OK, so the governor signed into law upping the room tax at local hotels, supposedly to help pay for a new stadium to house the "Las Vegas" Raiders. I realize that increase won't cost visitors much more dough, but my question has to do with the timing of the imposition of that increase. When does it go into effect? Does the NFL have to approve the move of the franchise from Oakland to LV, or will visitors pay the increase regardless of that approval? I'm very skeptical that the NFL will approve the move, and I suspect that the extra money will simply end up being used for something else.

We’re thinking of spending some time in Death Valley next spring during wildflower season. How hot will it be and can you give us some safety tips? (We’re a couple in our 60s, pretty fit, but inexperienced in desert hiking.)

The Lucky Dragon is opening December 3. I heard it was an Asian-oriented casino. Any truth to that? I was also wondering where it is located and if there are any pictures of the casino, restaurants, floor, etc.?

I have visited Las Vegas since 1969 and moved there in 2004, now living in Pahrump since 2009. I mention all these dates for a reason. I recently explored the downtown streets in Las Vegas, searching for a business that I no longer found in the phone book but did exist when I moved to Las Vegas. I was dismayed at the state of the downtown businesses, many closed and in disarray, littered with homeless. It all seems ripe for cheap realty acquisition and renovation of downtown casino businesses. Has all hope abandoned Las Vegas or is there some positive future in the works?

Certainly there have been several false starts, but what would you project the north Strip area (from Wynn to Stratosphere) will have available five or so years from now? Or will it continue to be basically a blight -- one abandoned construction project after another?

Are there any websites that keep jackpot payout statistics by casino? Particularly jackpots in the million-plus range?

Can you still bypass the line at the Bellagio by sitting at the bar?

Today I heard on the radio that MGM and Caesars are planning to cut back on free drinks while playing. Any thoughts on this? I was thinking this was going to happen, now it has. What has happened to the free drinks in Vegas? I was at Cromwell last week and the bar has gone to a voucher system. No longer can the bartender there make a decision on when you can have a comped drink. The slot machine lights up a green light for yes drink, and red no. I had to run through $6 for the green light! The beer value probably $4?

Do any Las Vegas buffets take reservations?

What effect, if any, do you feel the outcome of the presidential election will have on the gambling industry in Nevada? Do you see the run up to the election as a good time or a bad time to invest in casino stock?