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?

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?

I was playing blackjack during our last visit to Las Vegas. The dealer was dealing from a hand-held double deck. On three almost back-to-back deals, every player at the table showed a good and potentially winnable hand. On all three occasions, the dealer drew a 21 and beat every player. I’ve seen some amazing tricks and am aware of what can be done with a deck of cards. Is it possible that some dealers are so good that they can control a hand now and then to give the house a bigger advantage? In this case it sure seemed like it.

What’s up at Stage Door Casino? We stop in every time we are in town. When we went last night, we were carded and wanded at the door. And there were several security personnel around. They even told us we could no longer have plastic glasses for a "traveler." Were gray-haired seniors, so the carding seemed ridiculous.

Do you guys know how to get into the debate? Buy tickets, scalp, volunteer to work? Any ideas or suggestions?

I seem to remember years ago that picture-taking was not allowed in casinos. I also recall that the MGM Grand was exempt from this policy/law due its designation as a movie studio. Obviously, this is no longer the case, as everyone now snaps pictures in the casino, and I was wondering when this changed. Was this a NGC law or corporate policy?

We always stay either on the Strip or at a locals casino, but have never stayed downtown. However, we always spend an evening or two downtown to see the Fremont Street Experience, the Mob Museum, etc., and gamble for a while. Last year some of the so-called street performers were so filthy in their dress, mannerisms, language, and more that we have decided to write off downtown unless this scum is either banned or forced to clean up their act. We spoke to a police officer about one particularly disgusting guy and were told that at that time they were protected by some ridiculous and obviously outdated law that had not yet been repealed. Are they still there or has Fremont Street been cleaned up in the last year or so?

I fly to Vegas and don't rent a car. The great transportation section on your website helps me get wherever I want to go very inexpensively (free shuttles, Monorail, etc.). Is there any easy, and maybe inexpensive, way to get to the recently opened Cracker Barrel located at 8350 Dean Martin Drive? I assume there aren't any closer. Their chicken and dumplings are yummy!

With the likely demise of Hotel32, is there anything closely comparable elsewhere? Am discounting the larger operations such as Delano, Four Seasons, Nobu; I like the idea of the smaller boutique hotel within a hotel.