Casino [ptz]
formerly the Gaming Studies Weblog

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Friday, April 16, 2004

Clandestine gambling raided

Floating craps games used to be common sites in major American cities. With the rise of the antigambling movement in the late 1940s, though, public pressure forced police to enforce antigambling statutes more vigilantly, and illegal gambling receded to (mostly) numbers and bookmaking. But old habits die hard, as Baltimore gamblers discovered this week when the police raided an undercover gambling operation on that city's east side. From InsideBaltimore.com:

Police found 25 men involved a craps game Wednesday at C-Low Clothing on East Monument Street. Investigators had been tipped off about the game and had been staking out the store.
Police found 40-thousand dollars in cash and gave appearance tickets to the gamblers.

Everything that is old is new again. What, these people couldn't drive the three hours to AC to play craps?
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posted by Dave at 2:14 PM

Thursday, April 15, 2004

College gambling isn't all that bad...allegedly

A recent Harvard study found that gambling isn't as much of a problem on college campuses as previous studies have suggested. From the LV SUN:

In a study finished late in 2003 and publicly released in March, professors Richard LaBrie, Howard Shaffer, Debi LaPlante and Henry Wechsler used data from a 2001 national survey of college students to determine the students' gambling behavior.

According to the survey, 42 percent of college students gambled in the past year, while 2.6 percent of students gambled at least weekly during the school year.

Those numbers compare with the most recent survey of adult gambling patterns, which found that 82 percent of adults gambled during the past year, while 23 percent of surveyed adults said they gambled weekly.

The findings "do not indicate that college students are a group at increased risk for gambling problems compared with their adult counterparts," the NCRG noted in a statement.

The professors also concluded that the number of students who were disordered gamblers "isn't likely to be higher than the" 2.6 percent of students who reported gambling at least once a week during their school years.

Past studies that suggested college students are at high risk for gambling-related problems suffered from several shortcomings, the survey said.

Harvard study says college gambling worries overblown

So problem gambling might have roughly the same prevalence in college populations as the general population. Who would've thought?
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Amazon update: I finally found out how to update the Suburban Xanadu info on amazon MYSELF, so I went ahead and did it. Look for some strong new content in a few business days. And please, if you liked the book, review it. It would be a great help to me.
Also, if you've got some kind of Vegas list (as in listmania), consider adding SX.
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posted by Dave at 5:57 PM

Wednesday, April 14, 2004

Don't be afraid, the clown's afraid too

previously titled "These big floppy shoes were made for walking"
NOTE: I thought that the Nancy Sinatra reference was OK, but the Charles Mingus reference was about 1000 times more obscure and therefore, for those who get it, far more rewarding.

Being a clown is no laughing matter, especially in tough economic times. Up in Reno, Circus Circus just fired their two clowns, citing "corporate policy." From the Reno Gazette-Journal:

The clowns, Cuddles and Canoli, are the latest casualties in a round of layoffs of upper- and middle-management at the casino, which has suffered significant financial losses during the past year. The resort’s hotel director, hotel manager, entertainment director and publicist have all been let go in recent months, a corporate spokesman confirmed.

The two actors portraying the clowns were Circus Circus veterans earning full-time salaries and benefits. They had performed as a team for a decade, they said.

Send out the clowns

Apparently, Cuddles was already in makeup when she was told to "just sign here." Cuddles said that "the pink slip was especially surprising because she had just been given a raise that week, along with expensive new clown shoes."
Good news, though, as the clowns will be hired back on a contract basis. The thought of a clown named "Canoli" intrigues me, I've got to admit.
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posted by Dave at 4:32 PM

Tuesday, April 13, 2004

"Mobbed up"

As a historian who studies gaming, one of the phrases I truly despise is "mobbed up." People dismiss the early years of Nevada's casino industry by saying it was "mobbed up," but don't offer any proof or examine what that means. With the advent of Wall Street capital, the era of "mobbed up" casinos apparently declined, but it has come back with a vengeance in Illinois. From Newsday:

CHICAGO -- It sounds like a can't-miss deal -- a new casino within sight of one of the world's busiest airports.

But gambling regulators' decision to allow the casino in a suburban town whose mayor may -- or may not -- have ties to organized crime has set off an investigation and a storm of criticism, with critics on both sides setting a record for use of the term "mobbed-up" in a public debate.

At issue is a plan to build a casino in Rosemont, next to O'Hare Airport and its millions of travelers per year.

Developers and politicians are positively drooling over the prospect of billions in profits and tax revenue.

But now, the only people who seem happy about the mess are gambling opponents.

"I call it the briar patch," said the Rev. Tom Grey, an anti-gambling activist. "Everyone who touches this gets stuck."

The firestorm was touched off March 15 when the Illinois Gaming Board chose Mississippi-based Isle of Capri Casinos to build in Rosemont, arguing its bid of $518 million and the site's potential to tap into the convention and travel market, and the Chicago population were best for the state.

But the board acted over the recommendation of its own staff, which was worried about accusations that Rosemont Mayor Don Stephens, a longtime political powerbroker, had mob ties. The staff also had concerns about Isle of Capri's finances.

Company executives have insisted their finances are healthy and the mayor has denied he is a crook, but Illinois' attorney general suggested both may be unsuitable for a casino and has threatened to kill the deal.

Newsday.com - AP National News

I know this is old news, but the image of a mobbed-up briar patch was irresistable.
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posted by Dave at 3:58 PM

Monday, April 12, 2004

Lights out on the Strip

I returned to Las Vegas from my East Coast jaunt late Saturday night and found my alarm clock blinking. "Great," I thought, "The lights went out." The minimalist contents of my fridge looked OK, so after resetting the clock I put it out of my mind. But then I heard about the great Bellagio power outage, and it occured to me that the two might be connected, because I live about 2 blocks down Flamingo Road from the Strip. Yes, a $1.6 billion resort casino, which should have been equipped for any contingencies, is still without power (as of Monday morning) for reasons that have not been adequately explained. From the LVRJ:

The source of the outage, which caused brief power lapses at Paris Las Vegas and Monte Carlo, was a mystery Sunday, though a story was circulating among guests that it was caused by a semi-truck accident on Interstate 15.

"That is one of the early stories," said MGM Mirage spokeswoman Jenn Michaels, who said Nevada Power officials initially blamed the outage on the automobile accident. "We haven't heard anything at all to verify that story."

Nevada Power spokesman Edgar Patino said Sunday that the power outages at the Strip resorts were "an internal problem" that had nothing to do with "our equipment." Nevada Power crews left the Bellagio about 8:30 a.m., after determining there was nothing they could do to remedy the problem, he said.

Michaels said resort officials will find the outage's origin, but on Sunday they focused on fixing the problem and trying to minimize inconveniences for guests, most of whom had to re-book rooms at another hotel with Bellagio's help. The hotel's 3,000 rooms had been fully booked, but 1,500 guests checked out as scheduled early in the day Sunday, she said.

Bellagio officials were helping 1,500 new guests with room reservations starting Sunday evening find new accommodations at other MGM Mirage properties, including Treasure Island, The Mirage and MGM Grand, Michaels said.

The Bellagio's interior was not completely dark Sunday, thanks to an emergency generator. It provided a dimly lit lobby and casino area, where men with K-9 dogs roamed through the area.

Michaels said the Bellagio probably will be without full power until this evening, but many hotel guests didn't know that late Sunday afternoon when they stood in long lines at the check-in counters.

Nearby, a pianist played soothing songs, including "Memory" and "Send in the Clowns."

A cocktail waitress approached guests and offered them free drinks.

Many guests kept their composure though their vacations got off to a rocky, unexpected start.

"I guess I'll have to go to another casino to lose money," joked Bob Raf, a teacher from Michigan who came to play poker with his son, Brian.

Mystery outage Cripples Bellagio

Hey--Las Vegas is about the unpredictable, and I can think of few things less predictable than hauling your luggage down 20 flights of stairs to check out in semi-darkness.
This is one of those X-Files type mysteries that will probably never be explained. When I worked at the Taj, the power went out a few times, but the backup generators kicked right in. Still, losing power was a definite possibility, and in security we of course had a well-articulated plan for what to do in that event. From all accounts, Bellagio staff handled the disruption relatively smoothly. You can't help but feel bad for the people who spent their hard-earned money on a vacation--or even a wedding--at the Strip's poshest resort only to find themselves without water and electricity.
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posted by Dave at 11:19 AM

Sands of change

As an Atlantic City native, I know that the town is usually a little behind the curve. On more than one occasion, I've trotted out the old time zone joke: "Atlantic City's in a different time zone; when it's 6 o'clock in New York, it's 1981 in Atlantic City."
So it's no surprise that a casino is trying to redefine itself by playing up its connection to the Rat Pack. The Las Vegas Sands was, of course, the legendary haunt of Frank, Dean, and Sammy, and Sinatra played at the Atlantic City Sands. Today, the Sands betting that it can reinvent itself as a hip place to play. From the Phila Inquirer:

The Sands "lacks access to the Boardwalk and the general size and economies of scale you need to compete effectively in a new era," said Michael J. Pollock, publisher of Gaming Industry Observer.

Although the Atlantic City casino industry's revenue increased 3 percent last year to nearly $4.5 billion - a record - the Sands suffered huge losses despite a strategy to boost profits by increasing slot machines and phasing out table games.

Net revenue dropped $193 million to $170 million. Gross operating profit slid from more than $21.1 million to about $12.8 million.

The Sands has been marketing itself as "the players' place" - the casino offering the best gambling value in town with the best table-game payoff percentages and highest bet limits.

In November, it hosted the "Showdown at the Sands" million-dollar poker tournment, televised on cable's Fox Sports Net.

A pit for high rollers is scheduled for completion in early June, as part of a $23.5 million capital budget this year.

Interim president George Toth said there were plans to add four more table games and expand the poker room from 16 to 20 tables.

"We give you a personal touch," said Toth, who typically roams the casino floor to gladhand with customers.

The Sands is also trying to integrate the old with the new to survive.

The old Sands logo was touched up with a triangular symbol filled with a galaxy of stars. In a major makeover last summer, the Copa Room's interior was redone in mauve, with the booths reupholstered and the room repainted. And the $3.5 million Swingers lounge - an open bar in the middle of the casino floor - debuted during the Fourth of July weekend.

"The purpose of this was really a retention tool," said Richard P. Brown, chief executive officer of the Sands, as he gave a tour of Swingers. "So when people take a break from gaming, they have a place to have a drink and socialize."

Other projects include the conversion of three dozen standard bedrooms into 17 high-end suites. The casino floor's slot machines will go fully coinless this year, and new ones are being added.

Casino goes for Rat Pack Renaissance

This is great, and I know that the Sands executive team has really been working at it. But I've got two comments that might not go over so well on Brighton Park.
1) First, the Pacific Avenue facade needs to be redone as soon as possible. If you haven't seen it, this image does not do it full justice, but gives you an idea.
2) The movie Swingers came out in 1996. It's a great movie--one of my personal favorites. I think the scene where Mikey calls the girl back after he gets home from the club is one of the best ever. But it is eight years old, and I think that maybe most of popular culture has moved onto something else. But a dated new image is better than no image at all, I guess.
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posted by Dave at 9:34 AM

Gaming Studies@UNLV | Casino [ptz] | Archives | Email

I am the maker of rules, dealing with fools/I can cheat you blind

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.

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You can't win money here, but you can take a quiz or two.

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...

Gambling quiz

(view the Scoreboard)

This quiz features ten questions about gambling, mostly in casinos.

2. Do you know casino history?

Take the...

Suburban Xanadu quiz

(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.

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Read about strange slots and more.

Classic posts

Bashing the Donald

Betting on cheating

Las Vegas bites!

What happens in Vegas...

Porn or advertising?

New Jerseyans talk funny?

Mystery Creature from Maryland
Update: Mystery solved

Seven questions

Dave's book quoted in Parliament

Bird gets Trumped
(Fuzzy Zoeller unleashed)

Merger update, 7/04

A game called hope

Casino blocking monument?

Slots, urban design, and destination dreams

BJ by the sea

News of the Inane

Dogs not playing poker

My book is a buzz word

Mega merger mania

Stripped of dignity?

Of sleaze and goldmines

The Real Addicts

WSOP thoughts ('04)

Sweet Georgia busted

Secret to a long life

Don't be afraid, the clown's afraid too

Failed casino marketing

Out of this world?

It's a Hard Rock Life

Hastert blasts casinos/2 tiger tales

Russian Regulation?

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In Memoriam

Claude Trenier

Shannon Bybee

Si Redd

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These bloggers are in the Casino[ptz] club.

Other blogs

Alberta Gaming Research Institute Library

Bill Barol's Blather

Love and Casino War

Online Casino Legalization Blog

Poker Babe's
Game Journal

Presence of Mind

PokerProf's Pokerblog

Email Dave if you want him to add your blog.

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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.

Atlantic City, NJ-you can see Dave's home in this photo, but he won't say where.

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.

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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.

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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.

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Just because

Dave just likes these images, and hopes you do as well.

You'll find strange non-sequiturs in many Las Vegas casinos, but none as heart-warming (literally) as this dragon. He once belched flames and terrifying townsfolk, but now he stands watch over some nickel progressives.

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,
like the moon
you are changeable,
ever waxing
and waning;
hateful life
first oppresses
then soothes
as fancy takes it;
poverty and power,
it melts them like ice.

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.

people have panned, tilted and zoomed since July 2004.