VegasRy Book Review: Super Casino

Super Casino: Inside the "New" Las Vegas
By Pete Earley

Super Casino is a very interesting look inside the daily operations of a modern Las Vegas Casino, from the President of the property down to the dealers and cocktail waitresses. Author Pete Earley had complete access to all employees and areas at the Luxor Casino, which he used to describe the unseen mechanics behind the 24/7 operation of the property

The book is split into two parts:

The first is the history of Las Vegas, told mostly from the perspective of Circus-Circus Enterprises, (now MGM-Mirage) the developers and owners of the Luxor. This section describes the evolution of Las Vegas from the desolate outpost, to the mob-run glory days in the 60s and 70s, finally to the corporate governed town it is today. It’s interesting, although you’ve read or seen much on the history of Vegas, it’s a bit repetitive.

The second section is the real revelation, as the author follows the stories of many different people in their roles in the operations at the Luxor; it tells the story of the Casino Shift Manager, and his dealing with the high rollers the casino is trying to attract. Of a showgirl signed to act in the property’s new production show. The Casino President and his managing the many changes taking place at the Hotel. Finally, the story of a prostitute who operates out of a Luxor bar.

The book, published in 2001, is already pretty dated. For example, the book concludes with changes such as the addition of the nightclub RA, which has already been closed and replaced by LAX. On the flip side it is interesting to see how many of their grand plans fared. As we reported here, there are major changes going on at Luxor, lending me to believe that most of their changes didn’t pan out.

My one complaint is that the author seems to take everything that Circus-Circus employees say at face value. There is a bit of a naivety in reporting the efforts of leadership, perhaps due to their willingness to provide access. As anyone who has visited the Luxor can tell you, it is not exactly a high-end property, as the author portrays it. Still the book is a pretty good read, and if you are familiar with the Luxor and it’s (many) shortcomings, it’s fun to compare their vision to the finished product.

Buy Super Casino