BJ21.com Newsletter
May 16, 2008 080516
Presented as a public service
by BJ21.com, the leading source of accurate
information about casino games and conditions. Our free
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Compiled by Al
Rogers
Al@bj21.com
Gaming
board sets hearing on forced sale of Greektown Casino
The Michigan Gaming Control Board on Tuesday set a June 10 show-cause
hearing to decide whether to order a forced sale of Greektown Casino
L.L.C. because the casino isn’t hitting prescribed financial
goals. Thanks to advantage player
attorney and friend Robert Loeb
for submitting the above link.
Las Vegas Woman Hits Jackpot, Casino refuses to pay
Fiesta Henderson refuses to pay a million-dollar jackpot based on
alleged "machine malfunction."
Thanks to the Wizard of Odds for
submitting the above link. The Wizard has opened a new website, www.SweatTheMoney.com
Tropicana's former owners seek return of casino license
TRENTON, N.J. - Six months after they were run out of town, and with
the search for a new owner nearing the finish line, the former owners
of the Tropicana Casino and Resort tried Tuesday to get their casino
license back and stop the sale of the property.
Tropicana Entertainment boss may lose influence -- Analyst: Creditors
will push for LV hotel's sale
LAS VEGAS - When Kentucky-based hotelier Bill Yung III took ownership
of the Tropicana a mere 16 months ago, a $2.5 billion redevelopment of
the 34-acre property was envisioned with five towers and 10,000 rooms.
Now, with his gaming subsidiary Tropicana Entertainment bankrupt, he
may be lucky to hold onto the Strip property, some industry watchers
say.
Atlantic
City: What's changed in 30 years after casinos
ATLANTIC CITY - The ads were titled "Help Yourself, Help Atlantic City,
Help New Jersey," and they made a series of promises, if only voters
would pull the "yes" lever to legalize casino gambling.
Vegas slump hits Station Casinos -- With operations concentrated here,
its fate closely tied to local economy
Station Casinos has historically reaped impressive gains by putting
most of its eggs in one basket.
Former county manager returns to philanthropic roots at Harrah's
If the name of the executive director of the Harrah's Foundation sounds
familiar, there's a good reason. The socially conscious Thom Reilly was
thrust into the public eye as the county manager of Clark County from
June 2001 until August 2006.
Hard
landing: Casino slowly being demolished
More than a year after closing, the Nevada Landing is history. Since
mid-February, MGM Mirage has been slowly demolishing the Jean casino,
which was to make way for a master-planned mixed-use development. As of
last week, only the Nevada Landing marquee remained.
Lawmakers ask attorney general to determine if gambling board violated
the law
HARRISBURG, PA - Several state House Republicans today asked the
attorney general to investigate whether top officials of the
Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board violated any law by allegedly
directing investigators to change the background report of Poconos
casino owner Louis DeNaples.
Owner
explains decision to keep track closed
FRONTENAC, Kan. — Phil Ruffin Sr., owner of Camptown Greyhound Park,
said he scuttled plans to reopen the track after he determined that
state requirements would make it too difficult to turn a profit.
Vegas
man indicted on lewdness charge
LAKE TAHOE - A 39-year-old Las Vegas man is to appear Tuesday before
District Judge Dave Gamble on a lewdness charge after a casino cocktail
waitress said he put his hand under her skirt and ran his hand between
her legs.
Local
casinos vie with Vegas as gamblers pull back
NEW YORK - As travel costs continue to rise, some analysts say
closer-to-home regional casinos might attract gamblers away from
"destination" gaming centers like Las Vegas and Atlantic City.
Economic woes hurt
U.S. casinos -- Lobbyist: 2008 could be most challenging year
In the 10 years that the American Gaming Association has been tracking
the facts and figures produced by the nation's commercial casino
industry, gaming revenues have climbed more than 73 percent. The
Washington, D.C.-based lobbying group's leader acknowledged Wednesday,
however, that 2008 might be the industry's most challenging year. With
the nation's economy in a tailspin and spending and confidence levels
of consumers reaching all-time lows, the nation's casino companies are
feeling squeezed.
Off-Strip hotels
push harder -- Hooters, Hard Rock, LV Hilton spend more on promotion to
draw patrons
LAS VEGAS - Three off-Strip properties are addressing the economic
pinch by increasing promotional spending, although they are taking
separate approaches to cost-cutting efforts.
The
Wynn sues Barkley, claims $400,000 gambling debts unpaid -- NBA legend,
a self-described gambling addict, will have a chance to repay
Wynn Las Vegas filed a lawsuit in District Court on Wednesday to force
former National Basketball Association star Charles Barkley to pay back
$400,000 in gambling markers the casino alleges it extended him last
year.
The Bear Growls
Long-time Las Vegas-based advantage player, casino critic, and frequent
BJ21.com
contributor LVBear offers his opinions on things that sometimes go
wrong in the world of casinos.
Current and past growls can be read and comments posted at LVBear's
website, TheBearGrowls.com
No Holes Barred -- presented by Pi Yee Press. Tony Dalben discusses
his involvement in a frightening case of casino abuse of the judicial
system.
Tony Dalben is famous for being part of a Nevada Supreme Court case
that defines the line between legal hole-card play and cheating. He
spoke at a Las Vegas Green Chip party. We filmed his 35-minute
presentation, and it is available as a DVD.
Tony Dalben and his partner, Steven Einbinder, were playing blackjack
at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas in 1983. A sloppy dealer was checking
the hole card under aces and 10s in a way that Dalben could see it.
Dalben signaled his knowledge of the hole card to Einbinder, who was
betting large.
Rather than correcting or replacing the dealer, the casino chose to
involve the Gaming Control Board, whose agents arrested Dalben and
Einbinder. The two were charged with various felonies. After the case
was dismissed, the prosecutors appealed. The case went to the Nevada
Supreme Court, which vindicated Dalben and Einbinder. The Nevada
Supreme Court said: "... the evidence showed that respondent Dalben was
lawfully seated at his position at the blackjack table, that he did not
use any artificial device to aid his vision, and that he was able to
see the dealer's hole card solely because of the admittedly sloppy play
of the dealer. Respondent Dalben then communicated his information to
respondent Einbinder. The district court ruled that respondents'
conduct did not constitute a violation of the cheating statutes. We
agree." Dalben subsequently sued the Golden Nugget.
In the DVD, Dalben explains what happened and how the case affected his
life during the five years it made its way through the Nevada judicial
system. The DVD concludes with a question and answer session moderated
by Stanford Wong. The price is $29.95 plus shipping (plus sales
tax if
sent to a Nevada address). To order No Holes Barred, click here.
BJ21.com
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If you are serious about beating casinos, you like to talk about it
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Current Blackjack News
On the 1st and 2nd of every month, a couple dozen Pi Yee Press
reporters visit casinos around the United States to check on the
blackjack rules and playing conditions. Five of those reporters split
up Las Vegas and visit every casino in town. Any changes in rules and
playing conditions that they find, they email to the CBJN editor, who
compiles them into a newsletter that is published late in the afternoon
on the 3rd. That report is available as a single issue, your choice of
e-mail or regular mail. The price of a single issue is $13 for
electronic or $16 for regular mail. Sample issue of Current Blackjack News.
You can subscribe to download CBJN from the BJ21 web site. The price is
$27 per quarter (three issues) or $89 per year (twelve issues) by
Visa/MC/AmEx with automatic renewal. Minimum subscription is one
quarter. To order Current Blackjack News, click here.
Beat the Players - Casinos, Cops and the
Game Inside the Game, by Bob Nersesian
This
book should be read by everyone who sets foot in a casino: average
casino patrons, skilled players, casino employees, and anyone else. It
should be required reading for police officers, regulators, other
public officials, and attorneys who may represent any of the
aforementioned.
Bob
Nersesian is an attorney who represents victims of casino wrongdoing
against patrons. In an enjoyable writing style, he takes a look at the
often too-cozy relationship between casinos, police, and regulators. He
discusses specific cases and dispenses sound, practical advice that
patrons, casinos and public officials would be wise to heed. Cases
discussed are from Nevada and other jurisdictions.
Chapters
include: Your Money or Your Liberty; Scary Cop Statements; They'll Take
Your Liberty Anyway; Gaming Agents Speak; The Take of the State; Rules
for Casino Patrons; Gambling at the Legal Limits; Cops Hate Card
Counters; Griffin Investigations; Casinos Cheat With Impunity; A
Judicial and Government Overlay; Finding a Nickel Brings Trouble; Names
and Aliases; The Security Office and Surveillance Functions, and
Casinos and Cops.
Appendices
include Nevada Cheating and Detention Laws with Commentary; Other
Nevada Gaming Laws of Interest; Gaming Cases of Interest, and Nevada
Gaming Regulations with Commentary.
The
320-page book includes a bibliography and an index.
The
price is $19.95 plus shipping (plus sales tax if sent to a Nevada
address). Green Chip
members get their normal 10% discount.
To order Beat the Players, click here
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