By Caitlin McGarry   Tue, May 05, 2009

Pool parties are a staple of any summer, but Las Vegas has upped the ante in its effort to bring “daylife” to the world. As in a nightclub, celebrities mingle with scantily clad tourists and locals while DJs spin Top 40 hits at some of the city’s best casinos in celebration of summer. With pitchers of drinks, cabanas, daybeds and VIP areas, relaxing by the pool has been elevated to luxury status.

The Buzz

Hard Rock Hotel and Casino kicked off the daylife phenomena with its legendary pool party, Rehab, in 2003. The resort realized its pool had potential, and launched Rehab as a Sunday pool party for locals. The trend quickly spread.

“We’ve always had the best pool experience in town, and it was typically only open to casino and hotel guests,” said Philip D. Shalala, Hard Rock’s vice president of marketing. “We came across a point where on Sundays, everything would kind of die down, and people would leave town. We originally formed Rehab as a locals’ party. You’re working all weekend, why not come to our facility on a Sunday and hang out and drink and enjoy our pool?

“We decided to open it up on Sundays to that local customer, and it started out as a small little gathering and then it built its way up. Eventually daylife was formed. We consider ourselves to be the ones that invented daylife.”

Pool parties have grown bigger and more decadent in the days since Rehab’s inception, with other Strip resorts capitalizing on their poolside real estate. The Palms Resort and Casino launched Ditch Fridays in 2007 to kick off the weekend in style.

“We chose Friday to do our big party because people get to town and the first thing they’re asking is, ‘Where am I going first?’” said Michael Fuller, vice president of Ditch Fridays operator N9NE Group. “This starts their weekend on a very big level. It helps us to give people direction on what’s going to happen with the rest of the weekend.”

While Rehab dominates Sundays and Ditch Fridays holds court at the beginning of the weekend, MGM Grand’s Wet Republic is a daily event.

“We wanted to create a luxury poolside experience,” said Anthony Olheiser, director of MGM Grand Nightlife. “The MGM Grand is synonymous with world class luxury with so many different amenities, but we felt we were missing one element, and that was an outdoor party pool.”

Last year, the idea came to fruition with the creation of Wet Republic, the city’s first ultra pool. Combining a dance floor with cabanas, daybeds, two large pools and other luxury elements, Wet Republic is a constant party—which was MGM’s intention, Olheiser said.

“The first thing we wanted to do was take all those images and the energy when you go into a nightclub, and we wanted to take that atmosphere and transcend that into the pool,” Olheiser said. “We’ve done that with the big DJs that come in, the celebrity events. It’s really that nightclub during the day experience that’s really been huge for us. We feel like we’ve hit that right on.”

M Resort’s Daydream is the antithesis of a wild Strip pool party, and is carving a niche for itself as a calmer, more local-friendly pool experience.

“There have been people that come from other properties that want to come and see it that have come back multiple times,” said M Resort owner Anthony Marnell III. “It’s a bigger venue than the other venues. It’s not an adult area, it’s a VIP pool. It’s not a topless pool. It’s a little bit upper scale, a bit classier. It’s a big area. It’s right in their backyard, in their proximity. It’s a two-minute drive down the street. [Locals] like it.”

The Locals

The recently opened M Resort is steadily taking over the locals market, due not only to its close proximity to suburbs like Henderson and its calmer pool environment, but also because of its deals for native Las Vegans. Free admission, discounts on amenities and an industry party are being implemented for locals, and Marnell said the concept behind Daydream is complementary to the philosophy behind M Resort.

“The resort is based on a combination of modern architecture and romance. It’s not super high-energy type of property, it’s a very mellow but chic type of property,” Marnell said. “If Daydream was anything other than that, it would seem out of place.”

While Daydream is beginning to corner the locals market in its first season, the more established pool parties are getting in on the act, too, creating locals-specific parties with locals-specific prices.

“Because of demand in Rehab, we’ve created another pool party on Mondays called Relax,” Shalala said of the Hard Rock’s strategy. “It’s very heavily locals, people who wanted to be at Rehab, and they still wanted to experience the Rehab vibe. So we created Relax, which is a little bit smaller in numbers, but still has that Rehab feel. That is focused strictly toward locals. Local girls get in free, stuff like that.”

The Palms is also developing a Monday night party. Fuller said industry insiders usually work throughout the weekend, so Mondays are the new Fridays for locals.

“We will be launching an organic locals pool party; it’s not going to be heavily publicized,” Fuller said. “It’s going to be the anti-party party. You have the tourists and they want to lose their minds, but then you have the service industry, and they want to have a good time but not be in chaos. So we’re throwing a party for them on a Monday that will be cool but not off-the-hook crazy. You have to target people specifically and just let it grow.”

The new Palms party will not be advertised on billboards; Fuller said the resort plans to use word of mouth to draw locals to the industry party, which will launch in June.

Wet Republic hosts locals-only events, such as Monday night volleyball games played by industry representatives from hotels, clubs and restaurants, as well as an industry pool party on Sundays.

“Daylife Sundays is our real big local day at Wet Republic, where it really caters to the industry type of clientele,” Olheiser said. “Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday we’ve been a popular destination for locals who are off those days. We comp them in and we give them bottle specials, things like that. We know that they’re really the tastemakers in town. Wherever they go, they’re going to be talking about our venue.”

The Big Events

Resort pool parties are main events in themselves, but casinos kick it up a notch when they host big poolside occasions.

The Palms has several promotional Playboy parties in the works, from a Willy Wonka-inspired Candyland event to the Midsummer Night’s Dream pirate-themed party (complete with treasure hunt) and the Playboy Bunny Hunt for new staffers for the Palms’ Playboy Club. The resort also books DJs who draw big crowds to the casino’s clubs (and, of course, the pool).

“We have so many celebrities here all the time,” Fuller said. “Obviously we have DJ AM, who is the resident DJ now. We have Paul Oakenfold as a resident DJ. As an overall strategy, we don’t book celebrity guests, because they hang out with us. They don’t get paid to be here, they just hang out here.”

Celebrities also flock to the Hard Rock for weekend-long happenings, beginning with the summer festival series Friday Night Live, which kicks off May 1 with a performance from Rusted Root.

“We’re an entertainment-based property, so we have to have entertainment going constantly,” Shalala said. “That’s what people come to the Hard Rock for, and to Vegas for. That’s what we do with Friday Night Live and then a show at The Joint on Saturday and then Rehab on Sunday. Friday Night Live helps with bringing people to the property and keeping them around.

“You get a different vibe through the whole weekend. You listen to reggae and hang out on Friday, go to the pool and then a great restaurant and a great show at The Joint on Saturday, then wake up and go to Rehab on Sunday, which is insane. What else can you ask for? It’s the perfect vacation.”   

Wet Republic also books big names, which Olheiser hopes to extend from musical guests to other entertainment stars throughout this season.    “Last year we were really DJ-focused,” Olheiser said. “We brought in some world class names. We’re going to keep that model, but do more celebrity events to pepper in with all the DJs. There’s a wide range of customers, so there’s a lot of people that really appreciate those big DJs we bring in, but we’re bringing in celebrities as well. It really is a one-stop shop. We’ve got a pretty good portfolio.This summer’s going to be tremendous.”

The Selling Point

Each pool party’s organizer hopes Olheiser’s predictions for the summer come true, with Las Vegas struggling to draw visitors in the current economic climate.

Marnell, who emphasizes customer service and old Vegas values, said he thinks the pool party craze will not have much effect on visitor numbers or expenditures.

“I don’t know if pool parties are going to help bring more people to Vegas, but they provide a different venue for people to go out and have a good time,” Marnell said. “I don’t think it’s going to substantially increase the market.”

Other resorts are hoping Marnell is wrong and that parties, events and general debauchery in the sunlight will boost the Strip’s dismal numbers, just as nightclubs captured a youthful demographic that was otherwise ignored by the gaming industry.

“Pools are the new nightclubs for Las Vegas,” Fuller said. “We had great success last year, and we’ve actually added more operational nightclub techniques to our pool strategy this year to make it function more like a nightclub—bottle services, open seating. Based on how the economy is doing, our strategy has been to increase the value to the customer.”

Olheiser is hoping Wet Republic will be the selling point for potential guests.

“When somebody logs on and wants to stay at a certain hotel, we hope that we can sway people to stay at MGM, not only because of the great things MGM has, but because of Wet Republic,” Olheiser said. “We’re trying to draw some great business from people who are staying here. We’ve been open for a few weeks, and we’ve seen the increase in popularity.”

The Hard Rock pool offers more than just parties, concerts and other events—the pool is also the subject of a TruTV reality series, adding a touch of Hollywood glamour to a Sin City site.

“The pool parties really add to the festivities,” Shalala said. “People want to check it out, and they want to be there. One thing that’s great for us is we’re the only pool party that has a reality TV show filmed here, which is in its second season. Everyone wants to be on TV. They get a chance to be on television just by being at Rehab. They’ll do whatever they can to get in.

“Things like that are good not just for us but for Vegas in general. The recession is hurting everybody, but those that stop pushing forward—that’s your demise when things do come back.”

By Greg Jones   Tue, May 05, 2009

The 24-hour lifestyle of Las Vegas brings many great things. There is always someplace open for a late-night snack; if you feel like staying out late, there is no last call that sends you home at 2 a.m. or 4 a.m.; and there is a constant demand for workers around the clock. Some people, however, find that it can get to be a little much, especially when it comes to finding a place to really settle down a little and relax. For those who don’t need the constant stimulation and for those looking for something that approaches what most would consider “normal” suburban living, there is no comparison to Boulder City.

That, of course, is not to slight suburbs like Summerlin, Green Valley or Sun City/Aliante. But while they have separate municipal leaders and codes, they really don’t feel like much more than extensions of Las Vegas itself. Boulder City, on the other hand, really is a completely different world... and it’s only 25 minutes away.

In many ways, Boulder City is the antithesis of Las Vegas. There is no gambling—anywhere. The convenience stores don’t have slots; the bar tops in restaurants and lounges aren’t lined with video poker machines; and there are no casinos. The stores—even the grocery stores—have what the rest of the country considers normal hours. And unlike the seemingly unrestricted and unregulated growth of Las Vegas—note the use of “seemingly”—Boulder City officials take great pains to ensure that growth is controlled and sensible.

There is a very definite effort to make Boulder City into something of a family-friendly enclave in Southern Nevada. It’s a little carve-out in Clark County where some normalcy remains. It does not have the same “anything goes” attitude of Las Vegas. It is, in many ways, exactly what most people think of when they picture small town life—the only difference is that the big city and all it has to offer are just minutes away.

Boulder City was created in 1931 as a town to house workers building the Hoover Dam. At the time, gambling and alcohol sales were prohibited. While alcohol sales were approved in 1969, the city remains one of only two communities in Nevada that doesn’t have any form of gaming. In many ways, Boulder City retains the same family-friendly environment that it did when it was first created. It was created as a model city with a set of ideals that remain in place today.

One of the primary ways that the existing quality of life is preserved in Boulder City is through a slow-growth ordinance. The focus on controlled and guided growth fosters a stronger sense of community while keeping crime rates down—along with utility rates—and allowing for better delivery of city services.

But while life in Boulder City is relaxed, that doesn’t mean it is boring, and there are plenty of reasons for people to make the short trip to this desert oasis.

One attraction is a seemingly endless number of outdoor community events—the annual Easter egg hunt, the Fourth of July Damboree Parade and Celebration, Wurstfest and Christmas events, including an electric light parade on Main Street. There are also larger events like the annual Spring Jamboree held May 2 and 3. The Spring Jamboree features a car show, arts and crafts booths, live entertainment, including the Little Miss and Mister Boulder City competition, a dog show and a number of food vendors. It’s a great way to spend a day outside in a relaxed, small town atmosphere.

The other big celebration in Boulder City is Art in the Park October 3 and 4. Art in the Park is one of the largest outdoor art festivals in the Southwest, held every year to raise money for the Boulder City Hospital Foundation. The free event attracts more than 100,000 visitors who take in the artwork, the live music, food and raffle, and who get to see the judging of the art pieces themselves.

Another attraction in Boulder City is the great golf opportunities. There are plenty of golf courses in Las Vegas, but there are two excellent courses in Boulder City, too. The Boulder Creek Golf Club, which opened in 2003, is a 27-hole course that plays host to a number of tournaments every year, including the Clark County Amateur Championship in November and the UNLV Girls Golf Spring Invitational. The course differs from those found in Las Vegas with its oasis-themed holes with beach bunkers, lakes and waterfalls. And the ninth hole on the Desert Hawk course was voted the best par 4 hole in the area by Vegas Golfer magazine. Rates for Clark County residents hover in the $60 range depending on tee times.

The Boulder City Golf Course has even lower rates—around $30 for Clark County residents—that earned it the best bargain course in Southern Nevada designation for three years running from Vegas Golfer magazine. The 18-hole, par 72 course measures 6,600 yards from the back tees, making it a playable course for golfers of all skill levels.

Outdoor recreation really does reign supreme in Boulder City. The nearby Bootleg Canyon is one of the best-kept secrets of Southern Nevada. It features 35 miles of downhill and cross-country mountain bike trails. It attracts riders from all over the world. The trails range from moderate to difficult, so there is something available for all levels of riders.

For those who would rather see the area from above, there is Bootleg Canyon Flightlines. The company operates a zipline that flies customers through canyons 1,000 feet above the desert floor. The cost covers runs down four different lines, each offering a different experience ranging from serene to supreme.

For those who want an aerial perspective of the desert, but would prefer a little more freedom, Skydive Las Vegas can fill the void. The company offers two flights daily operating out of the Boulder City airport. Guests are treated to awe-inspiring views of Lake Mead, Hoover Dam and the Las Vegas Valley after the 120 mph freefall gives way to a controlled descent after the parachute opens.

Both Bootleg Canyon Flightlines and Skydive Las Vegas offer shuttles to pick people up from the Strip, but it is advisable to make the trip yourself to avoid having to wait around for the shuttle.

Boulder City is also a gateway to a number of natural attractions in the area, being just minutes from Lake Mead and Hoover Dam.

Hoover Dam attracts more than 1 million visitors every year who marvel at this 63-year-old structure that was, when completed in 1936, both the largest electric-power generating station and the world’s largest concrete structure (there is enough concrete in the dam to pave a two-lane highway from San Francisco to New York!).

The dam truly is a remarkable piece of engineering, and it is essential to the viability of Las Vegas and Southern Nevada. And while you can wander around aimlessly on top of the dam—as anyone who has tried to cross it on the trip to or from Arizona is certainly aware—the best way to experience everything is to spend some time watching the documentaries in the visitors center before taking one of the guided tours through the inner workings of the facility. The hard hat tour takes guests past the turbines inside and all the way to the base of the dam.

Behind Hoover Dam sits Lake Mead, an outdoor playground of its own. Not only is this federal park lined with hiking trails, it offers a unique desert experience of playing on or in a large body of water. The lake draws visitors every weekend to play on boats and jet skis and to sit along the beach.

The Lake Mead National Recreation Area is also one of the best launching points for one of the most scenic drives in Southern Nevada, the Lakeshore Scenic Drive. From the Boulder City entrance to the park, the drive runs along the west edge of the lake as it winds north past Lake Las Vegas and eventually ends in Valley of Fire State Park. It is a beautiful transformation to see the water give way to the sparsely populated desert, which then gives way to the fiery red rock formations of Nevada’s oldest state park.

Another option is to start at Valley of Fire and make the trip south before spending the rest of the day in Boulder City. Even when no events are scheduled, the city’s 71 acres of parks, quaint downtown commercial area and numerous restaurants still provide a great experience and a good way to get out of town without having to go too far. The trip may only be 25 miles, but it feels like a trip to another era and another state.

By Caitlin McGarry   Tue, May 05, 2009

The real estate crash, stock market tailspin and subsequent recession sent the average American’s investment portfolio into a deep decline. Those nearing retirement age were forced to reconsider their options after watching their savings dissipate, and financial experts were left to wonder: How did we get here?

Explanations for the economic meltdown (rampant consumerism, predatory lending practices, mass deregulation of the financial industry) have dominated headlines since the nation’s businesses began falling victim to the winds of change, but few have analyzed what Americans can do to rebuild their futures.

According to the Employee Benefit Research Institute’s 2009 Retirement Confidence Survey, 89 percent of workers surveyed said they planned to postpone their retirement in order to increase financial security, and 72 percent said they intended to work even after retiring.

Personal finance gurus are advocating various methods to make planning for the future more feasible in today’s economic climate, and the unifying thread is conservation.™

The Three-Pronged Approach

If debt contributed to the global economic crisis, then financial experts think cutting down debt and shoring up savings could be the key to balancing the markets. For those looking to plan ahead in their own lives, this means using three tools to take control of their personal finances: paying off debts, building up an emergency fund and saving for retirement.

While some big names in personal finance advise paying debts down before socking away money for retirement, Jagdish Mehta, professor of finance at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, said he thinks the three-pronged approach is necessary to successfully plan for the future.

“In today’s society, if you say, ‘I will not start investing until after I pay off my debt,’ it will happen after you die,” said Mehta, who teaches courses on personal finance and investing. “It’s never going to happen. Nowadays, people just don’t have a debt-free life. Some people are trying to do all of this because of the downturn, and there is bad news everywhere, so they’re saying, ‘I’m trying to be debt-free.’ As soon as a year or two goes by, and the economy starts stabilizing and starts going up, people will forget all this. They’ll start going into debt again.

“Have three months of emergency savings; that’s good. And start investing: the smallest amount you can get away with, then build it up. Try to build an emergency fund, try to reduce your debt and try to increase your investments—all three side-by-side.”

Financial specialist Adam Kilbourn, a certified financial planner and chartered life underwriter for insurance agency Orgill/Singer & Associates, is also a proponent of the three-pronged approach, but said he thinks paying down debt is the most important step, especially for those new to the workforce.

“Credit card debt isn’t cheap,” Kilbourn said. “Taking care of the here and now, paying off immediate debts, is important. Many people want to jump right into retirement planning right away…. Look at your emergency fund, make sure you have three to six months saved up in the bank. If you don’t have an emergency fund, you’re falling back on debt.”

Evaluating Options

While there are several approaches to planning for the financial future, the one thing nearly every personal finance expert agrees upon is the need for retirement savings. There is no set date for Social Security funds to run out, but with more and more people retiring, the odds are good that future retirees will receive less and less from the government in their later years.

Social Security was established in 1937 under President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal. Social Security benefits were intended to help the elderly, disabled and unemployed, as they do now. Funds for the program have always been collected from payroll tax revenue, but originally limited what industries were eligible to receive benefits, and also excluded the majority of women and minorities. Today, coverage is universal, though politicians have worried about the program’s solvency since the 1970s.

While those who live in poverty or who have not had the opportunity to save for retirement due to unemployment or disabilities rely on Social Security benefits to subsist on as senior citizens, others will use Social Security as a supplement to their retirement income.

“Social Security will be there,” Mehta said. “The problem is it will cover a smaller and smaller percentage of your retirement need. Fifty years ago, it could’ve covered 90 percent of your retirement need. Now it’s like 50 percent or 40 percent of your retirement need. In 20 years, it will be 20 to 30 percent of your retirement need. The amount they will pay will be a lot smaller compared to your need. Modern society’s needs will keep going up.”

In order to plan for future needs, there are numerous investment and tax vehicles for retirement savings, such as a 401(k), 403(b), traditional IRA, Roth IRA and a Roth 401(k). There are several differences between each plan, many of which involve taxation, but financial experts like Mehta and Kilbourn advise workers to invest a percentage of their income in at least one of the vehicles.

For employees who work for companies that offer 401(k) plans, Kilbourn suggested maximizing the investment and also maximizing the employer match if one is offered, because it is akin to “free money.” If a company does not offer a match or an employer-sponsored retirement account, Kilbourn said an Individual Retirement Account is a viable option for workers, though its maximum investment limit per year is much lower than that of a 401(k) plan.

Mehta said that he advises students to maximize contributions to their retirement plans because most people do not save enough to live on when they retire. According to the EBRI’s 2009 Retirement Confidence Survey, 44 percent of workers said they plan to guess how much money they will need to retire. Many would probably be shocked to learn that the average middle class worker should have $750,000 to $1 million saved by retirement age, depending on income and lifestyle.

Rethinking Retirement

Though the amount needed to retire comfortably may seem out of reach for some workers, Mehta said he hopes the current recession will inspire people to be more conscientious of spending within their means and saving for the future.

“Even though I feel that 90 percent of people will forget the lessons, I hope that I am wrong,” Mehta said. “I hope that more and more people learn from this. I hope our country becomes bigger savers, like Asian countries are. I think people should save 15 to 20 percent of their income in their savings for the future. If nothing else, we learn a few lessons: spend less on a credit card, have smaller debt, become a more conservative society and learn from here.”

Those whose retirement savings were wiped out when the recession hit may have had too many risky stock allocations and not enough conservative cash allocations, Mehta said.

“If you had good retirement planning before this downturn hit, then you don’t need to change, because then you will be the right way anyway,” Mehta said. “If you didn’t do it right beforehand, now I advise you to do it right over the next year or two—correct it, reorganize it, revamp it. There’s nothing you can do about the money you lost in the last year or two, but if you have at least 10 years to retire, then you can make it up… less than 10 years to retire, you’ll have to adjust your retirement.”

For those who were close to retirement when the stock market declined, Kilbourn said he thinks they should reevaluate their positions and seek help if necessary.

“They shouldn’t feel bad,” Kilbourn said. “No one saw this happening. They should reach out and look for some help, talk to many different people and get a few different opinions. Once they’ve had a few people give them advice, then they have some choices to make. One is that their portfolio needs some reallocation.  There’s no magic bullet. My worry is that people don’t make any choice.”

Younger workers need not worry about risky stocks, because they have the opportunity to reallocate as they get closer to retirement age.

“If you’re 30 years old and contributing to a retirement plan, you should be jumping for joy right now,” Kilbourn said. “The mother of all shoe sales is going on in the stock market. Everything’s 50 percent off. If you have another 20 years to contribute, then you should be buying. If you’re getting ready to retire, this is the worst possible thing to happen to you. That’s a dichotomy right there. I don’t know what the next three to six years are going to look like for these people.”

By Casino Connection Staff   Tue, May 05, 2009

Customer satisfaction is the primary directive for Richie Waitkus, slot shift manager at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. And even though Waitkus roams the slot floor, his eyes are everywhere. “It doesn’t matter what department you’re in,” he said, “we’re all part of the same team.” That team approach has been a huge benefit at the Hard Rock, where Waitkus has worked since 2003. He came to the Hard Rock from a larger property on the Strip. The smaller casino gave him more opportunities to interact with customers and to make sure they were being treated well. “That is the advantage that we have with this property,” he said. “We have the opportunity to capture the customers, to retain them and to keep them happy. They’re not just a number here.” In addition to focusing on the guest, Waitkus is also focused on his fellow employees and the community through his relationship with the philanthropic arm of the Hard Rock, Save the Planet. Waitkus participates in everything from food drives to shoe drives to raising money for the employee relief fund. “That is the most rewarding part of my work here at the Hard Rock,” he said. “Being able to give back to the community; simply being helpful.” Whether it is with the customers, the team members or the community as a whole, Waitkus certainly is more than just helpful. He is a valuable asset with an attitude and approach to work that benefits his coworkers as well as his employer.

By Caitlin McGarry   Tue, May 05, 2009

Friendly faces abound in the service industry, but Robin Garcia may have the friendliest of them all. The Starbucks counter attendant at Fiesta Henderson Casino Hotel can make even the meanest of customers crack a smile when she makes their coffee, and she takes pride in that ability.

“Making somebody that comes in mean happy as they leave is challenging. It’s pretty hard, but I can do it. I’ve done it before.”

As part of Station Casinos’ family of resorts, Fiesta Henderson caters mainly to locals in the neighborhood, so Garcia has dozens of regular customers. One of her favorites is also the most difficult, but she enjoys sending him away with a great cup of coffee and a smile.

“I have this grouchy guy that comes in all the time, but he leaves so nice,” Garcia said, smiling. “He’s so grouchy all the time, but I get him laughing.”

Garcia has worked in Las Vegas’ service industry for more than 20 years, so her experiences with customers run the gamut from good to bad.

Her experiences with management have also covered the spectrum, which is why she loves her job with Station Casinos. Garcia said time spent working for properties that were unionized led her to prefer Fiesta Henderson (a casino that is not unionized).

“I always used to work union, but they’re always against you, even the management,” Garcia said. “I love that I can talk to people when I have a problem or go to somebody. It’s open door. It’s great.”

It’s also been awhile since Garcia worked at another property—she’s been with Fiesta Henderson for nine years.

“It’s fantastic,” she said. “I love it. I think I’m going to die here. I really do, I love it.”

Searching for a change of pace, she decided on Station Casinos almost nine years ago because a chef she worked with at another casino decided to move to Fiesta Henderson, and brought Garcia with him.

“My chef introduced me to this property,” she said. “He got me in the door here; he said it was better.”

After working at the property’s Baja Café for almost seven years, she opened the casino’s first Starbucks location and has been there ever since.

The New York native moved to Las Vegas when she was 11, and like many locals, decided to go to work in the casino industry to support herself and her loved ones.

“I’m a mother, so I wanted to provide for my family with the tips I earned,” Garcia said.

Aside from the tips, she said the best perk of her job is the people.

“I enjoy meeting new people from different countries,” she said. “We get them all here—grouchy, happy. All kinds. I have a great time at my job. All my coworkers are great; the people I work around are great. I love the guests. I know them all, pretty much.”

And to those guests, Garcia is more than just a friendly face—she is the reason they keep coming back.

By Robert Rossiello   Tue, May 05, 2009

The Purple One is back. That’s right, Prince, that often eccentric, always entertaining musical icon, has recently released a three-disc set entitled LOtUSFLOW3R (Prince just loves those symbols). With his typical disdain for record companies, Prince has made the CD available only at Target stores ($11.98) or by membership ($77) on his new website, Lotusflow3r.com.

Like most Prince projects, the collection has its hits and misses. The first CD, LOtUSFLOW3R, showcases Prince’s rock-oriented side, with extended guitar solos and moody psychedelic jams. Prince channels his inner Hendrix on the wah-wah heavy “Dreamer” and offers a blistering onslaught on “Wall of Berlin.” He pays homage to James Brown on the funky “Feel Good, Feel Better, Feel Wonderful,” and even covers Tommy James’ “Crimson and Clover.” There are some fillers here, like “Love Like Jazz” and the meandering “77 Beverly Park,” but for the most part LOtUSFLOW3R is a solid disc.

The next CD is MPLSoUND (which translates in Prince-speak as “Minneapolis Sound”), and is a return to his electro-funk roots, showcased so famously on Purple Rain and Sign ‘o’ the Times. The CD isn’t quite up to those standards, but there are some real gems here, like the upbeat “Chocolate Box,” “No More Candy 4 U” and the seven-minute hip-hop rant “Ol’ Skool Company,” in which Prince weighs in on our current economic bailout. Now a practicing Jehovah’s Witness, he avoids the direct sexual lyrics of his past for a more playful innuendo, but let’s face it, here’s a guy who sounds sexy clearing his throat.

The final disc, Elixer, is the debut album of Prince’s new protege, the bland R&B singer Bria Valente. Co-written and co-produced by Prince, the album isn’t a failure per se, just anemic and forgettable. Valente doesn’t have much of a range, but she croons competently on what one could consider anonymous elevator music.

Not to worry, with nearly three hours of music, there is plenty here to like, and at $11.98 it could turn out to be the biggest bargain of the year.

By Marjorie Preston   Tue, May 05, 2009

Most of us think of owls as either symbols of wisdom or inscrutable birds of prey. After reading Wesley the Owl, you’ll know them for the first time as intensely emotional, fragile and devoted creatures, as distinct in personality and loving in nature as any human being.

O’Brien was a young biologist at California Institute of Technology when she was asked to adopt an injured four-day-old owlet. It would be no easy task; as soon as the baby owl opened its eyes, it would bond with her for life.

But O’Brien said yes, knowing this was an extraordinary opportunity to study one of the night-roving raptors up close, learn its behaviors and document the experience for her fellow scientists.

She couldn’t have imagined how completely the owl would change her life. In this charming memoir, O’Brien charts the relationship from Wesley’s infancy as a tiny, pterodactyl-like ball of fluff to adulthood, when his love for his caretaker became a sometimes-jealous passion. O’Brien also shares what she calls the Way of the Owl—a blueprint for living that requires absolute fidelity, honesty and accountability as well as love.

There are some fascinating stories here about owl behavior. Though Wesley’s injured wing gave him an awkward gait and clumsy flying technique, O’Brien learned never to laugh at him, because the owl was capable of deep hurt and shame. And in later years, when chronic pain made O’Brien consider suicide, she chose to live, knowing that Wesley—like all barn owls who lose their mates—would simply perish of grief.  

As O’Brien recounts the almost-20-year-bond bond between human and animal ( Wesley the Owl has been called “ Marley & Me with wings”), she is compelled to consider a greater love, one that defies scientific reason and proof. This is a marvelous little book.

By Joe Legato   Tue, May 05, 2009

Have you ever thought that those save-the-city-from-zombies games would be so much better if somebody just mixed in a few ninjas? Well, apparently so did From Software, as they developed the latest ninja-action game, Ninja Blade.

The game takes place in near-future Tokyo, just as an infection of a bizarre parasite has spread throughout the city. These “Alpha-worms” are turning people into aggressive, bloodthirsty zombies, and the city is becoming so overwhelmed that it may need to be completely “sterilized.” It’s up to you and your ninja gang, titled the Global United Infestation Detection and Elimination (GUIDE) squad, to save Tokyo from these zombies.

Many of the interesting features of Ninja Blade focus on the elements that make ninjas cool in the first place. Players get to choose the blade that most suits their enemies at that given time, from a powerful-but-bulky sword to small, swift knives.

The ninjas can also harness the elements and use special cyclone or lightning attacks. Also, gamers are able to use “Ninja Vision,” in which the game slows down and players can see upcoming enemies and hidden secrets. Players must use the skill carefully, though, because it makes them vulnerable to attack.

Ninja Blade is very much based on cinema action, so the game-play often flows into cut-scenes. This makes the game a visual treat, and some gamers may even enjoy just watching others play. The cinema scenes aren’t the only things that make the game cool to play, though. The array of ninja styles and weapons, gruesomely detailed monsters and action-packed battles taking place over a detailed Tokyo panorama make Ninja Blade worth a try.

And really, who doesn’t like to watch ninjas do awesome martial arts moves and slash mutant creatures to bits?

By Aysa Melkonyan   Tue, May 05, 2009

With a total of eight Academy Awards (including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Director Danny Boyle), this movie is as far from a “slumdog” as it gets; its realistic portrayal of life in the slums of India captivated audiences and critics alike, and brought home the gold on Oscar night.

Slumdog Millionaire is the unlikely story of Jamal Malik (Dev Patel), a Mumbai-raised teen who wins the Indian version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire, and is then accused of cheating.

Just short of taking the grand prize of 20 million rupees, Jamal is locked up and interrogated by local police. In custody and desperate to prove his innocence, Jamal tells the story of his life—a painful saga of love, loss, violence and romance that also explains how he knows the quiz show answers.

Slumdog’s images of stark violence and colorful, contrived-for-TV excitement are set against a classic boy-meets-girl romance, and the performances are uniformly good, particularly Anil Kapoor as the wisecracking TV host and the luminous Freida Pinto as Jamal’s long-lost love, Latika.

Director Danny Boyle works with great felicity to capture Mumbai’s bustling street culture—barefoot children running through a maze of corrugated tin shacks, noisy snarls of traffic, brilliantly colored saris bursting from the frame. Slumdog flirts between fairy tale and gritty documentary; it feels both authentic and hyper-real.

Here’s a movie to savor for its salute to hope amid hopeless circumstances, love despite the odds and the inextinguishable spirit that drives some people to transform their lives. The feel-good ending could tease a smile out of the most hardened cynic, and the all-star Bollywood dance finale should send you away singing.

By Caitlin McGarry   Tue, May 05, 2009

Life provides plenty of material for the skilled humorist, but few have transformed real moments into perfect comedy like author David Sedaris. Nearly everyone in Sedaris’ life is a regular character in his books of essays—siblings, parents and partner Hugh are all stars in Sedaris’ worlds, which he will bring to life at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas’ “Evening with David Sedaris” this month.

National Public Radio host Ira Glass (of This American Life fame) discovered Sedaris at a Chicago club. Sedaris was reading anecdotes from his diary to the audience. With Glass’s help, Sedaris became a regular on NPR, and published his first book ( Barrel Fever) in 1994.

Sedaris’ star has grown in the years since then, having published five more books of essays and contributed to publications like The New Yorker. Sedaris also frequently contributes to This American Life with mentor Ira Glass. His latest book, When You Are Engulfed in Flames, was released last year.

David Sedaris appears at Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall May 3 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $37.40, $42.90, $48.40 and $64.90.

By Caitlin McGarry   Tue, May 05, 2009

Taylor Swift is a rare breed of teen star: one who writes her own songs based on her life experience and who never tries to act older than her 19 years. Fans love Swift’s honesty, and have been drawn to her since her debut single, “Tim McGraw,” was released in 2006.

Every hit since then has eloquently summed up the heartbreak and anguish every teenager feels—as if every potential love is fodder for a Shakespearean sonnet. Songs like “Teardrops On My Guitar” and “Should’ve Said No” catapulted Swift to fame, and her sophomore release, Fearless, was released last November to rave reviews.

“Love Story,” the lead single from Fearless, became a crossover smash, and Swift proved she was no one-note cowgirl. The singer deftly weaves her way between country and pop with a genuine talent that belies her age.

For the Fearless Tour 2009, Swift is teaming up with American Idol alum Kellie Pickler—a country diva pairing that should not be missed.

Taylor Swift appears with Kellie Pickler at the Mandalay Bay May 23 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $65 and $75.

By Caitlin McGarry   Tue, May 05, 2009

For the past 11 years, the Tiger Woods Foundation has hosted Tiger Jam, a large-scale concert and fundraiser that draws the biggest names in music, film and sports to Las Vegas.

This year, No Doubt will headline the fundraiser, effectively kicking off their summer reunion tour. When lead singer Gwen Stefani delved into dance music for her wildly successful solo career, fans were concerned that everyone’s favorite Orange County ska-pop group was done for good. Tiger Jam not only kicks off No Doubt’s new tour, it will also serve to inform fans that the band has a new album coming out next year. Who says ska is dead?

Supporting the headlining act is pop-punk outfit Paramore, which stormed the music scene in 2007 with their second album, Riot!. The band will also accompany No Doubt on their summer tour.

Tiger Jam XII presents No Doubt and Paramore at the Mandalay Bay May 16 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $64, $114 and $164.ꆱ

By Caitlin McGarry   Tue, May 05, 2009

Once New Zealand’s “fourth most popular guitar-based digi-bongo a cappella-rap-funk-comedy folk duo,” Flight of the Conchords is now one of America’s most beloved new acts. With their self-titled HBO TV show, Bret McKenzie and Jermaine Clement have been blowing away professional comics and music fans for the past two years.

Flight of the Conchords is a semi-autobiographical portrayal of McKenzie and Clement as a New Zealand duo struggling to make it big in America. The show just concluded its second season to rave reviews, and songs from the show are available on the group’s eponymous album. A previous release, 2007’s The Distant Future EP, netted Flight of the Conchords a Grammy for Best Comedy Album.

Though their songs may be parodies, McKenzie and Clement are slowly winning over the States with their genuinely funny schtick.

Flight of the Conchords perform at The Joint May 23 at 9 p.m. Tickets are $51 and $71.

By Caitlin McGarry   Tue, May 05, 2009

The Dave Matthews Band is back with a new album ( Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King) due in June and supporting tour. It has been four years since the band’s last album of original material, and less than one year since saxophonist and founding member LeRoi Moore (the “GrooGrux King” of DMB’s latest record title) passed away from injuries related to an ATV accident.

Singer Dave Matthews, bassist Stefan Lessard, violinist Boyd Tinsley and drummer Carter Beauford are carrying on the band’s legacy, which benefited greatly from Moore’s musical stylings.

DMB became every early ‘90s college student’s favorite band when they first burst on the scene, and it was through live tapes of the band’s sets being passed around campuses that DMB became widely known.

The band is still revered for its live jam sessions and ability to turn jazzy, radio-friendly alternative rock songs into anthemic opuses. Despite the loss of LeRoi Moore, the Dave Matthews Band will continue to lead its passionate fans in the quest for better, more original music.

The Dave Matthews Band plays with Jason Mraz at MGM Grand May 8 and 9 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $69.30.

By Caitlin McGarry   Tue, May 05, 2009

Jennifer Hudson’s story is an inspiration for countless aspiring pop stars: The R&B diva began her career on a Disney cruise ship before competing in the third season of American Idol. After being eliminated early in the show, many assumed Hudson would fall victim to the reality show death knell.

Instead, she has risen to the top of the A list, having won an Academy Award in 2007 for her performance as Effie White in the musical Dreamgirls before even releasing her first album.

A whirlwind of personal tragedy in late 2008 nearly obscured her triumphs, but Hudson, forever the underdog, recently reemerged to promote her debut (led by the Ne-Yo penned hit “Spotlight”), perform at the Super Bowl and plan a spring tour with singer Robin Thicke.

Often called the heiress to Aretha Franklin’s throne, Hudson continues to prove herself worthy of such comparisons.

Jennifer Hudson performs at the Palms May 1 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $55, $75 and $85.

By Caitlin McGarry   Tue, May 05, 2009

When the beloved animated feature film The Lion King was released to rapt audiences in 1994, few could have imagined the story would find its way to Las Vegas. Fans of the long-running Broadway production doubted Sin City audiences would appreciate the craft, the music or the running time (more than two hours).

And yet, The Lion King has finally arrived, slightly tailored for its Mandalay Bay home, but still as vibrant (and as long) as the original production. Broadway transplants like Kissy Simmons (who plays Nala) and Alton White (Mufasa) have joined Las Vegas native newcomers and South African actors to present the Strip’s newest production.

Simmons and White recently spoke to Casino Connection about the show, the songs and Simba, everyone’s favorite lion cub.

Disney’s The Lion King will take up residence at the Mandalay Bay Theatre Friday, May 15 at 8 p.m. Preview performances begin May 5. Tickets are $53, $86 and $113.50. VIP packages are available for $168.50.

Casino Connection: How does the original Lion King animated world translate to the stage?

SIMMONS: It’s quite similar, and I think they’ve done a great job bringing life-size animals to the stage. They’re not live animals, they’re puppetry. You have to have a puppet, but you never have your face covered. There’s the human actor and the puppet itself.

The story is still the same. The character Nala has been expanded more. She has a solo; she has a meatier part. Anyone who knows the animated version will find that it pretty much follows.

WHITE: One of the greatest things about this show is that the animated feature is so familiar, especially for people who have kids. Nothing really prepares you for seeing the stage version, because it’s so magical, so unbelievable. There are so many incredible artistic tricks in it that aren’t really that technical.

The stage version has been expanded; the story’s been expanded to make it more complete. Director Julie Taymor wanted to make sure the women really had a great presence in this version. Rafiki in the animated feature is played by a man, but in the stage version she’s a female. She’s Mother Earth, the all-knowing one who sees everything.

Elton John’s music is integral to this production—what is it like to perform such well-known and beloved songs?

WHITE: These are pop songs that were top 10 hits on the radio, and to put them on stage and put them into a different context is great.

There’s a lot of South African music that has been brought to the forefront in the stage version. It always hits people in the heart in a way that they don’t expect. Even if you don’t understand the language, the sincerity in what’s being sung just moves people in ways they don’t expect. We’re also really blessed to have South African cast members with us. The production takes place on an African savanna. To have native South Africans singing in their language is incredible.

SIMMONS: My song, “Shadowland,” has the music in the animated feature but not necessarily the lyrics. Throughout the stage play, there’s underscoring of certain parts of it, but now it’s like, this is a song.

Both of you performed in the Broadway production; have any alterations been made to the show to appeal to Las Vegas audiences?

WHITE: The story’s been tightened to tell it more clearly, which is a great thing. The writers from the original film have been working with us, to work on some dialogue. We’ve been experimenting. To have the writers from the movie from the ‘90s come back and tweak things—this production is going to be very special. This one’s being catered specifically for Vegas.

A lot of Broadway shows have attempted to transition to Las Vegas with little success. How do you think The Lion King will fare here?

SIMMONS: I think The Lion King is a spectacular show visually, and it has a great story. We have several companies around the world, and people flock to see it. I think that it will really be a great production here, and people will enjoy it.

WHITE: I think the Disney brand is such a powerful brand. I don’t know one child in the world that has not had Disney as part of their growing experience. The Lion King is a phenomenon because it’s entertaining; it’s beautiful because of the music, the story.

It’s about Simba’s journey. It’s a journey that everyone has to take—man, woman, black, white. Every person takes that journey—the hero’s journey.

Growing up with your family, making your way in the world, reconnecting with your family in some way. The human journey makes this show so special, on top of the magic and the music.

You need a great story as a foundation, and The Lion King has that. That’s why it has played so well around the world. I think when people see it on the stage, it’s going to blow them away. You could see it 10 times and see something different each time.

The Lion King is replacing Mamma Mia!, which ran for nearly six years. Do you expect The Lion King to have that kind of longevity here?

WHITE: This is a great place for the show to be because of the fantasy aspect of it. When I think of Vegas, I think of fantasy and magic and forgetting your cares and reinventing yourself. I think The Lion King fits in perfectly with that. I think it’s going to have a long healthy run.

The show officially opens in a few weeks. How are the cast and crew feeling right now?

SIMMONS: All I can say is that everyone is totally excited—cast, crew, musicians. Everyone’s excited to be at the Mandalay Bay. It’s a great venue to be performing in, and it’s just exciting. That’s what’s really going to capture any success The Lion King has.

WHITE: We’re all really excited about the show. There are people who have done the show before and people who have never done it. The new cast members have these moments of breathlessness.

The opening number is one of the most amazing numbers ever blocked for the stage. This is the one show where you cannot be late. The opening sequence—you will never forget it.

By Dave Bontempo   Tue, May 05, 2009

Mike Tansley

Vice President of Table Games and Player Development Valley View Casino, San Diego

Las Vegas taught Mike Tansley to think outside the box. Way outside.

Between 2000 and 2005, the gaming veteran helped New York-New York diversify beyond simply replicating the Big Apple. It was a young, hip and flashy movement, a daring addition of locals psychology on the Strip.

“They were refining and re-energizing the entire place,” said Tansley, who served as its table games director and is now vice president of table games and player development for Valley View Casino in San Diego. “They wanted to bring the Vegas energy and Vegas variety to the building and have the people feel that everything they needed was under one roof. I was lucky to be involved in that.”

Indeed it was an interesting time. The Strip was undergoing a massive boom. Caesars Palace unfurled an expansion exceeding $500 million. Mandalay Bay emerged.  So did Wynn, Paris, Treasure Island and the Luxor. New York-New York wasn’t building, but merely tweaking its lineup.

It constructed a new Irish bar, imported piece-by-piece from Ireland. Zumanity, a racy Cirque du Soleil production, further exemplified the change. The property also exploited an ideal location, connecting with the Tropicana and MGM via bridges and walkways to anchor a cozy, lucrative area of the Strip.

“We cheated there,” Tansley recalled, laughing. “That corner is a cash cow. We not only had those properties connected to us, but as people came down toward Mandalay Bay and Monte Carlo, they stopped in our place. Right away we gave people cards, gave them a rating, showed them we would be a great place for them to gamble. One of the things we found out after a couple years is that customers felt we catered to them more than other places. We really did treat them like royalty, not just another number.”

How did the customer service concept avoid becoming cliché? Tansley said the property hired coaches to help employees open up to customers.

“They wanted the personal touch,” he said. “More dealer interactions, more slot interactions. They wanted to break down the old stereotype of getting the hands out, getting the rolls out. Instead, they wanted employees to be greeting every single player, getting to be on more of a personal basis with them.”

Hence, the “Sea of Blue” was born.

“Our uniforms were dark and light blue, and when the dealers came out, there was a giant wave of them wearing those colors,” he says. “The dealers were requested to go over to the slot and table-area games, greet the players and thank them for choosing the casino. It would be something like, ‘Hello. My name is Mike. I hope you are having a good time. Thank you for choosing New York-New York; we really appreciate your business.’ We got a lot of customer feedback from that alone.”

After knowing they were appreciated, customers dug their teeth into tangible upgrades like slot tournaments. The events helped the slot department produce an estimated 20 percent revenue growth for five straight years. Shopping sprees, mailings and promotions also came together. The casino posted strong numbers, and the hotel saw more than 90 percent occupancy. The results justified the considerable expense of building a high-limit slot area.

“I pestered my boss, and there were other people who were even more vocal about needing this,” Tansley said. “The issue we had was that we could not get the high player in. You have to justify the space, the time, the expense, etc.”

Some employee interactions, however, were difficult. New York-New York eliminated numerous box and floor positions, forcing Tansley to re-train executives to become rank-and-file employees working for tokes. Some handled it well and stayed on-board, while others opted for a severance package. Tansley considers the workers he re-trained some of his more gratifying accomplishments.

Gaming—and life—has taken him many places. The California native was a “nuclear brat,” traveling the country as his father worked for the government as a power plant instrument technician. He married “an Air Force brat,” which ultimately led him to gaming. Tansley’s brother-in-law was a dealer at the Golden Nugget in Atlantic City and coaxed him into the business.

Twenty-five years later, Tansley is grateful for the nudge. His journey included stints at Bally’s in Atlantic City, riverboats in Illinois, a casino in Lake Charles, Louisiana and a cruise ship in Texas before coming to New York-New York.

“You learn something valuable everywhere you go,” Tansley said. “In Atlantic City, I learned a lot about compliance and game protection. In Vegas, there was a lot involving marketing and player development. There’s something thrilling about thinking how you are going to get the people in, how are you going to treat them, how are you going to retain them.”

For Tansley, it’s easy. Just think outside the box.

By Casino Connection Staff   Tue, May 05, 2009

Talk about multitasking! In February, an Ohio woman faced charges of child endangerment after she was spotted breastfeeding while driving and talking on a cell phone. Though the case was extreme, who among us has not raced through the days, trying to do everything at once, running so hard and fast we don’t even notice the whirlwind that we have created?

Though the concept of “living in the now” sounds like New Age prattle, mindfulness reduces stress, boosts immunity, reduces chronic pain, lowers blood pressure and helps people cope with serious illnesses. It also contributes to greater self-respect and empathy, lessens defensiveness and reduces impulsivity that leads to reckless or destructive behavior.

“When people are not in the moment,” said Harvard psychologist Ellen Langer, “they’re not there to know they’re not there.” Psychology Today offers these tips for more mindful living.

• To improve your performance, stop thinking about it.

• To avoid worry about the future, focus on the present.

• To make the most of time, lose track of it.

Begin by simply paying attention to your immediate experience. What’s happening in this instant? Think of yourself as an eternal witness and just observe the moment. If your mind wanders, say to yourself, “Now. Now. Now.”

For more on mindful living, read Langer’s book, Mindlessness, Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now or Becoming Enlightened by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

By Maya Mariner   Tue, May 05, 2009

A new day dawns. You’ve resolved for the umpteenth time to cut out the Big Macs, cut back the mindless TV, update your Quickbooks and feed the guinea pig on time.

You’re going to lose 10 pounds, learn to play the five-string banjo and write the great American novel. Today is the first day of the rest of your life! You betcha!

There’s only one problem with such resolutions, which usually start on a Monday morning and rarely make it to Tuesday afternoon. It’s that habit almost always trumps resolve, and the road most traveled is usually the path of least resistance. Soon you revert to form, and spend each night dozing in your Barcalounger, a half-eaten burger in your hand, with reruns of American Idol flickering on the tube.

If you want to change your life but can’t seem to make change last, consider a “commitment contract.” The idea came from a Yale University economics professor named Dean Karlan who contracted with a buddy to lose almost 40 pounds each. To do it, the friends put a high price on failure: whoever did not achieve his goal would forfeit half his annual salary. The men were serious, and each achieved his goal weight in the time allotted.

To stay fit, they renegotiated the contract, and when Karlan’s pal gained weight, he was obligated to fork over $15,000!

“Had I refused to accept it,” observed Professor Karlan, “no future contracts would ever work.”

Karlan went on to found stickK.com, an online “commitment store” that enables people to set their goals in a public forum, set the stakes and the deadline, choose a “referee” (the person who will monitor their progress) and finally, choose who will get the cash if they fail to meet their goals.

In an interesting and perverse twist, Karlan and stickK.com co-founder Ian Ayres suggest that participants choose a cause or entity they do not support, for even more motivation. For example, a person who opposes gun ownership could pledge his money to the NRA, or someone burned in the Wall Street meltdown could throw some dough at the Bernie Madoff Defense Fund.

As the website states, “Wouldn’t it just kill you to hand over your hard-earned money to someone you can’t stand?”

The theory at work here is that incentives, especially financial incentives, can help people stay on track in cases where willpower alone has failed. The Journal of the American Medical Association agrees that the prospect of losing money (or gaining it) is a significant incentive for dieters, especially when the money was not rewarded until the end of a set period, “because people just don’t like to lose money.”

Though weight loss is far and away the most common objective, goals range from learning to play poker to not spending from a savings account to learning more about political candidates.

So, what’s on your goal list? Want to run a half-marathon, learn to square dance, stop using profanity or spend more time with the kids? Put a contract on yourself—on stickK.com, with a pal or with an office group. To really succeed, sometimes you have to put your money where your mouth is.

By David Schwartz   Tue, May 05, 2009

One of the most interesting characters in Nevada’s political history, Rex Bell made the transition from cowboy actor to elected official, paving the way, perhaps, for Ronald Reagan to do the same in neighboring California a generation later.

Bell, born in Chicago in 1903 as George Beldam, moved west with his family as a youngster, eventually settling in Hollywood. He was good with horses and found work as a movie extra. Soon, producers signed the young man to a contract with the Fox movie studio. He took the name Rex Bell.

Appearing in several Westerns for Fox in the late 1920s, Bell became a minor star.  In 1930, he met Hollywood’s “It” girl, Clara Bow, and the two began a relationship, getting married in Las Vegas the following year.

Bell and Bow settled at the Walking Box Ranch near Searchlight after their marriage, and played host to many of Hollywood’s hottest stars.

Shortly afterward, Bell’s movie career decelerated, as he devoted more time to running the ranch. He found being a real-life cattleman more rewarding than playing one for the cameras.

Yet Bell couldn’t give up public life, running unsuccessfully for Congress in 1944. Ten years later, he was elected lieutenant governor as a Republican, and in 1958 he retained his office, despite a Democratic sweep that saw Grant Sawyer take the governorship.

Bell was considered a strong candidate to oppose Sawyer in 1962, and was in Las Vegas to attend a meeting in support of his gubernatorial campaign when, on July 4, he donned his cowboy boots and Western apparel to speak to a Republican party picnic. Hours later, he suffered a coronary occlusion and died at Sunrise Hospital.

During a decade when Nevada was taking an unprecedented step on the national stage, Bell was a popular figure and an ambassador for the state. He was a natural showman whose warm charisma made him a perfect fit for a rugged, independent state.

SOURCE: Las Vegas News Bureau Collection, UNLV Special Collections

David G. Schwartz (www.dieiscast.com), is the Director of the Center for Gaming Research at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. He is the author of Roll the Bones: The History of Gambling.

By Greg Jones   Tue, May 05, 2009

There are few foods more American than the hamburger. From its humble—albeit debated—origins as simple street food to its current status as a favorite food for young and old alike, the hamburger is without a doubt one of the most popular meals in the country. It is one of the most iconic representations of American cuisine.

It isn’t any harder to find a hamburger than to walk maybe a block or two in any city. Between bars and fast food joints, it really does seem that there is a burger available on almost every street corner in America. But finding a good hamburger can be a more daunting task. If you hit the wrong fast food restaurant at the wrong time, you usually end up with something more suitable for use as hockey puck than it is suitable for a meal. And on the flip side, there is a growing trend toward higher and higher prices as some restaurants try to elevate the status of the burger by using things like Kobe beef, truffles and expensive cheeses. But there is also a happy medium, where the price is reasonable and the burgers aren’t kept “warm” under an orange light.

Such is the case with Fuddruckers. This restaurant is well-known to people from other cities—particularly those from San Antonio, where the chain first started—but it is a relative newcomer to Las Vegas, with a recently-opened restaurant on Flamingo in the Grand Canyon Shopping Center in Las Vegas and an outlet in the new food court at the Orleans. Judging from the lines at both establishments, Las Vegas residents are taking to the new burger joint.

So what sets Fuddruckers apart? In many ways it is the perfect combination of price and quality: in other words, value. Combos start below the $10 mark and include 1/3-pound burgers, soft drinks and fries. Yes, it’s slightly more expensive than some of the fast food joints, but the quality of the food more than makes up for the price difference. (The freshly-baked buns alone make up for the price difference.)

Everything at Fuddruckers is cooked to order. Your burger doesn’t hit the grill until you specify exactly what you want and how you want it cooked. And there are more options than most people would expect for the kind of burger you can get off the grill.

The first choice is whether you want to stick with the fresh ground beef or try a healthier option like turkey, buffalo or the veggie burger. For the next decision, it’s just a simple gut check: if you’re a light eater, the 1/3-pound burger is probably sufficient, but if you want more, you can go to 1/2-pound, 2/3-pound and all the way up to a 1-pound burger.

Then you have to decide just exactly what you want on your burger. There are a number of “classic” offerings, like the traditional bacon-cheddar burger or a three-cheese burger with cheddar, monterey jack and swiss, to some more exciting options like the inferno with sauteed jalepeños, onions and pepper jack cheese and southwest burger with guacamole, bacon and pepper jack cheese. If you don’t like any of the options, you can also build your own burger from the ground up, with toppings like grilled onions, grilled mushrooms and a number of cheeses. (There are also a number of available meal deals that pair burgers with fresh-cut wedge fries and drinks.) You can also top the burger yourself at the topping bar, which has everything from salsa and onions to lettuce and cheese sauce.

While they specialize in burgers, that isn’t the only thing coming off of the grill at Fuddruckers. There are several chicken sandwiches—not to be missed is the rajun’ cajun with cajun spices, grilled onions and pepper jack cheese—as well as a fish ‘n chips platter and a fish sandwich. And you can also get a hot dog (or a chili dog if you like) and a steak sandwich.

There are also lighter options, including nachos, chicken wings and mozzarella sticks, as well as a number of salads topped with a grilled or crispy chicken breast.

For the sweet tooth, there are plenty of freshly-baked cookies available, as well as shakes and fountain drinks.

For such a simple meal as the burger and fries, Fuddruckers leaves plenty of options open to the customer. You can really create the burger that you want, and you can do so without having to tap into your 401(k). What it really comes down to with Fuddruckers is quality burgers at good prices in an environment that is relaxed and not at all pretentious. It is exactly what a hamburger restaurant should be.

Fuddruckers

4195 S. Grand Canyon Dr. #101

702-732-3833

Orleans Food Court

4500 W. Tropicana Ave.

702-256-3833

By Dave Bontempo   Tue, May 05, 2009

Las Vegas has long been the home of the biggest rodeo show in December. For those wanting an earlier fix, check out South Coast for the West Coast Regionals May 8 and 9.

By Dave Bontempo   Tue, May 05, 2009

Looking for a baseball angle? Although seasonal results vary each year, May is the month that teams often make their first statements of contention. Last season, Tampa Bay and the Chicago Cubs had baseball’s best marks, both nine games above .500. Both teams landed in the post-season. Tampa made it to the World Series.

The world champion Phillies were five above .500, while Boston and Toronto scored well at seven and eight over .500 respectively. If you believe a team is heading for the post-season, May is an excellent time to begin riding them.

Conversely, teams you don’t figure for the long ball make for excellent bets against. The adrenaline has worn off and the grind has set in, and that waffled Detroit, Pittsburgh and Kansas City last year.

By Dave Bontempo   Tue, May 05, 2009

The 51s have a medium home schedule this month at Cashman Field. They play  Sacramento May 8-9 and Oklahoma City May 21-23. Minor-league baseball has been lauded as affordable family entertainment, which is true with inexpensive ticket prices, but it remains to be seen how adults handle expensive concession items.

By Dave Bontempo   Tue, May 05, 2009

Is the NHL immune to the recession?

As it announced plans to hold its next three awards ceremonies in Vegas, starting with one June 18 at the Palms, talk of the NHL coming to Vegas surfaced again. The intended stadium partnership between Harrah’s and AEG would provide the 20,000-seat arena needed to house the franchise. That’s the Limbo Project—it could resurface at any time, but there is little hurry to rush it.

It’s been a foregone conclusion that the NHL would land here—given that the league wants to add two teams and Las Vegas is the fastest growing metropolis in the United States. The city and outlying areas provide nearly 2 million people, a number that surpasses NHL cities like Edmonton and Calgary, even Dallas.

But is this a hockey hotbed? The Wranglers drew less than 4,000 fans for the first round of the Kelly Cup playoffs. The team has fared reasonably well at times, and attendance was expected to spike after the Wranglers advanced to the deeper rounds of the Kelly Cup playoffs this season, but it remains to be seen how the team would be supported in a down year. Attendance decreased more than 8 percent this year.

It’s also uncertain whether the pricey NHL can be carried by locals, especially casino employees in a suffering city.

Charging big dollars for boxing matches is one thing; visiting high rollers justify the investment with casino play. But in a casino town in which people often receive comps, will the average fan pay more than $100 for a single hockey game?

Many NHL arenas charge in the area of $125 for ice-level seats, even for non-playoff teams. That doesn’t include parking and concessions, which push that number over $150. Upper-level seats ranging from $50 to $70 really test a fan’s loyalty. So far, the fans keep coming amidst rumors of the league hitting the breaking point.

The resistance point may be occurring in the nosebleed seats. A scalper approached this reporter before a game recently and showed the price of the ticket he was down-scaling. You know times are tough when the scalpers complain.

While a new arena will interest fans, whether Las Vegas will fit in remains a legitimate question.

By Dave Bontempo   Tue, May 05, 2009

Chad Dawson and Antonio Tarver will compete again May 9 at the Hard Rock. After Dawson handily out-pointed Tarver, taking his light-heavyweight title last October in Las Vegas, the March rematch was scuttled when Dawson suffered ligament damage in his right hand. The postponement was a blow to Tarver, who must push his 40-year-old body into shape one more time. But he has motivation for the battle, given the lopsided nature of the earlier loss.

If this is Tarver’s final hurrah, he’s enjoyed an enviable ride. The amateur champion and 1996 Olympian made his mark in the Roy Jones trilogy. After losing the opening bout, but coming on strongly at the finish, Tarver entered the second bout with supreme confidence.

“What’s going to be your excuse tonight, Roy?” he inquired just before the opening bell. One round later, he dropped a left-hand bomb that stopped Jones, boxing’s top name at the time, cold. The punch was so dramatic it also prompted Charles Barkley to halt his live NBA studio analysis to comment on this fight.

“Holy [expletive deleted], Roy Jones just got knocked out,” he said to a worldwide basketball audience.

Tarver handily won the rubber match against Jones, and then parlayed his popularity into television and movie roles. A sharp dresser and talker, he appeared as a host on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights, then won the role of Mason “The Line” Dixon for the Rocky Balboa movie in 2006. Sylvester Stallone, who thought it easier to teach a boxer how to act rather than showing an actor how to box, cast Tarver in the role.

While it led to enhanced marquee value, the break marked a high-water point for Tarver’s boxing skills. He was unexpectedly toyed with by the crafty Bernard Hopkins in a 2006 defeat, and could not compete with the younger, faster and stronger Dawson last October.

Dawson will be a substantial favorite this time, but Tarver should muster the urgency to produce an inspired effort. If Tarver can’t turn the tables, who will demand his services? The problem for him in this all-lefty match-up is the youth, speed and heady confidence of Dawson.

A strong, tall lefty, Dawson has had “champion” in his forecast for several years. He achieved the status by toppling Tomasz Ademek in 2007 and cemented his dominance with the victory over Tarver. A convincing second victory, even a knockout, could propel him into boxing’s elite ranks.

Southpaw slugfest

Las Vegas presented an excellent all-lefty match-up in April, when Paul Williams outgunned a hustling Winky Wright for one of his best career performances ever at Mandalay Bay. Williams against Kelly Pavlik would be an outstanding fight, but it’s not a good bet that the promoters will get this deal done. Williams, who fought at 159 pounds, wants to return to the 147-pound welterweight division and reclaim former titles. Going back down in weight is difficult for fighters to manage.

Pavlik, meanwhile, fights Sergio Mora June 27 in Atlantic City and may not be pushed to fight Williams by his promoters.

While Las Vegas heats up for the sold out May 2 Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton bout at MGM, successors are already lining up. Timothy Bradley, who won a pulsating April victory over Kendall Holt in Montreal, indicated he wants the winner of this mega bout.

(Dave Bontempo, a multiple award-winning journalist and boxing commentator, will call the Dawson-Tarver rematch to a worldwide HBO International audience)

Tue, May 05, 2009

Cannery Casino Resorts continues to surprise industry observers. The company opens properties in unfortunate times—it has now opened three casinos in less-than-stellar economic environments—and, at least with its North Las Vegas casino, confounded many with the location.

And yet the company continues to enjoy success. After opening Eastside Cannery on Boulder Highway last summer, company co-founders and principals Bill Wortman and Bill Paulos focused on the Meadows racino in Pennsylvania, as well as finalizing a deal to be acquired by James Packer’s Crown Ltd.

The Pennsylvania property enjoyed a successful opening last month, but the deal with Packer fell through. Wortman recently spoke with Global Gaming Business Editor Frank Legato about the Crown deal, the Meadows racino and the future of Cannery Casino Resorts.

Casino Connection: What does the opening of the permanent casino at the Meadows mean for Cannery Casino Resorts?

Wortman: This is a tremendous event for us. We’re very, very proud of this product. At the end of the day, this is as big as anything we’ve done under the Cannery brand. We’re extremely proud of it. It’s our flagship, if you will.

You’ve followed the Cannery M.O. of bringing in a quality project at relatively low cost, have you not?

What we try to do is get value for what we build. The fact is we built this at a very moderate price, but when you look around, everyone that comes in here shakes their head and says, ‘How did you build this property for that price?’ Anyone who knows anything about the construction business says that.

It was the same with Eastside Cannery. How in the world, when you look at all the other projects being built and the numbers, most shake their heads. We believe we get real value.

Are you concerned about opening another new property in this economy?

The truth is, we’ve opened two products in this economy now, and we’re not concerned at all. Eastside is doing fine, and we expect this to do extremely well in this marketplace. No, we’re not concerned, and we know things are going to get better from a general economic standpoint. We don’t know when, but we know that’s going to happen, because we’re America. We know that’s going to happen. And we have a top-flight product ready when it does.

What do you feel is the strongest feature of this new Meadows property?

I think this is the best racino facility in America. This is a spectacular facility. It presents to our customers something they have not seen before. The comments we got on opening day with our test session were extraordinary. I think what we’ve done is we’ve over-delivered, and in so doing, we have positioned ourselves well into the future.

As I said, I think this facility is just terrific, and it gives so many different entertainment options; it puts us into the dominant position in this entire marketplace.

This is a really good gaming market in Western Pennsylvania, isn’t it?

It’s a great gaming market in this area. It certainly is.

Let’s talk a bit about the Crown Ltd. situation, which began as an acquisition and ended with a substantial equity investment in Cannery Casino Resorts. Are your employees satisfied, and are you satisfied, with how the Crown deal ended up?

Yes, we are. The general comment from our employees is that they’re glad “the Bills” are still going to be here, and continue on with CCR. From our perspective, we’re very, very pleased with the way it’s happened. This is something we have put our life and soul into. And it’s always hard to let that go. You always have mixed feelings about those kinds of things. Now, we know our direction and we’re very pleased with that.

Do you anticipate Crown eventually exercising their option to acquire Cannery Casino Resorts?

That’s hard to say. I don’t know whether they will or will not. I do know that from our perspective, we are going to look at opportunities over the next couple of years, and continue to grow our brand.

By Casino Connection Staff   Tue, May 05, 2009

Last month, Texas legislators were leaning toward combining the dozen or more competing gaming bills into an omnibus bill with something for everybody, even though the bill would not satisfy everyone and passage of any gaming legislation was looking less and less likely this year.

The House Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee, which has jurisdiction over gaming in that chamber, moved to include elements of several bills that seek to set up resort-style casinos and racinos, and will allow casinos to reopen on two Native American reservations.

Racetrack owners pitched the idea that slot machines at their operations could raise as much as $1 billion in state taxes. They argue that the racetracks won’t survive long without something to pump up their purses and help them compete against racinos in neighboring states—and to lure back trainers and top horses that have left the state or soon will.

Another bill would ask voters to amend the state constitution to allow 12 destination gaming resorts, racinos and tribal gaming operations. This, supporters say, could generate $4.5 billion each year in state taxes, with almost half going to roads and secondary education.

A cheerleader for this option was billionaire Sheldon Adelson, chairman and CEO of the Las Vegas Sands Corp., who said that such resorts don’t just attract gamblers—they have something for everyone. He said that 86 percent of those who visit Las Vegas do so for something other than gambling.

Adelson said he would be interested in building one of the 12 resort casinos in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

“A destination resort is the right way to go… I would applaud whoever thought of this,” he said.

By Casino Connection Staff   Tue, May 05, 2009

The contentious “card check” issue, which would allow unions to organize without the use of a secret ballot, is on the back burner after several key members of the U.S. Senate refused to back it.

While all Republicans now oppose the measure, a few key Democrats also backed down in recent weeks, including two from Arkansas, where the state’s largest employer, Wal-Mart, is a staunch opponent. And opposition from Pennsylvania (r.) Senator Arlen Specter, now a Democrat, also denied the measure’s backers the 60-vote filibuster-proof majority.

But unions are pressing the case and have urged Arkansas Democrat Mark Pryor and Specter to try again, this time with a bill that might omit the card-check measure.

“I see this time now as really an opportunity for compromise or for a new approach on addressing some of the issues that revolve around that issue,” Pryor said. “I’m not sure it is over yet. It may be. I’m going to talk to Senator Specter this week and see where he wants to go.”

Pryor said that he will consider an alteration to the original bill that would include holding a secret-ballot election 10 days after a majority of employees sign petition cards.

“That’s something that we have spent a lot of time talking among ourselves about, how that should work,” Pryor said. “I haven’t really come to a firm conclusion on that. I do think, just in political terms, the secret ballot is extremely important to the business community.”

Other Democrats aren’t ready to call the card-check provision dead.

“We do not think it’s dead and we’re going to keep working on it,” said Democratic Senator Charles Schumer (New York). “We will be reaching out to find various accommodations, but we still need to get the one Republican vote.”

By Casino Connection Staff   Tue, May 05, 2009

Rumors of financial instability have swirled around the Fontainebleau Las Vegas for the past year, as other projects were postponed or cancelled during the recession that is hitting the city hard.

Last month, parent company Fontainebleau Resorts, which also operates the hotel of the same name in Miami, filed a $3 billion lawsuit against a collection of lenders charging that they reneged on an agreement to provide an additional $800 million in financing needed to complete the project. The company, controlled by Miami developer Jeffrey Soffer, said that the banks are trying to “walk away from the project and abandon their obligations.”

The banks informed Fontainebleau last month that they would not provide the $800 million in funding because of "one or more events of default" which were not described. Fontainebleau denies that it has defaulted on any of the more than $2 billion in loans it has received to build the Las Vegas project.

  Soffer has a powerful ally, however. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has weighed in on the side of the Fontainebleau. He says banks that have taken bailout money should not be walking away from their commitments.

“It is wrong, plain and simple,” he said in a statement released by his office. "When banks, especially ones that have received taxpayer dollars, make a commitment to finance a worthy project with thousands of existing jobs on the line, they have an obligation to keep that promise."

Speculation is that lenders are afraid that the stagnant condo sales at the property and declining visitation numbers will eventually make it difficult for Fontainebleau to make all its payments after the property opens in October.

The Fontainebleau has continued construction even during the downturn. In March, the company announced it was set to open in October with 3,815 rooms. More than 1,000 of those rooms were scheduled to be sold as condos, with the company expecting to raise almost $900 million via those sales.

    Fontainebleau is a joint venture between Soffer’s Turnberry Associates, a condo developer, and a group of Las Vegas casino executives led by former Mandalay Bay President Glenn Schaeffer.

By Casino Connection Staff   Tue, May 05, 2009

With a new forbearance agreement, Station Casinos has been able to extend until May 15 the voting deadline on a bankruptcy reorganization plan that was first introduced in February.

Company bondholders now have until the middle of May to decide whether they will approve the proposed prepackaged program that could reduce the company’s debt by nearly $2 billion.

The extension is the second that Station Casinos has sought since announcing its reorganizing plan. In March, the company asked for more time to negotiate its restructuring plan.

That extension came after locals casino operator and Station’s primary competitor in Las Vegas, Boyd Gaming, made an offer to acquire a number of casinos, including Santa Fe Station, Texas Station, Wild Wild West and a 50 percent interest in Aliante Station and Green Valley Ranch Resort (both 50-50 ventures between Station and Greenspun Group).

Station has dismissed Boyd’s offer, saying it is better off with the prepackaged bankruptcy plan. Boyd has said it remains interested, but neither company has offered any additional comments on the offer.

Frank Fertitta, chairman and CEO of Station Casinos, said the prepackaged plan is better for the company, its team members and the community as a whole.

Station Casinos is also cleaning house—the Las Vegas-based gaming company is selling off pieces of land it owns in various places across the city.

The list of real estate is an odd mix—the old Castaways site on Boulder Highway is up for grabs, as is 36.61 acres in North Las Vegas and land adjacent to both Boulder Station and Sunset Station.

It is uncertain if any offers have been made on the listings, which could net the company millions of dollars if sold.

By Casino Connection Staff   Tue, May 05, 2009

MGM Mirage and Dubai World announced an agreement that will immediately free up the $1.8 billion needed to finish construction of CityCenter.

The agreement allows MGM Mirage and Dubai World to fund the remaining equity contributions to the project with letters of credit. It also will result in Dubai World dropping its lawsuit against MGM Mirage.

The deal requires MGM Mirage to assume full responsibility to pay for any cost overruns. The company had to pay lenders $100 million in return for waivers necessary to finalize the deal. It also establishes a higher interest rate—2 percentage points higher than the original agreement—on the $1.8 billion loan.

“This is the best possible outcome that we could have envisioned,” MGM Mirage CEO Jim Murren told Bloomberg News.

He said the announcement helps protect the company from having to unload any of its properties to fund the project.

“If anyone thought they were going to get a bargain-basement special deal, today's announcement will disappoint them,” Murren said.

In addition to dropping its lawsuit against MGM Mirage, Dubai World has also agreed to repay the company $135 million for equity payments made on its behalf over the past month.

By Casino Connection Staff   Tue, May 05, 2009

With bankruptcy hanging over the heads of a number of operators in Nevada, the state’s gaming control board is putting together a team of experts to handle the situation.

The team will consist of securities experts, auditors and other staffers who can deal with bankruptcy proposals as well as debt restructuring.

“Unfortunately, Nevada gaming and tourism have not been spared consequences of the ongoing economic challenges facing the country,” said Dennis Neilander, chairman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board. “Already, there are a few large gaming companies in bankruptcy, along with a few smaller licensees. More are anticipated.”

Neilander warned that addressing these issues might disrupt some more routine operations, but it is necessary to protect the integrity of the state’s main industry.

By Casino Connection Staff   Tue, May 05, 2009

As part of its 10-year anniversary celebration, the William S. Boyd School of Law at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas paid homage to the state’s gaming regulators, who were celebrating 50 years of service to the state.        

“We’re here to salute the gaming commission and in some ways emulate it,” said Dean John Valery White. White said just as the gaming commission has been instrumental in servicing and providing for the state, so, too, will the law school. He also expressed plans to further the school's focus on gaming law.    

Joining White to speak on the occasion was Peter Bernhard, chair of the Nevada Gaming Commission. “This is a time of celebration,” he said. “It’s the time for each of us to recognize we have done a darn good job over the past 50 years in providing the structure that allows business people to make business decisions.”    

Former Nevada Governor and U.S. Senator Richard Bryan spoke on the history of the commission, while legendary gaming attorney Robert Faiss (above) of Lionel, Sawyer and Collins provided a look into the history of gaming law as it pertains to Nevada. Finally, Guy Farmer spoke about the history of the gaming commission. Both Farmer and Faiss have recently authored books about Nevada's gaming history.

By Casino Connection Staff   Tue, May 05, 2009

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce have teamed up for the “Stay and Play Here” campaign geared toward locals.

The two organizations have launched a website that lists deals, discounts and special packages for local Las Vegans in order to draw residents to the Strip during the recession.

“The people who live here are truly the ambassadors for Las Vegas, so we’re asking you as ambassadors to go out, have a great time, enjoy Las Vegas and stay and play here for the next few months,” LVCVA President Rossi Ralenkotter told the Las Vegas Sun.

By Casino Connection Staff   Tue, May 05, 2009

The Nevada Assembly recently passed a bill that would enable judges to sentence suspected problem gamblers to treatment rather than jail.

Problem gamblers typically commit crimes like forgery, robbery and check fraud in order to fuel their gambling sprees, and are usually sent to prison rather than treated for their addiction.

“The reason it matters is that we’re talking about people with a mental health diagnosis,” Carol O’Hare, executive director of the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling, told the Las Vegas Sun. “Simply punishing them doesn’t change anything.”

Problem gamblers would be required to pay for treatment costs out-of-pocket, or would be funded by state or federal grants if unable to pay.

The bill will now go before the state Senate and Governor Jim Gibbons before being passed.

By Casino Connection Staff   Tue, May 05, 2009

Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall opened its doors in 1979. The brainchild of Las Vegas entrepreneur Sam Boyd, Sam’s Town was the first locals casino in Sin City, and has brought life to a formerly deserted area of town.

Its 30th anniversary was last month, and while other casinos are struggling to hold on, Sam’s Town is holding steady.

“I think that we have a product here that the customers wanted and that they like and we’ve always had great food, a lot of amenities,” chairman Bill Boyd told KTNV ABC.

Tue, May 05, 2009

Nevada will come back stronger than ever. That’s the hope and expectation of anyone who lives or works in the state’s gaming industry. After all, we’ve weathered tough times in Nevada over the past 30 years and have always come back.

But is it different this time?

Last month, Las Vegas economist John Restrepo told us that it will take six months of improving employment figures for him to be convinced that the economy was rebounding and an end was in sight for the recession. Restrepo knows his stuff. He’s been following trends in Nevada for more than 20 years and has seen almost everything.

But even he has never seen anything like this.

Nevada was kind of the “canary in the coal mine” when it came to the economic downturn. We started feeling the pinch months ahead of other states. When our booming real estate market began to slump, it was merely a harbinger of bad things to come. The residential real estate market soon impacted commercial real estate, which in turn slammed casino projects.

Today, we’ve seen dozens of hotel/condominium/casino developments either cancelled or delayed indefinitely. Thousands of people have been laid off and Nevada has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country.

This is not how we planned it. Nevada was supposed to continue to grow and expand. The casinos were going to add thousands of employees and at least as many hotel rooms. Our communities were expected to improve and bring quality education to our children. Now that’s all fallen by the wayside.

But now is not the time to wallow in self-pity. Now is not the time to point fingers. And now is definitely not the time to become divided and segmented.

Now is the time to come together to figure out how we’re going to get out of this. Yes, Nevada has always rebounded from difficult times, but there are some new realities that must be faced and surmounted.

Restrepo said he feared we’d never again see a time when people would spend money as freely as they had in recent years. He said there wouldn’t be the laissez faire attitude displayed by visitors to Vegas anymore. So what are we to do?

The answer is simple. Gambling is as American as apple pie and now it is almost as widespread as apple pie. You’ll find gambling in almost every state in the nation. A wagering opportunity is within one hour of 90 percent of the nation. It is no longer unique to Nevada.

Nevada needs to focus on what we offer over and above gambling. For far too long, Nevada has depended only on gaming to attract visitors. Now, we must focus on our great natural attractions such as Lake Tahoe, Valley of Fire, the Great Basin National Park, Lake Mead, the Hoover Dam and more. We need to redouble our efforts to host special events such as championship fights—boxing or mixed martial arts—superstar entertainment and unique gatherings such as the Burning Man Festival. We need to overcome the now national disdain for business meetings and conventions held in Nevada.

We’ve done it before. But it has always hinged on gaming and depended upon the scarcity of gaming in the rest of the country. We have to go back and examine what happened when gambling was legalized in Atlantic City in the late 1970s. That was the last time I can remember that there was some serious fear that Nevada would dry up and disappear as a result.

Some serious soul-searching went on in Nevada at that time. That’s when the convention centers were expanded and Las Vegas began to consider different ways to attract visitors. We got sidetracked from time to time with a focus on “family entertainment” and other divergent directions, and we’ll probably make similar mistakes this time. But the worst mistake we could make is to do nothing and to ignore the new realities of a post-downturn life. Let’s all come together and decide how to best address this new reality, design a plan and put it into action.