From the pages of the Las Vegas Sun …
For want of $1.5 million, work on the long-awaited Neon Museum has ground to a halt. Mind you, this is a museum that would preserve many of the most evocative relics of an industry that raked in $12.8 billion in gambling win in the Silver State last year.
With so much money pouring into casino coffers, you’ll never convince me that a spare million and a half can’t be spared to make an hommage to the Strip icons of yesteryear. Heck, Steve Wynn probably loses that much under his sofa cushions.
South Point owner Michael Gaughan is the point man pushing for rescinding the ban on cell phone use in Nevada sports books. It’s an idea worth debating but there is one small fly in the ointment: Enforcement of the proposed new rule would rely on the honor system. We’re given the less-than-reassuring assurance that “most locals know the rules and don’t violate them.”
Yes, and most people obey practically every law (except maybe speed limits). All it takes is a few rotten apples and — kaboom! — the majesty of the law is down upon Nevada and Delaware, not to mention any other state (like New Jersey) that is considering the legalization of sports betting. I’m just sayin’.
Bo Belinsky remembered. For some of us, he will be best known as the ex-husband of 1965 Playmate of the Year Jo Collins. (No, tasteful nudity does not lurk beneath that link. Sorry, guys.)
Elsewhere …
Dictator steps down, U.S. still cutting off nose to spite face. Political posturing, si! Commerce? Free exchange of ideas? Cuban cigars? No! I mean, Cuba is a dangerous superpower, not a free-speech-loving, human-rights-promoting, democratic, economically non-threatening, anti-Communist little country — like China. (Or, if you’re my age, “Red China.”)
Local columnist Hugh Jackson points out (in Jacksonian fashion) that a post-Fidel Cuba is probably A Good Thing for the casino industry. For American sugar beet producers … not so much.
Las Vegas CityLife, which “lends its dubious endorsement” to S&G, among other fine blogs (including VegasTodayAndTomorrow.com) is launching a new rotating blog of its own.
