We just returned from Las Vegas and noticed the Aladdin has been replaced by Planet Hollywood. It hasn't been that long since we were staying at Polo Towers while the Aladdin was being constructed. Was the Aladdin remodeled, or torn down and a completely new hotel/casino built? Just curious.

Since Steve Cyr was featured in the book Whale Hunt, what has become of him?

This one's a dual Q&A, since we've received numerous questions from opposite ends of the spectrum. For example: "Every time we visit the Venetian I get a severe headache and have to leave. What is the fragrance/smell they use in the casino? We noticed it in the Palazzo too." And: "I love the scent when you walk through the Venetian casino and lobby. Can you find out what exactly it is, and whether I can buy an air freshener or candle to create the same scent at home?"

I'm sure this has been answered, but I was curious to know which casino (Strip, downtown, off-strip, etc.) has the largest gaming floor? Who has the most slot machines?

During this economic downturn, where could I find a list of all the publicly traded casinos that I could research and invest into?

Question one (from one submitter): I believe in 1978 we stayed at the Holiday Inn Center Strip. What is now at this location? Question two (from a second submitter): In a number of TV shows, films, etc., we have often seen what appears to be a hotel/casino shaped like a paddleboat somewhere on the Strip. We come to Vegas every year for our two-week vacation, but have never seen or even heard about it whilst there. I am sure you can put us out of our misery.

I am in the transportation industry here in town and a couple of weeks ago I had a gentleman who was a high-stakes gambler use my services for the day. When the time came to pay, he gave me a casino chip, a $5,000 chip from the Bellagio. I, needless to say, was shocked and skeptical on it being real. But I accepted and went to Bellagio and first went to a person in the gaming section to get his opinion of the chip, which he agreed looked real. He also said I would have trouble cashing it in, since I had no play and no way to trace where I'd got it from. I have since hung onto it and don't know what to do. I wish I knew some high-stakes player from Bellagio that could cash it in for me, but I don't know anyone. Would you have a solution?

I was just in town in September, and my beloved Stage Deli in the Forum Shops is gone: what happened?

Regarding the QoD of 9/9, the "trailer station" at the Queen of Hearts never materialized on Aug. 13. I was there, as was at least one other LVA member; I stopped by around 8 a.m., again around noon, and again around 3 p.m.. Nothing. Any idea what happened?

I read that a federal jury awarded $729,000 to a "victim of patron abuse" by the Hollywood Casino in Tunica, Mississippi. It seems that the player was suspected of counting cards and security guards demanded identification. The player refused. Then the guards took the player to a back room and called the local police. The deputy, siding with the casino, allowed the guards to take the player’s ID, then arrested him for disorderly conduct. The player sued and the jury found the casino liable for false arrest, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, abuse of process, and other stuff. My question is, do you think this sort of jury award will become more common as more and more players, especially advantage players, exercise their rights in the face of power-abusing casino security guards and their cozy relations with the local police? And if more players sue, will the casinos become more careful about how they treat their customers?