December 16th, 2005

You still have until 10pm, est to order the 2006 American Casino Guide. Using just one coupon willmore than pay you back for your purchase price.

To see a list of all casino coupons Click HERE
http://www.americancasinoguide.com/Store/Coupons-2006.shtml

To Order the Guide, Click Here
http://www.americancasinoguide.com/Store/mrvegas.shtml
—————
Starting next the newsletter will be posted sporadically due to all the upcoming holidays.
—————
Also Eileen and I will be be sending all our members a Chanukah/Xmas gift via email next weel. We think you’ll enjoy it.
————-
Steve’s Las Vegas Quickies

The owners of the Sahara are in negotiations with Las Vegas dealmaker Jack Wishna, who confirms he is representing “a major international company.” The 50-acre Sahara site is owned by the late Bill Bennett’s family.

Vocal impressionist Gordie Brown has been extended at the Golden Nugget through March, it was announced Tuesday.

Kenny Rogers will perform his hits at Buffalo Bill’s Star of the Desert Arena in Primm on Jan. 13. Tickets, $30.95 and $42.95, are available at the venue box office and through Ticketmaster outlets.

Who needs sugarplums with a Christmas fantasy like this? A life-size chocolate Santa is on display at Jean Philippe Patisserie at Bellagio, 3600 Las Vegas Blvd. South. The 6-foot milk-chocolate Jolly Old Elf is the centerpiece of the shop’s holiday treats.

Legendary Hawaiian crooner Don Ho has turned to experimental stem cell treatment to strengthen his ailing heart. Ho, whose Walk of Stars dedication here was delayed because of his declining health, is recovering in Thailand.

“He felt well enough, but his pacer sometimes would go off in his chest and scare the hell out of him,” said Ed Brown, a friend. “That’s a difficult thing to live with right in the middle of ‘Tiny Bubbles.’”

China Grill Management has closed rumjungle at Mandalay Bay for a Christmas remodeling. It reopens Dec. 26 with local industry night featuring DJ Michael Toast.

Southcoast Opening Date Announced
It was announced today that Las Vegas’ next major casino, Southcoast, will open December 22 at 7 pm. The casino had been expected to debut in early January, but will open early to take advantage of New Year’s business.

Air Play, the free variety show at the Tropicana Resort & Casino will perform its final shows on December 31, 2005.

Rocker Lenny Kravitz is set to be the brains behind a brand new $3.5 Million hair salon to open sometime next year at the refurbished property. One reason for Kravitz’ venture, his early childhood dream of being a hairdresser.
From “Eye On Vegas”

Ventriloquist Ronn Lucas, the afternoon headliner at the Rio, will take over the Scintas showroom at 7:30 p.m. along with his usual afternoon gig from Saturday through Thursday. He plans to put “a Christmas slant” on the production, though it won’t be a start-to-finish makeover.
reviewjournal.com — Living - MIKE WEATHERFORD

Las Vegan Destiny Davis, who was Playboy’s Miss January 2005, is up for Playmate of the Year. You can cast a vote at www.playboy.com

Bikinis Beach and Dance club at the Rio has closed to make room for Las Vegas’ first high-end bowling lounge. The new venue, scheduled to open in the fall of next year, will feature a 12-lane bowling alley and a high-end martini lounge and cafe. Hey, who sez Las Vegas ain’t got no class?

For you collectors, the Palms is offering a limited edition casino chip commemorating the grand opening of Studio at the Palms. Chips are now available in $5 denominations at the casino cage while supplies last. Studio at the Palms opened Dec. 5, the first-ever recording studio built in a Las Vegas hotel-casino. The 8,000-square-foot facility boasts two state-of-the-art music recording and mixing studios, with Solid State Logic and Neve consoles, spacious control rooms and private lounges. For more information on the studio, call (702) 944-3400.
reviewjournal.com — Lenny’s Las Vegas

Wayne Newton has been extended into April, officials at the Flamingo announced on Tuesday.

Elton John’s “The Red Piano” concert special Monday on NBC pulled a 2.5 overnight rating among viewers 18 to 49 in the 8 p.m. time slot. That’s down 17 percent from “Surface,” which averaged 3.0 in its last four original episodes in that time slot.

The Le Reve Theater at Wynn Las Vegas is undergoing a holiday break renovation.

Harrah’s headliner Clint Holmes has established a foundation to support the arts in public schools. He launched the effort with a star-studded awareness benefit last week at Turnberry’s Stirling Club. “It’s not so much about kids who have dreams of being professionals,” said Holmes, “but more for kids who would never go to a Broadway show because they think it’s for sissies.”
reviewjournal.com — News - NORM

Comedian Vinnie Favorito — described as a “vicious Don Rickles” — has a new show at O’Sheas.

Earlier this year Favorito became the first-ever headliner at Binion’s. Favorito performs two shows daily at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m, Tuesdays through Saturdays.

For ticket information, call 733-3333.

Over the next few months, the Silverton will spend tens of millions of dollars building up to four restaurants, a spa, gym, new pool, 400-room hotel tower, convention center, lounge, a bigger casino and an ampitheater-style entertainment venue.

Mandalay Bay has booked “Vince Vaughn’s Wild West Comedy Show” on Jan 1, setting off speculation that it could be the first Las Vegas appearance for Vaughn and girlfriend Jennifer Aniston.
Fun on a Bun has opened at 4912 S.Eastern Ave., serving the signature half-pound Monster Burger plus the one-pound Mega Monster Burger, hot dogs and various other sandwiches for eat-in and takeout. For details, call 702-233-4386.

The 2006 Zagat Guide to Las Vegas restaurants and nightlife is available at local bookstores, some kitchen shops and online at www.zagat.com. Among the findings of this year’s survey: Rosemary’s Restaurant, Lotus of Siam and Nobu took the first three spots in the Top Food category; Picasso, Aureole and Delmonico’s Steakhouse were Most Popular• The survey also found that our own dear Sin City has the most expensive drinks in the country and the second most-expensive restaurants, after Palm Beach, Fla.
reviewjournal.com — Neon - RESTAURANT NEWS
——-

SEASONAL DECLINE: Monorail ridership tapers off.

Las Vegas Monorail ridership continued to slip in the fall months, with passenger totals in November hitting its lowest point in nine months, according to statistics released Tuesday.

Last month, only 25,788 people rode the monorail each day, continuing a ridership tumble that began after the transit line carried almost 33,000 people daily in July.

The November total is the lowest daily average since 23,033 people took the rail line each day in February.

More Here:
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2005/Dec-14-Wed-2005/news/4780577.html
———
MAD FOR PLAID

Went to see Forever Plaid, one of my favorite shows, again the other night. But this time, they were performing a special holiday season show, so 90 percent of it was new and I gotta tell ya, it was great. The room at the Gold Coast is perfect for them and I have a feeling they will be there for a long time.

The reason I also bring this item up is that the cast will be signing their recently released CD on Monday, Dec. 19, at ReJavaNate Coffee Lounge (3300 E. Flamingo Rd. at Pecos) from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Why there, you ask? Because two of the cast members, J. Gregory Davis and Bruce Ewing, own and operate the Lounge. The CD covers original material from the production with both studio and live contributions from a variety of props used in the show.

“There was so much music to record, and the harmonizing vocal parts of this group of guys are exquisite. The hard work and talent they perform on stage nightly comes through perfectly on this album,” producer Richard Martini said. Songs include Three Coins in the Fountain, Magic Moments, Crazy ‘Bout Ya Baby, No, Not Much, and Love Is A Many Splendored Thing, to name a few. If, like me, you love the music of the ’50s, you’re gonna love this CD. Plus, they’re a great bunch of talented guys. If you can’t make it, you can still buy the CD at most stores or by logging on to www.drgrecords.com.
reviewjournal.com — Lenny’s Las Vegas
————-
NEW FLAVORS

Harrah’s has opened the doors to its new buffet, Flavors. Flavors room chef, Debbi Lewis, has created a menu representing cuisines from around the world, including Churrasco (Brazilian BBQ), pizzas and Italian casseroles prepared in a wood-burning oven, fire-roasted rotisserie chicken, steamed crab legs, Asian selections like hand rolled-sushi, Maki Rolls and homemade Won Ton soup as well as traditional Southwestern dishes. Breakfast is offered from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. for $12.99; lunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for $14.99; dinner from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. for $18.99 and on Saturday and Sunday a Champagne brunch is available from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. for $18.99.
reviewjournal.com — Lenny’s Las Vegas
————
Holidays in Las Vegas

There may be a definite lack of snow in the Las Vegas Valley, but we still enjoy the holiday season just as much and there is plenty to do.
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2005/Dec-15-Thu-2005/news/4800435.html
————-
MIKE WEATHERFORD: Hilton’s 2006 entertainment calendar filling up.

The Las Vegas Hilton is filling in its 2006 calendar with more bold moves, demonstrating that the only Las Vegas property owned by Colony Capital plans to keep entertainment high in the mix along with a physical overhaul.

During the National Finals Rodeo, Reba McEntire announced a series of exclusive summer engagements at the Hilton, similar to Barry Manilow’s current deal with the hotel.

McEntire called the summer stint “my kind of touring,” and said the business contact in fact stemmed from a restaurant encounter with “Barry Manilow’s folks.” Manilow was quite vocal about citing travel burnout as his motive for the Hilton deal.

More Here:
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2005/Dec-15-Thu-2005/living/4720391.html————–
Sinatra tribute artist heading for N.Y.
By Jerry Fink

Local Frank Sinatra tribute artist Gary Anthony is packing his fedora and headed for the Big Apple on the red-eye flight tonight to perform in an off-Broadway cabaret.

“Its just one more step to Broadway, baby,” Anthony said.

The entertainer has been doing his Sinatra rendition in Las Vegas for more than a decade. His most recent public engagement was with “The Tribute to Frank, Sammy, Joey and Dean” at the Greek Isles, which he left in September to concentrate on corporate work.

More Here:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/do/2005/dec/15/519824311.html
———–
‘Love’ will try not to be a pain
By Jerry Fink

With all of the talk lately about Broadway coming to Las Vegas, Marvin Lashever is wondering if it’s a one-way street, or a highway that runs in both directions. “The idea intrigued me that a production born in Las Vegas could go to Broadway,” Lashever said.

He is general manager of “Love Is a Pain,” a romantic musical comedy that is in rehearsal for a Dec. 26 premiere at the Riviera’s La Cage Theatre.

Hopefully he will have better luck with “Pain” than he did with the ill-fated “Tropical Passions,” a short-lived musical at the Sahara that was suppose to rival the hit “Havana Night Club” earlier this year.

More Here:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/do/2005/dec/14/519818283.html
————-
Columnist Jeff German: On the Lady Luck’s lousy timing in showing 100-plus employees the door.

It’s never easy for a company to lay off workers.

But letting them go two weeks before Christmas ranks at the top of the Scrooge meter. It’s as coldhearted as it gets.

What were the top dogs at the Lady Luck thinking this week when they gave 125 employees their walking papers?

More Here:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/commentary/2005/dec/15/519824271.html
—————–
Blues Fans

Hello, it’s Brian
Just wanted to let you know there is some grat Blues music going on this Saturday the 17th at the SAND DOLLAR BLUES LOUNGE. There is a benefit starting at noon and goes until 3am.

Also………………..
CHRIS BELL AND 100% BLUES is playing SQUIGGY’S at 9pm
Squiggy’s is located at 3805 W. Sahara Ave 702-871-4952
www.ChrisBellBlues.com

The Sand Dollar is on Polaris and W. Spring Mtn. rd. One light west of the I-15.
Have a great week and keep the blues alive
Brian “The Blues Dr.” Spencer
————-
Top 7 Romantic things to do in Las Vegas by Zeke Quezada

When you think of Las Vegas what normally come to mind are the long nights of drinking and gambling. When was the last time you held that special someone and felt as if you were the only two people on the planet? When was the last time their eyes captured your every thought. Isn’t time you spent a romantic evening with that person at seven of the most romantic locations in Las Vegas? This way when you get drunk with your friends later on you don’t look like such a creep.

1) The Bellagio Fountains
Take in the great music and hug each other tightly as the water dances in front of your eyes. You can whisper that special something you have always wanted to say or you can dance right there on Las Vegas Blvd. The Bellagio Fountains inspire everyone to feel a little more romantic. This is a sure bet if you want to get lucky. That’s what Las Vegas is all about, luck.

2) The Eiffel Tower at Paris Las vegas
You can see forever and you can hold each other to fend off the fear of being so high up in the Las Vegas sky. The Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas is the place to pop the question. Don’t worry, the security fences are high enough that if she says no, you won’t be able to leap off.

3) Mon Ami Gabi for a Romantic Meal
Get a patio table and lose yourself in each others eyes. The Mon Ami Gabi at Paris Las Vegas is the perfect place to sit, laugh, eat and fall in love again. If you just met, well, at least you can fall in love for the night. Hey, it’s Las Vegas, there are no rules!

4) A Gondola Ride at the Venetian
Listen to a grown man serenade you as you ride a gondola through the canals of the Venetian, It will make you feel as if you spent the money to go all the way to Italy. Actually, it won’t, but, it just might get you a little more than a good night kiss.

5) Fill Your Evening with Romance at a Swing Club
Maybe not, but if trying something new is romantic to you, then you should consider a swing club. Meet people, talk, laugh and I don’t know play checkers or something. If this is for you I’m sure you know what you’ll be doing.

6) rumjungle Romance
If you are into spending an entire evening dancing with your sweetheart and you consider that romantic why not do it at the rumjungle at the Mandalay Bay? Have dinner and then dance until late into the night, this is the place you have always wanted to try out those dirty dancing moves that you have held over from the late eighties.

7) Get Married!
The ultimate way to spend a romantic evening? Get married! I know, when I say it out loud it sounds weird as well. But, all kidding aside, what is a better spur of the moment thing to do in Las Vegas than getting hitched? Think of the stories you can tell you’re children. How about the minute you step into her house and you have to explain that their great aunt won’t be getting a free meal at your $25,000 wedding because Elvis married you in Vegas! Yeah! Email me because I want to be there!

http://govegas.about.com/cs/thingstodo/tp/romantictop.htm
————-
New Year’s Eve 2005

If you are looking for one of the biggest street parties in the world, look no further than Las Vegas.

Each year, a portion of The Strip is shut down to foot traffic and more than a 300,000 people come to town just so they can say they were in Las Vegas on New Year’s Eve.

The city’s sixth annual fireworks display is sure to please as well as the variety of entertainment from both local and visiting talent.

Prices below do not include taxes or gratuities unless indicated.
http://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/events/newyearseve/
———
NORM: Wynn pulls strings to save his puppets.

Steve Wynn reportedly has his hands full of “Avenue Q” challenges.

According to the New York Post, Wynn’s naughty puppet show is struggling, and he’s pulling strings to head off a flop.

Michael Riedel, who writes the “On Broadway” column for the Post, reported in Friday’s edition that Wynn has lured a top Broadway marketing executive in hopes he can revive the Tony Award-winning show.

The unidentified executive was part of the team that helped propel “Chicago” to its long run on Broadway.

The 1,200-seat theater at the Wynn is half-filled, and the balcony has yet to open, Riedel wrote, citing “theater people in Las Vegas and New York.”

Wynn “thinks he made a mistake,” a Broadway producer told the Post.

Kevin McCollum, who co-produced “Avenue Q” on Broadway, “is also going to take a more active role in the Vegas production,” Riedel wrote.
reviewjournal.com — News - NORM: Wynn pulls strings to save his puppets
———-
Rumor Control by Rick Garman

Rumor: The Las Vegas Monorail will be extended to McCarran International Airport.

Fact: Just last week, The Clark County Commission approved a feasibility study that could be the first step toward extending the Las Vegas Monorail south to McCarran International Airport. This in no way means that the line will ever actually be built but the study will allow the monorail operators to try to prove their case that extending the tracks to the airport is possible and potentially profitable. The study will try to determine where they could build stations and the elevated track, how many riders could use it, and how much revenue it could generate, all of which would probably be taken with a big grain of salt since the existing monorail line has failed to reach the predicted passenger volume or dollars everyone said it would.

Even if they could convince commissioners that it’s a good idea the next, and probably harder, step would be trying to raise the money to build it. Officials with the monorail say that it would be financed through bond sales but since the monorail company’s bond rating is, well, not very good after its disappointing first year in business.

Add in the pressures that could be brought to bear from the very powerful taxicab authority, who wouldn’t want anything interfering with their airport revenue, and the only way I’d bet on this particular proposition is if I was betting against it.

But let’s pretend everything actually works out. When would be the earliest you could catch a train from the airport to The Strip? Well, consider the monorail would most like be integrated into the upcoming Terminal 3 at McCarran and that the terminal is not scheduled to open until 2010.

Celebrities in Vegas
Rumor: Pick a big name celebrity, any big name celebrity, and there has probably been a rumor recently that they were considering a long-term deal to perform in their own showrooms in Las Vegas, patterned after the success of Celine and Barry. Among those mentioned: Barbra Striesand, Bette Midler, Madonna, Britney Spears, Rod Stewart, Cher, and Mr. Las Vegas himself, Wayne Newton.

Fact: It’s easy to see where the Barbra rumors came from. Her recent surprise performance at former flame Andre Agassi’s annual benefit concert spurred all sorts of gossip but the likelihood of her doing a long-term gig is almost zero. Don’t be surprised to see an upcoming New Year’s Eve concert announcement though.

An extended Bette Midler gig, on the other hand, seems to be much closer to reality. Harrah’s is actively and aggressively attempting to revamp their image as an entertainment standard-bearer, hoping to take the Celine model at their Caesars Palace property and extend it to Harrah’s, The Rio, Paris, and The Flamingo. Could last week’s announcement about the impending closure of “We Will Rock You” at Paris have anything to do with the courting of the Divine Miss M? My guess is yes but it’s only a guess at this point.

That Harrah’s revamp is also at the center of the Wayne Newton rumors, who recently lost his showroom at Stardust but may be taking over Clint Holmes showroom after the latter’s contract expires early next year.

One person you won’t be seeing at a Harrah’s property anytime soon in Rod Stewart who recently lost a lawsuit to the company over a cancelled concert at The Rio. But the former rocker, now crooner has apparently been considering a Vegas run especially since his new albums of standards seem to fit the demographic quite well.

What of one-name wonders Madonna, Britney, and Cher? All three have reportedly been in Vegas recently and all three have reportedly been approached by various hotels to do a Celine-style gig, or at the very least an Elton-style gig. The difference? Celine does 200 shows a year while Elton does about 75. The odds? I wouldn’t be betting on any of them but I’m not going to bet against it either.

The bottom line is this: these are all just rumors. So far.

Baseball In Las Vegas
Rumor: A major league baseball team will be moving to Las Vegas.

Fact: Various people and entities have been trying this for years, but the rumors have heated up recently after it was reported that baseball Hall-of-Famer Reggie Jackson was engaged in talks to buy the Minnesota Twins. Jackson, it should be noted, not only lives in Las Vegas but has been involved in many conversations with city officials, including the mayor, over the possibility of bringing a major league team to the city.

At this point the hurdles seem almost insurmountable. First you’d have to find a team for sale and someone willing to buy it and move it. The Twins may fall in that category and Jackson may be such a someone, but so far it just seems to be pipe dreams on both sides. Second, they’d have to have a place to play. There are no venues in Las Vegas suitable for a major league team so one would have to be built. That takes time and a heck of a lot of money, probably from local taxpayers who don’t seem to be clamoring for such a deal. And last, and perhaps most important, is Major League Baseball itself. There’s a good reason why Vegas has no major league professional sports teams of any kind and it all has to do with the gambling. The pro sports leagues are worried about making the association, especially if you’ll have a dozen sports books just down the street laying odds on the game that is about to start.

It may happen someday but I wouldn’t put a lot of stock in this rumor right now.

Wynn Las Vegas is Struggling
Rumor: Just about everything has been said about Wynn Las Vegas including that it’s losing money, they are closing restaurants and clubs and attractions, the shows are failing, and they are having massive layoffs.

Fact: The rumors are based in certain factual realities. The original nightclubs, La Bete and Lure are undergoing some changes, with the former getting a top to bottom overhaul and a new name and the latter getting some cosmetic upgrades. A few of the restaurants are getting cosmetic overhauls as well. The art gallery may be closing but it’s only so they can expand a nearby store and the paintings will probably wind up on display elsewhere in the hotel.

Where the shows are concerned, despite an avalanche of bad press, Le Reve seems to be holding its own and despite an avalanche of positive press Avenue Q is struggling to find an audience. The latter will be the centerpiece of a big promotional push so expect to see puppets everywhere in Vegas soon.

As far as layoffs, there was a big story in the local papers that Wynn was going to get rid of a bunch of workers as part of an “adjustment” in the labor force that reacts to the natural “settling” of a hotel. In other words when a place opens you need lots of people and as you get better at doing things and the crowds calm down a little, you need less people. However, Steve Wynn himself spoke out the next day and said “not true.” They will make their adjustments through attrition and no one is getting laid off.

So what about the losing money thing? Well, yes, that part is technically true. But in the third quarter the company “only” lost $8 million, which is significantly less than in previous quarters and means they will probably turn a profit in early 2006. That’s pretty stunning for any major business, especially a big hotel-casino, which is expected to lose money when it starts. Factor in that the hotel is running at 93% capacity and averaging more than $260 a night for its rooms, both figures at the top of the charts, and it shows that things are only going in the right direction for Wynn.
http://www.vegas4visitors.com/column/05_11_07.htm
————
Las Vegas Q and A by Rick Garman

Question: I am staying Downtown in January, and am just wondering if there are some really good restaurants in the area – places I can just walk to instead of taking a cab to The Strip.

Answer: There are plenty of great places to eat in the area, most of which are cheaper than similar restaurants on The Strip.

If you’re in the mood for a buffet, try the Garden Court Buffet at Main Street Station. It’s not only the best buffet in Downtown it’s one of the best in the entire city with a huge selection of food served in a beautiful dining room at very reasonable prices. Also at Main Street Station is the Triple 7 Brew Pub and Pullman Grille, the former a casual spot for some terrific sandwiches and cheap eats, the latter a steakhouse that may not be the best in town but is still very good.

Jillian’s at Neonopolis (at the end of Fremont Street) serves up a wide ranging menu of everything from sandwiches to steaks, including a big selection of Cajun and Creole style offerings.

For a nicer meal you could try Hugo’s Cellar at the Four Queens, a classic gourmet style restaurant (ladies receive a rose before being seated) that has been a favorite in this town for years. There’s also Andre’s, the original French restaurant from Andre Rochet of the very popular Alize and Mistral near The Strip.

There are a few new places that have opened or are about to open in Downtown Las Vegas that I haven’t visited yet that may be worth checking out. My advice is to take a walk during the day and check out menus and prices to see if anything strikes your fancy for later that night.

Question: A small but very vocal group of my readers took me to the proverbial woodshed for my Q&A feature last week about ticket-in, ticket-out (TITO) slot machines. They all pretty much said the same thing (“Rick, you’re a moron”) but Sophia seemed particularly upset. I’ll encapsulate her very long e-mail thusly: “You’re a jerk for suggesting that small stakes gamblers aren’t important, TITO machines are terrible, the tickets get stuck all the time, and the tickets have expiration dates so they are a rip-off because I and others have left the casino without cashing them in. Oh, and you’re a moron.” I’m paraphrasing, but you get the point.

Answer: Sophia, first let me apologize if my response to Danny’s question about TITO machines came off as insulting to people who don’t spend a lot of money in casinos. I never used the word “measly” as you suggested I did and I certainly never suggested that small-stakes gamblers aren’t important, but I understand how it could’ve been interpreted that way. As far as the tickets getting stuck, yes that happens. All I can speak from is my own personal experience and I would estimate that of the thousands of tickets I’ve printed from machines, they have gotten stuck a handful of times. Compare that to the thousands of coin jackpots I have cashed out and how many times I had to wait for the hopper to be refilled or fixed when the coins got stuck. It’s a much higher number, trust me. And regarding ticket expirations, yes some tickets do have expiration dates on them (which range from 30 days on up) but some don’t have any expiration date at all and some even include instructions on how to mail them in for redemption. According to most reports, the amount casinos take in from unredeemed tickets is very small – less than $1,000 a month per casino, which may be a lot to you and me but it’s pocket change to these businesses. At many casinos it is less than the amount of unredeemed chips each month since people often keep those as souvenirs or collectibles. But regardless of how much money they get from unredeemed tickets, blaming the casino for people not cashing in their winnings is a little like blaming the grocery store if you left your dozen eggs in the shopping cart after paying for them. Sure, you could try to go back a year later and demand your dozen eggs but I can pretty much guarantee you what the response would be. The bottom line is this: most gamblers prefer the TITO machines or at the very least accept them. Not all, but most. There are always going to be people that prefer a more traditional experience but since the majority of players seem to have accepted the TITO machines and the casinos prefer them for the cost savings, coin-in/out machines are on their way out just like 8-track tapes and typewriters. You can still use an 8-track and a typewriter if you prefer but they are harder and harder to find. And this is just the first step. As technology and laws move forward, the experience of gambling in a casino will change dramatically. Most experts envision a future where you’ll use an ATM style card (tied to your Players’ Club account) that you can load up with dough, insert it into the slot machine, and have it automatically deduct and add money to your account as you win or lose. You could then use that card at tables to buy chips, restaurants to buy meals, and shops to buy clothes. When you are done with your casino visit you can cash out the winnings or transfer them automatically to your bank account without ever actually seeing a bill or coin. These kinds of systems are already in development and are just waiting for gambling laws to catch up with them. So, Sophia, again please accept my apologies if my tone came across as insulting, but this is a battle you’re not going to win. If you insist upon only gambling at machines that accept and dispense coins, you’ll have a very hard time finding a place to gamble in the future.
http://www.vegas4visitors.com/column/05_10_31.htm
————
Understanding The House Edge by Bill Burton

I’ve heard it described many ways. Some people say it’s “A place to have fun” others say its “Disneyland for adults”. No matter what you think a casino is, keep this in mind. A casino is a business. BIG BUSINESS!! Bob Stupak, former owner of Vegas World Casino, told US and World Report, “Its our duty to extract as much money from the customer as we can and send them home with a smile on their face.” So, how does the casino go about extracting money from you?

Do they Cheat you?
NO!

They don’t have to cheat because except for Blackjack and Video Poker, every Casino game has a built in profit on every bet. This is known as the House Edge or Casino Advantage.

More Here:
http://casinogambling.about.com/od/oddsandends/a/houseedge.htm
—————
Las Vegas Casiono’s and Catholics

This may come as a surprise to those of you not living in Las Vegas, but there are more Catholic churches there than casinos. Not surprisingly, some worshippers at Sunday services will give casino ! chips rather than cash when the basket is passed.

Since they get chips from so many different casinos, the churches have devised a method to collect the offerings. The churches send all their collected chips to a nearby Franciscan Monastery for sorting and then the chips are taken to the casinos of origin and cashed in.

This is done by the chip monks.
Thanks to Knitwit for sending this.
————-
Monte Carlo illnesses scrutinized.

County health officials are trying to determine what caused at least 15 weekend guests of the Monte Carlo to become ill.

Hotel representatives called the Clark County Health District on Tuesday after the guests reported stomach aches, said Yvette Monet, an MGM-Mirage spokeswoman.

The affected guests attended three banquets that were held simultaneously Saturday at the hotel’s convention center, she said. About 400 people attended the banquets, she said.

More Here:
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2005/Dec-16-Fri-2005/news/4825607.html
————-
NORM: Fasten seat belts, Jet is ready to fly.

Jet, the Light Group’s newest nightclub, is preparing for takeoff at The Mirage.

Flip the dance floor from “Saturday Night Fever” onto the ceiling, flood the room with high-tech projection imagery and you’ve got Las Vegas’ hottest new concept.

The first wave of raves came from 2,000 attendees at Thursday’s sneak preview for concierge, front desk, valet, VIP service and casino hosts.

Jet’s 16,500 square feet is divided into three rooms, with the main room featuring 120 LED tiles on the ceiling and six projectors providing a wall-to-wall 3-D effect.

When the light show began Thursday, “everybody stopped dancing and just (stood) around with their jaws dropping,” said Sean Christie, a managing partner of Light Group, owners of Light and Caramel at Bellagio and Mist at Treasure Island.

The lighting project was created by John Lyons, who owns Spider Club in Los Angeles and the Avalon nightclubs in Boston, New York and Los Angeles.

The official opening is Dec• 30, followed by a New Year’s Eve party hosted by Kid Rock.

Jet’s three rooms offer distinct sounds and “a lot of bells and whistles and cool features,” but, said Christie, service will be the main goal.
reviewjournal.com — News - NORM: Fasten seat belts, Jet is ready to fly
————-
Legends Celebrity Invitational Weekend: Poker Tournament.

Palms Poker Room
4321 W. Flamingo Rd.
Las Vegas , NV 89103

Call For Reservations:
(702) 492-3960
(866) 80-SHOWS

Price: $2500.00 (Includes one playing spot in the tournament and one guest ticket. Food and beverages are included.)

Price Note: Includes buy-in for purse & prize structure; no limit elimination round tournament. Each ticket holder will be seated at table of 10 with a celebrity host.

Review:
Live out your celebrity poker fantasy at the hotel that made it famous as you compete against a host of celebrities.

6 p.m.: Credential/Will Call desk opens. Guests can pick up their credential for access to the tournament. The tournament and Will Call desk are hosted in the VIP Poker room in the lobby of the Palms. From 6 p.m. on, the desk will be clearly marked. Your driver’s license is required to pick up tickets.

7:30 p.m.: Legends Celebrity Poker Invitational
9:30 p.m.: Fashion show
12 a.m.: Poker Invitational Concludes

Additional information:
Celebrities scheduled to attend include: John Elway, Dan Marino, Roger Clemens, Richard Kind, Robert Loggia, James Lesure, Richard Schiff, Allison Janey, Eddie Cibrian, Richard Roundtree, Joe Mantegna, Britney Spears, Kevin Federline, Stephen Root, John Daly, Josh Duhamel and more.
http://www.vegas.com/
————-
THE HOOTERS HOTEL & CASINO

Many design elements from the Hooters restaurant chain have been directly infused into this new Florida-casual resort on the site of the old San Remo Hotel. The $130 million makeover includes tin ceilings and cedar wood throughout the entire 30,000 square foot casino. Each of the 711 guest rooms has also been completely “Hooterized” with matching cedar headboards and armoires and a high top cocktail table with four bar stools. “The whole place has a very casual feel to it,” says Senior Marketing Director Richard Langlois. “It’s very blue collar, middle America.”

More Here:
http://www.celebrityweek.net/Pages/TellMeMore/hooters.html
—————

Posted on December 16th, 2005 by MrVegas98
Filed under: Newsletter