Random Vegas 

Of the million dollars in fines levied so far in 2021 by the FAA, $112k are Vegas related.  7 of the 9 incidents involved passengers flying into Vegas.  Top violations include drinking alcohol not purchased from airline and not complying with the mask mandate.  Fines ranged from $9-$15k. 

Twitpic of the week 

Pretty much every building built since the Landmark topped out at 31 stories was built taller but that doesn’t diminish the feeling the Landmark exudes as a skyscraper.  Something about that pod at the top captures the imagination.  Sadly the casino at the top didn’t last long as gamblers like to get right into the action and didn’t see the point in making the trip to the top.  So they turned it into suites.  Considering its fate, imploded to make way for more parking for the Las Vegas Convention Center, its apropos that existing parking is featured prominently in this week’s winner, brought to you by @PixVegas777 

News

• Bally’s Dining Options

Random Vegas 

The original Vegas Vicki was a hostess role at the Pioneer Club created in the early 60s, two decades before the famous neon sign of the same name.  (vintagelasvegas.com) 

Twitpic of the week 

She was a shithole at the end, there is no debating that but the memories Imperial Palace gave so many is invaluable.  Memories of low limit gaming tables, dealertainers and movie quality theming come flooding back when you see the photo shared by @UCVegas.  Just like most properties we’ve lost along the way they live on in the recollections of time past 

News

• Eight Lounge

It is illegal on Fremont St to consume package liquor within 1,000 feet of the store where it was purchased (@VitalVegas) 

Twitpic of the week 

@maverickheli captured a picture so good it looks like an artist rendering of Circa and not an actual photograph.  Circa is without a doubt the most impressive new casino to open in over a decade and the first to be built on Fremont in 50 years.  She really is the jewel of downtown and one hell of a sexy building. 

News

Vici Buys MGM Growth

Allen Glick Dies

Vegas Barbie

Random Vegas

MGM resorts employs an estimated 35,000 employees worldwide, less than half the number employed before the pandemic

Twitpic of the week

Shining lights, glowing neon, flashing bulbs, bathed in magic.  Welcome to Fremont St pre-canopy and post many, many drinks.  That special time when you’re in the sweet spot, loving life and enjoying the “Only in Vegas” scenery of your happy place.  @las_when coined it the Fremont Street Glare, we call it mesmerizing.

News

• Masks Are Back

Random Vegas

The Cosmopolitan requires unvaccinated employees to test negative for covid every 72 hours (@lasvegaslocally)

Twitpic of the week

Elegant and fabulous, opulent bordering on gawdy, the pool at Caesars Palace plays it right down the line to create an experience like no other.  @mississippirob4 shows us an elevated view of a gorgeous theme embraced fully poolside.  It’s a view that beckons one to join every time you look out your window.

News

• Vegas Vic’s Tavern 

PCP = Premium Content Preview

The movie Lucky You, reminds us of a time in Vegas, when people thought the only limits the market had, were the limits of the imagination.  While it isn’t a period piece in the traditional sense, at least not yet, or intentionally, one of the truly fun things about Las Vegas, is how often it changes.  Unlike major cities all around the world, whose landscape typically just expands over the years, Vegas can look radically different from one decade to the next.  That’s, what we get to explore, with Lucky You, to see, just how different, the city looks, from the way it did in 2005, when the movie was being filmed, compared to today, less than 20 years later. 

Random Vegas 

Resorts World offers players the option to “reserve” their slot machine while they step away to visit the restroom (@VitalVegas) 

Twitpic of the week 

Welcome to the new era of the strip complete with professional sports teams.  The city that has claimed to be the entertainment capital of the world for years now has a legitimate claim to it.  For those of you fans of a sport not currently in Vegas, be patient. It’s coming.  As long as the two teams in operation continue to show their respective leagues how to make destination entertainment, those not a part of the party will desire to become part of the conversation.  @MaverickHeli once again gives us a god like view of how grand and beautiful the incorporation of sports has been. 

News

FlyOver Las Vegas

Beast Mode Comes to Mandalay Bay

Go Go Claw slot machine

Laurel Lounges Petition

 Random Vegas 

City Center cost $8.5 billion to build and was the most expensive project in the western world (@vegas_only) 

Twitpic of the week 

Welcome back to the 90s in Las Vegas.  A time apparently before MGM new that Asian gamblers didn’t like to walk under the head of a lion because it’s bad luck or some other superstition.  But for a time, there she anchored the corner of Tropicana and Las Vegas Blvd in all her oversized glory.  @summacorp provides even more context to this week’s winner, clocking that the MGM Marquee sign is shown under construction, which would date this picture early 94, after the introduction of the Hilton marquee was erected as the largest sign in the city and before MGM built a larger sign. 

News

• MGM Buys and sells City Center

 Random Vegas 

Wayne Gretzky’s ‘brand ambassador’ deal with BetMGM cost MGM Resorts around $10 million, according to someone familiar with the details.  It also included $1 million in casino Free Play (@lasvegaslocally) 

Twitpic of the week 

It’s here, finally.  The project that started with the closing of the Stardust in 2006 has finally open as Resorts World Las Vegas.  True its location is still a liability but we now have a resort that extends the strip north again to Circus Circus.  It even makes an argument that Sahara and Stratosphere are once again located on the strip.  As always, @maverickheli gives us an ideal view of the newest property to join the Las Vegas strip and captures the hope that it brings to returning the market to the number one tourist destination in the world. 

News

• Resorts World Opens

 Random Vegas 

Celebrity chef deals with Caesars Entertainment require the personality to visit his or her Las Vegas restaurant(s) at least once each year for at least 24 consecutive hours.  Contracts also require the chef to be photographed in their restaurant(s) (Vital Vegas) 

Twitpic of the week 

A sizzling photo of just how sexy lightbulbs can be when you group thousands of them all together. Throw a couple mirrors strategically placed to overwhelm the senses in the best way it can be done legally and you get Plaza’s porte cashere, shared by @LasVegasLocally with a hat tip to @Summacorp.  Once your senses get done absorbing all this glowing awesomeness you realize the easter egg, the view down Fremont St as it was before Slotzilla and the canopy came to be.  Since we don’t see the Mint signage it can be determined that this photo is at least post Binion’s 1988 acquisition of the property.