Amanda Finnegan

Story Archive

Senor Frog’s opening location at Treasure Island: Monday, May 9, 2011; Treasure Island is expanding its bar and nightlife offerings with the addition of a Senor Frog’s location.
Nevada slips 5 spots in annual list of business-friendly states: Monday, May 9, 2011; Nevada is still one of the top 10 states to do business in, but it fell five spots from last year, according to a survey by Chief Executive Magazine.
Silver lining for Las Vegas retailers: Nation’s wealthiest have kept spending: Monday, May 9, 2011; The lineup of retailers at Crystals luxury mall at CityCenter reads like a who’s who of posh celebrities. Louis Vuitton. Roberto Cavalli. Harry Winston. Christian Dior. Then there are the brands too obscure or expensive to be household names: Assouline (rare book store) or Kiki de Montparnasse (racy lingerie). If you haven’t heard of them, you’re not their clientele.
Las Vegas Sands names president of local properties: Thursday, May 5, 2011; Las Vegas Sands has named a new president for its Las Vegas properties, the company announced this week. The position has been vacant since the former president stepped into a new role.
Hard Rock's 'Real World' suite available for tourists: Thursday, May 5, 2011; At first glance, Suite 1168 in Hard Rock’s Casino Tower looks like any other Las Vegas high roller suite. There are flat-screen TVs, a full-size bar and a hot tub large enough for whatever party might wander back to your room.
Casino industry notches small gain in 2010 after declines, report says: Wednesday, May 4, 2011; After two years of declining revenues, the U.S. casino industry showed more stable results in 2010, according to an annual report released today by the American Gaming Association. Gross gaming revenue from commercial casinos totaled $34.6 billion in 2010, a nearly 1 percent increase from 2009.
Las Vegas Sands earnings soar in first quarter on strength in Asia: Tuesday, May 3, 2011; Las Vegas Sands reported record earnings for the first quarter of 2011, primarily because of stronger results in Macau and operations in Singapore. The Las Vegas-based casino operator today reported net income increased to $299.4 million.
Sahara shuts down roller coaster ahead of May 16 closure: Tuesday, May 3, 2011; The Sahara hotel-casino has shut down its roller coaster in preparation for its closure in less than two weeks. The roller coaster closed Sunday, a representative from the hotel said. The ride first opened in 1999 when the Sahara renovated and opened its NASCAR Café.
Las Vegas bumped from atop Orbitz summer travel index: Saturday, April 30, 2011; Las Vegas has been bumped from the top spot of summer travel destinations on one travel website. The city trailed Orlando and took the No. 2 spot on Orbitz’s 2011 summer travel index, after holding the top spot for the last two years.
Randy Couture has become much more than a fighter — he's a brand: Friday, April 29, 2011; On any given weekday evening, the entrance of Xtreme Couture martial arts gym off Sunset Road is brimming with wannabe mixed martial arts fighters who have just left their nine-to-fives to train alongside six-time UFC champion Randy Couture.
Tivoli Village retail district opens in western valley: Thursday, April 28, 2011; Executives cut the ribbon today on the first phase of the $850 million Tivoli Village at Queensridge in the western Las Vegas Valley. Tivoli opened with 15 stores and restaurants, which is half of the stores planned for Phase 1 of the project.
Gambler hits $10.6 million Megabucks jackpot at Aria: Friday, April 22, 2011; One gambler is going home a lot richer after hitting the Megabucks jackpot for $10.6 million at Aria on Friday evening. A spokesperson for MGM Resorts International confirmed the win but said the gambler has asked to remain anonymous.
Tivoli Village counting down to grand opening: Thursday, April 21, 2011; In recent years, building a new Las Vegas development has usually meant adding a towering glass casino-resort to the valley’s skyline. But unlike the flashy behemoths on the Strip, west Las Vegas’ latest development is calling upon some old world charm to attract patrons.
Wynn Resorts profit gets boost to $173.8 million in first quarter: Tuesday, April 19, 2011; Wynn Resorts posted a sixfold increase in profit during the first quarter of 2011 as business boomed in Macau and continued to rebound in Las Vegas. The Las Vegas-based casino operator reported first-quarter profit of $173.8 million, or $1.39 per share, an increase from $27 million, or 22 cents per share in the same period of 2010.
Steve Wynn got $6.2 million raise in 2010, filing shows: Wednesday, April 13, 2011; Steve Wynn took home more than $14.6 million in 2010 in his role as Wynn Resorts chairman and CEO, an increase of about $6.2 million from his compensation package in 2009.
Cosmopolitan named to Conde Nast Traveler’s Hot List: Tuesday, April 12, 2011; Las Vegas’ newest resort, the Cosmopolitan, has been named to Conde Nast Traveler’s annual Hot List.
Las Vegas show ticket prices hit highest level recorded in survey: Tuesday, April 12, 2011; The number of tourists traveling to Las Vegas is approaching pre-recession levels, but the average cost of a Strip show ticket has already surpassed that mark. Las Vegas show prices are at the highest levels recorded in the 20-year history of an annual survey conducted by Las Vegas Advisor.
2 new pool parties diving into Las Vegas 'daylife' scene: Tuesday, April 12, 2011; It’s the time of year when packs of bikini-clad 20-somethings descend on Las Vegas Strip resort pools with yard-long drinks and hundreds of dollars to spend. It’s pool party season and the most profitable time of year for nightclub operators who are also dabbling in the daylife trend.
KSNV entertainment reporter Alicia Jacobs to leave station: Monday, April 11, 2011; Longtime TV entertainment reporter Alicia Jacobs announced today she will be leaving KSNV Channel 3.
Burgers and brews: Whopper Bar opens at the Rio: Saturday, April 9, 2011; If there is anything that could match the number of casinos in Las Vegas, it’s the number of fast food restaurants. McDonald’s and Burger King operate a combined total of more than 80 restaurants in the Las Vegas Valley, with smaller brands scattered in between. Las Vegas probably needs another fast food restaurant as much overweight Americans need their high-calorie offerings. But Burger King’s new Whopper Bar at the Rio puts a different spin on its traditional offerings.
Las Vegas records 12th straight month of visitor increases: Friday, April 8, 2011; February brought Las Vegas its 12th consecutive month of increases in visitation, according to numbers released today. The number of visitors in February increased by 1 percent from about 2.85 million visitors in February 2010 to more than 2.88 million this past February, according to a monthly report from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.
2 new pool parties diving into Las Vegas 'daylife' scene: Thursday, April 7, 2011; It’s the time of year when packs of bikini-clad 20-somethings descend on Las Vegas Strip resort pools with yard-long drinks and hundreds of dollars to spend. It’s pool party season and the most profitable time of year for nightclub operators who are also dabbling in the daylife trend.
Sun moves business coverage to newly launched partner site, VEGASINC.com: Wednesday, April 6, 2011; Greenspun Media Group has launched a new website for daily and breaking business news in conjunction with its reimagined weekly business magazine, VEGAS INC.
American Airlines adds fifth daily Las Vegas-Los Angeles flight: Tuesday, April 5, 2011; American Airlines has added a fifth daily flight between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, starting today.
License sought to operate shuttered Casino MonteLago: Friday, April 1, 2011; A company called Intrepid Gaming has filed for a license to operate the shuttered Casino MonteLago in the development’s MonteLago Village Resort.
Vegas Box hopes frequent tourists leave personal items behind: Thursday, March 31, 2011; We’ve all likely stood behind one at McCarran International Airport security — travelers who purge their carry-on bag of shampoo bottles and suntan lotion because they don’t understand the TSA’s 3.4-ounce liquid restriction.
Las Vegas Sands plans May opening for Pennsylvania hotel: Tuesday, March 29, 2011; Las Vegas Sands will open a hotel at its Pennsylvania casino in May. The Sands Hotel at the Sands Casino Resort in Bethlehem, Pa., will be a 300-room, luxury hotel and the largest in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley area, the company announced this week.
Union supporters arrested at protest of Station Casinos: Thursday, March 24, 2011; On a side street near Palace Station, 100 Culinary Union supporters were arrested Thursday night for blocking a roadway to show their support for the organization’s attempt to unionize workers at Station Casinos.
Annual tourism report: Length of stay up, number who gamble down: Thursday, March 24, 2011; The average Las Vegas tourist spent more and stayed longer in 2010 compared to a year earlier, a positive sign for the city's ailing tourism industry.
Former Pure nightclub host pleads guilty to tax crimes: Thursday, March 24, 2011; A second former host who worked at Caesars Palace’s Pure nightclub has pleaded guilty to tax crimes stemming from a 2008 IRS raid at the nightclub for its tipping and cash handling policies.
Report: Las Vegas No. 1 on list of top trade show destinations: Wednesday, March 23, 2011; Las Vegas remained the top U.S. destination for trade shows in 2010, according to a new report released by the Trade Show News Network. The city hosted 60 of the 250 largest trade shows in 2010.
Las Vegas Strip casinos to mark Earth Hour Saturday night: Wednesday, March 23, 2011; The Las Vegas Strip will go dark Saturday night for Earth Hour to send a message about climate change and the importance of energy conservation. This is the third year several Strip casinos will be dimming their lights for the annual event.
Reality show 'Undercover Boss' will feature MGM Grand executive: Tuesday, March 15, 2011; MGM Grand President and Chief Operating Officer Scott Sibella is going undercover as a frontline employee at his property for a CBS reality show.
Las Vegas resorts banking on annual spring break boost: Monday, March 14, 2011; It was 1986 when an up-and-coming music TV network first touched down in Daytona Beach for its inaugural spring break special. It was before anyone had ever heard of a reality TV show, but the throngs of inebriated college students and bikini-clad girls made an instant hit for MTV.
Report: Rising gas prices will bring weaker results to gaming industry: Thursday, March 10, 2011; Higher fuel costs will likely take a toll on the U.S. gaming industry as Americans scale back on discretionary spending to fill their gas tanks, according to a new report.
Las Vegas records 8.6 percent increase in January visitors: Thursday, March 10, 2011; Some of Las Vegas’ largest annual conventions helped to drive a visitor volume increase of 8.6 percent in January over the previous year, according to numbers released today.
Stratosphere's 'American Superstars' to end this month: Thursday, March 10, 2011; “American Superstars,” one of the longest-running shows in Las Vegas, will close at the Stratosphere on March 30.
Ranking of 'most dangerous' spring break cities puts Las Vegas at No. 3: Tuesday, March 8, 2011; Apparently Disney World is a riskier vacation spot than the Las Vegas Strip. Las Vegas ranked No. 3 on a list of the 25 most dangerous U.S. spring break destinations, just below Orlando and Daytona Beach.
Caesars Entertainment CEO Gary Loveman made $5.9 million in 2010: Monday, March 7, 2011; Gary Loveman took home about $5.9 million in 2010 in his role as Caesars Entertainment chairman and CEO, slightly less than the compensation package he received in 2009.
Will rising gas prices pinch Las Vegas tourism?: Saturday, March 5, 2011; As prices at the gas pump continue to spike, a vacation is often the first thing cut from the family budget. But even as fuel prices near the $4 mark in major tourist feeder markets like California, Las Vegas tourism and resort officials don’t seem to be worried — yet.
County OKs plans for amusement park across from Mandalay Bay: Wednesday, March 2, 2011; Clark County commissioners on Wednesday unanimously supported a proposed amusement park on the Las Vegas Strip. Developers hope to build an entertainment and retail district that would include amusement rides on a 9.6-acre site across from Mandalay Bay.
Bellagio announces Hyde Lounge, an indoor-outdoor nightclub: Tuesday, March 1, 2011; The company plans to rebrand and redesign the Fontana Bar.
CityCenter hopes new signage brings more traffic: MGM Resorts says changes continue in response to customer feedback; Tuesday, March 1, 2011; When Deutsche Bank opened the Cosmopolitan on the Strip in December, misinformed tourists and some Las Vegas residents mistakenly grouped the new resort with MGM Resorts International’s CityCenter complex next door. It was easy to see why.
Steve Wynn gets annual salary boost of $1 million: Monday, Feb. 28, 2011; Wynn Resorts CEO Steve Wynn has received an annual salary increase of about $1 million, according to a regulatory filing today. Wynn’s base salary was increased to $4 million, the filing indicated. The change was effective Feb. 24.
Wynn Las Vegas gets $99 million upgrade after 5 years: Monday, Feb. 28, 2011; While some of his Las Vegas Strip neighbors are tattered from several years of use, Wynn Resorts CEO Steve Wynn barely waits for a thread to be out of place at his hotels before calling for a complete remodel. It’s a practice the casino mogul has followed since the beginning of his career, first at the Golden Nugget and now at Wynn Las Vegas.
Caesars seeks funding for unfinished Octavius Tower, new Las Vegas Strip entertainment plaza: In SEC filing, company says it needs $400 million to finance projects; Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011; Caesars Entertainment announced today that it is seeking funding to complete the unfinished Octavius Tower at Caesars Palace and to begin development on a retail and entertainment plaza on the Strip.
Celine Dion discusses Las Vegas show, gives away tickets on 'Oprah': Monday, Feb. 21, 2011; Celine Dion stopped by “The Oprah Winfrey Show” on Monday to talk about her pregnancy struggles, four-month-old twin boys and to give away dozens of tickets to her new Las Vegas show. The announcement was greeted with screaming — and some crying — from audience members.
Orlando bumps Vegas from top of Orbitz spring break destination list: Saturday, Feb. 19, 2011; A more family friendly travel destination has bumped Las Vegas from the top spot of the hottest spring break vacation locations on one travel website. After holding steady at No. 1 for two years, Las Vegas moved to No. 2 as Orlando moved into lead spot on Orbitz.com’s list.
Developers plan amusement park, retail center on Las Vegas Strip: County Commission is scheduled to hear the proposal on March 2; Friday, Feb. 18, 2011; An amusement park is in the works on a site where another family-friendly attraction failed at the south end of the Las Vegas Strip.
Stratosphere tower will go dark tonight to honor Dale Earnhardt: Friday, Feb. 18, 2011; The Stratosphere will dim its lights tonight in honor of the 10th anniversary of Dale Earnhardt’s death. The tower will turn off its lights at 9 p.m. and it will remain dark for 10 minutes in remembrance of the NASCAR driver who died during an event on Feb. 18, 2001.