BJ21.com Newsletter
July 9, 2010       100709

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Compiled by Al Rogers
 Al@bj21.com


Debt case dropped against Vegas casino high-roller ...

LAS  VEGAS - Criminal charges are dropped and civil lawsuits are stopped in Nevada involving a high-rolling Nebraska gambler accused of failing to pay $14.75 million in debts to Las Vegas casinos. A Clark County District Court judge on Thursday accepted a confidential deal between a prosecutor and lawyers for 53-year-old Terrance "Terry" Watanabe.

... High roller strikes deal with Harrah's over $14.7 million gambling debt 

(Nevada State Gaming) Control Board Chairman Dennis Neilander said Thursday that regulators are moving forward with their investigation."We are not finished," he said. "Our investigation is ongoing." Neilander declined to give a timetable on when the state's probe would be completed, but he said the dismissal of the criminal charges against Watanabe removes an obstacle to their case. Neilander has previously said the control board would not take any action against Harrah's, if needed, until the criminal case was resolved.


Nevada gaming revenues decline 4.7 percent in May -- Baccarat hold percentage drags down May totals

According to figures released Wednesday by the Gaming Control Board, gaming revenues statewide were almost $847.2 million in May, compared with nearly $889.2 million casinos collected in May 2009.

Blackjack, poker, roulette debut in Pa.

PITTSBURGH - It was time to fold 'em or roll 'em. "Welcome to Pennsylvania table games," said Benjamin Hetrick, head of security, summoning the waiting crowd into the middle of the gaming floor at the Rivers Casino here.

Mirage to give Atlantic City $6M. in 15-year-old deal involving aborted plans for the Marina District


ATLANTIC CITY - A casino company that never dealt a single playing card in Atlantic City could help cut the resort's current budget deficit almost in half.

Now it's grow time - Poker tournament said to spur business for Harrah's

LAS VEGAS - Harrah's Entertainment's top executive is not shy about admitting that even he is surprised by the World Series of Poker's explosive growth since 2004.

Former Regency employee arrested

LAUGHLIN — A former employee of the Regency Casino in Laughlin has been arrested on suspicion of embezzlement, burglary and forgery using a computer, according to an official with the Nevada Gaming Control Board.

South Point’s Michael Gaughan gambles on looser slots

LAS VEGAS - As the sole proprietor of the South Point, Michael Gaughan doesn’t have to consult a board of directors, worry about Wall Street, appease shareholders or hold countless management meetings to accomplish his goals. Gaughan says he’s not concerned about how his competitors operate their businesses or what they think about his methods.

8th Circuit backs Meskwaki jurisdiction over non-Indian business


IOWA - The Meskwaki Nation of Iowa can assert jurisdiction over a non-Indian business, the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on Wednesday. Generally, tribes lack jurisdiction over non-Indians. But the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Montana v. US sets out two exceptions to the rule.

Group appeals razing historic, damaged Moulin Rouge 


LAS VEGAS - A group wanting to preserve what's left of the Moulin Rouge hotel has appealed the Las Vegas Historical Preservation Commission vote that cleared the way for the badly damaged structure to be demolished.

Gamblers betting on a lawsuit

Compulsive gamblers are betting an Ontario court will allow them to launch a $3.5-billion class action lawsuit against the Ontario Lottery and Gambling Corporation (OLG) that alleges they were allowed to continue wagering even after they asked to be barred for their own good.

Armed robbery at Black Diamond Casino

An armed robbery last night at a Sioux Falls casino. It happened at Black Diamond Casino at 5113 West 41st Street.

Thanks to Green Chip member nyc pro for providing the above link.

Harrah's jacks Diddy's style, shuts down party before he gets there

Sean "Diddy" Combs never made it inside a July Fourth party at The Pool at Harrah's in Atlantic City because Harrah's ended the event early due a "larger than anticipated" turnout, the hotel said.

Clubbed to Death -- Las Vegas nightclub scene takes a hit with weaker spots closing


The megaclub boom is down to a trickle. From 2004 to 2008, Macy's-sized nightclubs sprouted in Las Vegas to the beat of five per year. Now it's two per year and slowing.

Cache Creek Casino: Traffic, crime, but oh the money -- Cache Creek Casino has brought some prosperity to the region, but the grand jury noted the negatives in its report.


CALIFORNIA - The Cache Creek Casino Resort attracted patrons who fueled the economy, which led to improved emergency services, but ultimately traffic congestion, noise, and crime beyond remediation, according to a 2009-10 Yolo County grand jury report.

Labor board rules against Foxwoods -- Beverage union vote to be held under U.S. law

CONNECTICUT - The National Labor Relations Board has ruled a union vote by Foxwoods Resort Casino beverage workers will be governed by U.S. labor law.

Gaming officials say market stagnant

The state Gaming Control Board recommended approval of a slew of new licenses today from an all-star list of Southern Nevada’s biggest casino companies.


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



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. Beat the Players was the subject of a feature in USA Today.

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      .Order Beat the Players.


How to Beat Casino Surveillance e-book by Vinny DeCarlo

    Tapping into his 27 years in the casino industry, many in surveillance, DeCarlo unveils behind-the-scenes information on the strengths and weaknesses of TWENTY-FIVE Las Vegas casinos AND their ability to catch card counters. A master card counter himself, DeCarlo knows how to take advantage of casino loopholes to avoid detection while beating them at their own games. Now you can too with the never-before-published information contained in his book.      What You Get:
    1. Twenty-five specific casino reports summarizing the strengths and weaknesses of each casino's surveillance and security departments, including the casino supervisors working in the pit. With this inside information, you'll know when to play and how to play to avoid detection. (click here for a list of the 25 casinos).
    2. Over two dozen solid tips on how a card counter should play to "fly under the casino radar."
    3. Exclusive insider information on what casino surveillance employees look for when confronted with a suspected card counter.

Note:This is an "e-book" and not a regular paper book. When ordered it will come via email in PDF format.

The price is $99.00.  Green Chip members get their normal 10% discount.    
Order How to Beat Casino Surveillance e-book


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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.

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