360 Vegas

E-493: 360VV14

Random Vegas
Vegas has the 3 largest video screens in the world. Sphere @Venetian at 580,000 square feet (515 long by 367 width), Resorts World at 161,636 square feet (475 long by 340 width), Viva Vision Screen at the Fremont St Experience at 130,000 square feet (1,500 long by 90 width).
TwitPic of the trip
Technically this was before360VV14started but according to the rules I’ve made up in my head, it counts. This was a unique point of view of a common visual of the tallest building in Vegas. Fontainebleau, the property that continues to disappoint is showcased here looming over one as they attempt to enjoy the pool. Fortunately it doesn’t cause a shadow but it does hulk over the strip as a cautionary tale. It isn’t as easy as field of dreams. You need to do more than just build it to get people to come. Regardless, its an attractive building as showcased in this week’s picture.
 
360VV14 Trip Report
Sunday, June 23
- 6 pm - Meet & Greet @Furnace @Downtown Grand
- 8 pm - Group Gaming @Downtown Grand
 
Monday, June 24
- 1 pm - Flight Club @Palazzo RSVP$ required ($90 per person for 3 hours, includes the cost to play and all you can drink well booze & domestic beer)
-  6 pm - 360 Family Meet and Greet, @Alto @Caesars Palace
    - Pennys4Vegas 
    - Stripwalking
    - The Bettor Life
    - Vegas Confessions
    - VegasNearMe
    - Vital Vegas
    - You Can Bet On That
 
 
Tuesday, June 25
- 8 am - 360 Vegas Exercise Experience w/@RaisingLasVegas RSVP
- Noon - Cocktails @Flamingo suite RSVP$ required ($70 per person)
- 3 pm - Group Gaming @Flamingo
 

E-492: Differently Abled

Random Vegas
Ever wonder why they call them tokes instead of tips?  The reason is many years ago dealers tried to convince the IRS that the cash they received from players was not a tip and therefore did not have to be reported as taxable income. The logic behind this dodge was that a tip was defined by the IRS as a payment in return for special treatment. Since it is illegal for a dealer to provide any sort of favor to a player, the dealers argued that the money they were given was a “token of appreciation” for dealing an honest game, and therefore not a reward for special services. The IRS didn’t buy it, but the term “toke” stuck.” (Super Casino)
 
TwitPic of the week
It’s the best picture of the sultan at the Dunes that I’ve ever seen, perfectly lit up a night.  It was a Porte cochere like no other.  Well, it was actually kind of an uneventful Porte cochere but it has a giant sultan on the roof.  And he had a gem that lights up at night in his turban.  This, looking at this, just makes me smile.  The picture was shared by @VitalVegaswith a hat tip to Las Vegas Memories Facebook group.
News
Vegas is Expensive
Poolside Gaming
COVID Gaming Changes
Casino Smoking
 
 

E-491: Just Let Him In

Random Vegas 
Justin Timberlake was paid $6 million dollars to perform at Fontainebleau opening night.  That night, he stayed at Wynn. (VitalVegas) 
TwitPic of the week 
You’ve heard me talk about it before, the Stardust.  Here we got a picture from @_GrandPaD showing off the entire property, including the old Royal Nevada that they rebranded the Stardust Auditorium.  It also shows the properties first hotel tower that existed between the two properties, connecting them together.  Next you can’t help but look at all those motel units behind the Stardust Frontage.  And lastly, you’re reminded this is in the middle of a desert by the Barron wasteland that stretched beyond the resorts reach. All silhouetted with the beautiful mountains. 
News
Electric Playhouse
Fontainebleau expands
“The Friends’ Experience“
Tuscany Deal

E-490: No Fucks to Give

Random Vegas
The five biggest jackpots ever won in Las Vegas history (@VegasIssues)
1.     $39.7 million – Excalibur, Mar 2003
2.     $35 million – Desert Inn, Jan 2000
3.     $27.6 million – Palace Station, Nov 1998
4.     $22.6 million – Bally’s, May 2002
5.     $21.3 million – Caesars Palace, June 1999
TwitPic of the week
I don’t know if its common knowledge but Bellagio has a hell of an ass on her.  You don’t think of her as a tri-tower because that frontage is all anyone remembers but she is in fact a tri-tower, showcased spectacularly by @Maverickheli.  I don’t think this aspect of her is as appreciated as it should be.  I know I didn’t until we moved and I made the drive from the west to the strip via Flamingo Road.  She unveils herself as you come over the freeway.  It’s very distracting and elegant and a beautiful addition to our Twitpic of the week collection.
News
360VV14
RJ Tip Guide
Frontier Site

E-489: Loopholes

Random Vegas
The largest American flag every flown was displayed over the Hoover Dam on May 1st, 1996.  Each star on the flag was 17 feet high. (@LasVegaslocally)
TwitPic of the week
My growing affection for this property rivals only Keren’s dislike for it.  The world famous, Caesars Palace, here showcased in 1974 by @summacorp.  Here we can see the properties 3rd hotel tower under construction, the Roman tower expansion.  Something that used to annoy me about Caesars was the piece mail cobbling together of different eras.  Now its what I find charming about it.  How many places can you visit on the strip that are the same structure they were in 66.  It’s remarkable and why I’ve selected to celebrate her evolution with this week’s winner.
News
J-Lo Vegas Drama
Resorts World Money Laundering
Icahn Returns
Golden Nugget No Resort Fee
Rio Drone Show
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Mail Bag E-3

360 Mail Bag is our opportunity to address your feedback in a causal conversation between friends.
 

E-488: Mr. Fritada

Random Vegas
It’s been stated that the Mirage changed everything.  Specifically, in the 10 years that followed its opening the city of Las Vegas doubled visitor volume from $17 million to $35 million, room inventory from 61k to 124k, air passengers increased from $16 million to $36 million and gaming revenue from $3 billion of $7.6 billion.  (@OllyLovate)
TwitPic of the week
Simply put, it’s a picture of the Mirage under construction shared by @summacorp.  Never has a single property so impacted the Las Vegas market.  It’s somewhat comforting that the building will basically remain the same although with virtually all of the public spaces refreshed.  Odds are we won’t recognize the Mirage once Hard Rock is finished with it, which is a good thing.  Possibly the most disappointing thing is that we are losing another iconic name on the strip.  No longer will we love a place with palaces called Dunes, Sands, Stardust or the Mirage.
News
LVCVA and Aces
Mini Disni
Flamingo Signage Relit
Virgin Labor Issues
Gaming Integrity
 

E-487: Cox Aren't For Everyone

Random Vegas
When the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign was installed in 1959, the population of Las Vegas was about 70,000 people.  Today, 65 years later, that number is 2.3 million (@lasvegaslocally and research)
TwitPic of the week
It is the way of the world.  The only constant is change and the city of Las Vegas embodies that more than any city in the history of civilization.  The Tropicana is currently being demolished and the Mirage will be rethemed to Hard Rock.  At least we can be grateful that the stain glass ceiling at Tropicana is going to be saved, showcased by @lasvegaslocally.  Here’s a choice for you.  The Mirage Volcano or the Tropicana stain glass ceiling, if you could only save one, which would it be?
News
Mirage Closing