Liz Benston

Stories

Ex-FBI director joins coalition pushing for online poker: Thursday, Sept. 15, 2011; Former FBI director Louis Freeh has joined Fair Play USA, a coalition backed by Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts International that is pushing for Congress to adopt federal regulations allowing online poker.
Caesars outlines details for Octavius tower opening: Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2011; Caesars Entertainment today released details about its Octavius tower opening in January, the sixth hotel tower to debut at its Caesars Palace flagship and the resort's second tower in nearly seven years. Rooms in the 668-room tower will start at 550 square feet and feature velvet sofas, stone tables, marble floors, dark wood desks with embedded granite, and custom cabinetry with a "premium mini bar," the company said. Included in the 668 rooms are 60 suites and six luxury villas.
Station Casinos trying to win back gamblers, revamps Boarding Pass program: Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2011; Station Casinos was once a Wall Street darling, enjoying increasing profits by nailing a business plan that relied on local, repeat customers. And then Station’s fortunes collapsed, hit hard as the recession especially pummeled Las Vegas and locals thought twice about how to spend their discretionary money.
Second dolphin of the year born at Mirage habitat: Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2011; A bottlenose dolphin gave birth last month to a calf, the second dolphin birth this year at the Mirage resort's dolphin habitat, the property announced today.
Nevada's outsourcing of slot testing likely to benefit manufacturers: Monday, Aug. 29, 2011; Slot machines and other high-tech forms of gambling equipment aren’t like toasters or floor lamps. They are more complicated — and crucial to the economy of Nevada.
Getting OK to implode the Harmon proving to be monumental task: Thursday, Aug. 25, 2011; When owners of old casinos are ready to pull the plug, they head to Clark County government offices for a demolition permit, detailing how and when the building should be taken down so as not to harm neighbors.
Gaming regulators unveil rules to oversee Internet poker: Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011; The state Gaming Control Board on Wednesday issued a draft of proposed regulations governing Internet poker, a first step in establishing a framework for licensing online poker operators by a Jan. 31 deadline.
Internet gambling’s new best friend? Conservatives: Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011; The argument that regulated online gambling could raise millions of tax dollars and generate thousands of jobs has gained steam with fiscal conservatives opposed to raising taxes.
Man's crusade against ladies' night will continue after new law takes effect: Friday, Aug. 19, 2011; Steve Horner, a former talk show host turned life coach and writer of self-help books, has gained recognition filing successful sex discrimination complaints against bars and other businesses nationwide. His contention: Ladies’ nights, or other promotions that reserve freebies and discounts for women, are discriminatory.
As Las Vegas gaming companies see gains, stock market brings uncertainty: Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2011; Upswings in earnings among some Las Vegas casinos have many locals cheering a business recovery that’s reflected in actual spending data rather than ephemeral indicators such as consumer sentiment.

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Blog Entries

Deals hit the buffet line: Eat all day for $25: Friday, Feb. 13, 2009; The economic slump has Las Vegas casinos blitzing the Internet with offers that include free rooms, half-price show tickets and airplane vouchers for future trips. The Excalibur is filling a new niche, so to speak, for the gluttonous crowd.
CityCenter jobs a bright spot in down economy: Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009; The prospect of getting a job at CityCenter, which is hiring some 12,000 people for a late 2009 opening, has thrown some locals into a state of anxious excitement. Officials now expect more than 150,000 applications, including some 50,000 flooding the site within three weeks.
Primm hotel rates for locals: free: Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008; Remember the days when casinos gave away rooms and meals to attract gamblers?
Casino companies, even the competition, wish Aliante well: Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008; While the buzz at Station Casinos’ Aliante Station grand opening party Tuesday was shaded with concern about the company’s ability to generate decent money at this suburban casino amid this downturn, everyone is hoping for the best.
Casino stocks plunge to new lows: Friday, Oct. 24, 2008
MGM Mirage stock still on downslide: Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008; Those investors who figured MGM Mirage couldn't trade much below $20 a share a few weeks ago got another nasty surprise today, when bond rating agency Fitch Ratings issued an especially bearish outlook on the company.
MGM Mirage announces end to bonuses: Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008; While some Strip operators have been cagey about layoffs, firings and other employee moves during this time of economic turbulence, MGM Mirage appears to be going the route of full disclosure.
MGM Mirage splits from Nevada Resort Association: Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2008
CityCenter secures $1.8 billion; Wynn avoiding worst of crunch: Monday, Oct. 6, 2008; It wasn't that long ago that Wall Street was criticizing Steve Wynn, who then owned Mirage Resorts, for spending money like a drunken sailor.
Adelson bails out Las Vegas Sands with cash: Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008; It takes more than skill to survive on the Strip, especially now with business plans and financing deals imploding like so many old hotels.