This morning we ran a test run of our new Weekly Poll feature, which will actually kick in next week. We needed to find where the glitches were before it went "live" for real but don't worry -- if you already voted (thanks!), your vote will still count and will be added to the results when we launch for real, which is due to be next Wednesday September 5, so remember to check back then. A new poll will be launched each week and you'll have until Sunday night to vote, then the results will be presented the following Saturday in the Question of the Day spot.
Don't forget to tune in to Travel Channel tonight if you missed the new "More Vegas FAQs" and "More Vegas Do's and Dont's" shows that aired on Sunday -- or if you didn't, but just want to catch 'em again. Both feature LVA and friends.
South Point's Fever Nightclub, which celebrated its grand opening less than two months ago, will become the South Point Showroom on September 1 with no more bottle service, no more velvet ropes, and a cover charge on Tuesdays only. A South Point spokesman cited lack of interest on the part of the casino's clientele as the reason for the switch.
"Hello" to back to school, LAX, and Blush. "Good-bye" to wearing white and Light. It's Labor Day Weekend and in Sin City that means one last "Hurrah!" to the final three-day weekend of the summer. In addition to the usual array of music events occurring all over town, party goers will have the chance to check out two swanky new nightspots. The Luxor continues its transformation with the grand opening of LAX on Friday night hosted, allegedly, by Britney Spears. Blush, at Wynn, will also open its doors to the public for the first time this holiday weekend. Cruise on over to the Bellagio for a final farewell to Light, which will close its doors on Sept. 3rd for an extreme makeover. The Pimpin' at the Palms weekend features Kid Rock in concert at Pearl on Friday night and the Pimp 'n Ho costume ball at Rain and the Palms Pool on Saturday.
If the wallet's a tad light and you're looking for free fun, we've got that as well. Take your pick from free movies and live music at The District in Green Valley, a Spanish Horse show at the South Point Arena or the Bubblegum Bonanza fest at the Cannery with live performances by The Archies, Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods, and others.
We are pleased to announce the winner, or rather winners of the new LasVegasAdvisor.com home page photo competition. Thank you to everyone who participated -- we received some great pics and it was tough choosing an outright winner. So tough, in fact, that we actually picked three, whose photos will appear in rotation. The winners are: J. Robb, R.A. Wilson, and Jeffrey Kraynak and you'll be able to see their handiwork very soon, as we plan to launch the new-look site later today...
If you're one of the many sufferers from static shocks in Las Vegas, keep checking back for updates to today's QoD, as lots of fellow sufferers are writing in with some interesting solutions to the problem, which we're posting as we get 'em.
To celebrate Labor Day, Las Vegas locals will receive a $10 discount on tickets to The Ronn Lucas Show on Monday, September 3. The family-friendly comedian-ventriloquist performs at Luxor's Atrium Showroom with a 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. show on Labor Day.
To receive the $10 ticket discount, locals must present a valid Nevada drivers license at the Luxor Box Office. Any parent redeeming this offer may also use the discount for children under the age of 12.
The Las Vegas Monorail is celebrating Labor Day weekend with an afternoon of activities, entertainment, and prize giveaways at each of the Monorail's stations. On Saturday, September 1, free Monorail rides are available for all locals all day when you present a valid I.D. Free live entertainment for tourists and locals alike will run from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
After six years, Light nightclub at Bellagio will host a final party for employees and guests tonight, prior to closing for a complete renovation. Doors open tonight at 10:30 p.m. and everyone's welcome, plus the venue will remain open to the public until September 2, when it will shut down until 2008.
US Airways Vacations is offering travelers up to $50 off their flight/hotel packages to Las Vegas when they book a minimum three-night Las Vegas vacation today through September 15, and complete travel by October 31. Visit usairwaysvacations.com or call 800/455-0123 for more information and quote promotion code LAS25.
According to the latest travel trends survey by Carlson Wangonlit Travel Associates, Las Vegas continues to top the list of domestic fall destinations, ahead of Orlando and Honolulu.
The number of travelers with valid passports continues to rise, with Caribbean cruises topping the list of international destinations, followed by Cancun, Mexico, and Rome, Italy.
Sheldon Adelson's due to open his new resort today, another Venice-themed project that cost an estimated $2.4 billion and is housed in the second largest building in the world. Cirque du Soleil will be producing a show for the resort, which also features a 15,000-seat sports arena, 1.2 million square feet of convention space, plus shops, dining venues, and of course, the casino.
Don't forget that today and tomorrow VegasInsider.com is holding a free handicapping seminar at Red Rock to preview the college and NFL season. The sessions will be hosted by VegasInsider.com's general manager Peter Gold and Station Casinos v-p of sports book operations Art Manteris, and will feature several local and national sports handicappers including Ken White of Las Vegas Sports Consultants, Brent Crow, Steve Fezzik, Andy Iskoe, Marc Lawrence, Bruce Marshall, and Tim Trushel.
The event kicks off at 10 a.m. today and expect it to be packed, although there may be standing room for walk-ups. If you're unable to make it, the whole two-day session should be available at VegasInsider's radio archives.
Watch this space for a totally revamped LasVegasAdvisor.com, with all the old features you know and love, plus a whole heap of great new content, including a mobile version that you can access via any Web-enabled cell phone, weekly polls and surveys, video, and much more. We expect the site to launch this week.
Want to get a Vegas fix? Check out your local Travel Channel all day today. It's Las Vegas Day on Travel Channel, including new shows later tonight.
Tickets go on sale today for the smash-hit and Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Jersey Boys, which is due to open at the Palazzo Resort in Las Vegas on April 4, 2008. The show, which features the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, continues to set weekly box office records in New York and will be staged in Las Vegas by the original Broadway creative team.
Ticket prices, exclusive of handling fees, start at $65 and go up to $135, with VIP packages available. They can be purchased by calling the Venetian Box Office at 866/641-SHOW or online at www.VenetianTickets.com
The network's holding an open call tomorrow at the Strip property for a new series called "Phenomenon," billed as an "American Idol" for illusionists and mentalists. Criss Angel, who's due to star in a future Cirque show at the Luxor, has been signed as a judge and host of the show, which will be staged either in LA or Las Vegas.
For details of the open call, email casting producer Alicia Good at [email protected]
Beginning tomorrow, Saturday, August 25, the Travel Channel will begin a week of Las Vegas shows, including re-runs of several of those that feature Anthony Curtis and other Huntington Press authors. Plus, Sunday sees the debut of two brand new shows, "More Vegas FAQs" and "More Vegas Dos and Don'ts," which again feature Anthony and other members of the LVA family.
Our next Vegas TV weekly guide, which you'll find a link to on the home page, will go "live" at midnight PST tonight, so be sure to check it for details of the upcoming Travel Channel schedule, plus all the other Vegas/gambling shows and movies on TV next week.
The South Point hotel-casino has begun a $95 million expansion to meet demand for more convention space and hotel rooms. Apparently, the project will include a 25-story, 830-room hotel tower, almost 10,000 square feet of conference space, two new restaurants, and three bars. The latter are due to open by the end of the year. The hotel tower's scheduled for completion next summer.
Downtown's $5.5 million streetscaping makeover will be celebrated tonight with an event that kicks off with live music at 7 p.m. and includes a lighting ceremony with Mayor Oscar Goodman at 7:45 p.m. The activities will take place between Las Vegas Boulevard and Seventh Street.
Throughout the month of August, the Silverton's been running the "Treasure Seeker's II" promotion, which culminates tonight. Every Friday and Saturday there's been a drawing for various cash prizes contained in chests at the bottom of the aquarium, but the grand prize of $250,000 has yet to be won and is still in the mix, so tonight's drawing offers the greatest chance for someone to win the quarter-million dollar top prize.
The drawing's at 8 p.m. and ten winners will be selected by randomly drawing "Treasure Seekers" tickets. Must be a registered Silverton Player's Club account member to take part. New sign-ups are welcome.
Las Vegas has a little bit of everything going on this weekend. For starters, you can head on downtown for the Fremont East Dedication party on Friday night and join the mayor as he lights up the night. Beyond that there's an eclectic mix of music makers to choose from including -- from Sha Na Na (Suncoast) to Beyonce (MGM Grand) to INXS (The Joint). And for something completely different, you can take in an Ultimate Fighting match at Mandalay Bay or grab your partner and do-si-do your way on over to the Old Time Barn Dance at the Charleston Heights Arts Center
The Rampart Casino is partnering with the Ultimate Blackjack Tour® (UBT) to host a series of blackjack tournaments during Monday night pro football games this season. The events will be held inside Addison's Lounge and guests will have the chance to play in the tournament and catch the football action on their big screen TV.
The UBT tournaments will be offered over the course of 14 weeks, beginning September 10 and running until December 17. The entry fee's $50 per player with each week's winner receiving $1,000 and an entry into the final tournament, to be held on December 17. Nearly $20,000 in prizes will be awarded during this final event, with the winner receiving a free entry into the next UBT Tour stop in Las Vegas (valued at $2,700).
Joey & Maria's Comedy Italian Wedding dinner show debuts tonight. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with show starting at 6 p.m. It's $89 inclusive for the dinner and show -- must be 21+. It's scheduled to perform Thursdays and Fridays but as of now, that's all we know.
Due to popular demand, both of the Tropicana's current exhibits, which were due to end Labor Day, have been extended through the end of the year.
Following yesterday's tease that something would be announced this morning, Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. and AEG have just unveiled plans for of an approximately 20,000-seat, privately financed, state-of-the-art sports and entertainment arena, to be located one block east of the Strip on 10 acres of land behind Paris and Bally's that is part of the current Harrah's land holdings.
Projected to open in 2010, the venue will apparently also feature private "hospitality centers," luxury suites, club seats, and an array of amenities, gourmet food offerings, and entertainment options.
In preparation for her new show at Caesars Palace, which is set to debut February 20, 2008, the "Divine Miss M" and award-winning choreographer Toni Basil held auditions for female dancers on Monday and Tuesday of this week at The Colosseum.
The show will feature the "lively, feel-good choreography" of Basil, a Las Vegas native, whose movie credits include Legally Blond and My Best Friend's Wedding.
The lastest casino drama to hit the airwaves will be based not in Las Vegas, but in Laughlin. CBS' new fall show is described as "a dramatic TV series with music" and will feature the complicated life of a good guy/bad guy would-be casino operator named Ripley, played by Lloyd Owen, choreographed to a soundtrack of songs from the '70s, '80s, and '90s.
The show's due to premiere October 18 after "CSI" and then move to a regular Sunday slot from October 21.
Dubai World is investing heavily in MGM Mirage. The Middle Eastern company will pay $2.7 billion for 50% ownership of MGM's metaresort, Project CityCenter, and another $1.2 billion for 14 million shares of MGM Mirage stock. The $3.9 billion in cash will give Dubai World a nearly 10% ownership stake in MGM Mirage. Dubai World is a holding company that manages the business and investment portfolio of the government of Dubai, one of the seven United Arab Emirates.
As of August 27th, Rampart Casino in Summerlin will be reintroducing live poker with four new non-smoking tables on the gaming floor. A variety of games from hold'em to stud will be offered, along with a range of limits.
Following fast on the heels of recent news that the Tropicana's remodel will be delayed due to the current financial climate, comes the announcement that the $95 million purchase of Hooters hotel-casino has been "slowed" for the same reason.
A spokesman for Hedwigs, the prospective buyer, stated that the deal is not at risk, but that the current capital market condition "changes the pricing." The company has until Nov. 15 to pay the next $1.5 million and Hooters cannot enter another agreement before that date.
It's just been announced that Harrah's Entertainment will be unveiling the next stage in its plans for Las Vegas at a press event to take place at Bally's tomorrow morning. Watch this space for developments.
The date of the implosion of the New Frontier is November 13, according to Steve Friess' Strip Podcast Blog. Steve has proven to be a great source of breaking news via his blog at www.thestrippodcast.blogspot.com and his podcast at thestrippodcast.com. He's also the author of Huntington Press' most recent book, Gay Vegas.
Chicago, one of the most successful US groups in rock history, will return to the Hollywood Theatre inside the MGM Grand from October 18–31 (dark October 21 and 28). To purchase tickets, priced at $75 and $100 inclusive, call 702/891-7777 or 800/929-1111.
James Packer's $2.75 billion expansion plans for his Macau casino business have been hit hard by the turmoil in US credit markets, which has shut off new lending for the casino business in the city.
Nervousness in the US lending market means the Melco PBL Entertainment joint venture partners will have to ditch plans for $1.5 billion of the loan, which was to have been raised in the US markets.
Fresh off of dominating "The Next Best Thing" competition on ABC, Las Vegas' talented corp of Elvis impersonators have struck again at the "Ultimate Elvis Tribute" in Memphis. Both Trent Carlini ("Next Best" winner) and Donny Edwards made the top three in each, while the "Ultimate Elvis" winner was Shawn Klush from Legends in Concert.
Net income at Atlantic City's 11 casinos fell 34 percent in the second quarter, giving the industry its second consecutive quarterly drop, as reported in Forbes magazine. Net revenues fell 6.1 percent and gross operating profit dropped 19 percent in the April-June period.
Sheldon Adelson's Las Vegas Sands Corp. has officially confirmed its interest in building a gambling resort in Massachusetts, the billionaire's native state. Adelson's one of the growing number of casino tycoons to take an interest in Massachusetts as Gov. Deval Patrick prepares to make a decision on whether to open the Bay State to expanded gambling.
As the top-end casino nightclubs continue their endless jockying for market share, word comes that the next renovation will be at Tangerine at TI. Tangerine is set to close on September 1, then be remodeled and reopened under a new name and concept.
According to a study just released by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, the following intersections are the city's most dangerous, so take extra care when negotiating these hot spots:
#1 Buffalo Drive and Warm Springs Road (35 collisions between January and July)
#2 Charleston and Decatur Blvds.
#3 Tropicana Avenue and Koval Lane
#4 Tropicana Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard
#5 Las Vegas Boulevard and Flamingo Road
#6 Las Vegas Boulevard and Sands Avenue
It's been announced that Pamela Anderson will extend her run as magician Hans Klok's glamorous assistant through December 8. Hans Klok -The Beauty of Magic will also add a Wednesday show to the weekly performance schedule. Beginning October 3, shows will play: 8 p.m. on Wednesdays, 7 and 10 p.m. on Thursdays, 8 p.m. on Fridays and 7 and 10 p.m. on Saturdays.
Today's edition focuses on four of Las Vegas' latest big restaurants: B&B Ristorante at the Venetian, Joel Robuchon at the Mansion at MGM Grand, and Guy Savoy and Rao's at Caesars Palace. B&B and Enoteco San Marco are two recent openings at the Venetian.
Columbia Sussex has announced that it will delay its remake of the Tropicana until at least 2008, due to the current financial climate. Plans had called for a $2.5 billion mixed-use project that would comprise five hotel towers and 10,000 rooms.
The Hard Rock now offers $30 for $20 Win Cards. Buy in for $20, get a set of Win Cards (basic explanation/strategy for table games) and $30 in non-negotiable chips. First time Win Cards have ever been offered for more than the standard $15 for $10 deal. Offer is available once per year.
Harrah's, Las Vegas has been under lock-down since 10 a.m. this morning following a report from a security guard of a man carrying what looked like an AK-47 assault rifle. Subsequent extensive searches of the property have found no trace of the man and the current consesus is that it may well have been a toy that he was carrying. The garage remains closed while a floor-by-floor search continues, however, although we believe you can now enter and exit the casino once more.
Following the deal reached with the U.S. Attorney's office in Manhattan last month, Neteller has begun to allow the 250,000 consumers with positive balances to access to their accounts, which had been frozen since January following a federal investigation. So far, $70 million has been withdrawn.
Yup, believe it or not, another whole week's gone by. With the unofficial end of summer just around the corner it's a perfect time to relive the Summer of Love at Cannerystock, get in on the Inaugural Funk Fest, or let it all hang out the Midsummer Night's Dream Masquerade party at the Palms. So pick your poison and get out and enjoy one (or more!) of the many events Las Vegas has to offer this weekend.
The Orleans is awarding 2X points today through Sunday. Plus you can use earned points to get 75% off the buffet and 50% off meals in most of the casino's other restaurants. These promotions will be repeated next Thursday-Sunday.
Back by popular demand, the Cannery Casino has just announced the launch of season two of its poker league, which starts September 12 with registration now open at the poker room.
Players can put together a three-person team to compete against other teams over the course of a 20-week season. League players play live $3/$6 hold'em from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on their selected league night. The weekly league fee is $10 per player with 100% of the collected fees paid back in prizes at season's end. Players who are interested in participating but don't have a team can still sign up for the league and will be placed on teams that need an extra player or grouped into new teams.
Earn 500 points on your Club Coast card and get a free buffet at the Gold Coast. Unlike the deal at Station Casinos mentioned in a note below, this is a today-only offer.
As part of its ongoing "de-theming" program, the Luxor's buffet has changed its name from the Pharoah's Feast Buffet to MORE, The Buffet at Luxor. Times and prices remain the same.
The new Dick's Last Resort at Excalibur is throwing a tribute to the King tomorrow and is inviting all Elvis impersonators to don their blue suede shoes and sideburns for a contest that kicks off at 2 p.m., with a final elimination round at 9:40 p.m. Other entertainment will include Dick's own Elvis impersonator hosting an afternoon of karaoke, plus an Elvis cover band.
-Earn 200 Boarding Pass Points and receive a FREE Breakfast Buffet.
-Earn 400 Boarding Pass Points and receive a FREE Lunch Buffet.
-Earn 600 Boarding Pass Points and receive a FREE Dinner/Brunch Buffet.
-Not valid on Saturdays.
Guest keeps the points. See Rewards Center for complete details. Promotion is available at Santa Fe, Texas, Palace, Sunset, Boulder, Red Rock and Green Valley Ranch thru August 31st.
After 19 months of construction, it's just been announced that George Maloof's new 47-story Condo-Hotel and Spa has "topped out," with construction workers pouring the last of the 295 million pounds of concrete last Friday. The project continues to be on schedule for occupancy in early 2008.
According to figures just released by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, nearly 3.3 million people visited Las Vegas in June, a 4 percent increase on last year's figure. The rise is being attributed in part to visitors becoming more accustomed to high gas prices, which may have discouraged some potential travelers last year.
As reported by the Associated Press, Ford Motor Company is to deliver two ultra-clean hydrogen-fueled buses to the city fleet. With the delivery, Las Vegas will become the first city in the Western United States to receive the environmentally-friendly vehicles, a move made possible by a federal grant. They'll be assigned to express routes to and from the city's premium locations.
Today through August 31, win a free polo shirt at the Gold Coast for every completed Blackjack Bonus card. Every 18 blackjacks dealt in a 24-hour period completes a card. Full rules can be found in the casino pit.
As expected, the downtown Plaza is taking umbrage to the foregone conclusions of some that the former New Frontier will become the home to a new Plaza hotel in Las Vegas. Tamares Las Vegas Properties, owners of the existing Plaza, have filed a pre-emptive lawsuit citing several owned trademarks using the Plaza name. Elad Group, owners of the New Frontier property, has not commented.
If you enjoyed the recent QoD on Las Vegas' wackiest restrooms (7/31/07), here's a quick reminder that the show that inspired that question, "Top Ten Bathrooms in Vegas," airs tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. on the Travel Channel. And don't forget to check out our "Vegas TV" section (link on the home page under "Vegas Info") for the upcoming weekly schedule of all programming that features anything and everything Las Vegas and/or gambling. Be it a movie, poker tournament, celebrity cook show, magic spectacular, or gritty documentary, we list 'em all, so check it out and set your DVR.
The Nevada District Court (Clark County) issued a summary judgment ruling yesterday from the bench in the litigation between Riv Acquisition Holdings Inc. ("RAH") and Riviera Holdings Corporation ("Riviera"). The Court ruled that the three-year moratorium set forth in the Nevada Business Combinations Law does not apply to the RAH Group and also ruled that the voting limitations set forth in Riviera's charter do not apply to the RAH Group. The Court's ruling is subject to entry of a formal order.
Until 4 p.m. this afternoon, Huntington Press author Matt O'Brien will be signing copies of his acclaimed new title, Beneath the Neon, at the West Charleston Barnes & Noble, located at 8915 W. Charleston Blvd. (next to Whole Foods Market).
Although the UK's 2005 Gambling Act will permit approved online gambling sites to advertise on TV and in other media, the approval process has proved to be extremely stringent and beginning September, any online firm based in gaming hot spots such as Costa Rica, the Netherlands Antilles, and Belize will not be able to market in the U.K.
The government is still considering whether to give permission to firms based in Antigua and Kahnawake in Canada, which leaves the fate of Full Tilt, Bodog, and others up in the air for now, as far as marketing to the UK is concerned.
While Las Vegas' overall gambling revenues continue to grow, northern neighbor Reno is experiencing a similar fate to downtown Vegas, which has consistently failed to match its 2000 $1 billion figure, although revenues did climb back up to $940 million last year, after a drop to $870 million.
These figures come from a recent article in the Reno Gazette-Journal cited in the Las Vegas Sun.
The singer has canceled his scheduled concert at MGM Grand tonight due to sickness. All tickets purchased via credit card will automatically be refunded; otherwise, return to the point of purchase to get your money back.
If you're local or planning a return trip to Las Vegas, note that Jones is still scheduled to perform this Saturday through next Wednesday, plus he has dates set for September 20-26.
The off-Strip property, which has been missing a comedy club since the closure of Laugh Trax, has just opened a new venue. The LA Comedy Club is open nightly and features two comedians, both billed as being of "headlining caliber," in The Showroom at Palace Station.
The Club features two hour-long shows nightly, at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Tickets are $24.95 each and include either two drinks inside the showroom or a meal at the Palace Station Feast Buffet. Check out the listing in our "Comedy Clubs" section in Nightlife for the current schedule of performers.
As reported in an article in Forbes magazine, the Taiwanese government plans to follow in the footsteps of Macau and issue three casino permits in a bid to help promote tourism. The maximum charter period has been set at 20 years, with operators required to pay a fee equivalent to 40 percent of their revenue, according to the proposal. The stake to be taken by foreign investors will be capped at 60 percent.
According to recent research by discount travel company Hotwire.com, Las Vegas rates #8 in the nation for favored Labor Day holiday destinations, up from the number 13 spot last year. This places Vegas head of San Diego, but behind Chicago (#1), New York City (#2), and Atlanta (#3), among others.
Rocky Juarez will now get a shot to fight Juan Manuel Marquez for the WBC Super Featherweight Title on Saturday, Sept. 15, following Jorge "La Hiena" Barrios' forced withdrawal due to retinal injuries requiring surgery.
The fight will take place at MGM Grand and will be shown live on Pay-Per-View. Tickets, available now from Ticketmaster and the MGM Grand box office, are priced at $300, $200, $100, and $50.
If you're a fan of music from the 1980s you'll have a hard time picking your poison this weekend with a plethora of comeback band concerts to choose from. If not, there are plenty of other options to keep you busy in Sin City this weekend. Have fun, stay cool, and be safe!
Popular longtime Las Vegas comedian-ventriloquist Ronn Lucas, who's appeared previously at the Steve Wyrick Theater and the Rio, will officially open the The Ronn Lucas Show in the Luxor's Atrium Showroom Sunday, August 12. Performances are Saturday – Wednesday at 3 p.m. with an additional show at 1 p.m. Saturday and Monday. General admission is $29.95 (plus tax and fees) and VIP seating is also available.
As mentioned in this column yesterday, the 15th annual Casino Chip & Gaming Token Collectors Club convention is in town. The focal point is the show floor where collectors and enthusiasts of casino memorabilia, both past and present, can view anything and everything that has a casino logo on it. More than 100 vendors will be displaying, selling, and trading their wares, which include every kind of casino chip, slot club cards, TITOs, Silver Strikes, ashtrays, matchbooks, and swizzle sticks.
If you'd like to go along and aren't a member, a one-day CC>CC membership can be purchased at the door for $5. Convention times are 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m.-4:40 p.m. Friday, and 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday. For more information log onto www.ccgtcc.com.
The World Poker Tour has signed a five-year agreement with China to introduce tournament poker, despite the country's gambling ban. The nation's first ever national poker competition will feature the game of Tua La Ji (known as Traktor Poker in the US), which was officially declared a sport in China in 2002.
Foxwoods Casino, CT, has just announced an exclusive 5-year deal to simulcast horse racing events from the Hong Kong Jockey Club, allowing US horse-racing fans to enter into pari-mutuel wagering on races that will be featured live at the casino's Ultimate Race Book.
On October 10, the Mississippi Belle II will make its final voyage, bringing to an end the era of riverboat cruises that began in 1991. The Belle will be replaced by a $35 million land-based casino called the Wild Rose.
Iowa's eight other riverboat casinos are already permanently docked.
From now until August 30th, Fabulous Freddy's car washes are offering a free pair of Mesmerized tickets for anyone who buys a full service ($11.99), VIP ($18.99), or Freddy Special ($22.99) car wash. Simply show your receipt to the V-Theatre box office inside the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood to receive your tickets. Fabulous Freddy's has six outlets throughout the Valley -- click here for their Web site and a list of locations: www.fabfred.com/locations.htm
Mesmerized performs Saturday through Thursday (dark on Friday) at 10:30 p.m.
If you enjoyed the Web cam answer, we've just discovered another option. Log back on to today's QoD for the link.
Wynn Las Vegas announced an unexpectedly high second-quarter profit of $89.5 million, or 82 cents a share, compared with a loss of $20.1 million (20 cents a share) in the year-ago period. The jump is attributed in part to the new Wynn Macau casino, which opened in September.
Meanwhile, casino giant Harrah's posted an 85% jump in second-quarter profit, helped by an increasingly large number of visitors to its Las Vegas operations, combined with its recent purchase of several London-based casinos.
The video technician who allegedly hog-tied employees at the Soboba Casino in Riverside County, California last week and took off with $1.5 million in cash from the casino's vaults has been apprehended at an Executive Inn close to LAX.
Apparently, Rolando Luda Ramos was disguised with a wig when he was arrested at 3 a.m. Saturday and had stashed much of the money he'd stolen in a duffel bag in his room. He's currently being held without bail. To date, sheriff's officials have recovered $1.3 million of the $1.5 million taken from the casino's vault.
According to a report in today's San Diego Union-Tribune, people who regularly rode a Golden Acorn Casino shuttle from National City in May may have been exposed to active tuberculosis, as a casino patron with the disease often took the shuttle at that time. Anyone concerned that they might have been infected should consult their doctor or call the county's Tuberculosis Control Program at 619/692-8621.
Symptoms of active tuberculosis include persistent cough, fever, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss. Note that most people who are exposed to tuberculosis do not develop the disease.
For anyone interested in those collectible silver strike tokens, the Silver Strikers Club trade session takes place tonight from 6 p.m. at the Four Queens downtown. This is an adjunct to the 15 annual Casino Chip and Gaming Token Collectors Club Convention and Show, which will be holding subsequent events from August 9-11 at the Riviera.
It's just been announced that the second leg of Asia's North American tour has been canceled, including the Mandalay Bay Beach concert in Las Vegas scheduled for Saturday, September 1. Tickets can be refunded at point of purchase.
In the second mishap at the new casino-resort construction site in less than a week, part of a parking structure collapsed yesterday morning, but no injuries were reported, authorities said. Apparently, nearby residents reported hearing a rumble and feeling the ground shake as three levels of the parking lot collapsed on top of one another. Work has been suspended and the area roped off pending an investigation.
The incident follows tragedy at the Fontainebleau site just a few days earlier, where one worker died and two others were hurt after falling last Thursday morning from a 30-foot wall.
As part of the Luxor's ongoing upgrade, a new bar called Flight has just opened adjacent to LAX, the new nightclub. Flight's a 40-seat lounge, as well as a full bar, and is open 24 hours daily.
Tomorrow, August 7th, an unprecedented around-the-world relay -— the Blue Planet Run -—arrives in Las Vegas. The 15,200 mile, 95-day tour is being run by a colorful cast of characters, including a Scottish gardener, Japanese champion marathoner, and renowned jazz musician. Together, the 20-person team has traveled across 16 countries and 4 continents—all in the name of raising funds for safe drinking water.
The exchange point tomorrow, where one runner will hand off the baton to the next team member, will be at the Peppermill Restaurant (2985 Las Vegas Blvd) at 6 p.m. For more information visit www.blueplanetrun.org
Earn 500 points and receive voucher for a free buffet at Ports O'Call on Tuesday, August 7, Wednesday, August 15, Tuesday, August 21 and Monday, August 27. Good for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
A new Japanese restaurant called Hachi has opened at Red Rock Resort. It features a sushi bar and more than 30 varieties of sake. It opens daily at 5 pm.
The good sub shop at the Hilton is closed for a renovation. Signs say it will reopen in time for the football season, though not as a Vegas Subs. The Palms branch of Vegas Subs is also closed, soon to be a Nathan's. Too bad, they were good.
For one night only, actress, author, and former Playmate Jenny McCarthy will become the first celebrity dealer at the Palms' Playboy Club, dealing live blackjack from one of the Club's 10 gaming tables tonight. McCarthy, who has apparently undergone rigorous training for the occasion, will be dealing from 9 p.m.-midnight. Standard cover charge applies.
This Just In...A local television station mistakenly reported this morning that the big Fremont East District celebration was scheduled for tonight. It turns out we’ll all just have to wait until Friday, August 24 for the official Lighting and Dedication Party which will indeed feature live entertainment and an appearance by Mayor Oscar Goodman.
If you're suffering in the heat, don't forget there will be 25 tons of snow poolside (with sledding!) at the Palms today from noon to 4 p.m. to celebrate the launch of Miller Chill beer.
Las Vegas Sands Corp. has announced the opening date of the Palazzo as December 20 of this year. It's being positioned as "an extension of the Venetian," and as such will be "the largest integrated destination resort in the world, with 7,128 hotel rooms" (including the Venetian's).
The popular '80s all-female band has been added to the Mandalay Bay Beach concert line-up for Saturday, Sept. 29 at 9 p.m. Tickets go on sale at noon today and are $39.50 in advance and $45 the day of the show. For reservations call the Mandalay Bay box office at 702/632-7580.
The latest addition to Fremont Street's entertainment pantheon is the Real Action Stunt Stage. Located at the 1st Street intersection near the Golden Nugget and Binion's, the stage features live action performances nightly, including the Russian Bar, cube balancing, and a flying silk act.
Stunt performances go on nightly at 8:15 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. Riders of the Thunderdome perform Thursday through Saturday at 9:15 p.m. and 11:15 p.m. Live bands perform from the 3rd Street stage seven nights a week, times vary. Nightly shows on the Viva Vision screen appear at 8:30 p.m., 9 p.m., 10 p.m., 11 p.m., and 12 a.m. from August 1-18. Beginning August 19, the first show of the evening will be at 8 pm. All shows are free to watch.
In a statement released today MGM Mirage, the world's second-largest casino company, announced its profits rose more than analysts anticipated on increased condominium sales and higher spending at its Las Vegas resorts. Second-quarter net income more than doubled to $360.2 million, or $1.22 a share, from $146.4 million, or 50 cents, a year earlier.
What to do and where to go this weekend in our fair city.
Sign-ups have begun for the Palms' annual $300,000 football contest, with an early-bird special of $10 in free slot play (valid through August 26) and a buy three, get three free deal (six entries for $75). Visit the race and sports book for entry forms and more information.
This September 2-8, celebrity chefs including Wolfgang Puck, Tom Colicchio, Michael Mina, Bradley Ogden, and Carla Pellegrino will come together for a weeklong culinary event to support local food charity, Three Square, with Las Vegas' first Restaurant Week. In the tradition of similar events in New York, San Francisco, and Chicago, diners will have the opportunity to enjoy world-class cuisine at discounted prices ($50.07 per person for a three-course menu) and participating restaurants around town.
Yup, it's just been announced that Megabus.com, an intercity express bus service that offers travelers $1 fares, will begin service on August 8 from its new West Coast hub in LA to six cities including Las Vegas, Oakland, Phoenix/Tempe, San Diego, San Francisco, and San Jose. The $1 tickets (one-way) will always be available for a number of seats on every route, so you're encouraged to book early. Once all the $1 seats are gone, you'll have to pay competitive fares. Tickets can only be booked online at www.megabus.com, where you can also find details of schedules and routes.
This interesting tidbit just came in from MGM Mirage -- of interest to anyone planning a stay at the Monte Carlo. Apparently, when checking in, ask about the 32nd Club Floor and Lounge. For $35 extra a night during the week and $50 on the weekend, guests receive a "beautifully appointed" deluxe room on the 32nd floor, which comes complete with round-the-clock concierge service and VIP lounge access – where snacks and beverages are available all day long.
So it sounds like the $35 official version of the unofficial "$20 trick."
The Potowatami Tribe's new Four Winds Casino Resort will open today for media tours and at noon Thursday to the public. Located just off Exit 1 of I-94 near New Buffalo, the huge new casino-resort will include 130,000 square feet of gaming space, 3,000 slot machines, 110 table games, including poker, six restaurants, and a 165-room suite hotel.