University of Nevada Las Vegas| Gaming Studies Research Center | Dave Schwartz |
University of Nevada Las Vegas |
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Casino [ptz]
formerly the Gaming Studies Weblog |
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 Thursday, July 25, 2002 Some quick news and notes:
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ: IMMIGRANTS ENJOY FREE CASINO CASH This is an expose of the bus trip racket--riders pay $11 for a ticket, but get back $20 in cash, so they come out ahead--if they don't gamble. It's inexplicably mixed in with aspersions of racial discrimination by the casinos against Asians. Tell me someone didn't just write that casinos try to discourage Asian gamblers. Anyway, check the story here. LAS VEGAS, NV: FLAWS COULD WIPE OUT JACKPOTS, ALADDIN A LOSER, PUBLIC SEX COSTS HARD ROCK Players might be shortchanged by technical problems in some IGT and Bally Gaming slots. Will this bommerange yesterday's "IGT DOING WELL" report? Story here from the LV Sun. The Aladdin had a lousy quarter. Story here from the LV Sun. The Hard Rock casino got busted by the Gaming Control Board for "overt sexual activity" that took place at Baby's nightclub and was captured by surveillance cameras. I could tell some stories about my days in CCTV....but this is a family weblog accessed by researchers of all ages. Just to think, the Hard Rock is right down Harmon Ave. from UNLV! Story here. SPARKS, NV: NINJAS ROB CASINO Theieves dressed as ninjas robbed a Sparks casino. They got away with $13,000. I could not make this up. Story here. Not to make light of a very serious situation, but if your crew was going to hold up a casino, what would you dress as? Elvi (already done in 3000 Miles to Graceland)? Ninjas (done here)? Astronauts? The most creative guess wins my appreciation. That's all the news for today.
Wednesday, July 24, 2002 It's Wednesday and I'm back at UNLV, after a slight delay occasioned by a canceled flight out of Philly. I had an interesting time in Atlantic City, including meetings with the PR directors of Harrah's and the Showboat. I've gotten some great material for the forthcoming Martin Stern Jr. Atlantic City online exhibit, which will hopefully capture his impact on that city.
On to the news.... RENO, NV: IGT DOING WELL Acquiring Anchor has powered International Game Technology to a second strong quarter. Story here from the LV Sun. LAS VEGAS, NV: STATION HAS BAD QUARTER, STILL OPTIMISTIC Station Casinos' shares has fallen recently, owing to a general slowdown in business. But there are some bright notes--Green Valley Ranch, the group's newest property, is performing quite well, and a new Station casino has just been announced for Summerlin. Story here from the LV Sun. AMMAN, JORDAN: PLANNED CASINO "A SIN" Or at least that's what the nation's largest Muslim group claims. Story here from the LV Sun. JEFFERSON CITY, MO: NABBING CASINO CROOKS Another story about the Missouri anti-casino crime classroom. Story here from the Voice of America. AUCKLAND, NZ: HELP FOR CASINO LOSERS This article from BBC News discusses how Sky City Casino in New Zealand helps those who can't help themselves at the tables. Story here. That's all for now.
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What is Casino[ptz]? In a sentence: "A weblog featuring news, notes, and opinions from the world of casinos and gambling." Casino is self-explanatory; ptz refers to a surveillance camera that can pan, tilt, and zoom, thus offering the operator a better perspective and more detailed shot. Casino [ptz] was maintained by Dave Schwartz, coordinator of the Gaming Studies Research Center at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. As of now, Casino [ptz] is not being updated. Instead, you can find Dave's wit and wisdom on his own website, www.dieiscast.com. \ Go there now, for casino carpets and more. The opinions expressed are those of Dr. Schwartz and not those of UNLV or any of its students, staff, or faculty. If you have any questions, please direct them to Dave at dgs@unlv.nevada.edu. ---------------------------------
Quizzes Test your knowledge with two quizzes I have devised for your enlightenment and entertainment. 1. Do you know gambling? If you've read this weblog, I'll bet you do. Take the... (view the Scoreboard) This quiz features ten questions about gambling, mostly in casinos.
2. Do you know casino history? Take the... (view the Scoreboard) This quiz features ten questions taken from the pages of Suburban Xanadu. If you've read the book, the quiz should be a snap. Or, take the quiz and see what you are missing. -----------------------
Classic posts Mystery
Creature from Maryland Dave's book quoted in Parliament Bird
gets Trumped Slots, urban design, and destination dreams Don't be afraid, the clown's afraid too Hastert blasts casinos/2 tiger tales --------------------------
In Memoriam
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Other blogs Alberta Gaming Research Institute Library Online Casino Legalization Blog
Email Dave if you want him to add your blog. --------------------------
Who is Dave Schwartz? Dave Schwartz is the coordinator of the Gaming Studies Research Center at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, which means that he spends most of his time at work doing three things: 1) Extending and improving the collection of books, journals, and primary materials about gambling known as the Gaming Collection. 2) Working on digital initiatives, such as this weblog and the GSRC site, that facilitate the understanding of gaming research and gaming issues. 3) Answering questions about gambling from media and researchers, or directing them to the answers.
Before coming to UNLV, Schwartz worked in the Atlantic City casino industry as a surveillance officer. He is also the youngest person known to have received a Ph.D. in History from UCLA.
Schwartz is the author of Suburban Xanadu: The Casino Resort on the Las Vegas Strip and Beyond, which is an intelligent, accurate account of the creation and legacy of the Las Vegas Strip. Click on the link for more information about this best-selling book, or just buy it from amazon.com. --------------------------
In his own words: "To answer the biggest question I get, no, I don't gamble. I know the odds and, having spent more hours than I care to remember watching people gambling, it doesn't excite me at all. So why do I study gambling? Because the industry and the interactions fascinate me. "Las Vegas is an interesting place to live, and my job gives me a good window on the city. In a typical day, I might go from talking about gambling books with a system player to answering a question from a reporter from a major newspaper to meeting with casino executives. So I think I can bring a unique perspective on the industry and the people who make it work." To learn more about Dr. Schwartz, go here. ---------------------------- The unofficial Casino[ptz] mascot
It's the mystery mammal, of course. Dave is currrently developing a "Mystery Mammals" cartoon idea. Hey, if "Father of the Pride" works, maybe animal cartoons will become the next big thing. ------------------------------ Just because Dave just likes these images, and hopes you do as well.
It's always important to remember your roots. Dave has chosen this image to constantly remind him just where he came from. It is a heraldic crest gone wrong.
Oh yeah, Dave also likes to see his name in lights. This is a genuine, non-photoshopped image...or is it?
Casino carpet is almost (but not quite) abstract art. This is from a real casino floor in a real Las Vegas Strip casino. Guess where and win a prize!
Here are some closing thoughts from Orff's Carmina Burana, "Fortuna, Imperatrix Mundi" (Fortune, Empress of the World): O Fortune, Somehow I don't think you'll find that in any casino advertisements. But Carmina Burana would be a great casino show, particularly sectons 2 and 3, which deal explicitly with gambling, drinking, debauchery, and sex. The opera is almost an adaptation of the 13th century version of "what happens in Vegas (or, in this case, Beuren), stays in Vegas. Certainly it has all the elements of a great revue extravaganza. |
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