MTM Vegas - Fun, Interesting & Absurd Sides of Vegas!

Save big on Vegas with Las Vegas Advisor — get 10% off a membership with code MTM (new members, affiliate): lasvegasadvisor.com

Big week in Vegas. Rio Las Vegas has a new majority owner — a $33 billion New York credit firm with zero casino or hotel experience. Caesars just launched an all-inclusive package with unlimited well drinks, two meals a day, pool access at three properties, and High Roller tickets for $300/night for two people. The Daily Mail has apparently declared Vegas dead at least 10 times in the past year. And the Michelin-recognized LA taco brand from the Super Bowl halftime show is coming to Durango.

What we cover:

• The Daily Mail's top 10 "death of Vegas" headlines — ranked
• Station Casinos' 76 Tavern product and the generic casino design debate
• Rio ownership shakeup: Kennedy Lewis Investment Management takes majority stake from Dreamscape, executive team being cleared out
• Villas Tacos (Michelin Bib Gourmand, Super Bowl halftime show) coming to Durango to replace Fiorella Pasta Bar
• Mayor Shelly Berkeley pitching downtown Las Vegas land for the NBA arena
• Caesars all-inclusive package full breakdown — unlimited drinks, 2 meals/day, $300/night for 2 people

Episode Guide:

• 0:00 Welcome to MTM Vegas
• 0:47 Daily Mail's top 10 Vegas death headlines
• 3:06 Station Casinos' 76 Tavern and generic design debate
• 5:28 Rio ownership shakeup — Kennedy Lewis takes over from Dreamscape
• 9:17 Villas Tacos coming to Durango
• 10:46 Mayor Berkeley pitches downtown site for NBA arena
• 12:31 Caesars all-inclusive package — the full breakdown

• Las Vegas Advisor — https://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/shop/products/lva-membership-platinum/?ref=MTM
• Vegas timelapse - https://x.com/kerrybilicki/status/2040859314966143326?s=46
• Daily Mail - https://www.dailymail.co.uk/yourmoney/article-15698613/white-castle-las-vegas-strip-closure.html
• 76 - https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/local-tavern-to-open-its-fourth-southern-nevada-location-3733713/
• Rio sale future - https://www.casino.org/vitalvegas/dreamscape-out-as-primary-owner-of-rio-executive-shake-up-ensues/
• NBA downtown Vegas - https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/basketball/las-vegas-mayor-to-pitch-downtown-to-nba-for-site-of-potential-arena-3732999/
• Caesars all-inclusive - https://www.caesars.com/las-vegas/hotels/deals/inclusive-summer-package

Want more MTM Vegas? Get our exclusive weekly aftershow and join the community.

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In this episode, Shawn and Mark cover some big Vegas news: Downtown Grand has been in receivership since January after defaulting on a $90M construction loan, and Vegas table game minimums are up 76% since 2020 — nearly three times the inflation rate. Shawn also gives a firsthand report on Bally's temporary casino inside the A's ballpark construction site, Mark checks in from his Resorts World New York City visit, and there's off-strip food recommendations, a Fried's Bakery airport update, and the eternal Excalibur moving walkway question.

What we cover:

• Downtown Grand officially in receivership since January after defaulting on a $90M construction loan
• Shawn visits Bally's temporary casino at the A's ballpark site before it closes
• Zoox with Shawn's daughter + birthday dinner at Gaucho at Fashion Show Mall
• Brandon of Vegas: 10 off-strip restaurants worth visiting (including Herbs & Rye and Jesse Ray's BBQ)
• Fried's Bakery now has a kiosk at Las Vegas airport
• Mark's Resorts World New York City report — no real table games, strange drink situation, Baccarat room outside security
• Vegas table game minimums up 76% since 2020 — El Cortez worst at 353%, downtown worst market at 115%

Episode Guide:

• 0:00 $500K jackpot and Vegas high rollers
• 0:41 Downtown Grand goes into receivership
• 4:35 Inside Bally's temporary casino at the ballpark site
• 8:31 Zoox with daughter + birthday dinner at Gaucho
• 9:42 Excalibur moving walkway update
• 10:35 Brandon of Vegas: 10 off-strip restaurants
• 12:03 Fried's Bakery kiosk opens at Las Vegas airport
• 13:27 Mark's Resorts World New York City report
• 17:10 Vegas table game minimums up 76% since 2020

Key Links

• Las Vegas Advisor — https://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/shop/products/lva-membership-platinum/?ref=MTM
• Downtown Grand receivership (RJ) — https://www.casino.org/news/downtown-las-vegas-casino-enters-receivership-after-90m-default/
• Vegas Advantage table minimums data — https://vegasadvantage.com/table-game-inflation/
• Resorts World New York City — https://www.rwnewyork.com/
• Brandon of Vegas off-strip restaurants video — https://www.youtube.com/@brandonofvegas
• Freed's Bakery at LAS airport — https://x.com/thelvfoodie/status/2038122466888028612

Want more MTM Vegas? Get our exclusive weekly aftershow and join the community.

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Save big on Vegas with Las Vegas Advisor — get 10% off a membership with code MTM (new members, affiliate): lasvegasadvisor.com

In this episode, Shawn checks in from Four Seasons Las Vegas while breaking down a strange mix of Vegas news: the Strat land sale moving forward, Bally's running a temporary casino to preserve its license, fresh progress on the A's stadium, and the latest proof that Las Vegas is becoming even more of a major sports city. He also reviews the room, talks value versus Mandalay Bay and Waldorf Astoria, and dives into a classic Vegas myth that may not be true after all.

What we cover:

• April Fool's Day casino jokes from around Las Vegas
• VICI's approved Strat land deal and what it means for Vegas ownership
• Bally's temporary casino and why Nevada license rules create weird moments like this
• Four Seasons Las Vegas review including room, service, pricing, and value
• The Lefty Rosenthal metal plate myth and Las Vegas landing the 2029 Super Bowl

Episode Guide:

• 0:00 Welcome to MTM Vegas
• 0:29 April Fool's Day casino jokes in Vegas
• 1:20 Strat sale approved and VICI's growing Vegas footprint
• 3:37 Bally's temporary casino and new A's stadium views
• 5:01 Four Seasons Las Vegas review
• 9:33 The Lefty Rosenthal metal plate myth gets challenged
• 11:05 Las Vegas lands the 2029 Super Bowl

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Resorts World officially killed cashless gaming — and honestly, nobody's surprised. In this episode, Shawn and Mark dig into what went wrong, plus the growing Caesars Entertainment breakup rumors, Justin Timberlake's reported 2028 Park MGM negotiations, and February visitor numbers that finally give Vegas something to smile about.

What we cover:

• Resorts World dumps cashless gaming — back to cash and TITO
• Caesars breakup rumors: Fertitta vs. Icahn and what splits off
• Justin Timberlake negotiating 2028 Park MGM residency
• Las Vegas February visitors up 2.1% — first increase since December 2024
• NBA team name debate: Dealers, Jokers, Neon, Mirage?
• Vanderpump Hotel bathrooms disappoint despite luxury makeover
• Tacos Del Rio opens at Rio, replacing Guy Fieri's Drunken Donkey
• Maroon by Chef Kwame opening April 24 at Sahara
• Durango Phase 3 construction underway
• Hard Rock Cafe guitar replaced with a screen at Showcase Mall

Episode Guide:

• 0:00 World Pizza Games — Cold Open
• 0:40 Durango Phase 3 Construction Update
• 1:28 Las Vegas NBA Team Name Debate
• 2:57 Hard Rock Cafe Guitar Becomes a Screen
• 4:19 Resorts World Ends Cashless Gaming
• 6:24 Justin Timberlake Eyes 2028 Park MGM Residency
• 8:04 Caesars Entertainment Breakup Rumors
• 10:46 Vanderpump Hotel Bathrooms — The Missing Bathtub
• 12:22 Tacos Del Rio Opens at Rio — Drunken Donkey Replaced
• 13:55 Maroon by Chef Kwame — April 24 at Sahara
• 15:14 Las Vegas February Visitor Numbers
• 16:50 Mobile Sports Betting Up 28.9%

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The NBA is officially exploring Las Vegas expansion — and 100% of owners voted yes. Shawn and Mark break down why Bill Foley and T-Mobile Arena is the obvious call, what it means for the city to have four major sports leagues, and whether Las Vegas is big enough to pull it off. Plus Shawn hits the Cadence Crossing grand opening (Boyd Gaming's first new casino in 20 years) with an honest review. And MGM just launched the first all-inclusive deal ever at a Strip resort — $330 for two nights, two people, meals, a show, and parking. Is it actually worth it?

In This Episode:

• Resorts World "Ride the Ranch" — giant Hidden Valley Ranch bottle in The District
• Winnie & Buck statue removed from Harrah's Vegas, now at Harrah's OKC
• WrestleMania 42 watch parties now allowed in Las Vegas
• Cadence Crossing grand opening — first new Boyd casino in 20 years, Shawn's review
• Zoox expanding to Sphere, T-Mobile Arena, and the Convention Center
• Mandatory side bets hit the Strip — New York-New York now forces a $2 side bet on $5 blackjack
• Vegas Matt's $5,000 bet video — must-watch
• Super Bowl 2029 back to Vegas? NFL owners vote next week
• NBA expansion — 100% of owners voted to explore Las Vegas + Seattle franchises
• MGM All-Inclusive at Luxor + Excalibur — $330 for 2 nights, meals, show, parking included

Episode Guide:

• 0:00 Resorts World Ranch Bottle — Only in Vegas
• 0:36 Winnie & Buck Statue Lives — But Not in Vegas Anymore
• 1:50 WrestleMania 42 Watch Parties Now Allowed in Vegas
• 3:05 Cadence Crossing Grand Opening — We Were There
• 7:07 Zoox Expanding to Sphere, T-Mobile Arena & Convention Center
• 9:01 Mandatory Side Bets Hit the Strip at New York-New York
• 10:59 Vegas Matt's Wild $5,000 Bet Video
• 12:09 Super Bowl 2029 Coming Back to Vegas?
• 13:12 NBA Coming to Las Vegas — 100% of Owners Vote Yes
• 16:02 Can Vegas support 4 teams?
• 18:07 MGM All-Inclusive at Luxor + Excalibur — Worth It?

Links:

• Cadence Crossing Casino Opening
• NBA Expansion — Las Vegas
• MGM All-Inclusive Package Details
• MTM Vegas Patreon — weekly aftershow + community
• Free newsletter
• Watch on YouTube
• Apple Podcasts
• MTM Vegas Merch

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• Shawn's InKind referral - https://app.inkind.com/refer/4FJZRGUZ
• Save big on Vegas with Las Vegas Advisor — get 10% off a membership with code MTM (new members, affiliate): lasvegasadvisor.com

Vegas is changing this week — White Castle is leaving the Strip, the Cromwell is becoming the Vanderpump Hotel, and Nevada Gaming just told casinos how to handle life without pennies. Plus Lotus of Siam lands on InKind, Durango holds a massive casino yoga event at sunset, and the IGT/Everi merger cuts 700 jobs.

In This Episode:

• White Castle closing at Casino Royale and Henderson — 3 of 5 Vegas locations surviving
• Vanderpump Hotel (formerly Cromwell): rooms booking now for May 26, from $139, "industrial romantic" design
• Nevada Gaming Control Board guidance on the death of the penny in casinos
• Lotus of Siam on InKind — pad thai, Penang curry, Thai iced tea, dirty parking lot
• IGT/Everi merger fallout: 700 layoffs, HQ moves to Vegas
• TLC, SWV & En Vogue at Fontainebleau — Oct 9, tickets on sale March 26
• Durango casino yoga event at sunset — Vegas becoming a culture hub
• GVR new carpet update — looking a lot like Durango
• Silver miners, wager savers, and squeezing the most out of your last credits

Episode Guide

• 0:00 Cosmo high limit room mouthwash hack
• 0:30 Durango's sunset yoga event — Vegas culture in 2026
• 1:50 Green Valley Ranch carpet renovation update
• 3:15 Casino Royale White Castle closing
• 5:05 Lotus of Siam on Inkind — Shawn's visit
• 7:20 Fountainbleau 90s concert: TLC, Salt-N-Pepa, En Vogue (Oct 9)
• 8:25 IGT + Everi merger: 700 layoffs, new CEO
• 10:05 Las Vegas Advisor — get your book with code MTM
• 10:30 The penny is dead — Nevada casino rounding rules
• 13:40 Silver miners and wager savers explained
• 15:40 Vanderpump Hotel reservations open — dates + pricing
• 17:00 Room design revealed — "industrial romantic"
• 18:00 What's staying + new Vanderpump cocktail lounge
• 18:35 Lisa Vanderpump's Vegas empire
• 19:55 Closing thoughts + subscribe

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Joker's Wild is officially closed after 33 years — and a brand new Boyd Gaming casino opens just feet away this Wednesday. Plus, the NBA expansion vote is this week and Las Vegas is at the top of the list. Also: dining shakeups, Canadian tourism struggles, and Caesars' giant new digital sign.

In this episode:

• Joker's Wild closes Sunday night after 33 years — Cadence Crossing opens Wednesday at noon on the same site
• NBA expansion vote March 24-25 — Vegas expected to land a team starting 2028-29; $7-10B fee; Bill Foley, Magic Johnson, Oakview competing for ownership
• March Madness viewing parties across Vegas — $500 Cosmo events to $1 coffee at South Point
• Canadian tourism down 24% in 2025; Circa/Golden Gate drew 15,000 Canadians with their Vegas on Par promo; LVCVA approves $3.5M campaign starting July 2026
• Guy Fieri out at Rio (Burro Borracho closes); Giada staying through Vanderpump Hotel transition at Cromwell
• Caesars Palace's giant new digital sign — are Vegas signs losing their unique character?
• CBRE analysts: no major drag on Vegas tourism yet — 60-90 days is the warning zone

Episode Guide:

• 0:00 Welcome to MTM Vegas
• 0:14 March Madness Viewing Parties Across Las Vegas
• 0:50 Circus Circus Pop-Up & South Point's Value Prices
• 1:48 Vegas Sports History: From UNLV to the Golden Knights
• 2:47 NBA Expansion Vote — Las Vegas Expected to Land a Team
• 3:51 Ownership Groups, Arena Sites & the North Strip Debate
• 7:06 Guy Fieri Out at Rio — Burro Borracho Closes
• 7:56 Vanderpump Hotel Transition Begins at Cromwell
• 9:02 Canadian Tourism Down 24% — Vegas Fights Back
• 10:43 Caesars' New Giant Sign & Are We Losing Vegas' Identity?
• 12:35 Economic Uncertainty: Is Vegas Feeling It Yet?
• 14:36 Joker's Wild Is Closed — History & Cadence Crossing Opens

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Save 10% on a Las Vegas Advisor 2026 membership and book with code MTM.

• https://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/shop/products/lva-membership-platinum/?ref=MTM

Episode Description

A viral TikTok claimed a man won $3 million at Fontainebleau and got kicked out — turns out it was likely a guerrilla marketing stunt for a streetwear brand. Meanwhile, a convicted felon running for Congress just got banned from every MGM property, Resorts World is shutting down its poker room, and we pay tribute to JP Pavlock, one of the people who loved Las Vegas more than anyone we've known.

• 0:00 Sammy Hagar on the Bellagio Gondola
• 0:40 Bellagio Spring Display & Bruno Mars
• 2:32 Viral Fontainebleau "I Won $3M" Video
• 4:40 Bobby Khan: Banned from MGM, Running for Congress
• 6:52 Resorts World Poker Room Closing March 30
• 8:28 Neonopolis Elevators: 82 Months Broken
• 9:27 Area 15 Zone 2 Grand Opening
• 10:49 Remembering JP Pavlock
• 13:40 Circus Circus: "Next Epicenter of Luxury"?
• 16:59 MGM Rewards "Play More, Get More" Challenge
• 18:30 MGM Grand Room Review
• 22:00 Best MGM rooms in Vegas?

Each week tens of thousands of people tune into our MtM Vegas news shows at http://www.YouTube.com/milestomemories. We do two news shows weekly on YouTube with this being the audio version. Never miss out on the latest happenings in and around Las Vegas!

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Save big on Vegas with Las Vegas Advisor — get 10% off a membership with code MTM (new members, affiliate): https://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/shop/products/lva-membership-platinum/?ref=MTM Vegas is about to make history — not the good kind. A 50% chance of 100 degrees on Friday would be the hottest March day Las Vegas has ever recorded. Plus Tony Roma's at Fremont is officially closing on May 9th, and Shawn finally got to ride Zoox on the Strip — just days after the company announced a full partnership with Uber. Mark joins midway to break it all down. In This Episode: • Vegas could hit 100° this week — a first in Las Vegas recorded history • A's stadium construction: the view from MGM Grand as it takes shape • Tony Roma's at Fremont closing May 9th — history, prime rib specials, and the Lefty Rosenthal tie-in • Craft Kitchen closes at the Fremont food hall • EDC's 30th anniversary: the EDC Parade on May 14th is free for everyone on the Strip • Zoox announces full Uber partnership starting this summer — and free rides won't last • Shawn's first Zoox ride: MGM Grand to Wynn and back, wait times, interior, and conservative robot driving • The future of autonomous vehicles in Las Vegas Episode Guide: 0:00 Intro — Vegas Might Break an All-Time Heat Record 0:44 It's Never Hit 100° in March or April — The History 1:00 What the Heat Means for Locals and Visitors 1:25 A's Stadium Construction — The View From MGM Grand 2:08 Tony Roma's Is Closing at Fremont — May 9th 2:57 Shawn's Tony Roma's Memories 3:24 The Lefty Rosenthal Connection 3:52 Craft Kitchen Closes at the Fremont Food Hall 4:23 EDC's 30th Anniversary Is Coming to Vegas 4:51 The EDC Parade — Free for Everyone on May 14th 5:54 Mark Joins: Zoox + Uber Partnership Announced 6:36 How Zoox Works on the Strip 7:34 Shawn's First Zoox Ride — MGM Grand to Wynn 8:24 Inside the Car — Space, Music, and the Touchscreens 9:06 Zoox in Traffic — Conservative Driving and the Bus Incident 9:59 The Conversation You Knew Was Coming 10:47 Wait Times and How Zoox Routes Its Fleet 11:37 Should You Ride Zoox Now? (Yes, While It's Free) Want more MTM Vegas? Get our exclusive weekly aftershow and join the community: https://www.patreon.com/cw/MtMVegas Subscribe to our newsletter: https://milestomemories.us3.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=39c6737d725a04fea73324680&id=1e73edd8c8 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mtmvegas Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mtm-vegas-fun-interesting-absurd-sides-of-vegas/id1574194686 Website: http://milestomemories.com Merch: https://mtmvegas.shop

Save big on Vegas with Las Vegas Advisor — get 10% off a membership with code MTM (new members, affiliate): https://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/shop/products/lva-membership-platinum/?ref=MTM A guest at Silver Sevens got stung by a scorpion and the attorney's description of the hotel is genuinely legendary. In this episode, the 2025 Las Vegas Visitor Survey is out and the data is worth digging into: first-timers have dropped from 24% post-COVID to just 10% in 2025, wealthier visitors are filling the gap, and price dissatisfaction is rising even among the highest earners. Plus a Park MGM first-of-its-kind filming gaming salon, Shawn's Excalibur Tiki Bar walkthrough, and Cadence Crossing opening March 25th. In This Episode: • Scorpion attack at Silver Sevens Hotel — guest stung, casino never apologized, attorney drops the best line of 2025 • Shawn received an autographed copy of Las Vegas Then & Now from UNLV Libraries, plus vintage postcards • Green Valley Ranch $200M renovation update — new suites, new casino carpet, Durango-level glow-up • Park MGM's private filming gaming salon — first of its kind, headed to the Nevada Gaming Control Board • Excalibur Tiki Bar — Shawn visits, medieval tiki is real, the carpet deserves more credit • Dirty Castle check-in nostalgia — Excalibur was once the largest hotel in the world • Cadence Crossing opening March 25th at noon on Boulder Highway • Las Vegas Visitor Survey 2025: gambling budgets hit $848, first-timers at 10%, price is the top complaint Episode Guide: 0:00 Scorpion Attack at Silver Sevens Hotel 1:06 UNLV Libraries Gift — Autographed Book & Vintage Postcards 2:04 Green Valley Ranch $200M Renovation — New Suites & Design 2:36 Green Valley Ranch Casino Floor & New Carpet 4:02 Park MGM's Private Filming Gaming Salon 5:00 The Roller Coaster Comparison & Who Is This For? 6:22 Excalibur Tiki Bar — First Impressions 7:21 Inside the Tiki Bar — Carpet, Vibe & Medieval Tiki 8:14 Dirty Castle: Check-In Lobby Then vs. Now 9:51 Cadence Crossing Opening March 25th 10:39 Joker's Wild Closure & What's Next for That Land 11:34 Las Vegas Visitor Survey 2025 — Intro & "Vegas Is Dead" Narrative 13:08 Why First-Timers Are Disappearing 14:15 Income Gap: Who's Actually Coming to Vegas 15:12 Gambling Budgets Are Up, Hotel Stays Are Down 17:39 Satisfaction Numbers & The Price Problem 19:38 Takeaways & Wrap Want more MTM Vegas? Get our exclusive weekly aftershow and join the community: https://www.patreon.com/cw/MtMVegas Subscribe to our newsletter: https://milestomemories.us3.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=39c6737d725a04fea73324680&id=1e73edd8c8 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mtmvegas Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mtm-vegas-fun-interesting-absurd-sides-of-vegas/id1574194686 Website: http://milestomemories.com Merch: https://mtmvegas.shop