BJ21.com Newsletter
February 10, 2011       110210

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Compiled by Al Rogers
 Al@bj21.com


Wynn Resorts swings to profit in fourth quarter


Wynn Resorts Ltd. of Las Vegas today posted a fourth-quarter profit, reversing a loss in the year-ago quarter, thanks to revenue increases in Macau and Las Vegas.

Wynn Las Vegas executive found dead


A Wynn Las Vegas executive was found dead in a luxury high-rise community late Wednesday night, sources said.

Agreement with lenders gives Hard Rock time to deal with debt

The owner of the 1,500-room Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas today said it's reached a "standstill" agreement with lenders that extends through Feb. 28 -- a deal giving the property some breathing room to deal with its hefty debt and liabilities totaling $1.4 billion.

New Jersey Casino Control Commissioner Michael C. Epps resigns


ATLANTIC CITY — New Jersey Casino Control Commission board member Michael C. Epps resigned Wednesday, creating another vacancy on a regulatory agency that is losing much of its power in an overhaul by Gov. Chris Christie.

Bellagio Casino Robbery Suspect Anthony M. Carleo in Court

A tipster told police the suspect in a $1.5 million heist of a Bellagio craps table had mused about pulling off the dramatic stickup and said he would get away with it by selling some chips and slowly gambling away the others, according to a police report.

Nevada Casinos Rebound From Worst Year Ever


Nevada casinos posted a win in 2010, albeit just a slight one, as gambling and tourism rebounded for the first time since the recession.

Man accused in nationwide scam lost millions at Las Vegas casinos, officials say

A Utah man implicated in a $275 million scam victimizing consumers nationwide gambled away and lost millions of dollars at Las Vegas casinos and by playing Internet poker, investigators say.

Reno couple wins $2.2M whistle-blower lawsuit against IGT

A Reno couple has been awarded more than $2.2 million by a federal court jury in a whistle-blower lawsuit against slot maker International Game Technology.

Casino opponents call for referendum


The anti-casino coalition Vancouver Not Vegas says Vancouver doesn’t need the Edgewater Casino to triple in size.

Montana lawmaker wants to legalize blackjack


MT State Representative Tony Belcourt (D-Box Elder) wants to legalize blackjack in Montana to help fund social services.

Penn National assumes ownership of M Resort and casino


LAS VEGAS - Business at the M Resort may already be benefitting from the deal that has Penn National assuming ownership of the hotel and casino that was created by the Marnell family.

Promoters roll dice on concert acts at Nevada, Tahoe casinos

RENO - Casino floors aren't the only places in northern Nevada where gambling occurs; concert promoters roll the dice every time they book a show.

CityCenter cutting labor by not filling vacant jobs ...


LAS VEGAS - MGM Resorts International is aiming to boost the flagging fortunes of its $8.5 billion CityCenter development on the Strip, in part by reducing its biggest expense: labor.

... Silk Road restaurant to close, grocery store to open at CityCenter’s Vdara

LAS VEGAS - The Vdara hotel-condo tower at CityCenter is closing its only restaurant in light of a small grocery store opening at the property.

Executive: No plans in place for stalled Fontainebleau project on Las Vegas Strip

A representative of the owner of the Fontainebleau property on the Las Vegas Strip told gaming regulators Wednesday that there’s still no plan to complete construction of the dormant 68-story, 3,889-room building.

Some wonder what fate awaits frames of stopped-in-progress Strip projects


In Laughlin, a few miles up Casino Drive from the cluster of the town's resorts, sits the hulking shell of what was to have been the Emerald River, an $800 million hotel, casino, golf and resort complex.

Rules may allow wagering on events other than sports, but don't bet on it

Nevada regulators recently overturned the rules restricting wagering on non sporting events, paving the way for sports books to begin taking bets on things such as who will win the Oscar for best picture or who will be the next "American Idol" winner.

Gaming board chairman says more casino bankruptcies expected


CARSON CITY – The chairman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board says he expects more casino bankruptcies in the stagnant economy.

Board may cut 18 gaming regulators


Nevada gambling regulators would cut $4.2 million in spending and eliminate 18 jobs by 2013 despite concerns by some that the state's regulatory capability is falling behind other jurisdictions, a gaming control official told legislators Tuesday.

Fitzgeralds renovation in Reno: 'a multi, multi-million dollar project'

RENO - The developer who built the world-class Montage condominium project from the bare steel bones of the original Reno Sahara, says his building standards will remain top notch for the renovation of the former Fitzgeralds casino, which will include the world’s tallest rock-climbing wall.

Station Casinos Rebranding After Rough Years


LAS VEGAS - Station Casinos says they are launching Nevada's largest gaming advertising campaign. Stations is rebounding from bankruptcy, and the company hopes their "We Love Locals" push will bring some love, and profits, their way.

NFL Forces Vegas Station to Spike Super Bowl Ads for Casino


LAS VEGAS - The NFL forced the Fox affiliate station here to dump $360,000 in advertisements for a casino conglomerate minutes before Sunday's kickoff for Super Bowl XLV, the latest maneuver in an ongoing battle between the football league and the nation's gambling capital.

Nevadan at Work: It's always been about numbers for gaming consultant


Ever since he was a child Jacob Oberman has been fascinated by numbers, whether they were in a baseball box score or dealt during a hand of blackjack.


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



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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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