Dave Berns

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Taxation imbalance helps Las Vegas compete for Chinese New Year's traffic: Monday, Jan. 23, 2012; The explosive growth of gambling markets in Macau and Singapore has prompted a question in Las Vegas as the Chinese New Year celebration gets under way. Why would an Asian high roller travel to the Strip to celebrate the lunar new year rather than visit the ultra-chic gambling salons of Asia’s gaming giants?
Slot machine maker IGT purchases online gaming company: Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012; Nevada-based slot machine maker International Game Technology has reached an agreement to purchase Double Down Interactive, gaining the infrastructure to potentially offer online wagering for money.
MGM signs property deal for Massachusetts casino proposal: Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012; MGM Resorts International has signed an agreement to purchase a 150-acre parcel of land 65 miles west of Boston in Brimfield, Mass., to develop a “world-class resort” that would create 3,000 permanent jobs and several thousand indirect jobs, according to a statement released Thursday by the Las Vegas-based hotel-casino operator.
Gambling makes up smallest chunk ever of casino revenue: Friday, Jan. 6, 2012; Money won from gamblers comprised a record low share of the Nevada casino industry’s total revenue generated during the past fiscal year. But spending on food, beverages and related offerings produced an all-time high share of the overall revenue picture, according to figures released Friday by the Nevada Gaming Control Board. The board's numbers support a much-stated contention in recent months: The state’s gaming industry is recovering from the depths of the recession but has yet to fully rebound.
Once-dominant Las Vegas holds on as center of gambling universe shifts: Friday, Jan. 6, 2012; This has all the makings of a potentially tumultuous year for the gaming industry. Union contracts expire for tens of thousands of Las Vegas casino industry workers this year, and if each side frames its position by the continuing recession, the negotiations may well be tense and drawn out.
Bellagio hit with power outages New Year’s Eve: Monday, Jan. 2, 2012; The west wing of the Bellagio’s main tower had intermittent power outages throughout the afternoon and early evening Saturday, leading to the New Year’s Eve day closure of the buffet and the loss of power to several hundred hotel rooms.
Southern Nevada economy 'has turned the corner,' according to report: Friday, Dec. 30, 2011; Southern Nevada is bouncing back from the recession and could receive an added push as the national economy continues to gain strength, according to a series of monthly indices released today by UNLV’s Center for Business and Economic Research, or CBER.
MGM lions, like other free attractions, posed dilemma: Friday, Dec. 30, 2011; The upcoming removal of the MGM Grand's free lion exhibit is an example of a financial dilemma faced by resort executives: whether to devote space that could be generating revenue through gaming, restaurants or other means to attractions that don't produce a penny directly but might help draw customers.
Key to improving students' performance is developing relationships: Friday, Dec. 30, 2011; For all the highbrow strategies to get more kids to graduate from high school, Clark County School District Deputy Superintendent of Instruction Pedro Martinez thinks the Clark County School District is learning what really works.
New Year's timing could be better, but 'powerful' weekend is expected: Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2011; If Las Vegas casino bosses could pick the perfect day for New Year’s, it wouldn’t be a Saturday. A Thursday would fit the bill, laying the foundation for a four-day party weekend. A Monday would be almost as good, with a long weekend run-up the festivities. To be sure, no one’s complaining about this year’s turn of the calendar, as a record 314,000 visitors are expected New Year’s weekend to spend $192.6 million on non-gaming items.
Sports books back in action with end of NBA lockout: Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011; Steve Fezzik, a big-time professional sports bettor, is excited about the long-awaited Christmas Day opening of the NBA season following a nearly five-month work stoppage.
Holiday parties dwindling, but far from extinct: Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011; You would think we’re still in the midst of boom times, judging by the recent holiday party hosted by the Las Vegas law firm Marquis Aurbach Coffing.
Experts pick casino industry winners and losers of 2011: Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011; The Las Vegas gaming market rebounded this year with a jump in visitor volume nearing the record total of 39.6 million in 2007. Room occupancy rates and gaming revenue are up from the depressed levels of recent years, while visitors have shifted their spending patterns, focusing an ever-larger percentage of their cash on special events and clubs rather than casino floors. So, can you brand Las Vegas a winner in 2011 despite the region’s continued battle with double-digit unemployment, record home foreclosure rates, the ever-present sense of economic uncertainty, and the continued domestic and international expansion of the casino industry?
Brookings report: Job growth in Las Vegas 'flat' after two good quarters: Any economic recovery in Las Vegas area remains 'anemic,' says report; Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011; Las Vegas-area employment levels fell slightly during the third quarter of 2011 after two consecutive quarters of job gains, indicating that any recovery in Southern Nevada remains “anemic,” according to Mark Muro,
co-author of a newly released report from the Metropolitan Policy Program at the Brookings Institution.
High-tech Strip shows usher in demand for specialized support workers: Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011; Mathieu Guyard’s safety hinges on the effectiveness of Kevlar wiring with a minimum breaking strength of 7,000 pounds, high-speed winches and performer-held controls that raise and lower the French-born acrobat as fast as 11 feet per second.
Analyst says job gains are on the horizon: Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011; Southern Nevada is experiencing the end of its four-year economic decline and has begun to experience some economic growth, with "slight upward" job gains on the horizon due to an ongoing increase in tourism to the region, said Stephen Brown, director of UNLV's Center for Business and Economic Research.
Romney $10,000 challenge to Perry would have been 'routine' in Las Vegas sportsbook: Sports bettor: Such 'crazy bets' designed to size up an opponent; Monday, Dec. 12, 2011; Jay Kornegay has witnessed the behavior countless times during his tenure as a Las Vegas gaming executive — one guy calling out another with a sizable financial bluff.
Job fair gives Chaparral students glimpse of market: Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011; Vivian Roberts wants a job, but the Chaparral High School senior is entering the worst employment market for teens in decades. “I know the job market is not the best and not many people will get hired, but you have to keep pushing and pushing until you find a job,” she said Tuesday, taking a break from a job fair at the school.
Plummeting home prices entice first-time homebuyers: Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011; The worst housing market in 70 years has created a recession-flavored version of the American dream for first-time home buyers in Las Vegas. New buyers have helped drive the healthiest home resale market in Southern Nevada since the bubble popped.
Deprived of seeing Rebels on TV, fans must find ways to cope: Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011; Driving 4 1/2 hours to Bakersfield, Calif., on a weeknight is not what UNLV basketball fan Trevor Hayes considers the ideal road trip, but he’s planning to do it on Jan. 5 for one reason.
Wynn, Kraft discuss Massachusetts casino deal: Monday, Dec. 5, 2011; Steve Wynn shook the hand of New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick and walked the Gillette Stadium field Sunday afternoon as the Las Vegas casino developer met with Patriots owner Robert Kraft to discuss the potential for developing a hotel-casino-convention project. The Boston Globe reports that the emergence of a likely Wynn-Kraft partnership "has shaken up the competition for a coveted casino license, reshaping expectations of which developers are best positioned to cash in on the state's newest industry."
Wynn, Patriots' owner to discuss casino project: Friday, Dec. 2, 2011; Steve Wynn will sit in the owner’s box with New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft during Sunday’s Patriots-Colts game to discuss the possibility of Wynn building a gaming resort across from Gillette Stadium, reports the Boston Globe on its website.
Palms, Cantor sign deal to launch new sports book: Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011; The Palms has signed a long-term agreement with Cantor Gaming to begin operating a new sports book featuring Cantor's mobile-betting devices at the off-Strip gaming property.
Debt counselors say underwater homeowners overlooking assistance programs: Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011; Clay McRae is something of a recent exception as far as Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Nevada and Utah is concerned. Out of work for nearly two years, possibly on the verge of losing his home to foreclosure, McRae walked in the front door of the nonprofit early Monday.
Traditional stores making high-tech changes this season: Friday, Nov. 25, 2011; Retailers this holiday season are further meshing the speed and ease of online sales with traditional brick-and-mortar settings.
Businesses given hand in filtering out illegal hires: Federal program helps employers verify citizenship status of potential workers; Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011; Las Vegas restaurateur Justin Micatrotto has embraced a new program linking federal immigration officials with businesses throughout the country to reduce the hiring of undocumented workers.
The goal: increase employer verification of the citizenship status of new hires without the heavy hammer of workplace raids conducted by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency, or ICE.
Hotel rates as low as $14 right around the corner: Monday, Nov. 21, 2011; The Thanksgiving holiday weekend is about family, food and football, but it’s also the gateway to another Las Vegas favorite: heavily discounted room rates.
Las Vegas takes a fresh look at hiring: Employers are empathizing with local applicants buffeted by the recession; Monday, Nov. 21, 2011; In better economic times, a resume like Cory Harwell’s might have been the kiss of death to a job applicant in Las Vegas. In 2008, Harwell left his position as director of food and beverage at New York-New York to join several partners in opening their own establishment — Caña, a relatively small, tapas-themed restaurant with 140 seats.
Report: As Houston reinvented itself, so can Las Vegas: Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011; Las Vegas business and political leaders reeling from the globalization of the gaming industry and the expanding power of gaming operations in Macau and Singapore should turn to Houston for lessons to successfully rebuild a troubled regional economy, says a newly released report from a UNLV professor and graduate student.
Student leaders reflect on the evolution of their school since the beginning of the school year: Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011; Talk with Chaparral High School students and many will tell you that they loved the school’s former principal, Kevin McPartlin. He was friendly and charismatic.
Teamwork the key to economic growth, Sandoval says: Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011; Discussing a road map for diversification of Nevada's economy, Gov. Brian Sandoval said growth will hinge upon state and local cooperative efforts.
Tough love bringing tranquility back to Chaparral: Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011; A year ago Chaparral High School was a tough environment to be a young adult, so tough that 16-year-old Patricia Soto developed the demeanor of a woman a decade older. She had the attitude, the body language, ditched classes and hung out with kids who were expelled for drinking, fighting and doing drugs.
Life after military is no parade in this economy: Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011; Vintage jeeps and transport vehicles rolled through downtown Las Vegas on Friday morning, carrying veterans of wars stretching back to World War II. High school marching bands played patriotic tunes while spectators along 4th Street smiled, clapped and waved, thankful for the veterans' service.
In job openings at Venetian restaurant, applicants see ray of hope: Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011; There’s no universal source for the drive needed to overcome the lost confidence that’s shaken many job seekers amid the worst economy in years. It can be found in the faces of loved ones or wherever one looks when wanting to give up the chase.
Part custodian, part mentor: Former military man teaches students outside the classroom at Chaparral; Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011; The high school senior pounded the wall with his right fist, then head-butted a steel window covering, in anger and self-loathing.
Report: Poverty rates on the rise throughout Las Vegas: Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011; Newly released numbers from the Brookings Institution reflect what you probably sensed: Poverty rates intensified throughout the Las Vegas metropolitan area between 2000 and 2009.
Miami resort developer out to siphon off Vegas visitors: Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011; A top executive with Malaysian-based gaming giant Genting Group said his company is taking dead aim at Las Vegas with its plans to build a multibillion-dollar casino resort in Miami.
Las Vegas real estate market faces gloomy future, panelists say: Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011; A panel of real estate analysts has offered a grim outlook of the Las Vegas Valley residential real estate market, with numbers to match.
High schoolers struggling in math know failure has life-long consequences: Sunday, Oct. 23, 2011; Judging by the looks on their faces, they may as well have been seated in midday detention rather than a test prep session, two dozen students gathered in a Chaparral High School classroom one recent morning.
How a sports book fares can turn on a single play: Friday, Oct. 21, 2011; Of all the football fans in the Mirage sports book watching the San Francisco 49ers-Detroit Lions game on Sunday, perhaps nobody was more glued to the screen than Jay Rood. He runs the book. It’s a tricky task, balancing the money bet on opposing teams so that, by the end of the day, the results for the casino are a wash. Operators constantly change a game’s betting line to achieve that goal.
Homecoming a Chaparral tradition worth preserving: Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011; Roni Bolgar was doing her best to fight back the tears. She was proudly snapping photos, reminding her teenage son and daughter to have a good time at the Homecoming Dance.
White House makes jobs pitch during stop in Henderson: Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011; The Obama administration brought its push for the seemingly dead $447 billion American Jobs Act to Henderson on Friday.
Banks placed on watch list: Thursday, Oct. 13, 2011; Seven major banks, including some of the biggest investors historically in the casino industry, have been placed on a negative ratings watch for long- and short-term debt by Fitch, one of the nation’s three credit rating agencies, Forbes.com reported.
Atlantic City to name new tourism head: Thursday, Oct. 13, 2011; A leadership change is coming in Atlantic City's newly created tourism organization.
School District superintendent has eyes on the economy: Dwight Jones believes the district can — and should — become a greater asset in efforts to diversify Las Vegas’ business landscape.; Monday, Oct. 10, 2011; Dwight Jones has a deal for Las Vegas businesses and taxpayers. Give him time to innovate and funding to invest strategically, the Clark County schools superintendent says, and the district will provide schools that produce qualified employees for the workforce and help attract companies seeking a place where their workers can find a good education for their children.
Job seeker: ‘It’s the worst I’ve ever seen’: Economy has taken a toll on Charles Walton, others using JobConnect's services; Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2011; Charles Walton has about $100 to his name. No job, few prospects, an unreliable car and a bus pass to get to the occasional job interview. His safety net: in-laws who gave him and his two young daughters a place to live after his wife left him. A recent morning had Walton, 48, searching for leads at the Nevada JobConnect office.
How video poker players can maximize their time, money: Friday, Sept. 30, 2011; The house may have the edge — always. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t bargains to be found amid the forests of video poker machines across the Las Vegas Valley. For some, they are content to lose cash but want a long ride on the machine.
Will they walk?: Inside one of CCSD's most troubled high schools, 10 seniors look toward May; Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011; Chaparral High School has one of the lowest graduation rates in the Clark County School District, a system that itself has a graduation rate among the worst in the country. This past year, just three of every 10 seniors at Chaparral received a diploma.
Chaparral star determined to succeed, football or no football: Friday, Sept. 23, 2011; It was a quiet moment between mother and son at a high school football game, Toure Williams and Angela Choice in a strong embrace. The 17-year-old wide receiver for Chaparral High School wore an inflatable brace on his left knee to stabilize an injured joint.
UNLV president wants school at the center of state's economic diversification push: Thursday, Sept. 22, 2011; UNLV President Neal Smatresk made that message clear this morning as he delivered his annual State of the University address.

Vegas Inc

Dave Berns

Story Archive

Vegas Inc.