No matter how hard you try, you still can't hide the fact Luxor is a PYRAMID! Until I can see the finished product, I will hold judgement on City Center. I am disappointed with some of MGM Mirage's recent remodeling efforts, particularly at the Mirage and TI, where a lot of the details that made the resorts unique (e.g., the Tiki-themed canopies in the casino at the Mirage, the pirate props at TI, etc.) were ripped out in favor of a homogeneous "upscale luxury" theme that varies little from one property to the next.

It would be fun to see Steve Wynn take another crack at the mid-market and create a property like Treasure Island, but without the compromises he made with the original effort. Fill it with good gaming (no 6:5 BJ, 10x craps, some full pay VP), and the crowds will be back.

Actually, this is very good news, especially when you consider all we have heard for months is that airlines are cutting capacity to McCarran. Not only will this make it easier for British tourists (who are an important part of the Vegas visitor mix) to make the trip, it also opens up access to all of the BA feeder flights that connect to Heathrow. Given how many rooms will hit the market this year, we need a lot more stories just like this one.

The next year or two will be difficult. However, Las Vegas offers a unique experience, one that cannot be replicated in places like Biloxi or Temecula. From what I have seen, the major operators are moving aggressively to keep rooms filled, as rarely a day goes by when I don't receive either an email or snail mail pitch offering free or discounted rooms, free play credits, comped dining, etc.

Eliminating some of the excesses of recent years, such as the stingy slot payouts and 6:5 blackjack could also be a benefit from a more competitive business environment. In fact, I have already heard comments elsewhere that certain casinos have loosened their slots in recent weeks.