Maine casino vote

As election day approaches, debate over a proposal to permit Indian casinos in main continues. From the Press Herald:

Voting yes would enact the Maine Tribal Gaming Act. A provision in the act that allows minors to play bazaar games at the casino resort has come under fire in TV ads and at a Casinos No! rally Tuesday.
About two dozen moms, some with their children, held anti-casino signs and spoke up against a plan they said would create a 'kiddie casino.'
The gaming act allows minors to work in the casino. Minors who don't work for the casino would not be able to go on the casino floor, but the act would allow minors to participate in bazaar and arcade games. Bazaar games are defined as those that rely on luck more than skill, and award merchandise, not money.
'We want our kids to grow up with sound values and good role models, and this casino is not where you'll find them,' said Samuelson, a Freeport resident.
Penobscot Chief Barry Dana and former Gov. Kenneth Curtis plan to hold a press conference today to discuss the kiddie casino claims.
In a press release Tuesday, Dana said the tribe will not allow or encourage children to gamble. 'They will have an area to play in with games that are no different from arcades or fairs,' he said.
Campaign manager Erin Lehane said the tribes would not have a separate arcade area, and that the tribes merely want to hold a carnival on the grounds.
Edie Leary of Casinos No!, said the tribal gaming act allows more than a carnival. 'She's not describing what's in the bill,' she said.
The pro-casino group Think About It stressed economic opportunities at its press conference, held at the Portland Business Center.
Lehane said the tribes pledged to commit more than $100 million for Maine goods and services if the casino resort is built. She said the tribes would give preference to Maine-owned companies when obtaining services, even if the same services or products were available for less out of state.
FULL STORY

The casino proposed would be huge:

According to a study commissioned by casino supporters, a casino with 4,000 slot machines and 180 gaming tables would generate close to $500 million in revenues its first year and more than $600 million by its fifth year.

You can read more about this in the Boston Globe.
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posted by Dave at 3:33 PM

Welcome to Vegas, enjoy your stay

Getting the VIP treatment is one of the best things about Las Vegas. Ornate hotels surround their guests with everything they desire. Of course, if you are already a celebrity, it must be that much richer, right?
Being part of a major awards show must be an absolute thrill, but nothing compared to the joys of returning to your room to find your personal possessions have been rifled through and/or thefted. The genie of the Aladdin apparently made more than things like casino revenue and room rates vanish, as two guests of the Radio Music Awards there discovered:

Nelly and Michelle Branch Burglarized in Las Vegas: "LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 28, 2003--Last night, multi-platinum recording artists Nelly (Cornell Haynes) and Michelle Branch's hotel rooms at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas were burglarized while they attended the Radio Music Awards. Mr. Haynes claims that over $1 million dollars worth of jewelry was taken from his room while Ms. Branch claims that computer equipment was stolen from her room. Reports have been filed with the local police department and a police investigation is currently under way. "

How did this probably happen? The best guest is a simple push-door theft. Often, when guests leave their hotel room, air pressure prevents the door from closing completely. It is no secret that groups of push-door theives have been working the Strip for years--in fact, Metro tries their best to educate visitors about the problem.

This is great news for people who are looking for a new laptop or some bling and don't want to pay retail, but very bad for hotel guests who happen to value their personal property. Don't let push-door theft happen to you--make absolutely sure the door is closed behind you.
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posted by Dave at 10:19 AM