Not everyone is jumping on the legalized sports betting bandwagon. The president of CBS Sports tweeted that the network’s “NFL announcers will not mention, point spreads, teams covering the spreads, etc., during telecasts this season.”
Gambling revenue from an estimated 460 commercial casinos in 24 states set a record of $40.3 billion in 2017, an increase of 3.4%. The top market was Las Vegas with $6.4 billion, followed by Atlantic City with $2.4 billion, and the Chicagoland area with $2.0 billion.
The poker room at Treasure Island has closed. The closing is significant given the casino’s aggressive efforts to bring in players. Incentives that included hourly rebates and comped entry into guaranteed-prize-pool tournaments weren’t enough to make the room viable, seemingly another indication of the waning interest in poker. Plans for the space have not been disclosed.
The price of hotel rental has gone up. The Artisan has raised the price to rent the entire hotel by a grand. A recently spotted billboard indicates that the cost to rent all 63 rooms, the bar, pool, and wedding chapel for a night is now $8,500.
Laughlin’s Pioneer Hotel & Gambling Hall is set to reopen its casino August 31. The Pioneer has operated as a non-gambling hotel and restaurant since May, while renovations were made by a new owner. It looks like the casino will open with machines only.
The big Raiders-games parking quandary has been addressed, with a plan for off-site parking at four locations in close proximity to the stadium. The highest-profile location is the Orleans, while the three others are nearby vacant lots. All are surface areas that will accommodate tailgating parties and are within a 5- to 13-minute shuttle ride to the stadium.
Recreational marijuana's first 12 months in Nevada smashed expectations by a large margin. First-year sales of $425 million were 60% higher than the $265 million the state originally predicted. They also outpaced first-year sales in all the other states where recreational pot is legal. Total cannabis sales, including medical marijuana and paraphernalia, hit $530 million between July 2017 and July 2018. Nevada collected $69.8 million in taxes, around $20 million more than projected. By comparison, in fiscal years 2016 and 2017, Nevada collected roughly $49 million in alcohol taxes; in just one year, the state's pot industry already generates more tax revenues than booze.
Home prices in Las Vegas are rising faster than in 20 other major markets in the nation, according to the S&P Case-Schiller Index. The price of houses rose 13% year over year in June, compared to 6.2% nationally. Seattle, which had topped the list for two years, was number two at 12.8% and San Francisco was number three at 10.7%. The last time Las Vegas placed number one was in July 2014.
The September 30 issue of the venerable (42-year-old) Wine Spectator magazine has a big feature that brings the evolution of the Las Vegas dining scene up to the minute. The comprehensive 18-page piece, "Wine Wins in Las Vegas," hits all the highlights of the current trends ("Its new restaurants favor less formal dining, but make no compromise on culinary standards, reflecting exactly what's happening in every other dining capital in America"). The feature also reviews its top-10 dinner and top-eight lunch restaurants and lists all the magazine's prestigious wine-award winners: five Grand Awards, 37 Best of Awards of Excellence, and 31 Awards of Excellence. As a bonus, the issue contains a profile of Bill Foley, owner of the Vegas Golden Knights and an international wine mogul.
A casino sneak thief and burglar has become the 32nd name on Nevada's list of Excluded Persons who are barred from entering any establishment in the state where gambling is taking place. James Whit Moody, 45, is a two-time felon convicted of burglary, petty larceny, and theft, notably from elderly casino patrons at machines and kiosks.
A mansion on 5.5 acres of lakefront property in Crystal Bay on Tahoe's north shore that once belonged to Howard Hughes has changed hands. The first dwelling on the property was a log cabin built by former Nevada Governor and U.S. Senator Tasker Oddie and his wife Daisy in 1934. Hughes bought it and built a huge house in 1950, naming it Summertide; he eventually accumulated enough surrounding real estate to enjoy 500 feet of lake frontage. The current sellers bought in from the Howard Hughes Company in 1995. The unnamed buyers paid $17.5 million.
A Lake Tahoe residence that was built in 1963 by William F. Harrah, founder of Harrah’s, is for sale for $34.5 million. The 21,000-square-foot estate is located in the toney Zephyr Cove area and last sold in 2012 for $12 million. The listing makes the point that the property has “great rental revenue potential.” Cool, where do we sign?
Boyd Gaming launched its revamped B Connected players club today, though no one knows much about it. A press release sent out today stresses that it connects 29 casinos in 10 states, including Aliante in Las Vegas. Other than that, however, the release is devoid of detail. We’ve heard that the point-accumulation requirement for video poker has been raised from $1 to $2, but that’s not verified. We'll let you know when we learn more.
If you want a dollar Michelob, you'll need your ID. The Stage Door slot house (across Flamingo from Bally’s) is now checking everyone’s ID at the door, and you’ll be turned away if you don’t have one. It’s not about age. Apparently there was a robbery by a couple in their 50s. They weren’t carded when they came in, so no one had any idea about who they were. Consequently, our #7-ranked Las Vegas deal now comes with a new string attached.
Palace Station has unveiled its new sports book, one of the last components of its comprehensive $192 million transformation. The 8,000-square-foot book features TVs everywhere and a new center bar. A six-table poker room has also opened adjacent to the sports book.
On Friday night, the Downtown Events Center hosted the inaugural Raiders watch party for their exhibition game at home against the Green Pay Packers. Three thousand fans showed up for the free event. Starting on Sunday September 9 and running every Sunday through the season and post-season including the Super Bowl, the outdoor Events Center, next to the D, will hold watch parties for fans 21 and older.
Our new book, Vegas Golden Knights—How a First-Year Expansion Team Healed Las Vegas and Shocked the Hockey World, is back from the printer and shipping. If you have any level of interest in the VGK or in understanding hockey, you’ll want to read this. It’s the most detailed chronicling of the season available anywhere, with plenty of information about the nuances of the game, plus, of course, several gambling tie-ins. We’re offering the big 360-pager at a deep discount of $14.95, which includes shipping, only through the end of this week. It’s also available from Amazon and will soon be on bookstore shelves across the country.
Fright Dome, the giant haunted house that was created inside Circus Circus’ Adventure Dome for the past 15 years during Halloween, will not return this year. No reason was given for the decision and there was no indication that the attraction would be brought back in the future.
James Vick is a -140 favorite over Justin Gaethje in tonight's UFC main event. In the other featured match, Andre Fili is -125 over Michael Johnson.
Halestorm plays a free concert tonight on Fremont Street as part of the Downtown Rocks concert series. The show starts at 9 p.m. on the Third Street Stage.
The $960 million MGM Springfield opened yesterday to big crowds. It’s Massachusetts’ first full-service casino, following the slots-only Plainridge Park racino that opened in 2015. The 125,000-square-foot casino has 2,550 slots and 120 table games. Next up is Wynn Resorts’ $2.5 billion Encore Boston Harbor, opening in 2019
Las Vegas' Bishop Gorman, the #11-ranked high school football team in the country, will play #3-ranked Mater Dei (CA) tonight. Mater Dei won last year’s meeting, snapping Gorman’s 55-game winning streak. Gorman was the high school national champion from 2014 to 2016 and Mater Dei was the champion last year. The game will be televised at 6 p.m. PST on ESPNU.
SuperContest Weekend runs today and tomorrow at Westgate Las Vegas, with VSiN broadcasting from the SuperBook. This is always an interesting scene, with many sports-betting luminaries congregating in the evenings. Go to our football contests page for information on all of the pay and free Las Vegas contests that will run this season.
Pick up a copy of today’s LV Review-Journal to get 2-for-1 buffet coupons for Orleans and Gold Coast. The two coupons for each buffet are in the “Neon” section and are valid through August 30.
Robin Leach has died at age 76. Best known for his long run on “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous,” Leach became a man-about-town in Las Vegas over the past 20 years, often emceeing big events and writing a gossip column for key media.
Here’s a surprise. On a visit to Park MGM tonight, a parking attendant asked if we were locals. When we asked why it mattered, the response was that parking is free for locals. Really, since when? We were told that it's new and, sure enough, local ID opened the gate upon exit. From what we could glean, the policy is at Park MGM only (not all MRI properties) and will be in place during August and September. We hadn't heard a peep about it, but they apparently want to bring customers to the newly transformed resort (formerly Monte Carlo). So go visit, and show MRI that free parking matters.
After being dinged with a $250,000 fine for operational transgressions in its sports books, the news is only getting worse for CG Technology. The Nevada Gaming Commission has rejected the original fine, indicating that it’s not severe enough. CGT now faces the possibility of a much higher fine, and even revocation of its Nevada gaming license. It’s not clear when that determination will be made.
The casino cage at Circus Circus was robbed just after 2:30 am this morning. A man with a gun got away with an unknown amount of cash and is still at large. There were no injuries. A photo has been released and police are asking for information on the suspect.
After the closings of Chada Thai & Wine, Chada Street, and Le Thai (for an renovation), Las Vegas was in need of some good news on the Thai-restaurant front. That comes with word that Bank Atcharawan will open a new Thai restaurant called Lamaii on Spring Mountain Rd. later this year. Atcharawan came from Lotus of Siam and created Chada Thai and Chada Street.
A driverless-car pilot program, a joint venture between Lyft rideshare company and Aptiv mobility-tech company, has logged 5,000 paid fixed-route trips along the Las Vegas Strip since it launched three months ago. Lyft and Aptiv claim that their fleet of 30 BMWs with autonomous navigation capabilities is the "only commercial robot-taxi service in the U.S." No other driverless pilot program is charging customers to ride in their self-driving cars. Lyft customers who book a ride online can opt in or out of the self-driving-car option; they can also provide feedback on the experience, which has received a 96% positive response thus far. A "backup" driver remains behind the wheel to take control if necessary.
The artist who designed New York-New York’s Statue of Liberty replica was awarded a $3.6 million judgment for copyright infringement after the face of the statue was used on a stamp of which 4.9 million were sold. The U.S. Postal Service didn’t realize they’d used an image that incorporated modifications to reflect the face of the artist’s mother-in-law. Unrelated to the legal issue, the statue at NY-NY has a small plaque placed in memory of the same woman on its crown.
According to the news website Stacker.com, Las Vegas' commute to work placed 21st out of 50 major cities, with 50th being the easiest.
Stacker estimates that the number of Las Vegas workers 16 and older is nearly 270,000 and the mean travel time to work is 25.4 minutes. New York City placed first for the worst commute (with 3.9 million workers over 16 and a mean travel time of 40.3 minutes), while Wichita, Kansas, came in at 50th (18.2 minutes for 182,000 workers).
After a three-year experiment with the Gridiron Glory contest, Station Casinos has brought back its famous Great Giveaway Football Contest, with all of the components that made it one of the most successful ever. The entry fee is $25 and there's a discount to buy up to four for $70, with a guaranteed reimbursement if you play all 17 weeks. Enter by Aug. 21 and get a free Great Giveaway T-shirt. Complete details are available on our Football Contest page, which will have information about all of this season’s contests by the end of the week.
Mitsubishi has taken over naming rights for the Las Vegas Bowl. Unsponsored last year and previously the Royal Purple Bowl, the name for at least the next two years will be the Mitsubishi Motors Las Vegas Bowl. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
It’s tough duty coming in as a first-year professional sports team in Las Vegas and having to follow the run of the Vegas Golden Knights, but the Las Vegas Aces WNBA team gave it a go. After compiling the worst record in the league last year while in San Antonio and starting this season 1-7, the Aces fell just short of a playoff berth, finishing with a 14-20 record. The team had a respectable attendance average of about 5,200 per game.
Follow the progress of sports betting legalization across the country via our new Sports Betting Map. The map provides an overview of the current landscape, with links to key media stories about developments as they occur. Also get specific information and updates by reading the blogs from Captain Jack and Blair Rodman.
Groundbreaking for a $7 million 22,000-square-foot entertainment and dining venue will take place on Tuesday. The Treehouse will be located on Main Street in the Arts District (taking over the building that once housed vintage-clothing store the Attic) and will feature everything from a 300-seat Austral-Asian seafood restaurant, four bars, day club with pool, nightclub, and video poker to full-size indoor and outdoor trees and exotic wood finishes. Originally announced last January with a planned June opening, the Treehouse is now expected to be completed next March.
The state of Nevada has officially denied the Southern Nevada Water Authority's 30-year bid to build a pipeline from eastern Nevada to Las Vegas. The denial, issued reluctantly by the state engineer, is based on the latest directives from District Court in response to a long series of lawsuits from a broad coalition of opponents in rural Nevada and Utah challenging the pipeline plan. The decision is expected to be appealed, eventually reaching the Nevada Supreme Court.
A third Yama Sushi is opening on the north end of the Strip, near Wynn Las Vegas. Yama is our choice for the best AYCE sushi in town at its two existing locations on E. Flamingo and W. Spring Mountain.
Marche Bacchus French Bistro and Wine Shop is holding its annual summer wine sale, with all bottles 15%-25% off through August 22. You can take the wine home or drink it there with no corkage fee in the restaurant or at the new bar in the wine shop. Marche Bacchus is located on the northwest side of town in Desert Shores at 2620 Regatta.
CG Technology has been fined $250,000 after Nevada regulators discovered that its sports books had accepted bets from outside of Nevada and on games that had already been concluded. In addition to the fine, CGT has agreed to use a third-party system to manage wagering. It’s the third time in five years that CGT (formerly Cantor Gaming) has been fined for transgressions in its operations.
It’s been announced that Criss Angel’s new show will open at Planet Hollywood on December 19. Criss Angel Mindfreak will reportedly be very different from his current show at Luxor, featuring “20 never-before-seen effects.” Tickets start at $69 base.
Las Vegas is among the most overvalued markets in the U.S. for home prices, according to Fitch Ratings. Homes sold in the Las Vegas Valley are estimated to be 21.3% above fair market value, with prices having risen 12.9% over the past year. Las Vegas often leads the nation in real estate trends: first to go through the roof during boom times and first to go down the toilet after a bust.
Anthony Curtis will be a guest this morning on the gambling show "Follow the Money" from the Vegas Stats and Information Network (VSiN). The show begins at 4 a.m. PST and A.C. will be on during the 6:00 segment. Listen on SirusXM 204 or watch live at VSiN.com. You can also stream the video through the VSiN app for iOS and Android. The show replays at 9 a.m.
Gambling luminary Dr. Richard Jarecki has died at age 86. Little known outside of professional gambling circles, Jarecki was an advantage-play pioneer, winning millions by exploiting casino mistakes. His primary claim to fame was identifying and playing roulette-wheel biases around the globe, as detailed in this New York Times article. However, Jarecki was active in many other areas, including being one of the first to realize the earning potential in gambling tournaments. Anthony Curtis knew him well, and will share some interesting stories in the September Las Vegas Advisor.
To celebrate the Boston band's 50th anniversary, Aerosmith will kick off an 18-show residency on April 6, 2019, at Park MGM. Tickets for dates in April, June, and July for the "Deuces Are Wild" show, named for their 1994 single, will be available starting next week and range from $75 to $750.
The Golden Nugget and Resorts Casino Hotel both opened their sports books today. They join Borgata, Harrah’s, Ocean Resort, and Bally’s with live betting in place. Hard Rock and Tropicana are still to come.
A Danville, Illinois, sign company has been awarded the $30 million contract to upgrade the light show on Fremont Street. Watchfire Signs, founded in 1932, beat out competition from around the world to install the new screen, which will be seven times brighter and four times sharper, making it vivid even during daylight hours. The nearly 50 million LEDs and 16.3 million pixels are four times more than the existing screen. The new system will be installed in eight sections starting early next year and will operate during the changeover, scheduled for completion by the end of 2019. Viva Vision's last upgrade was in 2004 at a cost of $17 million.
According to Flowhub, a cannabis compliance company, Las Vegas boasts the lowest overall price for recreational marijuana of the top eight cities where it's legal, due to the lowest tax structure. Based on the purchase of a $35 eighth-ounce of bud, Vegas came in eighth at $41.39 with 18.2% in taxes, Boston and Portland tied for sixth at $42 (20%), and Denver ranked fifth at $43.14 (23.3%). San Francisco ($43.67/24.8%), San Diego ($45.54/30.1%), and Los Angeles ($48.48/39%) came in at fourth, third, and second, respectively, while Seattle had the most expensive pot, levying 47.1% overall and bringing the eighth-ounce bag to $51.49 -- $10.10 higher than in Sin City.
Hunter S. Thompson's personal 1973 red Chevrolet Caprice convertible, known as the "Red Shark," has been donated to Cannabition, the marijuana museum set to open at the end of this month. Thompson drove the same model car, which he rented in L.A., to Las Vegas for the gonzo trip he recounted in Fear and Loathing. In the trunk, he had so many drugs that he described it as similar to a police "mobile narcotics lab." This car was given to Thompson in the '80s as a gift by friends, then donated to the museum by Thompson’s widow Anita; it's one of two dozen large-scale art pieces at the 9,000-square-foot Cannabition, including the world’s largest bong. Cannabition will open August 30 at Neonopolis.
The Golden Gate has added a quarter 8/5 Bonus Poker progressive game. It’s the same game that’s been offered for years in the Vue bar at the D, which is often returning over 100% with optimal play. It’s just the latest addition to the excellent video poker opportunities downtown.
New dates have been added for An Intimate Evening with Santana: Greatest Hits Live at the House of Blues. The new dates are Jan. 23, 25-27, 30-31 and Feb. 1-2. Tickets start at $99.50 base.
Kids 12 and under eat free today at Sweet Tomatoes, a national chain with three locations in Las Vegas -- get one kids meal with the purchase of an adult meal. It’s not clear whether or not all the Las Vegas locations are participating, but the restaurant at 9460 W. Flamingo Rd. is mentioned specifically in the email ad we saw. The ad also suggests that this is an ongoing Tuesdays offer.
MGM Resorts International is now charging a 20% service fee at all of its spas and salons. In its standard deflecting maneuver, the company announced the fee by saying “Our policies are based on industry standards and focus on providing superior service and an unforgettable guest experience.” Yes. Thank you MRI for once again finding a way to extract more money to make the customer experience better.
The South Point buffet is undergoing a renovation and has instituted “hard-hat pricing” that's $2-$3 below normal prices for all meals; however, we’ve heard that the selection has also been cut back. The adjusted pricing is expected to last through August. LVA members can download our Printable Reward for a breakfast twofer.
How many casinos are in Macau? A recent article in GGRAsia about smoking lounges indicates that there are 47 “gaming venues” there (of which only 11 petitioned for a smoking lounge). The number will vary based on what a source considers to be a casino; this article included casinos and slot parlors.
The longevity of bar gambling bonuses is always up in the air. In the August Las Vegas Advisor we wrote that G.O.A.T. bar was offering a play-$500-get-$50 machine bonus good all day on Sundays. But when we checked today, it had already been rescinded. G.O.A.T. has gone back and forth on this offer. We'll do our best to keep you current on the status.
Room service at Vdara will never be the same. The high-end hotel in CityCenter is using two “relay robots” named Fetch and Jett to deliver room service. Once loaded up with a food order or requested sundries, the robots can navigate on their own, including operating the elevators, to get to a guest’s room. When the door opens, their sealed lids automatically open to deliver the cargo. Cool idea. No tipping!
A major dust and rain storm hit Las Vegas last night, diverting and cancelling airline flights, causing power outages, sparking fires, and raising flood warnings. Wind gusts of up to 70 mph swept through the area, knocking down power lines; more than 60,000 homes lost electricity. Amazingly, no injuries relating to the weather were reported.
Going into tomorrow’s final round of golf's PGA Championship, Brooks Koepka, leading by two shots, is the +135 favorite to win. Adam Scott is the second favorite at +645, followed by Ricky Fowler at +825 and John Rahm at +1000. Tiger Woods, at 4 shots back, is +1950.
El Cortez is making deals with outside restaurants in the downtown area to redeem players club points. A recent ad indicates that EC comp dollars are now accepted at Rachel’s Kitchen, Eureka!, and Taqueria El Buen Pastor.
Work on the monorail extension to Mandalay Bay has been delayed, due to hang-ups in receiving required construction permits. There may also be a problem with funding, which is causing concern that the project may not be completed in time for the opening of the Raiders stadium, if at all.
Updated information from TMZ.com indicates that the charges against former NBA player Charles Oakley for cheating at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas have been lessened from a felony to misdemeanor disorderly conduct, which means he won’t have to serve jail time. TMZ also says he was playing Ultimate Texas Hold’em, not blackjack as originally reported, when surveillance observed him adding chips to winning hands and taking them back from losers.
The Canter’s Deli that opened in October at Tivoli Village has closed. A second Canter’s remains open at the LINQ Promenade.
The pricing of personal seat licenses (“PSLs”) for Raiders season tickets has been revealed. Reserved-seating PSLs cost $3,900 to $15,000, while the cost for premium seats runs from $20,000 to $75,000. A PSL is a one-time fee that gives the buyer the right to buy season tickets for 30 years. The actual ticket prices are separate, so those are costs in addition to these numbers. You don't have to have a PSL to buy tickets for individual games.
A key 15-mile segment of the huge Interstate 11 highway project opened today. Also known as the Boulder City Bypass, the route will lessen the traveling time from Las Vegas to the Arizona border near Hoover Dam by 30 minutes and provide scenic views of Lake Mead and surrounding areas. Several sculptures and a mural depicting the construction of the dam have also been assembled along the drive. The I-11 project that will eventually run from Mexico to Canada is the first addition to the federal interstate system since 1992.
Dustin Johnson is the +800 favorite to win the PGA Championship golf tournament, which began today. He’s followed by Rory McIlroy at +1200 and Justin Thomas at +1400. Tiger Woods is +2500.
Lady Gaga has announced a residency at Park Las Vegas. Lady Gaga Enigma kicks off a 27-date schedule on December 28. The complete schedule has not been announced.
After years of discussion, Japan’s parliament has passed a law that allows up to three casinos in the country. It hasn’t been determined where the casinos will be located or which companies will get the concessions, but this will get the sweepstakes started, with 2020 considered to be the earliest these decisions will be finalized and 2025 the earliest a resort could open. MRI, CET, Sands, and Wynn are all expected to vie for a spot, with Sheldon Adelson recently stating that Sands has the inside track in what’s being projected as a $21 billion market upon opening.
A Southern California-based group called the World Buddhism Association has purchased the 12.2-acre vacant lot on Sahara Avenue and Paradise Road between the SLS and the Las Vegas Monorail operations center for $17.5 million. Though an article in the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that "the buyers don't have the money to start construction," the plan is to build a Buddhist temple "for philanthropic purposes to benefit the public." The article quotes an Asian religions professor saying that a Buddhist temple a block from the Strip would be "deeply ironic," given the "contemplative context" in which Buddhist temples are usually built.
The Vegas Golden Knights and the U.S. Army have settled their trademark dispute. The Army filed a challenge with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office over the use of the Golden Knights name, which has been the name of its parachute exhibition team for more than 50 years. The two parties have entered into a trademark coexistence agreement that will allow both to use the name. Our new book, Vegas Golden Knights -- How a First-Year Expansion Team Healed Las Vegas and Shocked the Hockey World, is now on sale at a pre-publication price of just $14.95, including shipping.
A new welcome sign, featuring two 26-foot-tall showgirls and the words "City of Las Vegas," will be dedicated tonight at its location at the intersection of Las Vegas Blvd. and Main Street, just north of the Stratosphere. The $400,000 sign, near the gateway to the city, is expected to turn into the kind of iconic photo op that the "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Nevada" sign has been for decades. As such, Stratosphere is carving out a nearby parking lot that will open in a month.
Joel Robuchon, the legendary French chef whose two eponymous MGM Grand restaurants are considered among the best in Las Vegas, has died of cancer at age 73. Robuchon was known for many things, but he'll perhaps be best remembered for setting the record for the most Michelin stars, 32, in 2016. His restaurants still hold the most stars at 31.
Kevin Burke is leaving Defending the Caveman after 11 years and more than 5,000 shows in Las Vegas. The show will continue at the D with other performers and Burke says he will continue to perform in a Caveman tour.
The Skyline has removed its players club self-sign-up kiosk. It seemed like a good idea, but we haven’t seen one anywhere else, suggesting that it's either not resonating with the audience or there's too much involved in the process to effectively automate.
Let’s all go to Springfield. MGM Resorts International has announced that parking will be free in the 3,400-space garage when MGM Springfield opens in two weeks. Maybe MRI brass is less satisfied with the results of the Las Vegas experiment than they indicate.
Lionel Richie will conclude his residency at Planet Hollywood this year. The final show dates for Lionel Richie – All the Hits will be Aug. 15, 17-18, 21, 24-25, 28; Oct. 3, 5-6, 10, 12-13, 17, 19-20. Tickets start at $59 base.
Las Vegas taxi drivers have apparently been boycotting select casinos on a rotating basis for the past month in protest of business lost to the ride-sharing companies. It’s not clear what this will accomplish or if it’s even being noticed, as there seem to be plenty of Uber and Lyft drivers to fill the void.
What’s being called the last legal dog-racing track in Asia has closed. The Canidrome had been in operation in Macau for more than 50 years before coming under fire from animal-rights groups for long-documented abuse of the racing dogs.
T.J. Dillashaw is a -140 favorite over Cody Garbrandt in tonight's UFC main event. In the other featured match, Demetrious Johnson is -500 over Henry Cejudo.
The Project Neon roadwork that’s been disrupting Las Vegas traffic on I-15 has reached the 75%-completion point. Work is expected to continue until summer of next year, but it appears that the intensity will begin to diminish sooner.
SLS Las Vegas has reached a five-year labor agreement with the Culinary and Bartenders Unions. The five casinos remaining without contracts are Margaritaville and Treasure Island on the Strip and El Cortez, the D, and Golden Gate downtown, which account for about 2,400 workers from the 55,000 involved at the beginning of negotiations.
Backstreet Boys—Larger than Life has added 18 dates at Planet Hollywood, but they will be the final performances in this run. In addition to already scheduled Aug. 8, 10-11; Oct. 24, 26-27, 31; and Nov. 2-3, 7, 9-10, 14, 16-17; the new dates are Feb. 6, 8-9, 13, 15-16, 20, 22-23; and the final shows will be April 10, 12-13, 17, 19-20, 24, 26-27. Tickets start at $55 base.
A Tiger Woods vs. Phil Mickelson $10 million winner-take-all golf match will take place in Las Vegas. The match, which figures to get a mountain of press hype, will take place on Thanksgiving weekend at the Shadow Creek Golf Course. The exact date of the match and ticket information has yet to be released.
The Downtown Grand has reached a five-year labor agreement with the Culinary and Bartenders Unions. Only six casinos remain without contracts -- Margaritaville, SLS Las Vegas, Treasure Island, El Cortez, the D, and Golden Gate. There's been some sporadic picketing at, Margaritaville, the D, and Golden Gate, but still no major demonstrations throughout the entire period of the talks.
The Baltimore Ravens are -2.5 favorites over the Chicago Bears in tonight's Hall of Fame Game that opens the NFL season. The total is 35.
The first legal sports bets in Mississippi were made yesterday at the Beau Rivage in Biloxi and the Gold Strike in Tunica exactly 26 years after Biloxi’s Isle of Capri opened as the state’s first casino. Mississippi becomes the fourth state to offer legal sports wagering.q``
The Palms has announced that Tim Ho Wan, the least expensive Michelin-starred restaurant in the world, will open in the new west-casino annex. The original one-star 20-seat dim sum eatery opened in Hong Kong in 2009; since then, 45 locations have opened in Asia, Australia, and the U.S. When America's lone location in New York City debuted in December 2016, more than 100 people waited in line for hours in 20-degree temperatures. The Palms' Tim Ho Wan is expected to be completed around this time next year.
MGM Resorts International has entered into an agreement with the NBA to use its game data to determine the outcomes of sports wagers. MRI will pay the NBA $25 million over a three-year term, which also includes reciprocal promotional agreements. It’s the first such deal made between a licensed sports betting operator and one of the major sports leagues.
The nonprofit Las Vegas Pinball Collectors Club, owner of the Pinball Hall of Fame, has purchased a 1.76-acre property on the south Strip just south of Russell Road across from the Bali Hai Golf Club, for $4.6 million. The Club is planning a 27,000-square-foot pinball-shaped building in order to expand from 250 machines in its current location on E. Tropicana to more than 1,000 machines, 800 of which are in storage. The Hall of Fame also hopes to attract more out-of-towners to its vintage quarter games. In response to when the construction on the new building might commence, the owner of the Hall of Fame said, "I have no idea."
Sales of marijuana in May set a new record; the $43.74 million beat the previous record of $41 million set in March. Demand for recreational marijuana in Nevada has been stronger than many industry experts initially projected and continues to grow. Wholesale prices have gone up to levels unknown in other legal-pot markets (though that has to do as much with crop failure due to stringent testing standards and extreme heat as it does with demand). In other pot news, according to one dispensary owner, 60% of recreational customers are over the age of 40. And a company called Cannabaneirs has perfected a non-alcoholic marijuana-infused craft beer, "two roots," as an alternative to edibles. It's expected to be available in mid-August and cost $5 a can.