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, September 26, 2002 SITE NOTES
I've gotten several new images up in the World Series of Poker gallery--progress on that exhibit is grinding on. After delivering 2 more galleries with photos from the 1979 Tournament, I'll begin working on the annual summaries, and then will at last be finished with this monumental online exhibit. I'm also working with Josh Cannaday to develop an exhibit that will chronicle the Neon Museum's survey of neon signs, phase 1. It will have all the info you ever wanted about the signage of the Las Vegas Strip. Keep the suggestions coming, and let me know if you'd like to volunteer as a subject guide author. ATLANTIC CITY, NJ: MOBSTER ON THE JOB?, AC SPIN ON G2E I just love that headline: MOBSTER ON THE JOB, SAYS DGE. In other words the demolition firm that is dismantling Resorts' North Tower has reputed mob ties. The spin from Resorts was, "We were ahead of schedule, so it doesn't matter." Story here from the AC Press. Also from Absecon Island (well, probably Pleasantville), here's a recap of the Global Gaming Expo. LAS VEGAS, NV: SHOTS FIRED, SLOTS ON THE RISE, ALADDIN COLONY?, RIVIERA IN TROUBLE Here's a breaking story: last night, after a hard day at work, I'm finally asleep in bed, and I'm suddenly woken by what I think are gunshots. I think to myself, it's probably a car back-firing, or someone slammed a door, and I just dreamed it was gunshots. Well in the morning, as I was watching the TV, news, I see my apartment complex plastered on the screen as the scene of a fatal shooting. The moral of the story is, if you think you hear gunshots, they are gunshots. Isn't Vegas great? According to analysts, slot machines are going to do well--put your 401k into IGT!!! Or not. Story here from the LVRJ. Colony Capital, the California-based owners of Resorts in AC, are bidding on the Aladdin. Story here from the LV Sun. The Riviera hotel casino is being sued for sex and age discrimination, and employees are afraid to testify--everywhere! Story here from the LV Sun. That's all for today. Until next time, stay out of sight--I know I will.
Tuesday, September 24, 2002 Bally's is going to fold the Claridge into its operations, creating a mega-casino project. Business and Casino News: The Press of Atlantic City
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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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