Just a reminder to have fun but keep safe this New Year's Eve. If you're going to be drinking, remember that the CAT and Deuce buses will be offering free rides to and from the Strip on New Year’s Eve (and until 6 a.m. tomorrow) as they have in the past, just remember that routes will be changed to accomodate the closure of the Strip to vehicular traffic. Visit their Web site for more maps and additional information.
If you are planning on taking your car, don't forget that Designated Drivers will offer free rides through 5 p.m. Jan. 1 in the Las Vegas area. Call 702/456-7433 (RIDE).
The Palms has teamed up withAXE, the men's grooming brand, to create high-end bachelor pad designed with the AXE lifestyle in mind.
The AXE Suite, which will be available for a limited time only, is a 2,000 square-foot, two-bedroom penthouse on the 52nd floor of the Palms Tower. In addition to all standard amenities, the AXE Suite includes a bar, in-room blackjack table, X-Box 360, his/hers monogrammed towels, premium lingerie, and a whipped cream and gourmet chocolate-filled refrigerator and much more to offer guests a whole new level of the AXE effect.
Caesars Palace continues to reap publicity via its new higher-bet-limit policy, which now extends to the Atlantic City Caesars. According to today's The Press of Atlantic City, top bets at the Boardwalk resort are ...
Craps: $50K on the line, with $50K odds
Roulette: $1K on any number; maximum payout: $156K
Blackjack: $50K on one hand -- over 8X the previous limit; $25K/hand on three hands
Asian games: $15K (a five- to sixfold increase)
Caesars told The Press it's mulling minting a $25K chip, but it probably won't be seen on the felt too often: The majority of the casino's customers bet $100/hand, tops.
Palazzo, that is. The Palazzo opened tonight at 7 pm. More when we know it.
And now it's 8X points for the next two days. Suncoast and Sam's Town will award 8X players club points tomorrow and New Year's Day. Gold Coast and Orleans will also award 8X on January 1.
That sums up the situation at Palazzo. We drove by today and the place is still bottled up, with lots of guys in white hard hats running around. The exterior looks fantastic, however.
Station Casinos properties are awarding 5X Boarding Pass points today through Jan. 1. The casinos include Palace, Boulder, Texas, Sunset, Santa Fe , and Green Valley Ranch Stations, and Red Rock.
The Palazzo is still not open. We'll update the situation as we get news.
Station's Jumbo has been hit. It is now at its $100,000 reset.
The coffee shop at Jerry's Nugget will soon be offering a $9.99 lobster dinner special, which you can get accompanied by a New York steak for an additional $2. These specials will be available 24/7 for a limited time only from January 2 and will come with a choice of homemade soup of the day or dinner salad, plus whipped or baked potato and a choice of garlic or French bread.
The latest in the spate of pre-New Year's openings and reopenings sees the return of Bellagio's Fontana Lounge, which has been closed for remodeling since June and debuts in its new incarnation at 5:30 p.m. this evening.
The venue will be open Sun-Thurs, 5 p.m.-1 a.m. and Fri & Sat, 5 p.m.-2 a.m., featuring live music and dancing nightly. For more information visit their Web site.
The official preview party for NBC's new reality show "Celebrity Apprentice" will be held tonight at Tao (Venetian). Co-hosting the party are former UFC champion Tito Ortiz and his adult-film star girlfriend Jenna Jameson. The party's open to the public and kicks off with red carpet ceremonies at 11 p.m.
If you'd like to meet UFC fighter Dan Henderson, he'll be appearing for a meet and greet opportunity at Dick's Last Resort (Excalibur) from 7 p.m.-9 p.m. tonight.
Station Casinos' Jumbo Jackpot is at $146,600. The jackpot must hit by $150,000.
If you've found yourself all washed-up with nowhere to stay following the delayed debut of Palazzo, or if you're just looking for a last-minute impulse bargain, the MGM Grand has just announced that it's slashed rates for this weekend by more than 50%.
Most hotels are completely sold out this weekend, but MGM has availability and is offering rates tonight and tomorrow for only $99 and $189 for Sunday. On Monday, rooms that were over $500 a night last week are now just $229, plus you'll get a $25 activity credit, suite upgrades for $25 (based on availability), and a roundtrip shuttle service to/from the airport.
Expect these bargain deals to go like hot cakes, but the good news is that they'll be continuing to offer bargains through the end of February in the $79-$99 range. For full details on all these offers and to book direct through MGM Grand, visit www.travelzoo.com/Newsflash
According to Norm Clarke's gossip column in today's Las Vegas Review-Journal, a media tour of music mogul Jay-Z's new nightclub and sports bar at the Palazzo scheduled for today was canceled when a county building permit was not approved. Whether the situation will be resolved prior to Sunday's planned opening is not yet known. Watch this space for updates.
As expected, the Palazzo did not open today as originally planned, apparently due to necessary safety permits not being issued. Available information indicates that the new casino could open this weekend. This makes it two for two for Adelson properties in Las Vegas -- the Venetian also missed its date, opening 18 days late in 1999.
While the Palazzo has been claiming to be "sold out" until the second week in January, we have a feeling that the delay was anticipated and that that's the primary reason for no new reservations have been taken at the property for some time now. We understand that anyone with a reservation from tonight until the property actually debuts will be called and offered alternative accommodation in the sister Venetian property. (Expect to experience long delays if you try to phone guest services today -- we did.)
Even a psychic might be hard-pressed to divine the exact opening date of Palazzo, big sister (and we mean really big) to the Venetian. Las Vegas Sands executives themselves aren't sure, sending out a letter today that "we are continually reviewing potential dates for a soft-opening and will select one that best maximizes the functions of the soft-opening exercise.
"This date will be made public in the immediate future," adds the letter, although one source tells LVA that Palazzo isn't taking reservations prior to Jan. 6. Comments at CasinoDealers.net place the soft opening at anywhere from 10 a.m., Friday, Dec. 28 to sometime on Monday, Dec. 31. Any opening later than that, of course, would cause Palazzo to miss all but the remnants of the normally lucrative New Year's Eve weekend.
George Maloof is extending a New Year's gesture of goodwill to all beer-swilling readers of the free Las Vegas Weekly with a wraparound coupon for a free Peroni at the Palms on the cover of this week's issue. The good news is that the coupon's redeemable at all casino bars through February 1 (limited to one beer per customer); the bad news is that people have already caught on and are ripping them off the covers of the stacked-up Weeklies you'll find around town in bars and other outlets, so pick up an unvandalized copy asap to enjoy the promotion.
Travelzoo.com has found an amazing $89-deal on roundtrip tickets from Oklahoma City and Tulsa to Las Vegas. The catch is that the fare applies only to those two departure cities and you must book by tonight (midnight CST). The offer's valid on select departure dates in January for 3 or 4 nights. Click here for more details.
The latest survey from the U.S. Census Bureau shows Nevada returned as the fastest-growing state in the union, a position from which it was briefly toppled last year by Arizona after a 19-year run in the #1 spot.
The Station Casinos' Jumbo Jackpot is now at $144,150 (must hit by $150,000). That's a $3,000 advance from yesterday, but the total figures to move faster as the inevitable jackpot-event is approached.
Although MGM Mirage's Macau casino is open for business, the State of New Jersey's investigation into the suitability of joint-venture partner Pansy Ho continues to drag on. However, a sudden turn of events may shift momentum in MGM's favor. Four investigators who were probing Ho on behalf of the state have also freelanced for Spectrum Consulting. The latter authored a report highly critical of the business practices of both Pansy Ho and her father, Stanley Ho, Macau's former casino kingpin. That review was commissioned by Las Vegas Sands, one MGM's Macau rivals. The Spectrum/New Jersey ties were outed by local paper Gaming Today and are laid out in detail by Newark's Star-Ledger. New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram placed the matter under review.
Put on your party dress and break out the bubbly. It’s time to ring in the new year and Las Vegas is the place to be to usher in 2008 in style. Our Events section is overflowing with New Year’s Eve party options and many of the city’s finer nightspots will get the party started early with events during the weekend. Speaking of nightlife, this weekend will see coming-out parties at several new venues including CatHouse at Luxor, Spin Nightclub at Alexis Park, Privé at Planet Hollywood, The Bank at Bellagio, and Jay-Z’s 40/40 club at The Palazzo.
Beginning February 1, 2008, Galaxy Cannery Theatres will be showing Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds, the 3D film of a concert on the sold-out tour. Tickets are $11 and can be purchased at Galaxy Cannery, located at 2121 E. Craig Rd. or online at Galaxytheatres.com.
Mandalay Bay's Ballroom will host closed-circuit viewing of this weekend's "UFC 79: Nemesis" fight, featuring Matt Hughes and Georges St-Pierre. Tickets, which are limited to four per person, are on sale now priced at $50 (plus handling fees) and are available only from the Mandaly Bay Events Center box office (702/632-7580). Doors open at 6 p.m.
The event, scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 29, will also be available live on pay-per-view at 10 p.m. EST/7 p.m. PST.
Missouri casinos are willing to trade some pain (a 1% tax increase) for some gain, in the form of ditching the state's $500-per-session loss limit. Ditto their willingness to preclude their own companies' expansion in return for keeping competitors out by freezing the state's allotment of casino licenses at 13. That's the essence of a pitch that Ameristar Casinos and Pinnacle Entertainment will put before the next Missouri Legislature. Some will ask, "So what else is new?", as Show-Me State casinos have been trying to scuttle the loss limit for over a decade, without success. But if the Lege turns a deaf ear, expect the casinos to start collecting signatures to put the issue before voters. Perhaps the electorate at large will be more receptive to the gaming industry's plaints than lawmakers have been.
For all of you (you are numerous) who are voting for a Neon Museum in our current reader poll, your wish may well be granted, at least in part. While plans for an actual museum, with the rescued La Concha building housing the visitors' center, remain dependent upon a lot more money being raised, the Federal Highway Administration has just awarded the City of Las Vegas over $235,000 to restore two signs from the Boneyard and install them in the median of the Strip north of Sahara Ave. Plans also call for businesses along Las Vegas Blvd. to install and maintain neon signs to keep the route's "nighttime scenic character."
As the New Year looms, Las Vegas is going into new venue overdrive, with a whole spate of openings over the next few days:
December 26 - Liquidity, the new lounge at Luxor, debuts
December 27 - RUB BBQ opens at the Rio as does The Bank, the new nightclub at Bellagio
December 28 - Privé nightclub premieres at Planet Hollywood
December 29 - Cathouse restaurant/nightclub opens at Luxor
December 30 - Jay Z's new sports bar/lounge/nightclub/eatery debuts at Palazzo along with AGO, the new Italian restaurant at the Hard Rock
In a decision sure to be applauded by players everywhere, the State of Pennsylvania is classifying unclaimed slot vouchers as property that can be reclaimed through the state's Treasury Dept. So if you neglected to cash out your slot winnings at Harrah's Chester there may be hope yet.
One month doesn't a trend make but there were several worrisome harbingers in November's casino-revenue numbers. Atlantic City continues its twofold trend of declining slot play and growing table play, while Kansas City saw more winnings -- from fewer players. Argosy's riverboat led the gainers and Isle of Capri's vessel was the sole loser. (Interestingly, the executive team that oversaw Argosys' golden era is now guiding Isle's fortunes.) Northwest Indiana got hit particularly hard, and Gaming Insight Editor Ed Feigenbaum told the region's Post-Tribune that area casinos had been trending downward for three months while Illinois remained on the upswing, adding, "I can't remember the last time I've seen anything like this." Despite the addition of a riverboat and a racino, Louisiana was essentially flat from November '06, posting just a slight increase.
Thanks for everyone who's voting in the current poll and all those using the "Suggest a Poll" link to send in "Other" ideas. The email link in the poll itself stopped working for a while for some strange reason, but is now back and functioning, so feel free to use that or the the "Suggest a Poll" route to send in your thoughts.
The Station Casinos Jumbo jackpot is at $141,000. It has to hit by $150,000 and everyone playing at any Station casino with a Boarding Pass card when it does gets $50 in free play. We'll keep you updated on the total.
All day today, Coast Casinos is awarding 7X points at four of its casinos: Gold Coast, Suncoast, Orleans, and Sam's Town. The deal will continue after Christmas as previously announced at Suncoast and Sam's Town.
With approval granted from the National Indian Gaming Commission, the Harrah's deal to go private is now completely green-lighted. It's technically a "tentative" approval, but it's unlikely that things will change. With all the necessary regulatory hurdles cleared, the nearly $31 billion deal is expected to close in early 2008.
Coast Casinos has extended its 7X-club-points offer, but changed the venues. From today till December 30, get 7X points at Sam's Town and Suncoast.
Don't forget that if boozing is part of your party plans this holiday, be safe and don't drive. Designated Drivers will again be offering their "Home for the Holidays" program, which is offering free rides now through 5 p.m. Jan. 1 in the Las Vegas area. The usual fee for this service is $50-$60, depending on mileage. Call 702/456-7433 (RIDE)
Rising jet fuel costs are forcing Allegiant Air, the low-fare airline serving McGhee Tyson Airport, to halt its direct flights between Knoxville and Las Vegas.
The company has announced that it will "indefinitely suspend" scheduled service to its Las Vegas hub beginning Feb. 26, with Feb. 25 being the carrier's last day of service from Knoxville. Customers with reservations Feb. 28 and beyond will be contacted directly by Allegiant to receive a full refund, the company said. Allegiant's other routes will not be affected by this decision and the company said they hope to resume service to Las Vegas if and when fuel costs return to a level that makes it economically viable once more.
Celebrity chef Alain Ducasse is the new head man at the Eiffel Tower restaurant at Paris. Ducasse's other Las Vegas presence is at MBay's Mix.
The World Trade Organization has awarded $21 million in sanctions to Antigua and Barbuda as penalty for the United States' Internet betting ban. The decision is seen as a victory for the U.S. stance, as up to $3.4 billion in sanctions had been sought.
A hitherto unsuspected -- and deep-pocketed -- bidder is kicking the tires of the Atlantic City Tropicana. The Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, operators of the Mohegan Sun megaresort in Uncasville, Conn., has contacted the New Jersey Casino Control Commission about the possibility of acquiring the Boardwalk hotel-casino, largest in Atlantic City. The Tropicana is currently being run under a conservatorship set up by the NJCCC after it ejected owner William Yung III for operating the property in a manner that didn't conform to New Jersey rules. The NJCCC has said the winning buyer will either pay the fair market value of the Trop or what Yung paid for it originally ... whichever is less. The Mohegan tribe runs the Pocono Downs racino near Wilkes-Barre, Penn.
In related news, Yung's Columbia Sussex hotel/casino outfit announced last night that it had reached an agreement with its lenders that will stave off bankruptcy. No details were disclosed.
Take your Amigo card to the Rewards Center at Fiesta Henderson today to receive a free holiday pot holder. Available while supplies last, including for new sign-ups. It's also 5x points all day.
According to the Macau Gaming Inspection & Coordination Bureau, visitation to the gambling hotbed was up by over 25% last month, with the majority of that from the Chinese mainland. However, visitor traffic from North America and Europe was way up, too. In other news, the average length of stay is Macau is reported to have grown from a day and a half to 2.5 days. Sheldon Adelson's massive gamble continues to pay off.
Another quarter, another delayed filing from Shuffle Master. The company won't submit end-of-fiscal-year results until mid-January. The company blames the postponement on accelerated filing requirements, plus having to report on new product segments and new acquisitions.
In a dyspeptic encore to Tuesday's opening of MGM Grand Macau, over 700 demonstrators demanding democratic rule took to the streets, arguing that the economic benefits of casino expansion weren't trickling down. "Even though economic development is strong, the system is bad. There will only be more problems," charged a pro-democracy lawmaker. Former casino monopolist Stanley Ho, who has prospered under Japanese, Portugese and Chinese occupation of Macau, said the enclave already had sufficient freedom and democracy. "Why do people need to do this," he asked The Associated Press. "Today is the eighth anniversary of Chinese rule. To celebrate is a good thing."
It was 160 (slot machines) to one (Russell Crowe). Those machines never stood a chance. The Gladiator star's ongoing crusade to have the offending devices tossed from the clubhouse of the South Sydney Rabbitohs rugby team ended in victory last night. Crowe and co-owner Peter Holmes were willing to sacrifice $850,000 a year of slot revenue in favor of a more "family friendly" environment. It's part of a larger move to restore the Rabbitohs' image, which has also included dismissing the team's flesh-baring cheerleaders (to whom Mrs. Crowe objected) and supplanting them with drummers.
David Steward, security supervisor at Iowa's Catfish Bend Casino learned that the hard way when he was fired for posting this Dilbert strip in the soon-to-be-defunct facility. What's more, Steward's erstwhile bosses tried to deny him unemployment benefits, but were overruled by the state. "Basically, he was accusing the decision-makers of being drunken lemurs. We consider that misconduct," huffed HR Director Steve Morley. "Dilbert" creator Scott Adams told the Des Moines Register this could well be the first documented instance of someone being canned for publicly posting the strip, which -- in this instance -- he conceded was harsh by Dilbertian standards.
Some of the biggest names in cyberspace were hit -- and hit hard -- by a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice. Google, Yahoo and Microsoft have agreed to collectively ante up $31.5 million in civil penalties, two-thirds of that amount from Microsoft alone. Google got off relatively lightly, having to pony up $3 million. The settlements cover a 10-year period in which three companies accepted ads for online casinos. Most of the money is targeted for informational campaigns about the dangers of Internet gambling (including the danger that Uncle Sam may arrest and prosecute you for wagering over the Web).
As top Pinnacle Entertainment executives and St. Louis civic figures flipped on a giant light display, the casino company marked the opening of its $507 million riverboat-hotel complex on the Mississippi riverfront. Inside, 2,000 slot machines and over 45 table games are scattered across a 75,000-square-foot casino floor. The property's two hotels include a Four Seasons. Pinnacle stock rose on the news, although its price remains well shy of PNK's 52-week high of $36.67 per share.
It’s the calm before the New Year’s storm this weekend in Las Vegas, but while several venues are closed for private parties, there are still a number of last-minute soirées and events that are sure to get you in the holiday spirit.
A film based loosely on Nevada's infamous Mustang Ranch, the state's first legal brothel, is set to begin filming early next year. Starring Helen Mirren and Joe Pesci (who's coming out of retirement to take the role) as Sally and Joe Conforte, the owners whose violent relationship is at the core of the story, Love Ranch will be filmed on location in New Mexico, Reno, Storey County, and Carson City.
The Wynn Macau expansion will debut on December 24, about a month earlier than originally scheduled. The expansion will add 85 tables and 551 slots, bringing the totals to just under 400 tables and 1,200 slots.
The Clark County Planning Commission has approved the big plans of Elad Group for its Plaza project on the site of the recently imploded New Frontier. The $5 billion project will apparently consist of seven towers with 4,100 hotel rooms and 2,600 condominiums; the casino will be 176,000 square feet. The Clark County Commission is expected to give the project, which will open in 2012, final approval on January 16.
Caramel Bar & Lounge at Bellagio and The Cutting Room Salon are teaming up to host a holiday toy drive tonight. Caramel will collect toys starting at 10 p.m. and donations may be dropped off at The Cutting Room Salon on South Eastern Ave. in Henderson through the end of the week.
In addition, Mist Bar and Lounge at TI and Cloth and Canvas are hosting a canned food drive beginning at 10 p.m. tonight to benefit the Salvation Army and Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth. Cloth and Canvas is giving away gift certificates for donations of two or more canned food items. A silent auction will feature works from local artists Zak Jefers, Damien Drake, Orlando Lara, and S.Dot.Slaughter.
Jeff Beacher will host the 3rd annual Bad Santa Party at Tao Nightclub tonight. Ladies may enter to win the $5,000 grand prize in the naughtiest Santa's helper costume contest. To register for the competition send your name, phone number, and e-mail address to [email protected] or call 702/388-8588. Doors open at 10 p.m.
The Riviera's buffet will be closed from December 16 through 28, while the buffets at Primm Valley and Whiskey Pete's are currently operating irregular days/hours, citing a lack of customers. Buffalo Bill's continues to operate its regular buffet schedule.
Downtown's Golden Nugget has finished its expansion, almost two years and $170 million in the making. In a company press release, the Nugget highlighted the extension of its Fremont Street façade, as well as the additions of nightclub Gold Diggers and restaurant Red Sushi. The latter will serve from 5 p.m. to midnight, nightly. Partygoers can get an earlier start than sushi connoisseurs, though: Gold Diggers opens at 4 p.m.
This afternoon, the Nugget also announced that it was a 2008 Four Diamond honoree, courtesy of AAA. This is the hotel-casino's 31st consecutive year on the Four Diamond list "and the Golden Nugget remains the only Four-Diamond award winner on the historic Fremont Street Experience," according to the company -- although some may contend that the former accomplishment is a taller order than the latter one.
A reliable LVA source says Sheldon Adelson has snared Diana Ross to be the headliner at the eventual opening of the Palazzo. This wouldn't be the first Adelson-Ross hookup, as she sang at the inauguration of Venetian Macao.
For a party of an only slightly less grandiose scale, one can see a very unusual and eye-catching online invitation featuring a clip from the most depressing film ever made.
Rampart Casino is "Cleaning Out The Closet" today, December 19 thru 8 pm. Earn 100 points and receive two free items from Rampart's closet. Also Free Buffet & Free Play today too. Earn 600 points and receive one FREE Buffet & $10 in FREE Slot Play. Valid for any buffet.
Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick is facing considerable opposition to his plan to bring casino gambling to the Bay State. So yesterday he called in a couple of Massachusetts homeboys, Harrah's Entertainment CEO Gary Loveman and Las Vegas Sands owner Sheldon Adelson, to help make his pitch. (Loveman was formerly on the faculty of Harvard University and Adelson is a native Bostonian.)
Although Harrah's remains under scrutiny in Nevada for cutting corners on safety at its Rio and Flamingo properties, Loveman continues to roll out big projects. Patrick said the three planned Massachusetts casino licenses will be sold to the highest bidders. (Ummmm ... isn't that how Columbia Sussex wound up with the two Tropicanas?)
Today marks the second year of operation for South Point. There will be free cake and champagne from 2 p.m-10 p.m. and 2X players club points awarded all day. Remember, SP also has a good 50%-off deal on almost everything when you buy with club points this month.
From December 24 through January 31, 2008 Blue Man Group is offering a 2-for-1 ticket special for Nevada residents on selected shows. Limited to four tickets (two paid, two free) per purchase and certain blackout dates apply. The offer's valid only at the Venetian box office (702/424-9000). Must mention code PBI LOCAL 241 when making your reservation and must present valid Nevada ID when picking up tickets.
A feature in the "Sports" section of today's USA Today discusses a growing problem of gambling-related match-fixing in tennis. Once again, the story brings out the fact that it's bookmakers (in this case, Betfair) that are the first line of defense when they detect "unnatural money" being wagered. In an August match in which favored Nikolay Davydenko retired mid-match, $7 million was wagered, with most of it bet against him. The total was 10 times the normal amount bet on such a match.
"Casinos Losing Sleaze Competition," proclaims New Zealand's Scoop Politics. Video poker parlors are stealing play from casinos, contends John Stansfield, CEO of the Problem Gambling Foundation. "Mr. Stansfield says that the increased gambling spend was largely the result of the initial effects of the smoke free legislation wearing off and that unless there was major reform to the Gambling Act the upward trend would continue," the article concludes.
James Po Ho Cheung, CEO of 777 Sports Entertainment Group, was gunned down last Saturday in Vancouver, B.C., making him the city's 21st murder victim of the year. Cheung was the victim of multiple gunshots while sitting in his car, outside his home. Registered as a Nevada corporation, 777 Sports Entertainment runs an Internet casino from Costa Rica, is a subsidiary of a British company and has offices in Richmond, B.C. The company's stock last traded at $0.19 a share, according to The Province.
"The stage that we're at in the development of gaming resorts in Macau is very close to going back 40, 50 years, to when Bugsy Siegel opened the Flamingo in Las Vegas," Gabe Hunterton, MGM Grand Macau's vice president for casino operations told Reuters.
William Yung III came into Atlantic City with a roar but is exiting with a whimper. After vowing to fight the New Jersey Casino Control Commission's yanking of its casino license at the Atlantic City Tropicana, Yung's wholly owned Columbia Sussex has failed to file an appeal. What's more, the company has released a statement saying that it expects to retire a large portion of its outstanding debt via sales of its Atlantic City, Vicksburg and Evansville, IN properties.
This not only appears to spell the end of Yung's brief, stormy tenure in Atlantic City, it also leaves his company with an attenuated flow of casino coin. The three casinos being sold are estimated to represent 65% of Columbia Sussex's casino-related cash flow. The Vicksburg-berthed Horizon Casino has also ready been sold to Nevada Gold Casinos (which, despite its name, owns no casinos in Nevada). Nevada Gold picks up the 36,000-square foot, 701-slot casino for a fire-sale price of $35 million.
Anyone interested in the game of poker can now read the complete and fascinating interview with the late and legendary Chip Reese from Richard Munchkin's Gambling Wizards, which has been excerpted at our online store. Other colorful gambling greats interviewed in the book include Billy Walters, Tommy Hyland, Mike Svobodny, Stan Tomchin, Cathy Hulbert, Alan Woods, and Doyle Brunson.
Today's the last day to vote in our "Best Bloody Mary in Vegas" poll. It's a close one with a surprising leader right now. If your favorite isn't on the list, make sure you email us and let us know where it is, so we can try it out. We'll be sharing our faves, plus some interesting background about this morning-after elixir, when we run the results of the poll on Saturday. Tomorrow a new poll goes live.
Today through December 31, United Blood Services is offering free admission for two to see Penn & Teller at the Rio for all blood donors. UBS has five locations throughout the Las Vegas Valley at W. Charleston Blvd., Whitney Ranch Drive, W. Craig Rd., S. Eastern Ave., and E. Charleston Blvd. Call 702/233-9620 for appointment. Walk-ins are welcome.
As mentioned in today's QoD, the Citizens Area Transit bus service will be offering free rides from 6 p.m. on New Year's Eve to 6 p.m. on New Year's Day. For more information on schedules and route changes due to road closures, visit www.catride.com.
In celebration of Kevin Burke's 1,000th performance in Defending the Caveman, currently showing at the Golden Nugget, the show is offering tickets for $10 (plus applicable taxes and fees) to Nevada residents for a special the December 20 show, which will also feature a reception. We checked with the box office and there's still availability. Call toll free at 866/946-5336, book online at www.goldennugget.com, or visit the box office in person (valid Nevada ID required).
If you're on the HP e-mail list, you probably saw a bit too much of us this morning. We had a bug in our program that wasn't discovered until multiple blasts were sent for a free trial of Video Poker for Winners. The problem has been isolated and corrected, and safeguards are being put in place to prevent this in the future. We apologize for the aggravation and thank you for your understanding.
We couldn't get hold of them in time to post them yesterday, but some great images of last year's Strip firework spectacular have just been added to today's QoD, which features details of all the parties taking place in Las Vegas this New Year's, so check back if you visited earlier and missed them.
The latest addition to Asia's new gambling mecca is the $1.25 billion MGM Macau, which opened today and features 600 rooms, 385 gaming tables, and nearly 900 slots. The property is modeled after the central train station in Lisbon, a nod to the territory's Portuguese heritage.
For today only, the buffet at the Palms is half price. Expect long lines.
Slot machines on military bases are currently embroiled in Capitol Hill controversy. Nestled within a package of coverage by Stars and Stripes is the news that Uncle Sam's slots are set at a 93.5% payout rate or, as the service paper puts it, "are designed to pay out more winnings than machines in Atlantic City or Las Vegas."
These on-base slots are currently being targeted for eradication by Reps. Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD) and Lincoln Davis (D-TN) on the grounds that they contribute to pathological gambling. The Defense Dept. employs its slot win to help fund "morale, welfare and recreation" (MWR) programs for service personnel. Questions not yet addressed in the debate are the ethics of financing MWR programs out of the pockets of servicemen and why the armed services appear to have made no provision (nor shown any apparent interest) in treating those problem-gambling cases that do arise. One such victim, discharged pilot Aaron Walsh, found himself homeless on Las Vegas' streets prior to his eventual suicide.
We understand that thanks to sponsorship from the Nevada Office of Traffic Safety and Ed Bernstein & Associates, Designated Drivers Inc. will again be offering free rides in the Las Vegas area this holiday season, beginning 5 p.m. Dec. 21 and continuing through 5 p.m. Jan. 1. The usual fee for this service is $50-$60 depending on mileage. Call 702/456-7433 (RIDE) for more details.
According to the very latest posting on Ms. Anderson's own blog (the timing of which followed uncannily closely after our last TN post), she and Rick are "working things out" and the whole Vegas production show is officially off. Much as she and her kids loved Vegas, Pamela didn't feel that a long-running show here was conducive to good family life, so she's just turned down the Planet Hollywood project.
According to GamingFloor.com, Harrah's Entertainment has paid $578 million for the Macau Orient golf course. That comes to $8 million per link. Located at the Macau end of the new Lotus Bridge, the 72-link course is ideally suited to capture punters driving in from China ... if Harrah's should ever receive a casino concession from the Macanese government. "We are delighted to have a compelling amenity to offer our best customers," proclaimed Harrah's CEO Gary Loveman last year, "in one of the most exciting and dynamic markets in the world." The questions of what Harrah's best customers would otherwise be doing in Macau and who would benefit from their casino play remain begged.
Just when we thought that Pamela Anderson would be out of the Vegas headlines, following the final performance of Hans Klok's Beauty of Magic, in which she appeared as his assistant, we have two stories in one day. Firstly, the 40-year-old former "Baywatch" beauty has just filed for divorce from her 38-year-old poker-playing husband, Rick Salomon, after just two months of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences. (The couple actually split December 13, just ten weeks after their quickie Las Vegas wedding.)
Secondly, we've heard a rumor that Anderson is planning to open her own show at Planet Hollywood, where she starred with Klok. What such a show would comprise, we have no idea, but we'll keep you posted.
Although a Sunday Reno Gazette-Journal story announced that Station Casinos "have [sic] grand plans for Reno," closer reading shows Station's commitment to Northern Nevada to be very conditional, complicated by the presence within newly privatized Station of Colony Capital. Chief Development Officer Scott Nielson tells the RG-J that no decision on Station's two Reno-area sites will even be made until late 2008. Planning for those sites proceeds apace, says Nielson, but Station execs "haven't determined" whether or not to pull the trigger. "We have not given up on Reno," was Nielson's less-than-ringing endorsement, although he said Station would "eventually" be there, describing it as an expansion-ready market.
The mere prospect of a Station incursion into the Reno-Sparks market appears already to have had a significant effect. Two casino-hotels near the convention center, the Atlantis and Peppermill, have spent a half-billion dollars between them on upgrades and extensions.
If you're looking for something to do during tonight's football game, showing up at the Gold Coast might be profitable. Tonight is the end-of-season drawing giveaway at the MNF party inside the showroom. We wrote about the value of attending this drawing in the October LVA. With $5,000 being given away, your expected profit figures to be in the low double digits for being in the room.
Marvin Smith, known as "Sweet Louie" of the Checkmates, has died at age 68. Sweet Louie and Sonny Charles were one of Las Vegas' most popular lounge acts over the past 30 years, and had performed in town as early as the mid-'60s.
Gold Coast and Orleans are awarding 7X players club points for seven days beginning today. The result is a .7% club return added to some good VP schedules.
Celine Dion concluded her long Las Vegas run last night. A New Day sold more than $400 million worth of tickets during 717 shows. Comparatively, Elvis Presley performed in 837 shows at the Las Vegas Hilton.
Today and tomorrow marks the final collection drive for the Firefighters of Sourthern Nevada Burn Foundation. Today and tomorrow (9 a.m.-4 p.m.) there will be a firefighters and volunteers at the Palms collecting toys to distribute to underprivileged children throughout the Las Vegas Valley. Thereafter, you can still drop off toys at any firestation.
From 11 a.m.-2 p.m. today and tomorrow, the Renaissance Hotel (3400 Paradise Rd.) is hosting a Gingerbread Factory, where participants receive instruction on gingerbread-house building, plus all the supplies. It's $30 per house, which includes free cookies, milk, and juice for children. Proceeds will be donated to The Foundation for Positively Kids.
From 7:30 p.m.-9 p.m. tonight, Master Distiller Jimmy Bedford will be unveiling the Roadrunner Cowboy Saloon's exclusive barrel of Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Tennessee Whisky at their Centennial location. Bourbon fans can purchase a signed bottle for $45 and you can go into any one of the four Roadrunner locations around town and ask for a taste from the limited edition Roadrunner barrel. Visit www.roadrunnerlasvegas.com for more details.
As has become a tradition this time of year, several shows are offering 2-for-1 deals for locals. Many of the offers are listed in today's "Neon" section of the LV Review-Journal. They include Mystere, Spamalot, Tournament of Kings, and Stomp Out Loud.
Whether this is a new deal or an ongoing deal or a revived previously expired deal, we're not sure, but either way, if you log on to mammamiamail.com, you can pick up tickets at the $75 and $100 level for 50% off. The offer's valid through December 23 -- certain blackout dates apply and it's limited to 4 tickets per purchase.
Brinkmanship continues in Atlantic City, where Columbia Sussex lost another round in its fight to retain control of the Tropicana casino-hotel. The hotel company failed to obtain an expedited appeal of a New Jersey Casino Control Commission ruling that stripped it of its Garden State gaming license. Its response was that a protracted appeal process could drive the Atlantic City Tropicana into Chapter 11. "There can be no assurance that the lenders will not accelerate, which could compel the company to seek alternatives, including, without limitation, bankruptcy protection," a Columbia Sussex statement read.
Furthermore, wrote The Press of Atlantic City, Columbia Sussex "said the denial of the license would trigger a default 'on a complex cross-collateralized credit agreement' affecting numerous companies in several states. Such a default could affect casino licenses the company holds in other states," including (presumably) its several Nevada properties. Although the Tropicana is New Jersey's largest hotel, Columbia Sussex was repeatedly at odds with the state regulators over steep reductions in its workforce.
After a four-month investigation, Harrah's has closed Roman Empire Development, the subsidiary at the center of the company's room remodeling controversy. Yesterday 200 workers were terminated, effective immediately, including all employees responsible for directly supervising the improper renovation work. In an internal memo, reprinted in today's Las Vegas Review-Journal, CEO Gary Loveman explained that the company felt that this action was necessary to restore public and employee confidence and ensure that past mistakes are not repeated.
Hundreds of silver and gold coins, silver bars, and specially-made gold $1 and $5-denomination gaming tokens from Jackie Gaughan's personal collection, which were stored for decades in the vault of the El Cortez casino, have been purchased by Spectrum Numismatics International of Irvine, California. They will be offered to collectors worldwide next year.
Sometimes ya just gotta gamble -- especially if you're 45 dauntless bus passengers whose motor coach to Atlantic City caught fire whilst traversing scenic Staten Island. One passenger required hospitalization for smoke inhalation but all 44 others pressed on, following an hour's wait for a new, non-burning bus. One punter, a veteran of 400 Atlantic City commutes, by his own reckoning, said the conflagration on wheels didn't faze him, having been on a trip where a casino-bound passenger died in transit. He told the Staten Island Advance, "This is nothing to me."
With customers so devoted, maybe Atlantic City's future doesn't look so grim.
MGM Mirage's Macau casino hasn't even opened its doors yet (an expected autumn opening was pushed into mid-December) but that's not slowing the company down. Today it announced that it had obtained financing for a second-phase expansion, pending approval by the Macanese government. Unlike James Packer, whose Crown Macau stumbled out of the gate by opening without VIP rooms, MGM Grand Macau will target the VIP trade, chief exec Pansy Ho told Hong Kong's Quote.com.
The casino's 16 private gambling salons will be both owned/operated by the company and subcontracted out, says MGM Mirage spokesman Alan Feldman. VIP rooms have been much in the news of late, due to the uncovering of a history of massive, multi-billion-dollar, illegal side betting between players and junket operators. Feldman is "highly doubtful" that such wagering is current practice. "The side-betting issue is probably one that's is much older than those headlines would indicate," he says.
Feldman recalls seeing a dramatic change in Macau's casino culture when new rules were promulgated in 2001. He says that Las Vegas Sands, Wynn Resorts and his own company have "a variety of checks and balances to see that doesn't happen. It's no advantage to the casino operator to have that taking place. That's a vestige of the old Macau."
We wondered why the "other" voters in the Bloody Mary poll weren't sending us their picks and now we know -- the email link wasn't working! Sorry about that -- it's now been fixed, so feel free to send your suggestions via that route, or, if you've already voted, drop us a line via the "suggest a poll" route or "QoD." Thanks!
We'll have one more weekend of country western fun and then Las Vegas will kiss the cowboys goodbye until next year’s NFR. Free entertainment abounds this weekend as Red Rock Resort and Green Valley Ranch host the Station Casinos free concert series and The District in Green Valley plays holiday films.
Harrah's has just announced that future winners of the $50,000 buy-in event at the World Series of Poker -- currently the HORSE World Championship -- will receive a trophy named after the late David "Chip" Reese, who passed December 3. Reese was the youngest ever inductee into the Poker Hall of Fame and won the inaugural HORSE event in 2006.
It appears that the half-price buffet offer advertised as "Today Only" on the Palms marquee may be ongoing, as it's up again today. Check the west-facing sign in the future to confirm.
Thanks to everyone who's voting in this poll -- we'll share our personal faves with you when we run the results, plus some interesting BM history. In the meantime, if you vote for the "other" option, don't forget to use the email link provided, or the "Suggest a Poll" one, to tell us where it is and why. That way a) we can share it with other readers and b) more importantly, we can go and try it ourselves! (We have several connoisseurs on our staff).
Not even a 307-page presentation and a Prairie School design was enough to swing the Sumner County Commission in favor of an MGM Mirage/Foxwoods joint venture. For that matter, Harrah's Entertainment finds itself on the outside looking, as the competition for a casino site in Kansas moves to the next round. The winning bidder will build and run the casino on behalf of the state's lottery board.
Having snubbed the two casino giants, the Sumner commissioners elected to endorse a pair of competing proposals for sites in Wellington, Kan. One is the brainchild of Jack Binion's Marvel Gaming, which says it intends to apply the player-friendly style of Binion's former Horseshoe properties to the Kansas market. Penn National's project is titled Hollywood Casino Resort and would offer 1,500 slot machines, plus 40 table games. Penn is also the only applicant for a casino concession in Cherokee County.
The next step for both Binion and Penn (which is in the process of being bought out by Fortress Investment Group) is to negotiate with the Kansas Lottery Commission. The management contract that is deemed in Kansans' best interests will be selected by an independent-review board. The latter has a May 12, 2008 deadline to name the winner.
Yes, why wait till the weekend? This month, Rock 'n Roll Wine just couldn't wait and is hosting its latest Amplified! event this Thursday, December 13. The venue's Ovation at Green Valley Ranch and the music will be provided courtesy of Mix 94.1 FM and Ingrid Michaelson. They'll be pouring a sampling of 15-20 different world wines for your delectation -- just consider it an early holiday gift (well, you do have to pay $35+tax in advance or $40+tax on the door, so it's not strictly a "gift," but we can pretty much guarantee that it'll be fun). Visit their Web site at http://www.wineamplified.com/ovationevent.html to RSVP.
To the cry of, "Gentlemen, start your engines," Fitzgeralds owner Don Barden set the groundbreaking in motion for his Majestic Star Casino, on the Pittsburgh riverfront. Though he remains at odds with local scenic preservationists, particularly over the size of Majestic Star's parking garage, Barden has been able to get his casino project underway at a time when two Philadelphia slot parlors have only just cleared the last legal hurdles remaining between them and breaking ground along the Delaware River.
A New York Times profile of Barden outlined the former TV mogul's strategy for winning approval for his Pittsburgh site, next door to Heinz Field (home of the Steelers). While rejected offers from Isle of Capri and a Harrah's-backed group were sited close to downtown, Barden banked on having a relatively isolated location. His local opponents charge he is playing fast and loose with the specs of his parking garage. They accuse Barden of planning an eyesore that will dominate the riverfront while he countercharges that they're using exaggerated facts and illustrations.
Barden's casino project still requires final approval from Pittsburgh's city planning commission.
While the turnover from October to November brought a slight chill to casino revenues in Detroit, Motown's three gambling palaces are still doing bigger business than they did a year ago. Perhaps not coincidentally, all three have undergone varying amounts of infrastructure improvement, ranging from Greektown's new garage to MGM Grand's brand new megaresort. Overall, the three pulled in nearly $5 million more than in November '06.
For a trio of casinos near St. Louis, the news was not so good. Ameristar's St. Charles property (once Station St. Charles) was up 2%, despite fewer patrons than a year ago. A sharp drop in admissions at Pinnacle's downtown President riverboat led to a staggering 26% plunge in revenues. Harrah's St. Charles Casino & Hotel steered a middle course, losing 10% in attendance but managing to keep its revenue slippage at 3%.
In an unrelated development, Missouri regulators have tightened the rules on moving gaming licenses. This came in response to fears that Pinnacle might take the President elsewhere.
The Las Vegas Convention Center recently broke ground on the first component of an $890 million facility-wide renovation, namely a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police substation. The new facility will serve the convention center as well as the surrounding neighborhood and businesses.
In addition to the police station, the LVCVA will also be providing land on its campus for a new Clark County Fire Station, not to mention renovating the interior of the convention facility itself to give it an "unmistakably Vegas feel" throughout.
That's according to Sportingbet CEO Andy McIver, who tells PokerNewsToday.com that his company's commission from online poker play has fallen roughly 50%, to $9.4 million, in the last quarter. At the same time, McIver says his company's losses have gone from catastrophic (-$23.5 million in the third quarter of '06) to much smaller ones (-$2.8 million last quarter). Soccer wagering now represents as much of Sportingbet's handle as does poker, he says.
Bingo, casino, and online betting firm Rank has scrapped its final scheduled dividend payment, blaming ongoing problems in its bingo and casino businesses.
Rank said its Mecca bingo like-for-like revenues in the 14 weeks since Sept 1. were down 18 percent, while its Grosvenor casino revenues were down 7 percent. Factors hammering the bingo division over the past year include a ban on smoking in its clubs and the forced removal of around 950 lucrative slot machines, while its casinos have been hurt by a surprise hike in tax.
With analysts worried that the decline in casino and bingo earnings could see Rank breach its borrowing agreements with banks, the chances of a takeover by the likes of a Genting or a Harrah's becomes ever more likely.
The Cannery and in-development Cannery East have been sold for $1.8 billion to Crown Ltd., the holding company controlled by Australian James Packer. The seller, Millennium Gaming, also manages the Rampart, but it hasn't been disclosed how that figures into the deal. This marks the third incursion this year of Packer into Las Vegas. His company also has a 19.6% stake in the Fountainebleau and a 37.5% stake in the Crown Las Vegas project, both in development on the north end of the Strip.
The concept of a Mob Museum for Las Vegas, which has been knocking around for a while now, has received a big boost in the form of backing from the FBI, which has offered to share photographs, transcripts of wiretaps, and histories of efforts to crack down on organized crime in the 1950s, '60s, and '70s.
"The plan is to give people a gritty taste of what is would have been like to be not only a person involved in or affiliated with organized crime, but also what it would have been like to be in law enforcement," commented Ellen Knowlton, who retired as FBI agent in charge of Las Vegas in 2006 and now heads the not-for-profit museum organization. Officials expect the museum to open by 2010 in the red brick federal building downtown that hosted a hearing by the Kefauver committee investigating rackets in 1950.
Fans of Las Vegas mob history should check out our The Battle for Las Vegas: The Law vs. the Mob and Culotta titles, both currently available for discount online prices from ShopLVA.com.
Tonight's the last chance to vote for your favorite Chicago-style pizza joint in Las Vegas. Tomorrow a new poll goes live and it's one we've been relishing running for a long time, so don't forget to stop by and vote, plus we want to hear your feedback via the usual email routes.
This should give a whole new spin to "offshore casinos": According to LostWeekend.tv, both British Airways and Cathay Pacific, as well as Singapore Airlines, will have access to Internet gambling on their in-flight TV monitors. Their casino portal of choice will be 888.com. Correspondent Rory Boland has one worry, though. "Gambling tends to leave people in an agitated state," he writes, "surely not the best way to be flying." Of course, flying makes some us plenty agitated to begin with.
After last week's news of riot police being injured by angry tourists who'd clashed with guides after being forced to "shop till they dropped," the latest from Macau is that the Sands Corporation's new Cotai Strip ferry service has been suspended after only a week and a half in operation. The suspension follows a legal challenge to the Macao government's decision to grant CotaiJet a concession to operate the ferry service between Hong Kong and Macao.
"Like a giant vacuum cleaner, Pennsylvania slot parlors continue to drain cash from Atlantic City's casinos." That's how the Philadelphia Inquirer led its coverage of the latest grim news from the Boardwalk, as more details emerged. Every casino reported declining revenue, with Trump Marina yielding the least ground (down only a third of a percent). Not surprisingly, the Tropicana brought up the rear, after a month which saw its dirty linen -- both literal and metaphorical -- aired on almost daily basis. The yearlong downward plunge in Tropicana revenues accelerated, off by a staggering 21 percent from November 2006.
Harrah's four seaside casinos took a slightly smaller drubbing, ranging from -7% at Harrah's Marina to -15% at Caesars. Once again, the sole bright spot was Boyd Gaming's Borgata, up 2%.
There's little question where the lost revenues are going ... or rather, staying. Pennsylvania slot parlors took in over $100 million in November -- and the two Philadelphia ones have not even broken ground yet. Increased Keystone State slot play, for whatever reason, appears to be driving bigger table play in Atlantic City, as the Boardwalk's casinos are recouping at the tables some of what they're losing at the slots.
The last of the Golden Nugget's trio of "Bucking Bronco" blackjack tournaments takes place on Thursday, December 13. The last one was a sell-out, so call now if you're interested. Entry is $50 with a $5,000 grand prize. Reservations can be made by calling 800/777-5687.
Las Vegas Mayor Oscar B. Goodman will be lighting downtown's official Christmas tree at 6 p.m. this evening, followed by the inaugural Bright Lights on Ice skating/acrobatic performance at 6:30 p.m. The show, located at the 3rd Street intersection (between the Fremont and Fitzgerald's), will perform every night from December 11-22 at 7:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m., and 9:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public.
Culinary guru and TV talk show host Rachel Ray will be signing copies of her new book, Just in Time!, at Sur La Table inside the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. today. Due to limited space, would-be attendees must have a ticket, which will be distributed in-store with purchase of the book.
Today's LV Review-Journal contains a $10-off coupon for food and drink at three locations of Big Dogs bars (minimum tab of $20 required). The coupon appears in a supplement called the Spring Valley View, so you should make sure that section is included in the paper that you buy. The same section also has a coupon for 2-for-1 breakfast or lunch at the Mexican restaurant Bonito Michoacan.
Harrah's has just announced that the 2008 World Series of Poker will start May 30 and for the first time will both begin and end with a $10,000 buy-in world championship event. The 2008 event will kick off with the $10,000 buy-in World Championship of Pot-Limit Hold'Em and end July 16 with the Final Table of the $10,000 buy-in World Championship of No Limit Texas Hold 'Em. The schedule will stick to a total of 55 events, including six other $10,000 buy-in world championships.
Pre-registration can be made beginning in February on-site at the main cage of the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas or at www.worldseriesofpoker.com/
For the second time in a week, the Palms is offering its buffet at half price. The offer is on the marquee, so we don't have all the details, but it looks like a straight 50% deal. You will probably have to have a players card, which you can sign up for on property.
We don't know why it took a CBS affiliate in Palm Springs to break this story, but anyway ...
Caesars Palace President Gary Selesner says that his casino will accommodate high rollers by allowing bets of $50,000 a hand at blackjack, and line bets of the same amount on craps. The strategy is aimed at luring whales from Harrah's London Clubs casinos to play on the Strip. According to Selesner, these are now the highest betting limits in Vegas.
Celebrity Chef Wolfgang Puck is now taking steps to revolutionize dining for students from the Clark County School District. Over the past few months, he's been surveying local fourth grade childen to find out what their lunchtime favorites are and working alongside them to create healthy but tasty lunchtime dishes. The results of the collaboration will be announced at a press event at noon tomorrow inside his Trattoria del Lupo restaurant at Mandalay Bay.
Shares of locally based Shuffle Master jumped 5% after Deutsche Bank North America revealed that the company is shopping around for a replacement for CEO Mark Yoseloff and speculated that Shuffle Master itself may be in play. The company's CFO, Richard Baldwin, stepped down in November. According to an Associated Press report, Yoseloff feels he has maxed out his ability to grow the company and a new CEO may be required if investors want to see additional growth.
Gambling revenue continues to decline in Atlantic City. Hours ago, the New Jersey Casino Control Commission reported that Boardwalk casino win for November was down 7.7% from the previous year. There was some good news concealed within the bad: Table game win was up over 4%. Slot win still suffers heavily, as more Pennsylvania slot parlors come online but table play remains, if anything, healthier than ever.
If you were hoping to read the answer about breaking the bank, it's now been restored and will remain live until midnight. Again, our apologies for the recent technical difficulties.
If you've logged on trying to read today's QoD about breaking the bank and instead found a repeat of yesterday's skiing answer, please bear with us. There's been some kind of minor technical meltdown and our IT dept. is on the case right now fixing it. We'll let you know when order has been restored. Apologies for the inconvenience.
Today is the final qualifier for the Rampart's Elimination Blackjack tourney finals, a free tournament with a $15,000 prize pool that will be held December 17. Today's prelimary rounds run at 5, 6, and 7 p.m. Entry fee is $50 and includes food and drinks during the MNF game.
Las Vegas' own Sin City Brewing Company is celebrating its second anniversary today with $2 beers at its bar and store in the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood.
Coinciding with the reopening of the property's revamped spa today is the debut of celebrity colorist Kim Vo's new salon. Considered the "King of the TV Makeovers," Vo has starred on "Extreme Makeover" and appears regularly on E! Network's "The Daily 10" as a guest beauty expert.
Open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, the salon will offer the latest in hair trends and treatments as well as manicures, pedicures, and personalized makeup services. An interactive Beauty Bar will allow guests to try on wigs, learn about hair extensions, and pick out a new color with the assistance of trained experts. It's not all for the ladies, either: A barbershop, featuring Truefitt & Hill men's grooming products will offer traditional straight razor shaves for male clients. Locals will receive a 25% discount Monday through Thursday. Call 702/791-7474 for appointments.
After a five-month renovation, The Spa at The Mirage reopens today. Friday through Sunday it's hotel guests only, but Monday through Thursday the spa will also be available to non-guests. For more information or to book an appointment call 702/791-7472.
The population of Clark County, which includes Las Vegas and surrounding areas, topped 2 million this summer. The exact time that the milestone was reached is unknown, however, as a glitch in tabulation caused an under-count for at least a couple months. Clark County reached 1 million residents in 1994.
Today's Las Vegas Review-Journal contains a coupon to get breakfast in the Rio's Carnival World Buffet for $5.99 (normal price is $14). It's good until Dec. 21 and you must have local ID.
The museum's regular monthly event today features a musical holiday celebration from noon until 4 p.m., with performances by Carolyn Villavicencio Grossman, winner of the 2007 Liberace Piano Competition, among others. The event's free to Nevada residents, $12.50 for adults, and $8.50 for seniors. The museum store is also offering a 25% discount on all items today.
Fans of the Divine Miss M. will be happy to hear she's announced the next set of dates for her run at Caesars Palace's Colosseum, where she'll make her debut replacing Celine Dion in February. Due to high demand, five shows have been added to her initial first run, scheduled for March 11,12,14,15, and 16. Prices start at $95 and go up to $250 and will be available from tomorrow either online at www.ticketmaster.com (keyword "Bette Midler") or by calling 1-877-7BETTEM (723-8836). You can also purchase them in person at the Colosseum box office, which is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Bodies -- The Exhibition at the Tropicana is hosting its second annual holiday blood drive until 5 p.m. today, with all participating donors receiving one free admission to the exhibit. Pariticipants must be 17 years or older and weigh at least 110 pounds. Call 702/228-8400 or visit www.bloodhero.com for appointments and use sponsor code BODIES. The typical donation process takes approximately one hour.
There's also a second blood drive in the Skybox in the Adventuredome at Circus Circus until 6 p.m. this evening. Each donor will receive two free all-day ride passes and a $10 Marie Callender's gift card. Visit www.bloodhero.com and use sponsor code ADVDOME for an appointment or call 702/228-8400 ex. 241. Walk-ins welcome.
Lush Puppy, the pet boutique at Mandalay Place, is offering locals free pet photos with Santa until 3 p.m. today, plus giveaway treats for your furry friends and Mandalay Place shopping coupons. In return, the store will be accepting $5 chartitable donations for the Lied Animal Shelter. Complimentary valet parking available at Mandalay Place for those bringing pets.
Boyd Gaming has captured a total of 185 Awards in Strictly Slots magazine's "2007 Best Of Slots" competition. Sam's Town led the pack in Vegas, finishing first in 24 of 36 total categories in the Las Vegas Locals contest, including "Best Overall Hotel Casino." The company's Borgata property in Atlantic City won the most accolades outright, with a total of 24 "Best Of" recognitions.
It's not a technical glitch -- for the duration of the NFR, the Mirage volcano will be lit up pink instead of white nightly during its dormant phases to reflect the property's support of the Wrangler "Tough Enough to Wear Pink" breast-cancer awareness campaign.
If you missed Monday's coupon for 2-for-1 admission to the Springs Preserve Winter Lights festival in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, you can still get it online by clicking here. The offer's good only from 6 p.m.-10 p.m. tonight.
There will be over $5,000 in fashion giveaways from Red by Marc Ecko at tonight's "Indulge" session at the Hard Rock's nightspot. Ladies arriving before midnight drink free champagne all night.
In spite of -- or perhaps because of -- the club's celebration of its 10th anniversary tonight, we've heard rumors that it's scheduled to close right after New Year's for a major remodel. We'll keep you posted.
Sahara: House of Lords is serving buffalo filet, rattlesnake, and rocky mountain oysters now through Dec. 16. Play and earn the change to spin the Rodeo Wheel for Sahara belt buckles, snuff lids, and $1,000 cash. The Casbar Lounge features live music by Rio Grande through Dec. 15.
Mirage: Watch all the NFR action live via satellite at the race & sports book. Nightly autograph sessions with rodeo competitors, contests, and exclusive rodeo gear giveaways. There's also live entertainment featuring members of George Strait's Ace in the Hole Band, Derryle Perry, Jason Meadows, and Sonny Burgess. All events are free.
Tonight at 6 p.m. and tomorrow at 3 p.m. the Luxor will have a pair of drawings to win pairs of tickets to the Mayweather vs. Hatton fight on Saturday night at MGM Grand. Earn tickets by playing table games in the designated "fight pits." Each drawing will reward eight winners, with other prizes including two tickets to the closed circuit viewing at Luxor, two tickets to see the Spice Girls, limited edition Luxor fight blackjack table layouts, and t-shirts. Complete rules available at the players club booth.
According to a piece on CNNMoney.com, the MTR Gaming Group expects to sell its Binion's Gambling Hall & Hotel in Las Vegas by February, 2008.
The $32 million cash deal with TLC Casino Enterprises is subject to regulatory approval, but MTR said yesterday that it expects both the Nevada Gaming Control Board and Nevada Gaming Commission to consider the sale next month. Apparently, the company has decided to sell its Nevada properties (it also owns the Speedway Casino in North Las Vegas, which is under contract for sale) so it can concentrate on its holdings in West Virginia, Pennsylvania and the Midwest.
The topping-off ceremony for the new Eastside Cannery Casino & Hotel will take place at 1 p.m. today with a Christmas tree being hoisted to the top of the building. The new hotel-casino is planned to have 65,000 square feet of casino space, including poker room and race and sports book. The 16-story hotel tower will have 307 guest rooms and suites with wall-to-ceiling glass windows designed to give guests a spectacular view of the Las Vegas Strip.
Hosted by Samuel L. Jackson, the Mandalay Bay Events Center will be the stage for the 5th annual Video Game Awards, wtih Halo and Bioshock leading the way with seven nominations each. The red carpet starts at 6:30 p.m. and the sow will be televised on Spike TV on Sunday at 9 p.m.
Just voted runner-up (by only one point) in the LVA "Best New York-style Pizza in Vegas" poll, Metro Pizza's three non-casino venues are offering 25% off any large pizza if you're wearing a cowboy hat. Offer applies to dine-in only. See the new "Pizza" section in "Eat" on our site for addresses and phone numbers. These pizzas are good!
The Monte Carlo Brew Pub's offering one free draft beer with a rodeo ticket stub now through December 15. One offer per person per day. Diablo's Cantina is offering one free 20 oz. draft beer and Diablo's signature chips and salsa with a rodeo ticket stub. Same dates and rules apply.
The latest NFR promotion we've come across is $1 for Bud drafts and $1 JD shots at all Gold Coast casino bars.
We posted in this column earlier this week that Defending the Caveman at the Golden Nugget was offering a special $10 ticket for locals to the December 20 show in honor of Kevin Burke's 1,000th performance. However, although the PR company representing the show assures us that the deal is good and that the box office should be honoring it right now, we've heard from a reader that each time she's tried to book it, she's told to call back "in a couple of days" and that the discount tickets haven't been released yet. All we can say is keep trying and let us know if you have luck with this promotion or if it fails to materialize.
Hosted by Oscar De La Hoya, tomorrow night MGM Grand's Studio 54 presents its 10th anniversary celebration – 54 Below – a winter ball. The gala event, which will see the venue transformed into a winter wonderland with cascading snow, ice bars, chilled cocktails, and lots of beautiful people, is sponsored by KISS-FM Los Angeles, Rockstar Energy Drink, Frederick’s of Hollywood, and 944 Magazine. Call 702/891-7254 for more info.
Washington's Lucky Eagle casino reopened for business as usual today following temporary closure due to flooding. For more information call 800/720-1788 or visit the casino's Web site at www.luckyeagle.com
A fascinating story in today's USA Today discusses lottery tickets that go unclaimed. According to the article, that total was about "a half-billion dollars last year." Several amazing examples are cited, with the disconnects attributed to both human and machine error. One fact that jumps out of the story is that the lottery commissions are rigid where it comes to expired tickets -- just another way the huge lottery edge gets even bigger.
The Palms will host a second premium denim sample sale from noon to 8 p.m. today, featuring denim tops, dresses, pants, hoodies, and sweats for men and women offered at up to 80% off. Amission's $5 a the door or free with the ad from the R-J.
Contrary to a report we heard on KNPR this morning, the Hard Rock's AJ's Steakhouse has not closed, but in fact has switched to an open daily schedule, since Simon Kitchen closed. Next Thursday they're hosting a Whiskey Dinner with Jimmy Bedford, Jack Daniels' Master Distiller, featuring a six-course dinner for $75 per person that includes appetizers, dinner, and whiskey tastings. Call 702/693-5500 or email [email protected] to RSVP.
In addition, Simon Kitchen's replacement has been announced. AGO will be the Las Vegas debut of L.A. restaurateur Agostino Sciandri, who has partnered with Robert De Niro to launch this Tuscan-style eatery and lounge, due to open New Year's Eve weekend.
Apparently, developers have ambitious ideas for a desert region in Eastern Spain that would attempt to transform the site into a massive vacation destination. We've just heard of plans that include the building of two theme parks, a race course, a stadium, a feature called Spyland that will feature the history of spies and the secret service, a water park and, wait for it, no less than thirty two hotel-casinos.
The twenty-five billion dollar project is going to be called Gran Escala, which in Spanish means, appropriately, large scale. While Las Vegas may be moving away from themed resorts, the European mega-project intends to cover all of Europe's history, with resorts paying homage to eras including the Italian Renaissance, Ancient Greece, and Pharaonic Egypt. Perhaps the Luxor, eager to "de-theme" itself, could help them out with a couple of unwanted sphinxes and an obelisk.
The ultralounge at Wynn Las Vegas is hosting the Vodka Latka at 9:30 p.m. in celebration of Hanukkah. Admission is $45 in advance and $55 at the door, which includes two complimentary signature cocktails by Jewel of Russian Vodka, gourmet latkes and hors d'oeuvres, free admission to club after party, prize drawings, and gift bags.
This afternoon from 4 p.m. sees the final hoedown at Peoples Auto Center (6501 W. Centennial Center Blvd.), featuring a line dancing contest, live performance by Christy Clayton, and the chance to test drive a GMC Acadia. The winner of the dance competition, which takes place at 6 p.m., will be awarded a $50 gift card to the Roadrunner Saloon. Plus, the final drawing for NFR tickets will also take place during the evening.
Dillon's (a.k.a. Dylan's Dancehall) out on Boulder Highway has just informed us of their NFR drink specials, which include two bottles of Coors/Coors Lite and a shot of Jack Daniel's for $10, bottomless draft beers for $20, and different shot specials every half hour. Plus, if you're a fight fan, watch out for their upcoming mixed martial arts Friday Fight Nights. They've got the ring and the bleachers and are hoping to get it all kicked off within the next month or two.
With the rodeo in town, the country music scene is well covered both this weekend and next. Please see today's QoD for a roundup of all the cowboy fun and stay tuned to Today's News for updates on drink specials etc as we find 'em. If you're not part of the boot scootin' crowd, don't despair, our fair city has plenty of other options for your entertainment pleasure. It won't get any more festive than Studio 54's 10th Anniversary Winter Ball on Friday night (see Today's News for details) and the celeb meter will be pegged at LAX this weekend with A-listers Samuel L. Jackson and Jude Law in the house Friday and Saturday nights, respectively.
Terrible's Casino celebrates its 7th anniversary today. There'll be free cake and champagne in the casino from 4 to 7 p.m. and a fireworks display beginning at 7:30. Past Terrible's anniversaries have included some potent gambling bonuses; however, this year's offers are pedestrian at best.
Today only, the Palms is offering its buffet for half-price. You will probably need to present a slot card, but there are no play or redemption requirements.
Atlantic City's Tropicana hotel-casino, owned by Columbia Sussex, may be allowed to keep its license ... but on a very short lease. New Jersey's Division of Gaming Enforcement recommended a probationary, one-year license renewal (rather than the standard five-year license) and even that would be contingent upon Columbia Sussex's satisfaction of 26 conditions, many related to staffing levels and regulatory compliance.
The New Jersey Casino Control Commission meets on Dec. 12 to weigh the DGE's recommendation. At least four of its five members must vote "aye" for the renewal to pass. "There's an old saying, 'Never bite off more than you can chew. ' That sums up what happened here," concluded DGE Acting Director Yvonne Maher. "Bill Yung bit off more than he could chew with the Aztar purchase and everything that came with it, including the Tropicana Atlantic City."
Now through December 23, Morton's the Steakhouse is offering a holiday surf 'n' turf special. The four-course Steak and Seafood dinner is priced at $99 for two and includes two single-cut filets (regular price $38 per person) and a choice of seafood options, plus salad, sides, and dessert. The deal represents a saving of up to $80 on the regular prices. For more information visit www.mortons.com and choose Morton's the Steakhouse of Las Vegas, where you can print out the dining certificate.
In an exclusive online deal with Orbitz, Frontier Airlines is offering a 48-hour sale on tickets for destinations within the U.S. and Mexico. Sample round-trip fares include rates as low as $203 between Las Vegas and El Paso, St. Louis, Louisville, Houston, Kansas City, Nashville, Tulsa, San Antonio, and Oklahoma City. Some restrictions and blackout dates apply and bookings must be made by December 6. Click here for more information.
As part of the city-wide NFR festivities, Fiesta Henderson is offering $1 Budweisers at all casino bars from December 6-15.
Table-gaming playing Discovery Card members have a chance to lasso cash prizes, Bass Pro gift cards, tickets to Championship Bull Riding, and a trip to the Jack Daniel's Whiskey Distillery in Tennessee during Silverton's "High Roller Round Up" promotion. For more information visit www.silvertoncasino.com or call 702/263-7777.
The public-speaking seminar hosted by insult comedian Vinnie Favorito and 2001 Public Speaking World Champ Darren LaCroix takes place today and tomorrow at O'Shea's on the Strip. We're not sure if places are still open for tomorrow's session, but you can call the box office on 702/697-2711 after 2 p.m. today to find out, if you're interested.
Déjà Vu Showgirls will host the Showgirl of the Year 2008 Regional Finals tonight, with Jeff "Madhouse" Beacher serving as the special guest judge at the gentlemens' club located at 3247 Industrial Road. Call 702/894-4167 for more information. Free limo pickup available from any strip hotel.
The just-opened shopping district at the south end of the Strip is a work-in-progress. Many stores and restaurants are still not open and it doesn't look like they will be until after the new year. The place has the look of a little town, though the shuttered storefronts and sparse foot traffic currently give it a feel like you're standing in the middle of a movie set. The best reason to visit now is the tandem of restaurants Louis's and Louis's Fish Camp. The chef is a James Beard Award winner from South Carolina and the dishes are unique -- she crab soup, oyster BLT, gumbos and graveys, much of it to-go. A full review will be published in the January Las Vegas Advisor.
Las Vegas' 2007 NFR festivities officially kick off tonight with the 21st Annual Downtown Hoedown on Fremont Street. From 6 p.m. enjoy free concerts by Hal Ketchum, Sawyer Brown, Ray Scott, and the Tony Marques Band on the 1st and 3rd Street stages. All concerts are free and open to the public and parking's available at the Fremont Street Experience parking garage, located on the corner of Carson and 4th Streets. And check out tomorrow's QoD for a round-up of the subsequent NFR-related events going on around town.
Station and Fiesta casinos are both featuring Hanukkah-related cuisine in their buffets. Selections such as smoked whitefish, potato latkes, and matzo ball soup are on the menu until December 12.
Coast casinos will award 7X points today in honor of the first day of Hanukkah. Participating casinos are Gold Coast, Suncoast, and Orleans. The multiplier results in a .7% giveback, boosting many of the Coast schedules into positive-return territory for today.
Terrible's Hotel and Casino celebrates its 7th anniversary on Thursday, December 6th. Specials include: free cake and champagne from 4 pm - 7 pm and a fireworks display at 7:30 pm. Promotions throughout the day will be themed around lucky number 7. The 7th Anniversary promotions include 7x points all reel slots or video reel games (not valid on video poker, Multi-Strike Poker or Spin Poker.) During the day, earn 700 points and receive $5 in gas. Also, every 7 Card Winner in blackjack receives $70 Bonus and hit 4 seven's and win cash bonuses. In addition, earn 70 points and receive a complimentary 7th Anniversary t-shirt.
On May 18, MGM Grand will host its third consecutive Academy of Country Music Awards (the sixth straight year the event has been held in Las Vegas). This will also be the first time the award ceremony is held on a Sunday night. No other details on the show are presently available, but C&W fans looking for room packages at the Grand can call 800/929-1111 or 702/891-7777 or log onto www.mgmgrand.com.
Or tomorrow. In fact, it's closed for renovation until December 20.
Commencing January 9, downtown's El Cortez will be hosting complimentary video poker classes taught by world-renowned expert and creator of Video Poker for Winners, Bob Dancer. The sessions will take place every Wednesday, with beginner-level classes scheduled from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and intermediate-level classes from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. They're free subject to seating capacity, but you can reserve a space by visiting Jackie's Club Cortez every Wednesday beginning at 9:30 a.m.
Ever since his Las Vegas Sun newspaper was relegated to a smallish insert within the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Brian Greenspun may have had some extra time on his hands. Whatever the reasons, he'll be going before the Nevada Gaming Control Board this week, seeking to be licensed as manager of Barley's Casino & Brewing Co., The Greens Café and Renata's Supper Club (all of which are half-owned by his G.C. Gaming), as well as of The Palms, in which the Greenspun family holds a minority interest. How this might affect the Sun's casino coverage remains to be seen.
Special holiday selections in observance of Chanukah are available at all Coast Casino buffets Dec. 4-11. Selections include gefilte fish, herring in sour cream, marinated herring, potato pancakes, and jelly-filled donuts. Additional offerings for lunch and dinner included carved brisket of beef, roasted chicken, and specialty salads. Special menus are available at the Port O' Call Buffet at Gold Coast, the St. Tropez Buffet at Suncoast and the French Market Buffet at The Orleans. Regular buffet prices apply.
The owner of Wonderland Greyhound Park says he's opened preliminary talks with Donald Trump about developing a resort casino at the Revere dog track.
In an interview with the Boston Globe, Charles Sarkis says he had a 15-minute conversation with Trump last Monday and that the real estate mogul seemed "very intrigued" by the possibility of a casino in the Boston area, which Governor Deval Patrick has proposed allowing.
Imperial Palace switches from its current players club program to Harrah's Total Rewards today. Players' current points will be automatically transferred to the new program and beginning tomorrow the Total Rewards card can be used at IP.
Chip Reese died last night at age 57, reportedly from pneumonia. Chip was one of the game's great names, both before and after poker's boom. Two years ago he was the winner of the first $50,000-entry H.O.R.S.E. tournament at the World Series of Poker. There's a fascinating interview with him in our book Gambling Wizards.
Commencing today and running through December 10, Caesars Palace will host the second of Harrah's 2007 "Great Gift Wrap Up" promotions, through which Total Rewards members can redeem their points for prizes including vacations and merchandise from brands including Apple, Sony, Bose, and Samsonite. For more information visit any Total Rewards Center in Harrah's Las Vegas properties, call 866/WRAP-UP-1, or visit www.greatgiftwrapup.com
From 7 p.m. this evening, illusionist Hans Klok will be helping to spread holiday cheer at Opportunity Village's Magical Forest (6300 West Oakey Blvd.) It will be one of his last public appearances before his Beauty of Magic show with Pamela Anderson, currently showing at Planet Hollywood, closes this Saturday night.
Spin Nightclub, Alexis Park's new hip-hop and R&B nightspot, scheduled to open New Year's weekend, is holding open an open casting call for all positions from 4 p.m.-8 p.m. today. Aspiring cocktail waitresses, bartenders, security personnel, bussers, bathroom attendants, and coat-check personnel are encouraged to arrive early and dressed to impress. Call 702/922-1911 for more information.
The Silverton Casino Lodge's newly remodeled restaurant is now open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday with a new menu, signature boutique bourbons, a classically-trained chef, extensive wine list, and restyled interior and exterior. Call 702/263-7777 for more information or to make reservations.
Although the Interior Department has signed off on four tribal-gambling compacts that would bring 17,000 new slot machines to California casinos, it's holding off publishing its decision in the Federal Registry. This effectively allows the Golden State's February referendum to move ahead, although the upcoming vote being challenged in the California court system. Meanwhile, the Interior Dept. is still deciding what to do if the compacts it OK'd are KO'd at the polls by California voters.
All we'll say for now is that it's our most voted-on poll to date and it's a close-run thing. Obviously a topic that many people feel strongly about, if you haven't yet taken part in our poll about the concept of a total smoking ban in Las Vegas casinos, then make sure you express your opinion before midnight tomorrow using the link on the left of the home page.
Mike Mills' award-winning Memphis Championship Barbecue (third-place runner-up in our own "Best BBQ in Vegas" poll) is offering a holiday prime rib special. Through the holiday season, the venues at Rainbow, Warm Springs, and Las Vegas Blvd. (at Craig) will be offering a 12 oz. prime rib with baked potatoes, steamed veggies, dinner salad and dinner rolls for $16.99, plus, all New Year's Day diners will get a complimentary serving of black-eyed peas to promote good luck and financial blessings in '08. Take-out orders will also be available. Visit www.memphis-bbq.com for more details.
Dec. 4-11 Roberta's (El Cortez) is offering a Chanukah dinner special, while 5 p.m. tomorrow evening also sees the Grand Menorah Lighting ceremony, hosted by the Chabad of Southern Nevada, at the Fremont Street Experience. The ceremony will be led by Rabbi Shea Harlig and the Grand Menorah will remain lit and on display through December 11.
For tonight's NFL game, Treasures is offering free beer from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and a free buffet from 5 p.m. to 8p.m. The $50 blackjack tournament at Rampart begins at 5 p.m. , with preliminary rounds also running at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. As and added incentive, Rampart kicks off three Monday's worth of its "Neighborhood Partners" promotion that awards gas, shopping cards, and other good local perks as a bonus for play, and the casino has some excellent video poker schedules. Sam's Town, Boulder Station, and Suncoast continue to offer a free hot dog and beer at their parties.
Both the Boulder and Decatur properties launch their "Holidays' Red Sleigh Giveaway" promotion today, which runs until December 28. A.C.E. Rewards Club members playing slots, video poker, and electronic keno will be elibigle to win a Grand Prize of a 2008 red Mini Cooper or one of five $1,000 cash prizes during drawings at each property on December 28. Visit the Rewards Center at either property for full details.
Henderson's newest eatery, the White Chocolate Grill (9510 S. Eastern Ave.), celebrates its grand opening today. We understand it features an exhibition kitchen, hardwood grill, rotisserie oven, and in-house smoker and will be open for lunch and dinner (11 a.m. - 10 p.m.) Visit www.whitechocolategrill.com for more details and the current menu.
In honor of Defending the Caveman star Kevin Burke's 1000th performance in his role on December 20, a special performance and reception will be offered, along with $10 tickets to all Nevada residents. Tickets can be purchased at the Golden Nugget box office, toll free at 866/946-5336, or online at www.goldennugget.com. A valid Nevada driver's license must be presented when purchasing the discounted tickets at the box office.
As goofs go, The Associated Press came up with a whopper today. In wrapping up a story on Major League Baseball's winter meetings (being held at Opryland), Ronald Blum concluded that the '08 meetings "will have an even livelier setting, one that could increase attendance among players: The venue is the Beluga in Las Vegas."
Whoa, Nellie! Is there a caviar-themed casino in the works? Or one where beluga whales disport themselves amid fountains? Or did AP's spell-checker simply balk at "Bellagio" and substitute "Beluga" instead? For plausibility, we have to go with Theory Three ... but like the idea of white whales complementing The Mirage's white tigers.
Four of California's largest tribal casinos could be getting a lot larger -- and sooner than expected, too. The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that the Interior Department has signed off on a quartet of tribal-gambling compacts that would add 17,000 more slot machines to the California market. Which means that Californians may not get to vote on the issue in February, something that the affected tribes are already suing to prevent. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger contends that revenue-sharing from the 17,000 additional one-armed bandits is essential to relieving the Golden State's budgetary woes.
Today through Wednesday, Santa will be holding Pet Photo Nights at various shopping malls around town. Here are the details:
Dec. 3 - Meadows Mall in the Sears Court - 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
Dec. 4 - Fashion Show Mall in the Great Hall - 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
Dec. 5 - Boulevard Mall in the Brookstone Court - 4 p.m.-8 p.m.
Genting, the Malaysian gambling giant, has bought a stake of more than 10% in Rank, the British bingo and casino operator. The shareholding, amassed in the past few days, could spark a bidding war for Rank, with Aspers, Australian James Packer's British gambling joint-venture, Ladbrokes, William Hill, and Harrah's International all considered to be potential suitors for the ailing British company, which has been tipped as a takeover target since a profit warning last month sent its shares crashing to their lowest level in seven years.
Thanks to the readers who wrote in with their personal experiences/stories of people reserving slot machines. We'll keep adding your feedback as it comes in.
Las Vegas' attempt to break the world record for most Santas in one place appears to have been successful. Early reports peg the number of Santas participating in Saturday's "Great Santa Run" at about 8,000, while only 5,000 were needed for the record.
From 3-6 p.m. today Fashion Elements is holding an exclusive discount designer shopping event at the Palms, with overstocked fashion at up to 60% off from labels including Yoga Army, Lure, Contraband, Sisi Amber, and Nu Paris. It's taking place in the Jazz Rooms and it's $7 on the door. Just remember to check the LV Marathon route (see Friday's Today's News) to avoid getting snarled in traffic.
The music group will be appearing at the Verizon Wireless store at 1351 Sunset Rd. in Henderson today, from 1:30 p.m.
As previewed in Question of the Day this week, the Bellagio Conservatory's winter display will be unveiled today, featuring festive arctic animals, an oversized greeting card composed of thousands of flowers, and a 42-foot tall White Shasta Fir ablaze with a state-of-the-art LED display. Definitely worth a visit, the display will remain in place until January 13, when it will be replaced by a Chinese New Year exhibit.
The TASER Foundation is hosting its 3rd annual "Beauty and the Bet" charity poker tournament at the Palms today chaired by Phil Hellmuth Jr., with other celebrities and Playboy Bunnies scheduled to appear. Money raised will go to support the families of officers killed in the line of duty. The event starts at noon.
To mark the grand opening of the new Aces Bar & Grill (on the corner of Warm Springs and El Capitan Way, between Fort Apache and Durango), they're holding an Italian-style pig roast from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. this evening. For a $5 donation ($3 for children five an under) you can enjoy roasted pig, penne pasta with pink vodka sauce, Italian sausage and peppers, meatballs, and potato salad with complimentary soft drinks (a cash bar will be available for alcoholic beverages). There will be a DJ and a raffle for a plasma TV and two dirt bikes. All funds raised will be donated to Child Haven.