Yesterday was Circa Day, the opening of the most-anticipated Las Vegas casino in a long time (yes, even before Aria). Much of that buzz was due to owner Derek Stevens‘ canny mastery of PR but a spiffy new Downtown casino is an event unto itself. Between Global Gaming Expo and three feature assignments for Casino Life (plus a lingering flu) we’ve been too slammed to stay on top of matters Circa, so we’re hoping Vital Vegas will have an on-the-scene report later today. Reporter Susan Stapleton took the three-story escalator to Stadium Swim, part of a picture-laden tour of the new resort. Hotel rooms aren’t open yet but there’s plenty to see, including the monster sports book, the casino (of course) and Stevens’ pride and joy, Garage Mahal, the first such structure in Las Vegas designed with taxis and ride-sharing vehicles in mind.
If Downtown Las Vegas eschews five dollar craps, they will end up eroding their fan base… I do not expect five dollar tables at Circa, but Mr. Stevens is sniffing glue if he thinks the Golden Gate and The D can sustain themselves with $15 table minimums, these are properties for blue collar gamblers, not $20 dollar martini sippers… I hit the Four Queens every Las Vegas trip I make, they change from five dollar craps to ten right around 6pm every night, I hope your reporting is accurate, if Downtown wants folks like me to stick around after dinner to gamble they should not pretend they are The Wynn or Caesars Palace…