I was wondering what the average tourist spends on gambling per day in Las Vegas. Has the average dropped significantly during the current recession?

My wife and I travel to Las Vegas two to three times a year, staying 10 to 14 days each trip. We are fans of Station Casinos, having stayed at all of them, but Aliante. I have been following the bankruptcy saga of the Stations brand in the online versions of the LVRJ and the Sun. I have heard nothing since mid-May, after the last forebearance agreement extension. Can you enlighten your loyal readers and Station Casinos patrons on the state of the Stations brand? What does Mr. Curtis see happening with the Station casinos post bankruptcy?

How’s Lake Mead doing at the beginning of this summer? Is the water level dangerously low?

Who is Carl Icahn and what does it mean for the Tropicana Atlantic City if he gains control of it?

Over the past couple of years a number of condo/condo-hotels have opened on or near the Strip: Allure (428 units), Boca Raton (756), Juhl (341), Loft 5 (168), Panorama Towers (600), Turnberry Place (636), Platinum (255), MGM Signature (1,728), Palms Place (599), Trump International (1,282). These (there may be others) total 7,293 condos. Yet to come in the next or two are some additional thousands at CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, Planet Hollywood, and others. Considering the current real estate market, how have the sales gone for the projects already open? Are many in foreclosure? Were many deposits (made several years ago when prices were still escalating) forefeited?

A friend of mine was staying at the Tropicana during NAB/BEA convention this past April. While he was at the Convention Center, he saw a TV report that one of the towers at the Trop had been closed because it didn't meet "code." He wasn't affected where he was staying. Which tower was it? Used to love the Tropicana till the last owners took the fun away and got rid of a lot of very experienced dealers, waitresses, pit bosses. What's happening with it now that they are in bankruptcy?

On April 2, you mentioned that unemployment in Las Vegas was at 10%. How does that translate into number of people? I'm from out of state and was going to apply for a job at the Aria to open in December (whose website lists tons of jobs), but at 10% unemployment, I probably wouldn't have a chance, right?

We'll be visiting Vegas in May, staying at NY-NY and the Mirage. After reading David McKee's blog every day, will they still be open? Sort of a stupid question but what happens if one of the big ones (MGM or Harrah's) goes bankrupt? Would the banks take them over and keep them running?

I recently saw an advertisement for Excalibur's new "All You Can Eat All Day Long" buffet for $25. Disregarding my overwhelming feeling of nausea and disgust at the thought of eating that horrible buffet three meals a day, it could be a fun and cheap way for some irresponsibly unhealthy guys to eat through a Vegas binge. How does it work? Do they stamp your hand or give you a ticket to get back in, later in the day? Do you think it’s a bargain? It sounds like the deal of the year to me, since breakfast lunch and dinner would normally cost you around $45.

The Las Vegas Valley is prone to flash floods. Have there been instances where transients were washed out of or drowned in the elaborate storm-drain system?