I'm going to be totally honest with you...this episode of the podcast is very likely to upset a lot of people.  But everything being said here NEEDS to be said.

After my last trip to Vegas, I released the "NOT The May Trip Report" episode, in which I brought up several things that I didn't enjoy about the city and, in turn, my vacation.  I got a lot of a lot of feedback about that particular episode - some agreeing with me and some STRONGLY disagreeing with me.

I began to think that I was crazy...maybe it was just me.  Then, I started to see a lot of the same comments & complaints being made by people posting on Vegas-related social media channels and by several other Vegas content creators - including bloggers, vloggers and podcasters.

Then, it happened...

Sam Novak, the creator of Vegas Unfiltered (who's appeared on the show before) wrote an article for Vegas 411 titled, "This Is The Worst Time In History To Visit Vegas".

I asked Sam to join me for a conversation about the article as well as the current state of affairs in Las Vegas.  As expected, he was BRUTALLY honest about what's happening in the city.

We talked about construction chaos, skyrocketing costs, the overall state of the strip, and much more.  Plus, I asked the big question: What will it take to FIX things in Las Vegas?

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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!

Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas

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Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! 

Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!

It's been a hot minute since we've had a chance to have a little "one-on-one" time, so as we approach the end of summer and get set to head into the fall, I thought it might be a good opportunity to get you all caught up on what's been happening in my world.

I've got a recap of some of the most recent episodes of the podcast in case you missed out and want to go back & listen, I've got an update on future travel plans & whether or not a Vegas trip is in my future, and I'll take you "behind the curtain" and reveal some of the upcoming episodes I'm putting together for you!

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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!

Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas

__________________________________________________________________________

Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! 

Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!

If you dig into the history of Las Vegas, you're going to find a lot of stories about crime.  A majority of these stories involve the mob, organized crime, and their involvement in the casino industry & other illegal activities.

But if you go deep enough down the rabbit hole, you'll discover that every once in awhile, things in Las Vegas go "BOOM"...and that's what this episode of the podcast is all about.

I'm pleased to welcome back Meagan & Anthony Smith, the creators of Mayhem In The Desert, a true crime blog that shares the darker side of the history of Sin City.  On the site, they take deep dives into the famous - and infamous - crimes that have happened in Las Vegas, stretching back across the decades.

One of the subjects on their site that caught my eye was the history of bombings in Las Vegas, and I thought I'd invite Meagan & Anthony back to share these stories.  Some of them might be familiar to you...and others?  Not so much.

Be sure to visit Mayhem In The Desert online and make sure you follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.  Also, check out & subscribe to the Mayhem In The Desert YouTube Channel.

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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!

Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas

__________________________________________________________________________

Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! 

Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!

Pro sports is about more than just "the thrill of victory" and "the agony of defeat".  It's grown into a massive global industry that contributes hundreds of millions of dollars to the economy.  As such, it should come as no surprise that Las Vegas wants to get a piece of the action.

And according to proponents, the impact pro sports can have on a community goes beyond what happens on the field or at the rink; job creation, tax revenue, and increased tourism are often cited as being big benefits to being the home of a pro sports franchise or hosting a big event like the Super Bowl or Formula 1.  These "benefits" are also the same ones brought up by team owners when they're trying to convince governments to hand over tax dollars to build new stadiums, as in the case of the Oakland A's likely relocation to Las Vegas.

But are these impacts real?  Do communities actually see any major economic benefit?  And is there an upside to the government handing hundreds of millions of dollars to billionaire team owners to build venues?

My guest is here to answer those questions - and more!  Victor Matheson is a Professor of Economics & Accounting specializing in Sports Economics at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA.  Victor has published numerous articles on the economic impact of hosting mega-sports events as well as the economics of sports stadiums, including the effects of public financing of sports facilities.

Follow Victor on Twitter and check out his Google Scholar profile to read his work.

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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!

Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas

__________________________________________________________________________

Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! 

Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!

As anyone who's a regular listener knows, I absolutely LOVE food!  In fact, sharing my restaurant experiences from my Vegas vacations is one of my favorite parts of putting together my trip report episodes, so anytime I have the opportunity to have a guest on the show to talk about food, I jump at that chance.

This time around, I'm joined by Las Vegas restaurant & food critic, John Curtas.

John has been living in Las Vegas since the early 1980's and started writing about the Vegas food & restaurant scene in the mid-90's.  He's the author of the book, Eating Las Vegas - The 52 Essential Restaurants and the creator of the Eating Las Vegas Blog.  John has also made appearances on TV & radio, he's been a judge on several episodes of Top Chef Masters and Iron Chef America, and he's the co-host of the podcast, Eat. Talk. Repeat.

John and I talked about he became a food & restaurant critic, how the Vegas food scene has changed over the years, what the future holds for Las Vegas when it comes to restaurants & cuisines, and John was kind enough to share some his favorite - and not so favorite - dining experiences.

To keep up with John & his culinary adventures, be sure to follow him on Twitter & Instagram.

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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!

Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas

__________________________________________________________________________

Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! 

Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!

This time on Vegas Book Club, we're going ALLLLL the way back to Episode #25 of the podcast and my conversation with Steve Cyr, the subject of the book Whale Hunt In The Desert by Deke Castleman.

Steve is a Casino Host in Las Vegas - but he's not just any host.  Steve is one of the elite hosts who deal almost exclusively with "whales".

What is a "whale", you ask?  "Whales" are the extreme high-roller VIP's who come to Vegas and spend MASSIVE amounts of money; it's not uncommon for a "whale" to drop $1 Million or more over the course of a weekend in the city.  In order to bring them - and their huge bank accounts - to Las Vegas, casino hosts hook them up with lavish comps...from high-end suites & villas, to private jets, to ringside tickets at UFC events, to pretty much anything you can imagine.

Steve is one of the guys who makes that happen.

We talked about his early days in the casino business, how he re-invented the way hosting was being done in Las Vegas, and some of the more "bizarre" requests he's gotten from his clients.

Order your copy of Whale Hunt In The Desert: Secrets Of A Vegas Superhost by Deke Castleman from your favorite online bookseller.

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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!

Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas

__________________________________________________________________________

Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! 

Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!

On this instalment of Vegas Book Club, we're taking a trip back to   and my chat with Dennis Blair, author of the book, Touring With Legends.

A Las Vegas-based comedian & musician, Dennis's career has spanned almost 40 years and over that time, he's worked with some of the biggest names in comedy and music.  He co-wrote a feature film, he's worked on numerous TV specials, and he's appeared on the Tonight Show several times.

Dennis and I talked about what got him into comedy, his early days working with the legendary Rodney Dangerfield & what led to their falling-out, his time on the road with the incomparable Joan Rivers, and what it was like spending 18 years as the opening act for the late great George Carlin.

Order your copy of Touring with Legends by Dennis Blair from your favorite online bookseller now!

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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!

Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas

__________________________________________________________________________

Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! 

Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!

This time around on Vegas Book Club, we're heading back to Episode #78 of the podcast and my conversation with David G. Schwartz, UNLV Professor, Las Vegas Historian, and author of the book At The Sands.

December 15, 1952 saw the opening of one of the most iconic hotels in the history of Las Vegas - The Sands Hotel & Casino.

During its heyday, it hosted some of the biggest names in entertainment, most notably the legendary Rat Pack featuring Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr.  And although that might be what The Sands is best known for, there's way more to story than that.

David and I talked about what inspired him to cover the history of The Sands, how "mobbed up" the hotel was, Frank Sinatra's involvement the ownership of the property, and what led to the eventual downfall of The Sands (both figuratively and literally).

Get your copy of At The Sands by David G. Schwartz from your favorite online bookseller.

__________________________________________________________________________

Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!

Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas

__________________________________________________________________________

Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! 

Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!

For this episode of Vegas Book Club, we're taking a trip back to Episode #116 of the podcast and my chat with Eric Sherwood, aka "Annoyed Pit Boss" on Twitter, and author of the book Dealt: Stories From My Life On The Felt.

Eric entered the gaming industry following what I like to call a "forced career change", first as a dealer and eventually moving up to the position of pit boss.  As he got further into the crazy world of the casino business, he realized the stories from his day-to-day life were too good to NOT share.

First came the Twitter account, then came the book.

Eric & I talked about his entry into the gaming industry, what inspired him to create his Twitter account & write his book, and he even shared some tips & tricks for novice players thinking of hitting the tables on their next Vegas trip.

Dealt: Stories From My Life On The Felt is available from your favorite online bookseller.

__________________________________________________________________________

Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!

Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas

__________________________________________________________________________

Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! 

Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!

This time around on Vegas Book Club, we're headed back to Episode #93 of the podcast and my conversation with Matthew O'Brien, author of the books Beneath The Neon and Dark Days, Bright Nights: Surviving The Las Vegas Storm Drains.

Underneath the glitz & glamour of the Las Vegas Strip lies a massive network of tunnels which serve the practical purpose of protecting the big casinos & hotels from flash floods that often occur after summertime rainfalls.  However, those tunnels have also become a living space for hundreds - if not thousands - of homeless people in the city of Las Vegas.

Matthew is a writer, editor, and teacher who lived in Las Vegas for 20 years.  He's considered an authority on homelessness in the Las Vegas tunnels and he's the founder of Shine A Light, a non-profit program that helps people living in the tunnels and provides them with resources to get out of the tunnels.

Matthew & I discussed his early experiences with the tunnels, the work that went into writing his books, and what inspired him to create Shine A Light.

Beneath the Neon and Dark Days, Bright Nights are both available from your favorite online bookseller.

__________________________________________________________________________

Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!

Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas

__________________________________________________________________________

Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! 

Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!