According to the Company’s own press release, “The Harrah’s name will continue to be one of the company’s primary brands, along with Caesars, Horseshoe, Total Rewards and World Series of Poker.

“In recognition of Caesars’ status as the world’s preeminent and most respected casino brand, we have changed the name of our parent company to Caesars Entertainment Corporation,” said Gary Loveman, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Caesars Entertainment. “The change reflects our evolution as the industry’s leading provider of branded casino entertainment.”

We don’t care a whole lot about the name change but what we do wish they would change is their video poker pay tables.  We would be happy to “All Hail Caesars” if we saw more 9/6 games in their casinos.

More information:  Here’s an interesting article on the Pokerati.com website about the name change — “Harrah’s Inc. is now Caesars Corp. – we think..“

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Players Club members have been accruing Gift Shoppe points since January 1. Gift Shoppe points are completely free and club members accrue them automatically – no extra sign-ups required.  Plus, these points are in addition to other slot club points and benefits.

Players can redeem Gift Points at the fabulous year-end Players Club Holiday Gift Shoppe 2009 which will take place during the two week event happening November 28 – December 13 where you can get watches, jewelry, electronics, home & sporting goods, Gift Cards, FREEPLAY^® and more!

Check for details at MGM Mirage’s website at playersclub.com or at the players club desk at each casino location.    Click Here for the Best Las Vegas Hotel Deals!

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Steve and Elaine Wynn head for divorce court again.

While this isn’t a Las Vegas news site so to speak, I do keep up on — or try to keep up on — what’s happening in Las Vegas and when it’s something I think readers would be interested in, I do like to mention it here.

What has struck me as interesting lately is all the news about “splits” — both corporate and personal — happening these days in Las Vegas.  Here’s a quick rundown on what’s caught my eye lately:

Split #1 — Steve and Elaine Wynn filed for divorce.  While no one on the outside can ever know what’s going on within a marriage, this news made me sad.  I would think that having a string of successful properties, stock prices that haven’t tanked like the rest of the industry, and what would appear to be a “wynning” working relationship would allow them as a couple to sit back, relax and enjoy their family and what they have built together.  And it’s not like this is their first trip to the courthouse — they divorced once before and got remarried.  But, again, that’s just my opinion.  Read more about the Wynn divorce here.

Split #2 — “Cannery Casino Resorts and Crown Terminate Merger Agreement; Crown to Make Investment Into CCR” is the headline on a press release I received this week.  Also verbatim from the release, “Cannery Casino Resorts LLC (“CCR”) today announced that it has entered into an Agreement with Crown Limited (ASX: CWN) under which CCR will receive $370 million from Crown, which will consist of a $50 million cash fee and a $320 million non-voting investment in CCR, subject to appropriate regulatory approvals. The Agreement terminates the previously announced Cannery Purchase Agreement whereby CCR was to be acquired by Crown.”  (The $50 mil is basically a penalty for canceling the merger deal.)  So it looks like beleaguered billionaire™ (and aren’t they all these days?) James Packer is “packering” up his bank book and heading back to Australia.  Read more about Mr. Packer, his casinos, his stock, his ranches and more here.

Separation #1 — In the “it might happen” category is this news that MGM MIRAGE may be willing to part with its Bellagio property for the right price.  Yeah, I know you’re saying “Well, duh! — Anything is for sale for the right price.”  And you’d be correct.  Considering the massive financial burden of building the CityCenter project, MGM needs to come up with some cash, especially after negotiations with Deutsche Bank fell through earlier this month.  Selling Treasure Island earlier this year is a good start but with the credit markets still nailed down tight, the Company needs to find funding elsewhere and selling assets may be the only option.  It sure didn’t help their cause to have Moody’s downgrade some of their ratings this week.

Seems to be a good month to be just a casino player, not a casino owner.

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You can check out some terrific opening night photos by visiting ratevegas.com as well as read a “players” look at the new M Resort from David Matthews at his “Gambling in Space” blog.

And don’t forget to look for my interview with Anthony Marnell III in the March issue of “Casino Player” magazine.

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Nine dining venues will be a major draw of the new M Resort which opens March 1 in Las Vegas. (Image courtesy of the resort.)

When the new M Resort, Spa and Casino opens its doors on March 1, Chairman and CEO Anthony Marnell III  will be able to gaze down upon the legendary properties designed in part by his father’s company, Marnell and Corrao Associates.  With a pedigree that includes work on such resort icons as Wynn Las Vegas, Caesars Palace, Bellagio, Mirage and more, the newest generation of the Marnell family is bringing mega-resort luxury, amenities and design innovations to a 90-acre spot on the “South Strip.”

Perched 400 feet above the lights of the Las Vegas Strip, the new $1 billion-plus resort – located about nine miles from Mandalay Bay – uses this vantage point as a key design element in the positioning of the resort’s nine restaurants, 390 guest rooms and suites, as well as the lavish outdoor swim and stage complex called  the Villaggio Del Sole Pool and Entertainment Piazza.

Those staying overnight in one of the resort’s rooms will enjoy dazzling views of both the Strip and the Las Vegas skyline from the floor-to-ceiling windows gracing each of the 550-sq.ft. or larger accommodations.  Some of the state-of-the-art amenities are a 42″ HD LCD television, Bose “Wave” sound system, an iPod docking station, an in-room safe large enough to hold a standard laptop plus high-speed Internet access.  While “techies” will love the new digs, old-fashioned luxury is also part of the room and suite design.   Terry robes and slippers, spa bathrooms with separate tubs and showers plus turndown service are all de rigueur.

The resort’s casino features over 92,000 sq. ft. of indoor and poolside gaming with 1,847 slot and video poker machines, 64 table games, a live poker room as well as race and sports book.  Casino players will be able to sign up for the resort’s exclusive new “iMagine Club” to earn rewards including restaurant meals, cash back, free slot play plus shows and entertainment offers.

In addition to the attention being paid to the rooms and casino, the new resort is putting a huge focus on the nine dining venues that are all owned and operated in-house.  With a goal of being the new “favorite locals casino,” Mr. Marnell and company are relying on the quality and variety of dining options to not only bring people into the casino but back as regular visitors.

When talking about the resort’s restaurants, Mr. Marnell said “We believe food is one of the most, if not the most important reason why guests will visit the property.  The restaurants we have developed will introduce a new kind of dining experience that reflects my family’s reputation for great food and great value.”

What’s sure to be a hit is the resort’s 500-seat buffet restaurant, “Studio B,” where a live-action exhibition kitchen will allow diners to enjoy their meals while watching the restaurant’s chefs prepare signature appetizers, entrées and desserts.  Guests will also enjoy a selection of beer and wine as part of their meal at no extra cost.

Other restaurants include the rooftop Restaurant Veloce Cibo and Bar Veloce; Marinelli’s for authentic Italian dishes (including some from the Marnell family recipe book) and Terzetto, the resort’s steak house and oyster bar.  A casual deli, a coffee house and an artisan bakery plus the outdoor Piazza Grille round out the extensive dining options.

For oenophiles, the creatively-named “Hostile Grape Wine Cellar” – wine with an attitude – will offer guests the opportunity to discover more than 120 wines by the glass including hard-to-find boutique wines from throughout the world.  A unique wine dispensing system will be used to pour one-, three- or five-ounce portions so that aficionados can create their own tasting “flights” of wine.

The “spa” part of the M Resort, Spa and Casino is represented by the 23,000 sq. ft. “Spa Mio” that includes a fitness center, salon, 16 treatment rooms plus sauna, steam and Jacuzzi.   Also on-site is the new M Resort Conference Center.  Built to accommodate small to mid-size meetings, the 60,000 sq. ft. area is home to the resort’s Grand Ballroom along with multiple other reception rooms.

Two additional features of the “M” are the wholly-owned gas station where customers can redeem player points for gasoline as well as an on-property, full-service pharmacy, which will be open 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. for both customers and employees.

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The "Deep Stack Extravaganza" poker tournament starts soon at The Venetian Las Vegas.

The highly successful “Deep Stack Extravaganza” poker tournament returns February 2 to The Venetian Las Vegas poker room.  Appearing on many “Top 10 Poker Rooms in Las Vegas” lists, the 11,000 square-foot Venetian room will host this well-attended event for the third consecutive year.

- Starting chips for the $330 NLH event will be $10,000 and an additional $2,000 in chips with an optional $10 staff bonus.

- The $550 and $1,070 NLH events will begin with $12,500 in starting chips and $2,500 additional chips with an optional $10 staff bonus.

- The $2,500 NLH event will begin with $15,000 in starting chips and $5,000 additional chips with an optional $10 staff bonus.

Total cash prize: Payouts are based on the number of participants that enter the tournament. 3% of prize pool is withheld for poker room staff.

All participants must be at least 21 years of age and have a Venetian players club, “Club Grazie,” card.  You can find all the details plus the results from both the 2007 and 2008 tourneys here on the Venetian’s website.

The poker room offers a special hotel rate available to anyone who plays in a DSE event or plays at least six hours of live play in the poker room. Rates are based on prevailing rate and availability.  Contact The Venetian Poker Room to inquire: 702-414-1000.

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A view of the new CityCenter project in Las Vegas. (Click on each photo to enlarge.)

Check out these latest photos from two new construction projects happening on the Strip in Las Vegas.  With soaring glass towers in shades of cool blue and chartreuse, wickedly-angled walls and sharp points define some structures while sinuous curves soften and enrich others.  These are the elements that define the new CityCenter project and its neighbor to the north, the Cosmopolitan Resort and Casino.

CityCenter, from MGM Mirage and partner Infinity World Development Corp, a subsidiary of Dubai World, is slated to open in late 2009, and is currently the largest privately financed development in U.S. history.

Directly from an article on CityCenter’s own website comes this description of the massive $8 billion project:   ”Located between Bellagio and Monte Carlo resorts, CityCenter will feature ARIA, a soaring 61-story, 4,004-room gaming resort; non-gaming luxury hotels including Vdara Hotel and Las Vegas’ first Mandarin Oriental; Veer Towers, the development’s only strictly residential buildings; approximately 2,400 condominium residences; a $40 million Public Fine Art Program; and Crystals, a 500,000-square-foot retail and entertainment district.  Additionally, The Harmon, a luxury 400-room boutique hotel, is anticipated to open at CityCenter in late 2010.”  Read more on the CityCenter website.

I don’t know about you, but the only thing I see that’s missing is the flying cars ala “The Fifth Element” to take us from one futuristic tower to the next.  I can’t wait to check out these newest additions to the Strip but I’m interested:  What do you think of these new designs?

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Caesars Palace will wait to add 660 more rooms as Harrah's puts hold on new tower.

When it comes to gambling revenues these days, if there is any bright spot to be found for Las Vegas casino managers it could be — “Well, at least we’re not Atlantic City.”

The numbers coming in from the two biggest gaming Meccas in the country aren’t pretty and certainly serve to justify all the recent changes and holds* we’ve seen on several casino construction projects.

Gambling revenues for the state of Nevada fell 14.8 percent in November compared with a year ago according to figures released last week by the state’s Gaming Control Board.  Within the state, LV Strip properties recorded a 16.02% drop while North Lake Tahoe casinos fell a whopping 26.94%.

Across the country in Atlantic City, revenues dropped a record-setting 18.7% for the month of December.  That number broke the previous decline record of 15.1% set in September.

Back in December, Fitch Ratings said that the casino industry would probably not show any signs of recovery until 2010.  This article in The Wall Street Journal goes on to explain how rising unemployment and continuing real estate market woes — among other reasons — will continue to affect consumer spending.

So what does this mean for loyal casino-goers like us?  Look for more great deals on trips to Las Vegas and other top gambling spots.  The current environment allows us to stay and play in 4- and 5-star properties for less so let’s take advantage of it while we can. Click Here for the Best Las Vegas Hotel Deals!

*  Harrah’s Entertainment announced yesterday that it is halting construction of 660 rooms in the new Octavius Tower at Caesars Palace Las Vegas until demand returns.  The Las Vegas Review-Journal has a good article on the announcement plus info on year-to-year room occupancy rates.

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Here’s a run-down on the current highlights (and lowlights) of life in Las Vegas for some of the major casino industry players:

From MGM Mirage:  “CityCenter Holdings, LLC, a joint venture between MGM MIRAGE (NYSE: MGM) and Infinity World Development Corp, today announced certain scope changes related to The Harmon Hotel & Spa which include postponing the opening of the hotel to late 2010 and cancelling The Harmon residential condominium component.”  The press release cited “contractor construction errors” as partially to blame for the reconfiguring of the project.  All other components of CityCenter remain on schedule for a December 2009 grand opening.

Speaking of CityCenter, it began taking applications Monday to fill the approximately 12,000 jobs available at the new property.  Myriad positions from food and beverage service to hotel and casino operations, retail help and more will need to be staffed before the December grand opening.  Check the CityCenterCareers website for more information.

In mid-December, while we were all busy buying gifts at the local mall (or maybe Walmart this year,) Phil Ruffin, former owner of the New Frontier, was busy getting his own bargain – Treasure Island from owner MGM Mirage for a reported $775 million.  Ruffin, a Wichita, Kansas businessman, sold the New Frontier in May 2007 for more than $1.24 billion. That casino was closed shortly thereafter and demolished in November 2007.  The deal on TI is expected to go through in early-summer.

Are there more property sales ahead for MGM Mirage?  The answer “possibly” is leaning more and more toward “probably.”  See what you think after reading  this article at Bloomberg.com based on an interview with new MGM Mirage CEO James Murren.  The reporter says that Mr. Murren “plans to “dramatically” reduce debt and will consider further casino sales as he overhauls the company’s balance sheet.”

One question we can easily answer is “Will there be more massive changes in Las Vegas this year?”  And that answer is a resounding “most definitely.”

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Here’s how the numbers released today by the Nevada Gaming Commission played out in the Silver State:

Nevada as a whole brought in $905 million for a 22.3% drop.

The Las Vegas Strip was hit hard with its $475 million take which represents a 25.8% drop compared to a record “win” in excess of $637 million in October of last year.

Worst numbers?  The “Boulder Strip” which brought in $62.9 million and saw the biggest decline in the state with a 28.2% plunge.

Faring somewhat better was the Downtown Las Vegas area which saw its “win” decline 19.6% to a $48.4 million take.

Almost all areas of the state showed a marked decrease in October numbers.  Here are some additional results from around the state:

Reno — $57.5 million, down 7.4 percent.
Laughlin — $45.7 million, down 14.9 percent.
Sparks — $12.9 million, down 10 percent.
Stateline — $20.9 million, down 23.8 percent.

Considering that economic experts are predicting a “long, slow recovery,” we can expect to see more sobering numbers coming from Nevada in the months ahead.

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Here’s the skinny from a joint press release dated December 1, 2008 (Emphasis mine) – “Players who are members of Harrah’s TOTAL REWARDS® program will be able to use their cards to create a personalized and differentiated gaming experience on the STAR TREK themed gaming machines at most of the company’s casinos in North America, as Harrah’s moves forward with a market-by-market implementation plan, subject to additional jurisdictional regulatory approvals.

“This server-enabled, networked gaming platform provides players with the unique ability to personalize their game play, allowing them to save their play status and unlock additional bonus rounds and game episodes over time. “

While all the Star Trek machines in place at different casinos allow players to “save” their game information from trip to trip, the Harrah’s program (if I am reading this right) will give TR club members the ability to further personalize the game and earn additional Harrah’s-only bonuses. 

According to Tim Stanley, chief information officer and senior vice president, innovation, gaming and technology of Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc., (His business card must be “super-sized” to fit that title on it….) –  “As players advance through the dynamic Star Trek storyline, they can save their progress through the game and pick up where they left off during their next visit, regardless of which STAR TREK gaming machine in a TOTAL REWARDS enabled casino they visit. Additionally, by using TOTAL REWARDS® to enable their personalized STAR TREK account and ‘avatar,’ they can transport their previous play status from non-Harrah’s based Star Trek games, earn ‘Bonus’ achievement medals for their Harrah’s play, and get access to new games, unique communications and special promotions and offers as part of our innovative introduction of this new capability.”

So, thanks to WMS Gaming:  Video game meet slot machine.  Slot machine, meet video game!  And to Harrah’s good job on going boldly where no casino has gone before!  Now, if I just have a little more luck in actually finding an open machine next time I visit Harrah’s….

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With lights that change colors like an Arizona sunset, a soaring canopy greets visitors to the new Lone Butte Casino in Chandler, Arizona.

So what does it sound like when every one of a casino’s 850 slot machines are ALL being played at once?  You would know – or you would have heard – if you were at the grand opening yesterday of Gila River’s new Lone Butte Casino in Chandler, Arizona.  Casino-goers flocked to the handsome new gaming facility for a first look and to try their luck at one of the new machines.  Guests not seated in front of a machine or at one of the 24 table games milled around eagerly waiting for the opportunity to play.  Even the new “High Limit” area was crowded with players hoping to hit it big.

The Gila River Community is to be commended on this classy addition to the Phoenix gaming scene.  The interior is light and bright and highlighted by the use of natural materials like sandstone.  Shimmering walls of water surround the aptly-named, Cascades Lounge.  In the center of the casino, another water feature –this time a playful fountain — is the focal point of an outdoor courtyard.  Serving as a seating area for both the casual 24/7 Cafe on one side as well as the more formal Verona Chophouse opposite, this lovely outdoor space is perfect for taking a break from all the bells and whistles inside.  Another gem here is the cozy round wine bar adjoining Verona with a design reminiscent of a Napa Valley tasting room. 

Slot players will love this new casino.  Lots of games — both snappy new video reels as well as old favorites — in all kinds of denominations, will keep players happy.  There are the new eBay™ slots, free-spin favorites like Golden Chariots and the perennial fav — Wheel of Fortune®. 

Check it out yourself if you live in or plan on visiting Phoenix soon.  Lone Butte is located at Kyrene Road and the Loop 202 in Chandler.

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Wednesday, the Navajo Nation, America’s largest Indian tribe, will open their first casino, the $30 million Fire Rock Casino near Gallup, New Mexico.  The 65,000 square-foot space will feature a bingo hall, blackjack and poker tables as well as 400+ slot machines and marks the end of a long road to bring gaming to the Navajo tribe.

A day later and 275 miles away, the Gila River Indian Community will celebrate the opening of their newly-expanded Lone Butte Casino in Chandler, Arizona.  Gila River’s new Lone Butte Casino, located at Kyrene and the Loop 202, will offer players more than 120,000 square-feet of casino space including 850 slot machines, live blackjack, bingo, poker and six dining outlets. 

In other Indian gaming news, the expanded Cherokee Casino at West Siloam Springs, Oklahoma opened for business on November 10.  The new casino is a 200,000-square-foot facility housing more than 1,000 games plus numerous dining and entertainment areas.

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Company                          Symbol        Current Price     52-Week-High   % Change

The casino owners:

MGM Mirage                      MGM                   $10.45                   $ 93.19              -89%

Boyd Gaming                     BYD                    $  4.21                   $ 39.38              -89%

Las Vegas Sands Corp.     LVS                    $  6.11                   $122.96             -95%

Wynn Resorts                    WYNN                 $43.00                   $139.75             -69%

The manufacturers:

Int’l.GamingTechnology      IGT                     $10.74                   $49.41              -78%

Bally Tech                           BYI                     $17.18                   $52.83              -67%

WMS Gaming                     WMS                   $21.11                   $41.23              -49%

So we have a range in decline in stock price from a whopping 95% (Las Vegas Sands) to a decline of “only” 49% at WMS Gaming.  For comparison purposes, the DOW has declined approximately 38% since its 52-week high of 13,851. 

With numbers like these, I’m thinking this should be one interesting Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas this week.

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It comes as no surprise that Blazing 7s™ from Ballys is a customer slots favorite.

The iconic Bally’s Blazing 7s machine and Vision Gaming‘s old-time favorite, Pot of Gold, were named as two of the games casino slots managers “can’t pull” off their floors due to customer popularity. This question – ”What old school slot or video poker games are so popular with players that you just can’t pull them off your floor?” — is asked and answered at the website belonging to popular industry-insider magazine, “Slot Manager.”

The site has lots of interesting information and categories including “Hot Topics” where you’ll find the question-and-answer forum, a “New Products & Games” section, and great articles and columns by industry pros.  Being mainly a video poker player, I was particularly interested in the article called “More of a Kind” by Craig Berosh outlining what’s to come and what’s popular in new VP games.

In the article, Berosh says this —  ”According to John Daley, director of video poker at International Game Technology, the video poker maker based in Reno has been finding success bringing to market games with bonuses that don’t affect base pay tables, where players fund the action by betting an extra coin.”  Think the popular Super Times Pay™ and the new Quick Quads™ — both from IGT’s Action Gaming.

Also currently at the site is a run-down on this week’s gaming convention in Las Vegas, G2E, where more than 30,000 gaming professionals will gather for a look at new products, seminars and more.  Check out the Global Gaming Expo article here.

And don’t forget, you can play some of your favorite video slots free from Bally’s here and free, non-gambling video poker at Action Gaming’s popular game site videopoker.com

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MGM Mirage – Announced in its third-quarter earnings release on October 29 that the company is postponing indefinitely its MGM Atlantic City project citing “current economic conditions and the impact of the credit market environment.”   In Las Vegas, MGM Mirage has also halted plans “for the development of a major resort complex on the southwest corner of the Las Vegas Strip and Sahara Avenue in Las Vegas….” 

There’s better news, however, for MGM’s CityCenter Las Vegas development.  In an interview with Market Watch, company officials said the $9 billion resort complex “will get the financing it needs to be completed.” 

Pinnacle Entertainment - The company’s plans to build a casino resort in Atlantic City are on “indefinite hold due to credit market conditions and an evolving competitive environment….”  The company cited the recent election results allowing casinos to be built in Maryland as one of the factors in its decision to suspend the project.

Boyd Gaming - Construction abruptly stopped in August on the company’s $4.8 billion Echelon project on the Las Vegas Strip.  The site – previously occupied by the legendary Stardust which was imploded to make way for the new Echelon – is now a deserted reminder of the lousy economy.  Boyd has announced that it will take most of 2009 to “evaluate alternatives” to the halted project. 

Las Vegas Sands Corp. – While continuing to build the casino portion of the Bethlehem, PA project, construction was stopped in late-October on the non-gaming portions including the planned hotel, events center and shopping mall.

Seneca Gaming Corp. - This Native American casino operator suspended both the construction of a $333 million casino and hotel in Buffalo as well as a planned $130 million expansion of the hotel at the Seneca Allegany Hotel and Casino in Salamanca, NY. 

Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority – Plans for a House of Blues theater and a 39-story, 922-room hotel addition to the Mohegan Sun casino complex in Uncasville, CT were put on hold in September.   The tribe did open its new “Casino of the Wind” – part of its “Project Horizon” expansion plan – in August of this year.

Like I said above, so far….

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Owner of The Palazzo -- Las Vegas Sands Corp. -- sees troubled times ahead.

Las Vegas Sands Corp. — owner of The Venetian and The Palazzo casino resorts on the Strip in Las Vegas, plus the Macau Venetian, Sands and Four Seasons — said in a regulatory filing today that it probably won’t meet the requirements of loans arranged by Citigroup Inc., Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. unless it cuts spending on developments, boosts earnings at its Las Vegas Strip casinos and raises more capital.

An earnings boost in Las Vegas seems remote considering that Las Vegas Strip casino gambling revenue slid 6.7 percent this year through August and remains on track for its biggest annual decline ever.

Casino owner Sheldon Adelson today saw his stock (LVS) price fall today by $3.81, or 33 percent, to $7.85 in the New York Stock Exchange composite.   In contrast, the stock had seen a 52-week high of $122.96.

Currently, both The Palazzo and The Venetian are offering their “Ultimate Escape Packages” with rates as low as $119 per night weekdays PLUS $50 in slot credits per stay for reservations made by November 30.

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Missouri — Proposition A passed and with its approval lifted the ” no more than $500 in losses every two-hours” spending limit imposed on casino players.

Ohio — No casino for my friends in Ohio.  Steve Wynn sighs with relief. 

In other state news –

An initiative in Colorado passed with the result allowing state casinos to remain open 24/7 while also lifting the maximum bet or play to $100 (it was $5!) and permitting roulette and craps to be added to the list of games offered in Colorado casinos.

Also, in Maryland, voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment awarding the addition of 15,000 slot machines to five locations in the State – in Anne Arundel, Cecil and Worcester counties, Baltimore City and on state-owned property in Rocky Gap State Park in western Maryland.

In Maine, voters said no to a proposed new casino for the southern part of the state and in Massachusetts, voters approved a ban on dog-racing in the state.

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Workers recently installed this sign at the new Gila River Casino, Lone Butte.

The new Gila River casino, Lone Butte, at Loop 202 and Kyrene Road in Chandler, Arizona is coming together nicely for the scheduled November 20 opening date.  I am really looking forward to playing in this new Phoenix-area casino which is slated to have 850 slot machines, a 750-seat bingo hall, new high-limit player areas and exciting table games including Fortune Pai Gow Poker Progressive, Let It Ride Three-Card Bonus and Three-Card Poker.  And, for a non-smoker like me, the thought of a state-of-the-art smoke removal system built right into the facility makes me swoon.

In grand opening promotions, casino customers can play their favorite games for cash and prizes including a new Pontiac Soltice which will be given away on December 4th.  Prior to the main event car giveaway, the “Luck Has a New Home” promo will award cash prizes to players from 6 – 10 p.m., November 5, 12 — at the current Lone Butte location —  and on the 26th at the new casino.

The new Phoenix-area casino promises guests fun new slot games like eBay™ and Star Wars™ as well as popular favorites Wheel of Fortune® and Blazing 7′s. 

In addition to playing at the new casino, I am also looking forward to trying the new upscale Verona Chop House for either dinner — think certified Angus steaks and martinis — or for a relaxing Sunday Brunch. 

Maybe this Phoenix player will find a “new home.”

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Voters will have their say on gambling issues in several states.

Election 2008 sees some interesting gambling-related issues on ballots in several states.  Of these, two are of particular interest to me and here’s why.

This past summer, P.B. and I took a cross-country jaunt and stopped to stay and play at several mid-West casinos including Harrah’s St. Louis.  When we arrived at the casino, we were informed that we needed new player’s club cards and to obtain them, we had to produce picture ID’s plus sign the backs of our replacement cards.  We were told that we must insert these cards into the machines in order to play and that’s when we learned about the $500 loss limit.  Huh?  Yes, unique to Missouri, is a law that says a player cannot lose more than $500 in any two-hour period.  (The cards keep track of your play.) 

While obviously the intent is to limit individual losses, is that really the state’s responsibility?  In my opinion — no.   If, as a state, you allow gambling, then allow it.  Why put artificial spending limits on patrons?  I say artificial because depending on your personal loss capabilities, the games you play, etc., $500 is simply a relative number.  One hundred dollars could be too much for one player while $1,000 may be little more than a drop in the bucket for another. 

 Proposition A is on the ballot in Missouri and would:

 1.)  Repeal the limit that’s currently in place on how much a person can lose per gambling session. Proposition A would not only repeal that limit, it would also prohibit any future loss limits.  

2.)  Prop A would require ID to enter a gambling area if a person appears to be under 21.

3.)  It would prevent any additional casinos from being built.

and 4.)  It would increase the casino gambling tax from 20 percent to 21 percent, and would create a new specific education fund from gambling tax proceeds that would go to Missouri schools.

In other gambling news, my home state will decide on the “Ohio Casino Measure” also known as Ohio Issue 6.  This is a proposed constitutional amendment which would allow a $600,000,000 privately-owned casino resort to be built near Wilmington, Ohio. 

If I still lived in Ohio, I would, as you probably guessed, vote “Yes” on this proposal.  I know lots of Ohioans who regularly go to Las Vegas, Atlantic City — even Mountaineer in West Virginia — to play so why shouldn’t the state benefit from keeping some of these vacation/entertainment dollars at home. 

For an excellent article on the pros and cons of this ballot prop, read this article, “Issue 6:  high stakes in casino vote” at Cincinnati.com by Alexander Coolidge.

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Is Barack Obama holding all aces?

Professional political commentators have weighed in and according to The Washington Post, only two out of fourteen pundits see John McCain in the White House next January.   While you can put your stock into what people like Ed Rollins, Eleanor Clift and Bill Maher say, Keith Thomson, in an article appearing on the website The Huffington Post, argues  that professional gamblers or, to be more specific, bookmakers are the true political soothsayers.

In his article “The Most Accurate Election Forecast?  Hardcore Gamblers,” Thomson gives some great information on the history of betting on political outcomes – which was legal for many years — here in the United States.  He also gives reasons in the article as to why bookmakers have to be on the money – pun intended – when setting odds.

For the post, Thomson interviewed professional gambling experts and a University of Kansas economics professor, Koleman Strumpf, who “believes wagering is an incomparable barometer of an election.”

If you are interested in seeing the current odds on the presidential and other races, check out internet site Betfair.com.  Keep in mind that it is for information and entertainment purposes only since both betting on political races and internet gambling are prohibited for United States citizens.

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And in Arizona, the state department of gaming, announced Friday that for the quarter ended September 30, tribal contributions from Indian gaming revenue – which are based on gaming earnings — to the state fell 9.5% from the same period a year ago.  

According to the Arizona Department of Gaming press release, “Arizona tribes’ combined contribution for the quarter…was approximately $25.0 million.  That’s down from $27.6 million in the same quarter a year before.”

So what do these revenue drops mean for casino visitors?  Look for more competition among gaming venues for your gambling dollars.  More and bigger promotions (think Harrah’s Ak-Chin “Win Your Million“), enticing hotel rates all around the country, especially in room-laden Las Vegas, and lots of other events and ideas aimed at getting fannies into the gaming seats.

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The shining new Encore resort at Wynn Las Vegas opens in December.

UPDATE:  Check HERE for the latest on the grand opening of Encore at Wynn Las Vegas.

The new Encore resort at Wynn Las Vegas has begun taking room reservations for January 12, 2009 and beyond according to a recent press release.  The $2.3 billion resort is scheduled to open December 22 and a rumor is out that the grand opening may get tied into Steve Wynn’s late-January birthday.  Since P.B. and I always go to Las Vegas in January for P.B.’s birthday maybe this year we’ll be celebrating it with Steve Wynn.

Encore’s 2,034 suites will no doubt feature all the luxury and attention to detail that Wynn Resorts is known for when designing guest rooms.  The property’s resort suites will be more than 700 square-feet while Tower Suites clock in at up to 5,800 square-feet!

Wynn Encore, situated next to the flagship Wynn Las Vegas, will feature five “signature” restaurants, seven bars & lounges, a new “ultra-chic” nightclub and several new retail entities.  And, according to the press release, “A vibrant atrium and European-inspired pool area are centerpieces of the Encore experience and signature design elements include an abundance of natural light, a landscape of foliage and shimmering pools of water. Butterflies flirt over vibrant carpets, mosaic tiles and textured walls to draw guests into a playful juxtaposition between indoors and out.”

For reservations and a peek at the new room design, check out the Encore Las Vegas website.  (Click on the ”reservations” tab at the bottom of the screen to pull up a photo of the new rooms.)

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Soon the ringing of slot machines will replace construction noise at the newest Arizona casino, Gila River's Lone Butte.

When the clock strikes 3 pm on November 20, the newest Arizona casino will open its doors to the public at the Loop 202 and Kyrene Road near the Phoenix suburb of Chandler.   Gila River’s new Lone Butte Casino will offer gamers more than 120,000 square-feet of casino entertainment including 850 slot machines, live blackjack, casino bingo, and a host of poker games including Fortune Pai Gow Poker^® Progressive, Let It Ride Three-Card Bonus^® and Three-Card Poker^®.

Slot machine aficionados will find both new casino slot games like eBay™ (see eBay™ photos here) as well as popular favorites such as Wheel of Fortune®, Star Wars^TM, and Blazing 7′s.  Casino bingo players will be treated to a 750-seat state-of-the-art bingo hall with both matinee and evening sessions. 

And Gila River planners have made sure players won’t go hungry while visiting the new casino by offering six restaurants in the expansive $60 million facility.  Visitors can choose from Venona Chophouse, Café 24/7, Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Express, Tuscan Olive, Quiznos™ plus a quick-serve coffee shop featuring Starbucks™ coffee.

Looking for some live entertainment to complement your gaming?  Then visit the new Cascades Lounge evenings Thursday to Sunday for a variety of entertaining acts.

The Gila River Indian Community operates three Phoenix-area casinos including Wild Horse Pass, Vee Quiva and Lone Butte.  (The current Lone Butte casino at 56^th Street will be closed prior to the opening of the new casino.)

Look for more updates on the opening of Lone Butte as we draw closer to the big day!

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A view of the construction at CityCenter on the Las Vegas Strip.

Curious what the rooms will look like when Aria, The Strip’s newest mega resort under construction at the 67-acre MGM Mirage CityCenter complex, opens late next year?  Then check out this excellent four-page article on Vegas Tripping for an extremely detailed look at the design model for the resort’s King Deluxe room.  With a color palette featuring bronze and royal purple, the room’s two most striking features for me are the floor-to-ceiling windows and the clean simple lines of the furniture.

In addition to the sophisticated decor, rooms will also feature über-technology including a 42-inch LCD flatscreen TV that acts as the operations hub for the room.  A user-friendly (at least they hope) joystick-type remote will keep controls for lights, draperies, a/c, and more at the fingertips of room occupants. 

The Aria, an MGM Mirage property, will have more than 4,000 rooms in a 61-story tower along with an adjoining casino.  The sprawling CityCenter development, a joint venture of MGM Mirage and Dubai World, will also include three luxury non-gaming hotels including Las Vegas’ first Mandarin Oriental, The Harmon Hotel Spa & Residences and Vdara Condo Hotel; Veer Towers, the development’s only strictly residential buildings; approximately 2,600 condominium residences; and The Crystals, a 500,000-square-foot dining, retail and entertainment district.

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Learn video poker strategy then try your luck at South Point's casino.

If you are a video poker player like P.B. and me and you want to take your game to the next level, then here is an opportunity for you – FREE video poker classes with America’s most well-known player, Bob Dancer.  Mr. Dancer has spent years researching and teaching video poker strategy through his popular books, software programs including “Video Poker for Winners” and live lessons. 

Beginning on Tuesday, November 11, and continuing through to January, Mr. Dancer will be giving classes at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.   Again, classes are free but you must be 21 or older to attend.

The classes will offer both a 90-minute session for beginners as well as a one-hour portion for intermediate players.  Classes focus on different games such as Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild and Double Bonus Poker as well as varying subjects so see the class schedule here for more details.

Also, check out the great package prices available at South Point and combine your free video poker training with a hotel stay.  South Point is about 10 minutes from The Strip but offers guests all the amenities such as a spa, multiple restaurants, show room, lounges and more that Las Vegas visitors have come to expect in a casino destination.

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