Florida‘s black market slot-parlor industry is coming under renewed scrutiny as it offers not only unlimited soda but an invitingly soft target for armed robbers looking for high concentrations of cash. In a 15-month 
period, Jacksonville police have logged 500 emergency calls to slot arcades. One such robbery, at Jacksonville’s Lucky Charms arcade, led to a hostage situation, a car chase, a crash, an injured police officer and one fatality. The alleged robber is charged with myriad counts, including the demise of the hostage, which carries the death penalty. Since gaming regulation in Florida is virtually nonexistent, law enforcement is looking toward public-nuisance laws as a weapon against slot houses, a potential tool for shutting them down.
The cops have got a point. As Bloomberg Businessweek reports, “This being Florida, which leads the nation in concealed weapon permits, shootout frequently ensue” between robbers and armed guards. Perhaps the arcades need to post signs reading, ‘Playing slot machines can be hazardous to your health.’ Rather than using Vegas-style slots, these dives issue “sweepstakes” scrip, which is played on laptop computers. Points earned are redeemable for cash, sort of like pachinko parlors in Japan. The video displays, however, mimic your Average Joe slot machine, Tight holds mean you’ll blow through your bankroll in a hurry.
Underpaid prosecutors trying to clamp down on the semi-legitimate industry have to go up against arguments that equate these ‘sweepstakes cafés’ with the McDonalds Monopoly game, for instance. What you’re buying, they say, is Internet access that just happens to come with sweepstakes entries. Another counter-argument is not unlike that of the gun industry: There are laws on the books to regulate Internet cafés; they’re just not being enforced properly. One far-reaching prosecution was initially successful but got thrown out by an appeals court. We’ll see if law enforcement’s latest gamble is more propitious. (Even the Department of Homeland Security has gotten into the act.)
* How important is Internet gambling to the survival of Atlantic City? Very important. As in 18% of overall revenue or $45,214,555 last year. 
Golden Nugget led all comers with $16,625,086. No surprise, as the Nugget deploys GoldenNuggetCasino.com, BetFairCasino.com, PlaySugarHouse.com and NJ.BetAmerica.com. While the Trump administration has reversed the Obama administration’s favorable Justice Department view of ‘Net betting we’ve not heard anything on that front since Jeff Sessions decamped. Given the importance of online gambling to Garden State casinos, expect New Jersey to fight any federal interference to the death.
* Can Las Vegas have too much of a good thing, at least when it comes to dining? The question comes up because Gordon Ramsay is opening a mind-blowing sixth restaurant in Sin City. This one, Lucky Cat, is an Asian eatery inspired by “drinking clubs of 1930s Tokyo and the Far East,” with an emphasis on ‘lite,’ late-night cuisine. A location hasn’t been announced (we’re betting on a Caesars Entertainment property) and Lucky Cat won’t open for another 10 months. The intemperate chef’s newest Vegas restaurant is a knockoff of a London original “where guests can choose from a bespoke, handwritten, seasonal menu and enjoy the theatre of watching expert chefs at work.” Dinner as a spectator sport is nothing new to Las Vegas but the Strip seems to have raised it to an art form.
After 15 months at Palace Station, it’s quitting time for BBD’s. Apparently there was some kind of philosophical disagreement with Station Casinos as the two parties reached “a mutual decision to pursue different goals for their brands.” Chef Ralph Perazzo is shopping for a new location for the burger place, while Palace Station hasn’t announced a new tenant for the space.
Jottings: Eater Las Vegas has an extensive first look at The Front Yard at Ellis Island. It’s impressive … Rumor has it that the “Wynn” name could soon come off Wynn Resorts, in response to regulatory pressure providing one less reminder of a shameful chapter in the history of the Las Vegas Strip. However, Wynn spokesman Michael Weaver said, 
“The Company has no plans to change its name from Wynn Resorts.” So there’s that … Bad publicity for the Plaza Hotel: Health inspectors briefly shut down Hash House A Go Go after they “counted more than 50 German roaches on the hot line and in the back prep area.” Other deficiencies included “improper hand washing, meats held at unsafe temperatures, and unwashed fruits and vegetables used.”Let’s hope the restaurant has cleaned up its act—and its kitchen … Less fortunate was Vegas food truck Tacos La Chata which was closed indefinitely after it was discovered that workers “prepared tacos with bare hands despite no hand washing facilities. The health department issued additional demerits for selling refried beans, salsas, and cooked rice made in someone’s home” … On a more appetizing note, PizzaCake, soon to debut at Harrah’s, will feature a cake ATM. Expect slices of chocolate, red velvet, rainbow, cookies and cream, vanilla confetti and carrot cake.
