Is Las Vegas the Next Detroit?

You are seriously going 2,000 miles to Las Vegas only to bet on sports?

I'm sure you can find a bookie much closer and save the trip.

Not sure how often you go, but it might be wiser to find some friends who are going, give them the money to bet on sports and then you won't have to worry about finding an illegal bookie.

In my opinion, people go to Las Vegas for the same reason they go see movies - it can be surreal and it is a fantasyland where you can be entertained.

 

I stayed at the Orleans 2 weeks ago. I had never stayed there before, but had been there to gamble and got their players card. Got a room rate of something like $120 for Friday, $98 for Saturday and free for Sunday. Room was basic nice, clean, couldn't find anything wrong with it.
Lots of $5 blackjack tables, just one $100 table and maybe two $25, the rest $5. About two-thirds of the casino was open. Last year when we were there my dad said he enjoyed their poker room, and he usually plays at the Bellagio or Mirage. Can't complain about the drink service.
Food options covered every possible choice, from Subway and Sbarro to their top-of-the-line Cajun place and slightly less-expensive Prime Rib Loft, which has become a favorite for me, a full range of beef (14 oz. prime rib cut is $19, a very drinkable zinfandel for $20/bottle). Their 24-hour coffee shop is great, huge menu, everything available 24/7. They also have a sushi place , TGIF, Irish pub, fuddruckers, baskin-robbins. Their French Market buffet is only $14 for dinner and less for lunch (most of the strip is $35 or so), except for wednesday and saturday when it's $18 because they have seafood. They have an all-day buffet pass for $24.
Casino has a movie theater and bowling alley and the Orleans Arena. We went to 2 hockey games. I've been to a thousand NHL games, but never a minor league game. It was a blast.
I didn't see any sleaze element in the place, even though when you're driving there on W. Tropicana you pass several sex shops.

 

Yeah, I went by the new Casino in Des Plains, IL the other day. (Right near O'Hare.) My girlfriend & I were nearby, and we figured we'd check it out.

Physically, it was nice enough. They had a nice center bar, and good buffet, and a couple of nice restaurants. But, the place reeked of desperation. Plus, it was pretty crowded for a Saturday afternoon, and the cheapest minimum for a blackjack table was $15 per hand. (And most were $25.)

I imagine it would be overrun on a Friday or Saturday night, likely with $25 minimums.

Part of what makes Vegas fun is that it's sexy. People are on vacation. They're looking to have a good time. No, i don't like the douche bags or the bottle service night clubs either, but I'd still rather take a weekend trip to Vegas then a day trip to an Indian or local casino.

I lost $100 in 10 minutes. The dealer just slaughtered me. So, we left. In Vegas, if I'm not doing well, there's so much more to do.

If I'm with my girlfriend, we can go to a Cirque du Soleil show, to a nice dinner, do some shopping, and just walk the strip and check out the casinos.

 

This is the weekend my buddies & I used to go every year. Always had a blast.

 

Vegas will turn into a dystopian wasteland within 30 years. Just wait until Lakes Mead and Powell run dry.

 

Thanks for the update, SoCal. There was a period of about 3 years, that we stayed at the Orleans 10+ times (between business & vacation). Sounds like it's still a decent joint, reasonably close to what it was. I'll probably never forgive Boyd, though, for taking out the cheap burger stand (Terrible Mike's) that used to be along the south wall of the casino floor. Pretty sure I closed at least one artery in that dump.

We've swung most of our non-Fremont business to the South Point. It's the property that Michael Gaughan ended up with, after the Boyd / Coast merger. Reminds me a LOT of the original version of the Orleans. It's well south, though, down LV Blvd.

 

Not that you'll ever read about it in the R-J, but there have been more than occasional highjackings in the parking lot, especially at night. The local police (and on-site security) are well-aware of it, and it has been addressed, but it borders an iffy neighborhood, and prudence rules. Use valet, or be very careful if you've got a package in your left pocket.

 

It costs one freaking dollar to park with the valet. Why do anything else?

 

Have found the hookers seem more enthusiastic to show their wares. I got hit up by one while trying to have a very late night beer at the Mirage.

 

'Twas ever thus, but there are individual bars in individual properties they prefer to use as home bases (like the Gallaria Bar). At the Stardust, late at night, the most aggressive would take shots at you while you were playing in the South slots areas.

 

Anyone stayed at the NY NY lately?

That was always my favorite low-frills joint. Great location, 9 Fine Irishmen a great place to meet the ladies...

 

Occupancy and rates are up significantly in Vegas of late, but still off peak numbers. Industry story if anyone cares: http://www.hotelnewsnow.com/Articles.aspx/7423/Vegas-hotel-performance-back-on-track

Story does not mention gaming or F&B revenues. Imagine those are climbing as well, but still way off. Always amazes me the city runs at that high of an occupancy. Most hotels would kill for that. Also cover the hotel industry, but this story was from a competitor.