & Billiards features DJs Ronnie Radke (Falling In Reverse) and Dan Arnould of A Static Lullaby (9/12) It's fight night at MGM Grand with Floyd "Money" Mayweathers vs Andre "The Beast" Berto (9/12) Henderson Events Plaza welcomes the Ho'olauele'a Pacific Island Festival (9/12-13) Jay White brings his Neil Diamond tribute to Suncoast (9/12) Justin Moore's center stage at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center (9/12) Rock Fantasy perform at the Silverton (9/12) Fremont Country Club will host the Pancakes & Booze Art Show (9/12) It's a Bike Party with the Mark Alan Band at Red Rock Harley Davidson (9/12) UNLV Rebels vs UCLA take over Thomas & Mack (9/12) And Enrique Iglesias will perform at Caesars Palace (9/13-14)

Celine and JLo Won't Like This:

During last night's performance of Piece of Me at Planet Hollywood, Britney Spears put fans out of their misery by confirming that, after some deliberation, she's decided to stay put in the Axis Theater for two more years, and will be revamping the show. According to gossip site TMZ, Britney's record-breaking ticket sales also enabled her to negotiate a pay rise, whereby she's now receiving a staggering $475K per show, just $1,000 short of what Celine Dion -- the highest-paid performer in Vegas -- reportedly earns at Caesars Colosseum, and could in fact end up topping Celine once merchandising revenues are taken into account. But that's not all: The pop princess has proved such a box office blockbuster that she was apparently offered first pick on dates for her 2016/'17 shows, meaning JLo was left to choose her dates from what was left over.

Farmers Market Offers Free Food (and Fun) for Kids:

This Saturday, and running through the first week in October, the weekly Fresh 52 Farmers Market at Tivoli Village is collaborating with POP (Power of Produce) Club to inspire kids to try healthy foods via the Two Bite Club and activities including the chance to try new foods, chat with and pose their questions to producers, and take part in fun stuff like scavenger hunts and crafting. They'll also receive $5 in POP money to spend at their discretion at the market, which runs from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. every Saturday at the Tivoli Village location (as far as we know, the Sunday Fresh 52 markets at Sansone Park Place on the east side are not participating in this program, which is all made possible thanks to sponsorship from Chipotle, so congrats to all for all those who are taking part and offering this cool incentive for children.)

Pole Dance Contest at Hard Rock Tonight:

At 6:30 p.m. tonight, The Joint at the Hard Rock is to host the Pole Classic Competition & Pole Star Showcase, featuring the world's best female -- and male -- aficionados competing for pole supremacy. The event is open to all (aged six and over -- no, that's not a typo) although parental discretion is advised as the performances will feature "mature content". Tickets are $54.95, plus tax and if you don't print your ticket in advance (or if you do and then lose/forget to bring it), there's a $10 "green fee" to reprint. Check the official website for some other restrictions that apply and to purchase tickets to the event.

Cosmic Cocktails at Neon Museum:

On Friday, Sept. 18, from 6 to 9 p.m., the Neon Museum (the recent pick by TripAdvisor's "Flipkey" blog as the Nevada Museum "worth traveling for") is hosting a al fresco stargazing cocktail party, giving attendees the chance to watch the transition from dusk to nightfall against the backdrop of the illuminated Neon Boneyard and then observe the night sky with a variety of telescopes. The $75 ticket includes cocktails and light bites provided by a range of downtown eateries and "cosmic" sounds courtesy of a DJ from "Sight & Sound" events. Places are limited for the intimate event, so reserve your spot now (note that tickets are non-refundable). Must be 21+ to attend.

Stupendous Sept. Sports-Betting Update from LVASports:

Yes, it's our sister site so we're biased. But hell, LVASports wouldn't be a cherished member of the family if we didn't have MUCH respect for Frank B's brain and expertise and he's nailed it yet again with this month's overview of exactly what you need to know in the sports-betting universe, from which casino has the best players card promo in September, to the implications of the latest ruling in New Jersey, to which will be next casinos to release sports-betting apps, to the lowdown on the upcoming High Stakes Fantasy Draft Weekend at Caesars Palace, to where to catch the next boxing showdown (with naked boobs) for free, to updates on all the various football contests being offered in Las Vegas, including the odds of hitting the $100K bonus at Ellis Island. (Okay, we'll give you that one, just to whet your appetite and so you don't get hit by flying pig while you're trying to figure it out: that would be 1 in 860,821,664,604,538,000,000, give or take a few trillion). And there's more -- a LOT more -- and it's all just FREE for the taking, so what are you waiting for?!

An Online Gambling Superpower is Born:

The £5 billion (approx. $7.68 billion) merger of leading online sports-betting sites Paddy Power and Betfair is now a done deal, creating one of the biggest online-gambling sites in the world, employing more than 7,000 staff and more than $1.8 billion in sales. Paddy Power Betfair will have its corporate HQ in Dublin, Ireland and, despite the joining of forces, will continue to run the separate brands in the UK, Ireland, and Italy.

STOP PRESS: Downtown Grand is Hiring RIGHT NOW!:

In keeping with the property's recent promise of change, some of which has already come to fruition in the not-particularly-welcome form of bar closures and a downsizing/relocation of the pit, today's much more positive news is that the downtown hotel-casino is hiring. The only downside is that we only just learned of this fact and the job fair is in effect right now, but you have until 3 p.m. today to register online, don your best interview outfit, and get your butt down to the Mob Bar.

World's Largest Hooters on Display at Palms:

By Hooters, we refer to the "breastaurant" chain famed for its ... chicken wings, and by "on display," we mean the indoor component of the new 15,200-square-foot location at the Palms, which has quietly opened for business ahead of its planned September 14 grand opening. The split-level venue, which includes an outdoor patio area that opened back in June, now accommodates up to 420 guests who, in the unlikely event that they find themselves with nothing to look at, can distract themselves with around 50 TV screens or some video poker. Current hours are Sunday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., with hours extended by an hour at both ends of the day on the weekend. The entrance is near east parking garage and the full menu is available here.

Atlantic City's Revel Resort for Sale ... Still/Again?:

All has been quiet on the Revel front for some months now, and we confess to have been missing the volatile antics of owner Glenn Straub, but today comes word that he is indeed looking to sell the property, as the editor of our business blog, Stiffs & Georges, was informed by a source close to Straub back in early June. The source for the latest news to that effect is Straub nemesis ACR Energy, the on-site utility provider with which he has been locked in conflict since his purchase of the beleaguered property was finally consummated in April and which, as reported by NJ.com, claimed in a recent court filing that Straub's Polo North company is refusing to pay for energy services "while it tries to flip the nonoperational complex to a new buyer." The filing further claims, dramatically, that Polo North has eschewed negotiation in favor of "knock-down-drag-out war," while Straub has claimed to be moving forward with a plan to install a solar energy facility at the site. Where this leaves Revel's existing tenants, including HQ nightclub, Ivan Kane’s Royal Jelly Burlesque Nightclub, and an array of dining and retail outlets, remains unclear -- in June a court ruling upheld the validity of their existing leases, under which Revel is obliged to provide access to utilities including electricity, hot and cold water, plumbing, gas, and other amenities, but around the same time it was also reported that ACR had defaulted on almost $120 million in municipal bonds and was on the verge of going belly up. We await the next installment...

Tighter Slots - The Poll:

In light of a recent study into the effects on their bottom line of casinos offering less generous pay schedules, we've been canvassing the experiences and thoughts of our readers; if you haven't yet voted, you only have until midnight PST, so don't wait a moment longer!

BA Flight Catches Fire Dramatically on McCarran Runway:

From the photographs and video emerging online, it looks like a miracle that all 159 passengers and 13 crew members made it off the plane to safety when a British Airways 777 bound for London's Gatwick Airport caught fire prior to takeoff late this afternoon. Details about the incident are still emerging, but it appears that a fire started in the left engine as the plane taxied on the tarmac, prompting the crew to abort takeoff as plumes of thick black smoke engulfed Flight 2276 and those on board escaped via inflatable emergency chutes. On-site firefighters were able to douse the blaze within minutes and no major injuries are reported, although the latest report we've seen has 14 people being transported to area hospitals, mainly for injuries incurred during the emergency de-planing although paramedics also evaluated some of those on board for respiratory distress.

EDC Dates and Ticket Info Announced:

Listen up, all you electric daisies, as the dates for the 2016 Las Vegas festival have been announced. Hosted again by Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Electric Daisy Carnival is set to run June 17 through 19, with tickets going on sale Sept. 21 at noon. They tend to sell out fast, so bookmark lasvegas.electricdaisycarnival.com and set your alarm clock. The talent lineup has yet to be announced but with next year's event marking the 20th year since the festival's inception, we have a feeling it could be even bigger and more star-studded than ever.

A (Real Life) Vegas Strip Club Story:

ToplessVegasOnline editor Arnold Snyder recently hosted a table at the Palomino for some professional gambling buddies of his, a species that prides itself on making disciplined financial decisions based on the expected (monetary) value of any wager or investment and on being immune to irrational or emotional flights of fancy. Many of them are also notorious stiffs (of the tipping variety, that is): in other words, a stripper's worst nightmare. So, when hunter and prey encountered each other (in the former's natural habitat), who do you think the smart money was on, and what do you think went down? All is revealed at ToplessVegasOnline in "The Dancer vs the Professional Gambler."

Bad News for Fans of The Who:

Due to an "unspecified virus" contracted by lead singer Roger Daltrey, The Who has postponed its farewell tour stop that had been scheduled for The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on Sept. 19. The other three opening dates of the world tour have also been canceled. If you purchased tickets using your credit card, it will automatically be refunded; those bought with cash can be refunded at the point of purchase. Details of new dates for the four canceled shows will be announced in due course.

Bob Dancer on Playing Progressives (or Not):

An interesting, and what to many may be a surprising column from our video poker guru this weeks, as he discusses the pros and cons of playing video poker progressives, and generally comes down on the "no" side. For his reasoning, which is both multi-faceted and logical, check out this Tuesday's column, exclusively at LasVegasAdvisor.com (and for more expert gambling tips and an array of interesting guests don't forget Bob's podcast, "Gambling with an Edge," co-hosted by fellow gambling expert and author Richard Munchkin, broadcasting live from 10 to 11 a.m. every Tuesday at vegasallnetradio.

On-Again, Off-Again Burger Joint is On Again:

There's yet another status update regarding the Las Vegas arrival of celebrity-owned and reality-TV-starring burger chain Wahlbugers, first announced with much fanfare a year ago. Since rumors initially circulated that Sin City would be the recipient of a Wahlburgers location, status updates have included everything from news that the first outpost would be one of at least three Vegas venues, to disappointment at the obvious lack of progress on the initial location, slated for Bally's Grand Bazaar Shops, to word that the entire had idea was completely off the menu. Now the story has come full circle and, while the anticipated "early 2015" debut for Wahlburgers at Bally's obviously did not come to pass, apparently it's all on again, with an opening now planned for later this year, preceded by a store selling branded merch. The restaurant itself will be a 5,000-square-foot homage to the brand's flagship operation in Hingham, Mass., including features like a walk-up window and 600-square foot outdoor patio, or so the official release proclaims. We've seen no explanation, to date, regarding the schizoid reportage the brand and its arrival/non-arrival have generated, so we'll just sit back and see what happens next.

Ohio St./VA Tech Line:

In tonight's marquee game of the first week of college football, Ohio State is a -13.5 favorite over Virginia Tech. The total is 52.5.

-105 at Westgate:

Once again this year, the Westgate will offer -105 pricing (bet $105 to win $100 as opposed to the standard $110/$100) on Thursdays. In the past it's been limited to college and NFL sides only (no totals). It will be available beginning this Thursday, from 3 p.m. to close.

Wrestling Worlds at Orleans:

The World Wrestling Championships began today at the Orleans and will run through next Saturday. It's the first time since 2003 that the event has been held in the U.S. and as many as 100 countries are expected to compete. Among the U.S. contingent are 2012 Olympic champion Jordan Burroughs in freestyle and Nevada's Bryce Saddoris in Greco-Roman. Day passes begin at $34.

No-Chance Bonuses:

With the NFL football contests about to begin, it's good to know what you're getting into before spending time and effort to enter. In a good article titled "Mission Impossible" at LVASports.com, Frank B shines a light on some contest "bonuses" that have virtually no chance of being hit. LVASports also has a complete list of this year's contests, some of which close entry this week and others that will run all season long.

Golf Courses Close for Maintenance:

The Cascata course is already closed for the annual "overseeding' ritual, reopening Sept. 14, while Rio Secco closes today for the same reason and is set to reopen Sept. 20. Potentially permanent is the closing of the Silverstone Golf Club. The course has been sold and the new buyer has not yet indicated whether or not it will be reopened.

Happy Labor Day:

The casinos are busy for the end of the three-day weekend. There aren't many specials advertised today, though you can get free White Castle hamburgers while playing the games at El Cortez from noon to 6 p.m. The Boyd casinos have a multiplier day, but it's open to everyone only at Suncoast and Sam's Town; at all other casinos it's restricted to locals living in the zip code range of 89000 to 89199.

The Art of Card Counting - One Part Smarts, One Part Discipline, One Part Fake Beard:

We may have erred on the proportions, so don't trying mixing this recipe at home, but that's the gist of a recent feature by The Daily Beast on the World's Greatest Blackjack Player and author of the acclaimed Blackjack Blueprint, now out in a revised and updated second edition, with additional features including: how to get reimbursed for airline tickets; negotiating and optimizing rebates on gambling losses; hiding chips and disguising wins (the fake 'stache and earrings aren't just for your face, metaphorically speaking); security issues while on blackjack-related websites; protecting your personal privacy when making large cash transactions at casinos, and more.

Upgraded Center Bar Debuts at Hard Rock:

We just learned via a tweet from Gambling with an Edge podcast co-host and author Richard Munchkin that the famous Center Bar at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, closed for remodel back at the end of June, is now back in biz, and it's purple! A quick visit to the hotel's own website revealed some recent posts in the build-up to last Friday's re-opening, where they share a couple of pics plus a slew of cocktail recipes, some new, some from old returning favorites. Still no update, at least not as far as we've heard, with regard to what will take the place of nightclub Body English, which closed a few days after the Center Bar.

Kansas and BOC Downtown:

Downtown's "Rock of Vegas" summer concert series concludes tonight with Kansas and Blue Oyster Cult. The free concert begins at 9 p.m. on the 3rd Street Stage.

Vegas Reporter Gets College Desk:

Yesterday marked the debut of former Las Vegas sportscaster Doug Kezirian as the co-host of ESPN's College Gameday radio show. Kezirian joins Colin Cowherd as former Vegas news guys hitting the big time on sports radio.

Monster Monthly Promo Round-Up:

Looking for deals this weekend? Jean "Queen of Comps" Scott has posted her monthly overview of the most notable players club promotions and changes, plus the usual miscellaneous array of handy tips and insights (like where to cash in the contents of your coin jar -- not for a fee, but for a free-play bonus!). It's a two-parter, not least since some information was not yet available when she posted Part I, and some changes are still in progress, so keep checking back for more September updates from "Frugal Vegas".

Downtown Labor Day Bash:

The Downtown Container Park is throwing a family-friendly Labor Day party today, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., with live entertainment for the grown-ups, plus $5 lunch specials, games on the lawn, face painting, and free gifts for the first 100 kids who attend (preferably with parents, in fact that's almost certainly a necessity, although the flier doesn't specify).

Via Brasil Gets Family Friendly:

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Summerlin's Brazilian steakhouse offers an all-you-can-eat rodizio-style brunch for $24.99, featuring more than 50 dishes, but if you have hungry (kid) mouths to feed, note that during the summer, children under 10 eat and drink for free from 3-9 p.m. on Sundays, with the purchase of one adult rodizio dinner, plus they get a free coloring book (so if you don't have a hungry child or your own, we suggest you borrow one!)

UFC Johnson/Dodson:

Demetrius Johnson is a -600 favorite over John Dodson in tonight's UFC main event. In the other featured match, Andrei Arlovski is -155 over Frank Mir.

Judds at Venetian:

The Judds are coming to the Venetian. In what's being advertised as their first stage performance in nearly five years, Naomi and Wynonna Judd will play nine shows in the Venetian Theater running Oct. 7-24.

Tryst Closing for Renovations:

Tryst, the powerhouse nightclub at Wynn Las Vegas, will reportedly close just after Halloween to undergo a major renovation. The club is expected to be closed for up to six months.

Shuffle Your Luck at Stations:

This September, weekends see a "$2 Million Shuffle Your Luck" giveaway at all Station Casino locations.Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from September 4 through 26, players who've earned five Boarding Pass base points can play the Shuffle Your Luck game at the Boarding Pass Rewards Kiosk for a chance to win up to $10,000 cash, slot free-play, points, dining, and more. Select a cup, reveal a prize, then choose to keep or "shuffle" for a bigger reward, culminating in a possible $10,000 cash jackpot on Sunday, Sept. 27. See the players club for more details.

Strip Club Psycho-Midget Wrestling:

We just knew we'd missed something out from our roundup of weekend entertainment highlights and here it is: Tonight and tomorrow, Larry Flynt's Hustler Club hosts the "Half-Pint Brawlers" for two nights of what is billed as "Psycho Midget Wrestling." For locals, entry's free but you can find out from ToplessVegasOnline.com how anyone can obtain locals privileges at this and every gentlemen's club in Las Vegas (note: it takes time and it's too late as far as this weekend is concerned), which is also offering complimentary bottle service if you simply fill out their online form. ToplessVegasOnline.com is also your one-stop-shop for the rest of this weekend's Sin City strip club events, including UFC 191 viewing parties. As an aside, the new Fuso nightclub upstairs at Hustler will be hosting the second "Mob Dinner" event later this month, hosted by former mobster Salvatore Polisi and featuring a meal, one-man play, and Q&A session. GA tickets are $135 (plus fee), or upgrade to VIP ($220) for a more intimate experience.

Surprise Buyer for Bwin.party?:

After a four-month tug of war and an apparent mid-July resolution, that seemed to herald a $1.4 billion success for 888 Holdings in the battle to buy Bwin.party, it now appears that all bets are off (or at least that one) with word that rival bidder GVC Holdings may have triumphed with a new $1.7 billion cash-and-share offer, according to Bloomberg. While analysts observe that it ain't over till it's over, Bwin Chairman Philip Yea is quoted as saying that "As far as we’re concerned it’s the end of the process. GVC have been very determined. They have worked very hard to catch up" with the original 888 offer. Time will tell.

Las Vegas This Labor Day Weekend:

Here are your entertainment highlights and we figure there's pretty much something for everyone in the mix this holiday weekend: Hard Rock hosts Primus and the Chocolate Factory with The Fungi Ensemble and guest Clutch in The Joint (9/4/), where Incubus performs the following evening (9/5-6); Friday Night Live at the Pool features Skid Row (9/4); and Anuhea performs at Vinyl (9/4) The "Get Live Sketch, Standup and Improv Comedy" features a showcase local and out of town talent at The Onyx Theater (9/4) Elevate takes center stage at Hard Rock Live on the Strip (9/4) It's First Friday downtown (9/4) MGM Grand features UFC 191: Johnson vs Dodson, with comedian/commentator Joe Rogan performing in the KA Theater (9/4) The Australian Pink Floyd Show with Led Zeppelin 2 will perform at Mandalay Bay Beach (9/4); eNVy Showcase is at House of Blues (9/4), with Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers (9/5), and Tom Petty and Bob Seger tributes The Petty Breakers and Rock N Roll Never Forgets (9/6) Jack Ingram performs at Santa Fe Station (9/4) South Point welcomes comedian Rob Schneider (9/4-6) and for firearm enthusiasts, there's the Rocky Mountain Gun Show (9/5-6) The Yawpers are in the spotlight at Backstage Bar and Billiards (9/4), where Funkathon: Jimi Jackpot & The Hot Slots perform the following evening (9/5) It's Classic Movie Night featuring Jaws at the Henderson Pavilion (9/4) The End on Spring Mountain will host Liquid Red Las Vegas Uniform Fetish Party featuring XXX Star & Dominatrix Caroline Pierce (9/4) Henderson Harley Davidson welcomes All Fur Love Animal Society 2015 Whiskers and Tail Motorcycle Run (9/5), while "Wines and Wags" is the theme this month for Bottles for Barks at the Village Lake Las Vegas (9/5) Mick and The Stones tribute band are poolside at Downtown Grand (9/5) Cosmopolitan welcomes HeartBeat Weekend: Kevin Heart & Friends at The Chelsea (9/5), with Drake hosted by Kevin Heart at the Blvd Pool the following evening (9/6) Cashman Field Center hosts the first-ever public Las Vegas Golf Show (9/5-6) Love Removal Machine and Outta The Back take center stage at Babes Rockin Sports Bar (9/5) Silverton welcomes the LV Craft Show (9/5) The Flamingos are at the Suncoast (9/5-6) The Guess Who perform at Cannery (9/5) The Autumn Blood Drive takes place at Clark County Library (9/5) Noches Calientes perform Live Salsa Music at Gold Coast (9/5) Kansas & Blue Oyster Cult are center stage on Fremont Street (9/6) And Russel Peters performs at The Pearl inside the Palms (9/6)

Crowds Expected for Labor Day Weekend:

That's a statement of the obvious and the hordes are already arriving, with what traditionally marked the end of pool season and drew huge crowds seeking one last summer hurrah remaining a huge pull even though "daylife" remains in full swing well into October these days. According to the LVCVA, some 315,000 visitors are expected (with up to 60 percent of them arriving by car, so expect delays getting into and out of town if you're not already stuck in traffic...) and the city's hotels will be almost full to capacity. Still, while this weekend dwarfs some of the other "busy" calendar landmarks, like NASCAR (pulls around 120,000 race enthusiasts), the Consumer Electronics Show (170,000 geeks), or Electric Daisy Carnival (200,000 ravers), it's about on a par with Super Bowl weekend (307,000 football fans) and is dwarfed by New Year's Eve (340,000 revelers).

Final Vampire Diaries Convention Looms:

This Sept. 18-20, the Rio will again host the Vampire Diaries Official Convention, with this year's being the final event. The three day fanfest will feature special appearances from cast members of "The Vampire Diaries" and "The Originals," including Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley, plus a concert, costume contest, Karaoke party, merchandise for sale, and much more so, undead fans, check out the official website for the full lowdown (and be sure to read the instructions before purchasing a ticket). The most economical options include a $30 pass for Friday's events or a $110 for 3-day GA admission.

Grand Prize Drawings at Boyd Saturday:

Saturday, Sept. 5, sees the culmination of Boyd Gaming's 40th anniversary drawing promotion, with the Grand Prize Giveaway grand finale. There's some discrepancy as to when the drawings take place -- their own literature states both 5 p.m. and 5:15 p.m., but there's a consistent rule that you must activate all drawing entries that you've earned to-date by 4:45 p.m. Saturday, and we suggest you're on property at 5 p.m. to be on the safe side. Four winners at The Orleans, Gold Coast, Suncoast, and Sam's Town will each be selected for the chance to win a share of more than $400,000, with one Grand Prize Winner set to take home the $40,000 jackpot.

New Pit-with-a-View at the Plaza:

The changes are coming thick and fast from downtown's Plaza, with management now fully licensed and in charge of the property's gaming destiny, the latest addition being a new "party" pit that debuts tonight in a spot formerly wasted on some blah retail outlet. Now, gamblers can enjoy street-level floor-to-ceiling views out onto the Fremont Street Experience, not to mention the people watching on Main Street (where there's seldom a dull moment). While other downtown casinos boast openings onto Fremont Street, the casino floor tends to be set back and the wide-open entrances are designed more to beckon you in to the mouth of the whale than to offer pure exterior entertainment. The Plaza's version features wall-mounted flat-screen TVs and a disco ball, too! The new pit is on the left of the main entrance, i.e., on the opposite side to the Beer Garden.

Area Eateries Introduce To-Go Option:

To busy/tired/lazy/gastronomically challenged to cook? No prob! The five Vegas Valley Distill, Elixir, and Remedy's restaurants have introduced a new to-go service on weekday nights, comprising all you need for a family meal for four (including plates and utensils, so it's like a picnic in your own home, with no dishes to do afterwards!) The service is offered Monday to Friday, from 4-10 p.m., for $35, and includes soup or salad and a different hearty entree daily, including: baked penne pasta with house-made meat sauce (Mon.); chicken & steak fajitas (Tues.); chicken cordon bleu; (Weds.); pot roast (Thurs); and BBQ ribs & chicken (Fri.). [We note the official release emphasizes that 'To-go service is ... take-out only.']

¡Viva Ska Vegas! Returns:

Local rock periodical Smash Magazine is bringing the celebration of ska music back to Vegas for the fourth time, with a November 7 event at Hard Rock's Vinyl. Featuring a lineup of eight bands, including Hub City Stompers, Voodoo Glow Skulls, Interrupters, Buck-O-Nine, Left Alone, Oceanside Sound System, A OK’s, Two Tone Lizard Kings, Jr. Ska Boss, and Selecta Scream, plus DJs. With doors at 5 p.m., ¡Viva Ska Vegas! is an all-ages show (bar service for those 21+ up with valid ID, only, however) and tickets are on sale now for $20 ($25 day of show) at smashmagazing.com or vivaskavegas.com. (A limited quantity of VIP packages are also available for $110 and include two reserved admission tix, a table for two, two event t-shirts, two posters, and some other memorabilia.)

College Football Season Begins:

The start of this year's college football season is less than an hour away, with South Carolina a -1 favorite over North Carolina. Other big games today are Utah -5 over Michigan and TCU -16.5 over Minnesota. There are also big schedules of college games on Friday and Saturday, then the NFL starts next Thursday.

Stations Bet Big on Cali:

Work is underway on a $175-million expansion and upgrade to Northern California's Graton Resort & Casino, which debuted late 2013 and is operated by Las Vegas-based Station Casinos on behalf of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria. The closest full-service casino to the Bay Area is to finally to gain its own 200-room hotel tower, plus additional non-gaming amenities, meaning it will no longer be dependent on contracts with neighboring hotels to accommodate its guests. The project is slated for completion late 2016.

BIG Screen Unveiled at SuperBook - WOW!:

Anthony Curtis and LVASports' Frank B already had a sneak preview of the new giant screen that's part of the multi-million dollar ongoing upgrade to the Westgate's SuperBook, which will also see the addition of a central bar, but now it's on view for the whole world to see and it's pretty darned impressive and the largest indoor screen of its type in the world. For information and expert insights as football season approaches and beyond, check out LVASports.com and follow @LVASports on Twitter for constant updates and finds from the road, as Frank B will be all over this.

Absinthe Won't Be Absent from Life is Beautiful:

The rapidly approaching downtown music-and-lifestyle festival will again feature a one-of-kind performance from the cast of Absinthe, the adult circus (for want of a better description) that has long been resident at Caesars Palace. The performance, now a traditional element of the LiB lineup, will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26 in the Downtown Container Park.

Brady's Back as Judge Overrules 'Deflategate' Suspension:

In a surprise move, U.S. District Judge Richard Berman on Thursday overruled the four-game suspension meted out to New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady for his alleged role in so-called "Deflategate" scandal, meaning Brady is now free to play his team's season opener. The NFL came in for sharp criticism from the Judge Berman for its handling of the case.

Avicii Axes Encore Gigs:

Resident DJ Avicii has cancelled the remainder of his shows at XS and Encore Beach Club in Las Vegas, plus scheduled appearances in China and Japan, in order to "take a break after a busy festival, tour, and production schedule" (and, he noted in the official statement, so that he can "grow up"). It's the second time in two years that the Swedish superstar has wiped out all engagements like this, but apparently he plans to return to the decks in 2016. For now, the balance of gigs at Encore will feature appearances by other headlining talent including Diplo, Skrillex, Dillon Francis, and Zedd. Those with tickets to the six September/October dates may obtain a refund through wantickets.com or attend these events, at their discretion.

New Slot Tourneys at Plaza:

The downtown casino has launched a series of weekly "777" slot tournaments that run Wednesday to Friday, with sessions every two hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entry fee is $10, or 2,500 points, per session, with $700 in slot free-play awarded to the top five winners at each session, while runners-up through 10th place receive a "spin to win" drawing ticket.

Hump Day Hot Dogs:

We were so overwhelmed by the new $45 burrito challenge from Rockhouse (Venetian) that we totally missed their new Hump Day Hot Dog menu. Wednesdays only, they're now offering some interesting variations on the humble hot dog (although you may still purchase a regular 'Plain Jane' for $1.50). The dozen new dog flavors include: the Buffalo Bill ($2), feat. hot sauce, bleu cheese, and ranch dressing; the Philly Dog (also $2), topped with sautéed bell peppers, mushrooms and onions, and covered in cheese sauce; and the Barbie ($3), which is covered in pulled pork, cheddar cheese, and barbecue sauce

New Lifeblood for Deadwood?:

The Rapid City Journal reports an ambitious new regeneration plan for South Dakota's Black Hills tourist/gambling town, with some major urban renewal projects possibly in the works for Deadwood. If they gain approval, upgrades would include the addition of new outdoor parks and a focal space named "Outlaw Square" (designed to emulate Rapid City's Main Street Square), where historical reenactments, concerts, farmers markets, and other communal activities would take place. The plan comes with a price tag of approximately $9 million and follows July's introduction of new games to the historic gambling enclave, which saw bettors wager $1 million within the first month of legalization on the new keno, craps, and roulette games and boosted the casinos' collective table-game action by 14 percent.

White Party at STK:

The steakhouse at Cosmopolitan will host its third annual White Party this Sept. 14, hosted by TV personality Gretchen Rossi. The venue will be transformed into a "Hamptons-style beach villa" for the event but it's by invitation only, so the most the hoi polloi can hope to glimpse is what is promised to be a star-studded white carpet, from 9 p.m.

Adult Film Fest Coming to Vegas:

We already have a mainstream film festival, which just recently took place downtown, plus Vegas has been hosting the annual Adult Ent. Expo and AVN Awards for forever; now the two will come together, so to speak, with the announcement that Las Vegas is to have its own Adult Film Festival, with the inaugural event set to take place Oct. 16-18 at Cashman Field Convention Center. In addition to daily screenings and an award show (featuring categories much like those of the AVN Awards), there will be a stage/runway for fashion shows, live entertainment (including music shows of the hip hop variety), plus giveaways and more. Submissions are open for movie makers, while tickets to attend will be $10 for individual screenings or $75 for an all-day wristband (complimentary admission is offered daily for disabled attendees). Visit the official AFFLV website for more info and for full submission guidelines; not that all attendees must be 21+ and that no alcohol will be served or tolerated at the event.

Mirage Test Runs Drink-Voucher System:

We've heard of this system being in operation elsewhere, but learned this morning via blogger Vital Vegas' appearance on KNPR's "State of Nevada," that the Mirage is now experimenting with an electronic voucher system that decides when a gambler has played enough to warrant a complimentary drink which, in his case, playing quarter video poker, turned out to be once an hour. The drink vouchers are valid for 24 hours but are not popular, either with players or bartenders/cocktail waitresses, the latter who will likely see a reduction in tips thanks to the new arrangement.

Free Comedy Central Show Tonight:

Comedienne Shayma Tash is shooting a Comedy Central show tonight at downtown's Inspire Theater. Tickets are free if you're willing to go through a not-too-tough registration process at showtickets4locals.com. The show shoots from 9 to 10:30 p.m.

Airfare Sale at Spirit, Too:

The budget airline that prides itself on offering no frills, but no hidden fees, is also holding a sale right now, we learned from a helpful Twitter follower. Must book by 11:59 p.m. September 2. (Note that separate fare tariffs apply for Spirit's "$9 Fare Club" members and for the general public.)

The D Takes the Pis:

Surprise! The "headliner" at the D is a statue that will stand at the northwest corner entrance. The statue is a larger version of the artwork from Brussels Belgium called Manneken Pis ("Little man Pee" in Dutch), that depicts a naked boy urinating into a fountain. The Stevens brothers, who own the D, are of Belgian descent and the statue is both a nod to that heritage and yet another sure-to-be popular photo op that will serve to promote the D. "I don't get it," commented Anthony Curtis upon the unveiling, but now he says it's beginning to make sense in the whole PR scheme of things. "That's why Derek owns casinos and I write about them," Anthony conceded.

New (Secret) Headliner Coming to the D:

It's only going to be secret until 1 p.m., so stay tuned; in the meantime, enjoy this hilarious video tease from Derek Stevens and the team at the D and stay tuned for the update -- Anthony Curtis is on-site and an invitee to the official-announcement event.

Dancer on Maximizing Casino Promos:

"Intelligent gambling consists of making a series of smart moves. Some of them pay off. Most don't. But I like the chances of those players who are always seeking and finding ways of gaining an extra edge," writes video poker pro Bob Dancer in this week's column. To gain an insight into what that means, using the specific example of some recent promos that Bob took advantage of, check out the full article.

PT's Upgrades Two Taverns:

The PT's Tavern locations at S. Decatur Blvd. and the 215, and at Lake Mead and Rampart, have recently undergone a remodel, including the addition of USB chargers at the bar seats.

Southwest Sale:

Today through Thursday, Sept. 3, Southwest Airlines is holding a fall airfare sale, with discounted flights to/from destinations around the country, including flights from Las Vegas to select California cities starting at $63 (one-way) and to most other destinations for under $200. Visit the official website for a complete list of routes and fares and full terms and conditions. Travel must be between September 8 2015 and March 3, 2016.

New $45 Burrito-Eating Challenge:

The latest restaurant to throw down the "we dare you to attempt this" gauntlet is Rockhouse at Venetian, with the "Rock Out With Your Guac Out Challenge." The four-pound burrito is filled with carne asada, pico de gallo, sautéed onion, green chilies, cheddar cheese, fries, and lettuce, all wrapped in three 12-inch flour tortillas and topped with sour cream and guacamole. It costs $45.00 to enter the challenge; complete the mission to finish it in 20 minutes or less and the burrito is free. According to our reckoning, this brings the total number of eating challenges in town to 28.