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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 Friday, October 11, 2002 SITE NOTES
Nothing to report on the site itself, but I've been super busy. I attended the Casino Legends Hall of Fame Induction at the Tropicana, and it was great. It's good that they are honoring those who have contributed to the rise of the industry. I've also been talking to media from around the country, including both print and radio in Boston, on two unrelated topics. Talk about synchronicity. I might be on CNN next week--you'll definitely see an update here. The Neon Survey is continuing to be put together. This is going to be the hardest grind of the whole project, as Josh and I will have to somehow get 700+ pages, and 3000+ photos, boiled down into a comprehensive, yet readable, web product. On to the news.... LAS VEGAS, NEVADA: NV WIN UP, GAMING DOWN MOSTLY EVERYWHERE ELSE Nevada's gaming win is better, thanks to strong bacc numbers. Story here from the LVRJ. Missouri numbers are off. Story here. Iowa's revenue numbers have also tumbled. Story here. Casino insiders are buying and selling large amounts of their own stock. What does it all mean? Check this story to see. Why is gaming revenue off? Hurricanes? Maybe. Terrorist fears? Possibly. Or maybe the industry isn't as recession-proof as has been generally assumed. It could be that with less discretionary income, Americans are gambling less. Or the recent decline might just be a momentary slackening of Americans' seemingly unstoppable desire to gamble. When the final numbers for 2002 are out, there will be some interesteding crunching done. MEXICO CITY, MEXICO: NO CASINOS YET Is Mexico legalizing gambling? Possibly maybe, but probably not. Story here. ATLANTIC CITY, NJ: CCC IS 25 YEARS OLD Yes, that's right. A quarter-century of gaming regulation "down the shore." Story here from the AC Press. Dave's angle: In the news coverage of this event, former CCC Chair James Hurley vindicated the thesis of my upcoming book, Suburban Xanadu: '"The legislation was a mistake," Hurley said, in that the Casino Control Act required casinos to become "contained little cities" with required amounts of hotel, retail, dining and convention space.'-AC Press That is so cool, I can't even think about it. I knew that I was on the right track, and it's edifying to finally have someone say that I am, even if they haven't actually read my book. I should contact Hurley to write a blurb for the back. And that's all I've got to say about that.
Wednesday, October 09, 2002 SITE NOTES
According to alexa.com, which ranks websites, gaming.unlv.edu is the 18,565th most popular site on the internet. Yahoo.com is number one. Only 11 sites link to us, though, which I'm a little disapponited about. I'd like to get more sites linking in, being as this IS the worldwide leader in gaming studies research. So, visitors, I've got two small requests: If you have a site, link to this one, and if you don't, please visit Alexa to write a review. Thiis might help the site get more exposure, which might lead to me getting some more funding, which might lead to site upgrades--an upward cycle of benefits for everyone. I've got the template for the neon surveys done--now all I need is the raw survey data, and the 2000+ photos, and I'm ready to rock. Look for this exhibit real soon. Anyone know anything about the Meridian at Hughes Center in LV? I'm thinking of moving there, and I'd like to learn anything I can about the place. Email me at dgs@unlv.edu. Any help, advice would be greatly appreciated. If one of the pages on this site isn't working, also email right away, and I'll TCO (security slang for "take care of" it ASAP). LAS VEGAS, NV: RETAIL GOOD, CASINO STOCKS BAD They will continue to build retail space on the Strip. Story here from the LV Sun. Casino stocks are slumping slightly. Story here from the LV Sun. ATLANTIC CITY, NJ: THE PRICE OF EXPANSION The Trop is laying off restaurant workers while they renovate their facade and eateries. Story here from the AC Press. Remember this site's rank? 18,565? How about this--Atlantic City Press, Avg. Traffic Rank: 3,849,900. Go figure. That's all I've got to say about that.
Monday, October 07, 2002 SITE NOTES
I'm virtually done the online exhibit for the neon survey. All I have left is the small task of formatting and selecting images for the 80+ surveys. Piece of cake. Are you a leasing agent in the Las Vegas area? Or a realtor? Know one? If you are, or you do, and you'd like to help me out, send me an email at dgs@unlv.edu. I'm looking for a new place to live. If you want to know why, check the 9/26 weblog...it'll give you a good idea. I'm thinking Southwest or South Las Vegas, maybe one of the buildings on DI. BILOXI, MS: CASINOS ASSESS DAMAGE From the hurricanes and tropical storms, that is. Story here from the LV Sun. LAS VEGAS, NV: WYNN'S IPO Steve Wynn is selling about 1/3 of the equity in Le Reve, and you can buy it! Story here from the LV Sun. LONDON, ENGLAND: NO NEW CASINOS FOR NOW Plans to expand the British casino market by allowing virtually unrestricted gaming have been tabled for the time being. Story here from the LV Sun. ATLANTIC CITY, NJ: CASINO LAWYERS No, I don't have a punchline...or even a joke. Story here from the AC Press. LAS VEGAS, NV (EXTRA): WWE RAW SPINS THE WHEEL AT THE THOMAS AND MACK CENTER Yes, just next door to the GSRC suite in Lied Library, Tommy Dreamer, Booker T, Chris Jericho, and all the Raw Superstars collide! It's Raw Roulette, somehow played on a Big 6 wheel. That's what I love about mainstream media and entertainment coverage of gambling...they always get it a little wrong. You've got guys rolling snake eyes in blackjack, card counters getting thrown off a craps game, and vertical roulette wheels. When I heard Eric Bischoff refer to the Big 6 wheel as "roulette," I just cringed. I'm expected to here the words "Sin City" and "HLA" about 1 or 10 times. More of the same. Seriously, I'm going to be in the crowd tonight. It's almost 4pm here right now. I've got a good view of the arena from here, and the ring rats are already lining up around the tunnel to get a glimpse of the wrestlers. Am I the only one who has a job? I can understand making the time to go to the show, but anyone who has hours to spend outside of an arena hoping to look at someone driving a rental car has way too much time on their hands. I worked a few WCW shows in LA as arena security, and I have some great stories about pulling tunnel protection duty. By the way, if anyone connected to the WWE or their local promoters reads this and would like to hook me up with some comps next time the show is in town, I'd be grateful, and I'd do an in-depth feature right here on the weblog. You can't beat that. One day, perhaps, when business picks up the WWE casino idea will be developed, and it is my highest aspriation to be called in as a consultant on that one. And that's all I've got to say about that.
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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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