Look out Vegas, here comes South Dakota!

This week I had the unique and exciting opportunity to travel to Rapid City, South Dakota for business. While driving in my rental to my hotel, I glanced over and saw as sign reading ‘CASINO!’. I slammed on the brakes and pulled the car into the parking lot. Let’s just say this was no Caesars Palace. What made this casino unique was that it was located in a strip mall, just like a Subway or Verizon store would be.

This was not a unique location, however, as there were these ‘casinos’ all over Rapid City, in similar locations. So I asked around, and it turns out that these establishments are video keno and video poker only, no slots or table games. (Although they do have traditional casinos in Deadwood and on the reservations) Also interesting is that the machines are centrally controlled and operated by the state’s lottery program.

From a description of the state’s gambling laws:

In the first year of operation, 700 establishments were licensed and generated revenues that surpassed projections by nearly $2.5 million. The number of establishments and terminals grew quickly, leveling off by 1994, but with steady growth to near the current levels of approximately 8,300 terminals in 1,400 establishments across the state.

South Dakota’s video lottery terminals offer variations of poker, blackjack, keno, and bingo games, with both quarter and nickel games available. The maximum bet is $2 and the top prize is $1,000. Winnings from video lottery play are not dispensed right from the terminal, but rather a voucher for the winnings is printed by the terminal, which the player is required to claim at the establishment that same day. Terminals pay out – credits won as a percentage of credits played – between 88 and 92 percent.

I didn’t have time to check one out unfortunately, although who wouldn’t love having a ‘casino’ on every street corner?

Here are a few pictures:

So you have a place to spend your winnings...


I couldn't get it in the frame, but there is actually a liquor store to the right...one stop shopping.


And my personal favorite, that's a women's gym below the 'Casino'...

Video Lottery in South Dakota

Mirage Strips Down

The Mirage is set to open a Euro-bathing pool lounge on Sunday. Don't let the sophisticated name fool you; this is a topless pool.

This is another one of those amenities that I'll never realize the value of. Is it not a higher priority to renovate the hotel rooms? The Mirage has hands down, the smallest bathrooms of any hotel I've stayed at in Las Vegas. I'm a big fan of the casino, but the standard rooms leave much to be desired.

Sorry for the roundabout way I've taken to push the Mirage to make some necessary changes. As much attention to detail they've spent on the Love addition and now this topless pool should be reciprocated elsewhere too.

European Sunbathing: Bare at The Mirage

Photo Quiz #4

Here is the fourth picture. Where is this located? (Be specific) Post your answer in the comments.

Click to enlarge...

VegasRy Review: Planet Hollywood

In case you hadn’t already heard, the Aladdin was recently taken over by the Planet Hollywood group and as of a couple weeks ago, it now bears that name. Alongside the name change, PH (as it is commonly referred to now) also gave the hotel and casino a complete makeover.

Before I get to the changes and our overall impressions, let me first share some thoughts on what was the Aladdin (to us anyways). We’ve never been fans of the Aladdin due mostly to its underage theme and resulting tackiness. This disdain has led us to rarely even step foot inside. (outside of the few trips to the Ben Sherman store in the adjoining shopping area) Whenever I try and describe what it was like though, I’m reminded of the abundance of fake jewels that littered the casino floor. Las Vegas is an adult’s playground and consequently, adults should be the target audience. In no way did it seem that adults were catered to. The Aladdin was by far my least favorite of Las Vegas' newer casinos so needless to say, the PH changes were more than welcomed.


When I first learned that this construction was in the works, I was excited mostly because, as mentioned, the existing structure was of zero value to us. I figured any change would have to be for the better. Then I saw several artist renderings of the structure and got really worried that it was going to have a celebrity memorabilia theme. (one is pictured to the right) Instead, the new look of PH on the outside is mostly the same. Gone though is the blue paint that the Aladdin recently applied and a sign has been erected on the building itself.



On the other hand, the casino has no semblance to its tacky past. PH has replaced any hint of tackiness with a swanky style that resembles Mandalay Bay’s theHotel. The casino floor is now full of lots of colorful florescent lighting encased by an abundance of dark brown wood. It really is an entirely new place and we were pleasantly surprised to say the least. The upstairs areas were still under construction when we were there in March so I’ll update you on that after we get back from our trip in July. From what I could tell though, the area was almost exclusively for the sports book, a poker area, and slots. I was severely disappointed at the “Race & Sportsbook”'s lighted sign that overlooked the book. It looked like it belonged in a food court.


PH, similar to so many casinos of late, has taken the “no theme” approach. We really aren’t fans of this trend, yet I must applaud them for their efforts. I’m not ready to jump ship and call it home, but I don’t feel so allergic to it any longer.




3 cheques (out of 5)

Attention AMEX Cardholders

Just ran across this tip on the web:

If you are booking a room via the website with an American Express Card, enter the promotional code AMEX on the reservations page.

This provides AMEX users with a 15% discount right off the top for all classes of rooms at the Wynn.

Wynn Las Vegas Home Page

VegasRy Show Review: Love

When it was announced that a Cirque du Soleil Beatles-themed show was being created at the Mirage, we had mixed feelings. On the one hand, we are big Beatles fans, on the other, how will the music translate into the abstract vision of CDS? I am happy to report that Love combines the best elements of both factions, and makes for an amazing show.

The Siegfried and Roy Theater has been completely transformed, along with the hallway outside, to closely resemble something out of psychedelic 60’s London. Everything is bright and colorful, with Union Jacks all around. Even the ticket takers and ushers speak with British accents. The theater itself is designed in the round, and seems smaller than it probably is, and we doubt there’s a bad seat in the house.

Audibly, the show is fantastic as well. Each seat has speaker in the headrest, to help immerse you in the experience. The soundtrack has been re-mastered, and sounds clearer than even the originals. While some songs are similar to the original recordings we are all familiar with, there are also some new, ‘remixed’, tracks that make this classic music sound new again. For example check out how the mix of ‘Within You Without You’ and ’Tomorrow Never Knows’ equals more than the sum of it’s parts. The soundtrack to the show is available on CD, and is a must-have for any fans of the show.

There is enough of a mix of early and later music to suit fans of both, from ‘I Want to Hold Your Hand’, to ‘Come Together’ Some highlights of the show include inline skaters and skate ramps during ‘Help, and bouncing on trampolines (It’s cooler than it sounds) during ‘Revolution’. Also, the un-Claptoned, acoustic, ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’ was a standout. By far the worst segment of the show was a spoken-word enactment of ‘BlackBirds’, it occurs halfway through the show, so use this as an opportunity to use the restroom.

As far as the Cirque performers go, this show is a departure from other productions such as O and Mystere. Love focuses less on acrobatics and feats of strength, and more on dancing and set pieces to compliment the music. Love is perhaps the least abstract, Cirque-esque of the CDS shows, which might disappoint hardcore Cirque fans, but would appeal to more casual fans, like us.

One additional note, we would not recommend sitting in the most expensive section, those seats closest to the stage. A great deal of the show has to do with the video screens and banners all around the theater, and if you sit to close you might miss part of the overall experience.

We have seen this show twice now, and would eagerly go again, it’s that entertaining. That said, if you are not a fan of the Beatles, it might not be for you. Although there are classic elements of Cirque du Soleil, acrobatically, Love is not nearly intense as the other Cirque shows; the music really is the show. In this day and age, this is as close as one can get to actually seeing a Beatles concert.

Score:
4 Cheques (Out of 5)

"Love" at The Mirage - View the Trailer

Cirque du Soleil presents "Love"

Dealers of the World Unite!

We’ve written about Steve Wynn quite a bit, but as Las Vegas’ most recognizable face, he keeps popping up in the news. This from an article in Saturday’s Las Vegas Sun:

The Transport Workers Union, which primarily represents workers in the airline and railroad industries, has petitioned the National Labor Relations Board for a secret-ballot election to represent Wynn Las Vegas dealers.

The move indicates the level of anger Wynn dealers have sustained eight months into management's decision to include frontline supervisors in the dealers' tip pool. Enough dealers - at least 30 percent - signed the petition, triggering the election process.

Although management says most dealers have made peace with the new tip-sharing program, some dealers say at least 60 percent of the casino's dealers support a union.

Again, this relates to the tip-sharing policy that we’ve discussed here.

This seems to be a bit of a last-ditch effort by some dealers, as their individual lawsuits have been dismissed, and it looks like a bill outlawing the tip-sharing arrangement is a no-go.

This would be a first at major Las Vegas casinos, while the waiters and housekeepers are represented by the Culinary Union at most places, dealers have remained unorganized. While it still remains to be seen if the dealers have the votes to Unionize, with a predictable variance in numbers between the dealers and Wynn representatives, this seems to be an unprecedented first step.

We’re not labor-relations experts, (We’re Gin experts) but this news has to send a shiver down the spine of all the casino operators in Las Vegas. If the union ultimately prevails at Wynn, how long before dealers at other properties organize?

As always, we will keep you updated.

It's not your ordinary union looking at Wynn dealers

Steve Wynn vs. His Own Dealers

NBC's "Las Vegas" Cast Update

Rumors are swirling that Tom Selleck is set to take over in James Caan's absence on the set of NBC's "Las Vegas." Evidently, his role would be as the latest in a long string of Montecito owners. For those of you that don't follow the show, the Montecito is the fictitious casino that is the setting for the show. Selleck's character has to be about the 5th owner the show has had since its inception.

Honestly, I don't have much expectation for the show any longer. Nothing of interest happened last season, so while a change is welcomed, I won't be surprised if it's the same below average program with a small cast change.

Selleck has most recently appeared in small doses on ABC's "Boston Legal" in a somewhat odd recurring role as Candice Bergan's old flame. Though his "Magnum, P.I." days are behind him, I hope he brings the mustache back. You ladies will have to wait a while to see if he'll end up poolside exposing his chest hair akin to his P.I. days.

Personally, my real concern is what hot babe will replace Niki Cox's character. I have only one request. Can the replacement have a smaller lips to hips ratio? See what I mean in a previous post about her and Caan's departure.

Read about the Tom Selleck talks here.

VegasRy Podcast: Gin and Tonic Hour #4

That mustachioed bartender said what?! 2nd Evening in Vegas.

-To Nap, or Not to Nap?
-Mon Ami Gabi
-Planet Aladdin and Mount Gay
-Fashion on the Excalibur Tram
-Best Value in Las Vegas
-Mix Lounge
-Gambling 20 Minutes into your 21st Birthday

Note: This one is a bit long, and we get a little schnockered towards the end...you have been warned.


Download Here

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VegasRy Book Review: 24/7

24/7: Living It Up and Doubling Down in the New Las Vegas
By Andres Martinez

The premise of 24/7 is at pretty crazy, the author takes his publishers $50,000, and goes to Las Vegas for 5 weeks, and chronicles his experience. Simple concept that might seem like a dream to some and a nightmare to others, and it turns out to be a little of both for Martinez.

Martinez goes to Vegas for 4 or 5 weeks, and stays at about 8 different hotels, gambling his advance and reporting the balance at the end of each day. He starts off at the Luxor, and ends up at Bellagio during it’s opening weekend, staying downtown and at local’s casinos along the way.

One of the interesting aspects of the book is that Martinez is a Vegas Novice. Having never been to Vegas, or even gambled before, his sense of awe makes the book very enjoyable. A modern-day Tocqueville, the author maintains his stance as an outsider. At times writing about Las Vegas citizens and customs as a stranger in a strange land, Martinez becomes more comfortable in his surroundings, but you never get the sense that he is a changed man.

When I first read 24/7 I liked it a lot…Las Vegas was still pretty new to me, and I could appreciate his excitement and sense of discovery. I decided to go back and re-read it for this review, having been to Vegas many times in between and having seen the town change so much, as well as my attitudes towards it. Sadly, the book loses a lot with that transition.

One problem I had upon reading it again was that, while he had a good time gambling, it wasn’t exactly a ‘wild’ time. He meets a few interesting people along the way, but doesn’t really delve too deeply into what make Las Vegas tick. For him, 50 grand didn’t seem to buy much excitement.

Another issue is that the book is already pretty dated. Even though it was published in 1999, 8 years is a lifetime in Vegas years. For example, the Desert Inn no longer exists and it’s tough to listen to him bitch about a $75 show ticket. Martinez caught the tail end of the 90’s building boom, and we are already in the midst of the next one.

Beyond the premise, those with much of a Vegas acumen might be a bit bored. Still, for a Vegas newbie, or those in need of a Vegas fix, this book is a good PG-13 alternative.

Buy 24/7