Pirate economics
Here’s a quick recap: I write about the history of gambling. Much gambling used to be illegal. Gaming is organized. Therefore, I write about organized crime. I’m always eager to find other forms of...
View ArticleLimiting gambling in South Korea
I don’t think you’ll see officials in Nevada, or anywhere else in the US, adopting this approach any time soon. From Bloomberg: South Korea’s National Gaming Control Commission yesterday said it...
View ArticleMesquite losing streak
Things are slow in Vegas, maybe, but they’re even slower in Mesquite. From the LVRJ: If you think the slowing economy has hit casino operators in Las Vegas hard, travel 80 miles northeast to Mesquite....
View ArticleProgram alert
I’m going to be on Face to Face with Jon Ralston tonight, talking about the effects of the economic slowdown on outlying casino markets like Mesquite, Jean, and Primm. If you’re in the Las Vegas area,...
View ArticleDiff’rent strokes for casino folks
Today’s Sun has an interesting piece about how different corporate cultures work on the Strip: As it turns out, the industry’s giants, MGM Mirage and Harrah’s Entertainment, have evolved into different...
View ArticleLuxury cities and high-end casinos
Does this excerpt from an article at The American about the decline of middle class cities sound like the past few years on the Strip? I think so: Ultimately, in good times or bad, cities have to want...
View ArticleLower your slot hold, get more players?
A story in the Las Vegas Sun on Friday gives me a jumping-off point for a somewhat-extended discussion of slot hold: Longtime gamblers have been saying it for months: If you want people to play in...
View ArticleMore recession discussion: Vegas goes national
For those of you in Las Vegas, I’m (probably) going to be on KVVU-Fox 5 news at 5 this afternoon, commenting on a new Time magazine cover story about “Fabulous Less Vegas.” Basically, it’s yet another...
View ArticleAt the LVBP: The casino cavalry
I’m full of good cheer over at the Las Vegas Business Press, where I start by looking at where the employment numbers are now and where they seem to be heading: In July 2007, perhaps the high-water...
View ArticleNat’l decline in gaming taxes
This is hardly breaking news to anyone who reads this blog regularly, but gambling revenues are down nationwide. This Economix piece in the New York Times blogs is as good a summary as any: Two weeks...
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