The QoD for 4/20 [on the proposed and defeated Nevada brothel tax] got me wondering. With the Nevada mining business booming, why don't they increase their taxes instead of trying to squeeze more from a cash-strapped casino industry?

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?

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?

I live in Hawaii and like many folks here love to go to Vegas to eat and to gamble. I am writing because my friend just told me our state Legislature just passed a law so that they are going to tax me now on anything I win when I gamble – even if I lose overall! Do you know about this and can you explain?

I have seen the term money laundering, but have never understood what it meant. Would you please explain?

If you are lucky and win a huge jackpot, one that pays annually, say, $50K or so, what happens if the casino or game manufacturer files bankruptcy or goes out of business?

A friend is thinking of filing for bankruptcy, primarily due to credit card debt plus some casino markers. He was told that most debt can be erased by bankruptcy, but not debt owed to casinos. Is that correct?

When a casino is placed for sale, how do they determine the value of it? Do they go by cash flow or land value or what? If its cash flow why would somebody like MGM consider selling something that brings in money and helps pay the bills?

Tax time is rapidly approaching. Do I need to claim gift cards, free credits, or mailers offering cash or free play as income?

Our daughter just got accepted to attending UNLV next year as a junior and she'll need to work at a job to help support herself. How much is the minimum wage in Nevada. We hear conflicting numbers, between $5-something and $6-something. Can you straighten us out?