Last month, we wrote about the $2-per-oyster happy hour in the Proper Eats food hall at Aria. At the conclusion of that review, we lamented the rising price of oysters, even in specials (what happened to the $1-oyster specials that were ubiquitous not so long ago?), and said we’d look around.
Continue reading Oysters (South Point)Nevada’s mixed forecast; The mystery of the Playboy chips
Fueled by a record July at Reid International Airport, casinos on the Las Vegas Strip surged 8% in July, hitting $835 million. This was the highest single-month haul on the Strip ever, surpassing December 2022 by $20 million. Slot win ($420.5 million) was up 7.5% on an equal surge in coin-in. However, the luck of the house did not carry over to non-baccarat table games, which saw a 9% plunge in revenue, despite a heavier volume of wagering. Fortunately for the casinos, baccarat win rocketed over 40% to $56 million, even though betting was down 1%. The casinos recorded some of their best-ever hold at the game: 24%. Higher holds were also exclusively responsible for an upsurge in locals-derived revenue, up 6% despite 1% lower wagering.
Continue reading Nevada’s mixed forecast; The mystery of the Playboy chipsA Whale of a Story
We gamblers and advantage players. We’re complicated.
We’re smart, obsessive, and we make great stories. The greatest of all was Kerry Packer.
I know it’s ironic: A coupon scuffler let’s-get-it-for-free guy like me is fascinated by the biggest whale of all time. Sure, it’s goofy, but the question remains, what can we learn from them?
When Packer’s father died in 1974, Kerry inherited a $100 million Australian media and casino empire. He was apparently dyslexic, a poor student in some ways and clearly brilliant in others.
Continue reading A Whale of a StoryWhat Would You Do?
I had a conversation with a strong player, and he posed a series of ethical questions. He estimated that if I asked this question in a crowd of people, at least 75% of players would claim they would do the right thing in each situation. But if nobody else were around, less than 50% would actually do the right thing.
I’m not sure about his percentages, but they sound approximately right, more or less. So, let’s look at the questions.
Continue reading What Would You Do?In case you missed it …
Those of you who still follow us on Twitter, er, X may recall that we promised to share the next Casino Life Editor’s Note with you. Since it’s virtually the only Casino Life content that’s not hyperlinked to the Web, here it is:
It’s noxious. It’s antisocial. And it’s unhealthy. It’s cigar and cigarette smoke in casinos. And it’s got to go.
While I can’t speak for Europe and Asia, here in America less than 13 percent of the population smokes. Although these people are in a very small minority of consumers, the casino industry bends over for them as though they were the only players who mattered. Because of them you have to choke on noxious tobacco fumes every time you cross a casino floor. Nor can you ‘vote with your feet’ because neither the casino across the street nor the one in the next town caters to non-smokers.
Continue reading In case you missed it …El Dorado Cantina — Chapulines? Meh
Reviewed in the August 2017 Las Vegas Advisor
We finally did it.
We ordered — and ate—the sautéed grasshoppers (chapulines in Spanish, since they come from certain areas of Mexico) at El Dorado Cantina. That’s what we’re about here, folks. We do it, so you don’t have to.
Continue reading El Dorado Cantina — Chapulines? MehMega-Jottings for a Monday
What do to when there’s no news story that simply dominates the headlines? Bust out an extra-large serving of “Jottings,” of course! For instance, Resorts World Las Vegas should turn it around in the latter half of this year, even if it’s merely the beneficiary of a rising tide lifting all boats in Sin City. Following a disappointing 2Q23 profit statement, owner Genting is projected to do better on the strength of the Las Vegas Grand Prix. But so will everybody else. By the same token, Resorts World Sentosa is expected to improve as visitation to Singapore, already impressive, continues to ramp upward … “Impeccable” is what Louisiana‘s top gaming regulator calls Cordish Cos. prior to its pending licensure in the Pelican State. We agree and Diamond Jacks owner Foundation Gaming must be pretty confident, too. It’s scrapped the riverboat casino and torn down the unprepossessing hotel, anticipating approval of owner-to-be Cordish. The latter intends to spend $250 million building a land-based casino, of which the state still has too few … Speaking of Cordish, the first of its intended casino sites in North Carolina cleared rezoning last week, despite loud public opposition. As the casino-legalization debate drags on in the Lege, opponents want to take it to a vote of the people. Given that polling shows as much as 55% support, casino detractors are playing a risky gambit …
Continue reading Mega-Jottings for a MondayBellagio sold again; Atlantic City sob story; Trump busted
It’s getting very difficult to tell the players without a scorecard in the game of the REIT-ification of the Las Vegas Strip. Case in point, Bellagio, which now has three owners. There’s MGM Resorts International, which holds a token 5% stake. Then there’s Blackstone Real Estate, whose ownership has just been diluted to 73%. And now there’s Realty Income, which is paying $950 million for the privilege of owning 22%. $300 million goes toward direct ownership, while the rest is channeled toward yield-bearing preferred equity interest. The deal should be consummated by year’s end and will probably have no discernible effect on your Bellagio experience.
Continue reading Bellagio sold again; Atlantic City sob story; Trump bustedBuffet Update – September 2023
Bellagio – The Buffet at Bellagio: Italian Grill Night dinner on Wednesday is completely removed. No dinner buffet on Thursday either. Dinner is Friday
Circus Circus – Circus Buffet: Until further notice, no buffet on Monday. Brunch is now Fri-Sun, 7 a.m.-2 p.m. for $30.99. Dinner is Fri & Sat, 4:30-10 p.m. for $32.99. Dinner is no longer served on Sunday.
Continue reading Buffet Update – September 2023Sports Gambling Hall of Fame Launched at Circa
On August 14, sports betting legends Billy Baxter, Jack Franzi, Jackie Gaughan, Bob Martin, Roxy Roxborough, Scotty Schettler, Jimmy Vaccaro, Billy Walters, Charles McNeil, and Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal were inducted into the Sports Gambling Hall of Fame at Circa.
Located in an enclave inside one of the world’s two largest sports books, the HoF honors bookmakers and bettors who have notably transformed the sports betting industry.
Continue reading Sports Gambling Hall of Fame Launched at Circa