Ed Komenda

Story Archive

New company helps position Caesars to make strategic investments

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Caesars Entertainment Corp. has created a new company to free up cash for new projects, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Would you pay $250,000 to push a button?

Monday, April 22, 2013

Guests at the Bellagio can buy a chance to control the resort's famed dancing fountains – for $250,000 a pop. High rollers can pay to press a shiny red button that controls the fountains and makes them dance to the customer's favorite tunes. The deal is offered at Hyde Bellagio.

Renowned radio host Ira Glass on storytelling, sucking at poker

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Fans of stories about real people moving through high-stakes situations and changing along the way have likely heard of Ira Glass. Known for his quizzical voice and empathetic storytelling, the host of public radio’s “This American Life” has changed the landscape of American broadcasting. Now, on the first stop of a national tour, Glass will bring his show to the Smith Center for the Performing Arts on April 27 as part of the Audi Speaker Series.

Myth of the casino maze debunked: Casino companies are starting to encourage customers to head outside

Friday, April 19, 2013

It’s not often casinos dump truckloads of cash into projects that take customers out of buildings and put them under the sun. But that’s the idea behind MGM Resorts’ planned $100 million outdoor plaza and mall.

Five-story, $100 million Hakkasan 'sets a precedent' for Las Vegas nightlife

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Neil Moffitt has spent almost a decade developing a slew of iconic clubs along the Strip. As CEO of Angel Management, he owns and operates Pure at Caesars Palace, LAX at the Luxor and Coyote Ugly at New York-New York. But ask Moffitt to compare those projects to Hakkasan, the new nightclub that opens tonight at the MGM Grand, and he’ll decline — because it wouldn’t be fair.

Travel expert appointed as new head of American Gaming Association

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

The American Gaming Association has appointed the former head of the U.S. Travel Association as its president and CEO. Geoff Freeman takes office July 1.

Working from home: Efficient and economical? Or corporate suicide?

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

First, it was Yahoo! CEO Marissa Mayer, the corporate mommy who built a private nursery next to her office, then banned employees from working from home. Next, Best Buy CEO Hubert Joly dismantled his company’s flexible work program. Then came Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh, who published a column in CNN Money defending Mayer’s decision. While some companies claim a ban on telecommuting is vital to workplace culture, many experts say allowing employees the choice to wok from home actually boosts productivity and saves money.

Sushi and small plates: Two local resorts in running for best hotel food in US

Friday, April 12, 2013

The foodies have spoken, and two Las Vegas hotels have been nominated by Bon Appétit to compete for a spot on the magazine’s list of “10 Best Food Lover’s Hotels.” The Cosmopolitan and Caesars Palace made the cut, joining a list of 40 hotels across the country.

Land of calculators and pocket protectors: Las Vegas named seventh nerdiest city in US

Friday, April 12, 2013

Las Vegas loves nerds. Sin City has nabbed another national nod, this time as one of the nation’s nerdiest cities.

Second downtown hotel in as many days stops taking reservations

Thursday, April 11, 2013

If you want a room at the Las Vegas Club next month, you’re out of luck. The downtown haunt is closing its more than 400 guest rooms. “Guest rooms at the property were only available for reservations on the weekends,” said Jonathan Jossel, director of Las Vegas properties for Tamares Real Estate, owner of the Las Vegas Club. “However, at this time, we will no longer be accepting any reservations for guest rooms.”

Add $5 a night to your bill: The Venetian and Palazzo up their resort fees

Thursday, April 11, 2013

The reign of the resort fee continues. This time it’s a change at the Venetian and Palazzo, where resort fees have been upped from $20 to $25 a night. But don’t fret: there’s a way out.

Looking for a young, rich 'sugar daddy'? You'll likely find one in Las Vegas

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Las Vegas has always been known a destination for big spenders. So maybe it’s not surprise the city also has been named one of best places to find a sugar daddy.

Big and tall: Aria lights up new 250-foot LED sign

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

You can’t miss it. It’s 250 feet tall, 65 feet wide and packed with 11 million pixels spread over 10,000 square feet of LED screen. It’s Aria’s new marquee, and it’s the tallest on the Strip, according to MGM Resorts International officials.

Win a spot to represent Las Vegas in famous hot dog eating contest

Monday, April 8, 2013

A dogfight is coming to Las Vegas. But don’t worry: this is a fight to relish. It’s for a chance to win a spot in Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, N.Y.

Cleaning shark tanks, delivering drinks: Models compete to become face of Mandalay Bay

Monday, April 8, 2013

Cleaning a shark tank. Picking through the garbage for recyclables. Flying through the air on a pulley system to deliver wine. Doesn’t sound like your average job interview, right? But that’s exactly what’s in store for eight models who will compete to become the new face of Mandalay Bay on a new VH1 reality show, “Model Employee.”

Adelson butts heads with opposing attorney in Day 2 of testimony

Friday, April 5, 2013

In his second day of testimony, Casino magnate Sheldon Adelson sparred with the attorney of Hong Kong businessman Richard Suen, who says Adelson’s Las Vegas Sands Corp. owes him $328 million.

Local clergy side with union in battle with Station Casinos

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Local clergy members have published a letter addressed to Station Casinos urging the company to play along with the Culinary Union’s efforts to organize. “We have met with workers from Station Casinos, heard their cries for justice, and we cannot stand by idly,” the letter reads. It was written March 29 and signed by more than 80 members of Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice. “We pray you soften your hearts, hear your workers, and agree to a fair process.”

The music man: Longtime Excalibur porter treats guests to old Vegas tunes

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Clanging slot machines. Gamblers chatting over cards. The rumble of a carpet cleaning machine rolling through the Excalibur. Then, a whistle cuts through the noise. It sounds like Sinatra. It’s Henry Moore, working the graveyard shift. A fixture at the Excalibur for 23 of his 77 years, Moore makes his money cleaning carpets. But his passion is music.

SLS Las Vegas update: New director of hotel sales hired

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

There’s a new director of hotel sales at SLS Las Vegas, the boutique hotel under construction at the site of the former Sahara. SBE Entertainment hired Michael Toney, who previously worked as vice president of hotel sales at Station Casinos and the Hard Rock Hotel.

Antonio ‘The Magician’ Esfandiari ambassador for Ultimate Poker

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

The Magician has become ambassador. Antonio Esfandiari, a two-time World Poker Tour champion, has signed with Stations Casino-owned Ultimate Poker to promote its website as a brand ambassador, the company announced Tuesday.

Friends or foes? Culinary Union to meet with MGM, Caesars for contract talks

Monday, April 1, 2013

It’s that time again: Culinary Union leaders are getting ready to sit down with executives from the Strip's two largest companies — MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment — to renegotiate contracts that are set to expire June 1. The talks, scheduled to begin Friday, come at a particularly contentious and important time for the the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and Bartenders Beverage and Dispensers Union Local 165.

Goodbye, long lines: Primm making lottery sales easier for Nevadans

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Nevada gamblers who want to buy California lottery tickets in Primm have been known to wait hours in line for a ticket. Those long lines may soon be a thing of the past.

New rooms are just the beginning of the Gold Coast's renovations

Friday, March 29, 2013

Contractors are putting the finishing touches on 400 refurbished hotel rooms at the Gold Coast. The rooms, which are expected to reopen in the next two weeks, feature new wall coverings, carpets, blackout drapes and furniture, including armoires, dressers and desks.

Sushi, steak and tapas: Six valley restaurants ranked among best in U.S.

Friday, March 29, 2013

Six Las Vegas Valley restaurants have landed on a list of the best places to eat in the country. OpenTable.com, a restaurant reservations website, sifted through more than 15 million reviews to name 100 winners in the "2013 Diners' Choice Award." More than 15,000 restaurants were considered. Nevada came in fifth place for number of winners, trailing California, Florida, New York and Illinois.

Want your own mini casino? For $300,000, the Bellagio can make it happen

Friday, March 29, 2013

If you’re a player with a preference for privacy, and you have a healthy pocketbook, the Bellagio may have the gambling parlor for you. The casino recently opened a new private gaming room named Villa Privé. But there’s a catch: access to the 2,600-square-foot salon is by invitation only and reserved for high rollers. The parlor is located far from the Bellagio’s main casino floor on the resort’s exclusive Villa level.

Smoke, slots and service: The complaints gamblers have about casinos

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Smokers? No drinks? Tight slots? What's your biggest qualm with casinos? Publishers of the 2013 American Casino Guide recently sifted through thousands of visitor reviews to compile gamblers' top five complaints.

Steve Wynn pocketed $17 million last year

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Hotel tycoon Steve Wynn made $17.7 million last year, according a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Wynn’s total compensation included a $4 millon base salary, $2 million bonus, $10 million incentive payout and $1.7 million in other compensation.

Wynn warehouse workers choose not to join union

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Warehouse workers of Wynn Resorts have voted against joining the Teamsters. The vote was 57 against the union and 34 in favor of an organizing offer from Teamsters Local 995

Academy of Country Music names Red Rock Casino of the Year

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Red Rock Resort has been named Casino of the Year by the Academy of Country Music.

Flight delayed? McCarran Airport is a good place to 'hook up,' online survey says

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Las Vegas has long been known as the marriage capital of the world. Now, the city's airport was named one of the best to hook up in. McCarran International Airport was ranked No. 2 in a list of the country's best airports for hookups.

Bally Technologies looking outside Las Vegas for 'world-class' talent

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

If you attend, they will apply. That's the thinking of recruiters from Bally Technologies as they prepare to hop on a plane this week and zip to the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco.

At up to $5,000 a spin, Venetian high-limit slots salon comes with butler

Monday, March 25, 2013

Go ahead, take a spin. At the Venetian’s new high-limit slots salon, it could cost you $5,000 for a single spin. But a slew of perks comes with pushing around that much dough: these games come with a butler and big-screen TV.

Palms opens lounge featuring board games, sweeping views

Monday, March 25, 2013

Palms Casino Resort has a new rec room with a “View.” Built atop Fantasy Tower, The View lounge features open seating, a full bar and floor-to-ceiling windows.

Nearly 100 union backers arrested in protest of Cosmopolitan

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

They sat in the middle of Las Vegas Boulevard and waited for the cops to throw them in jail. But the nearly 100 members of the Culinary union were not quiet in their waiting, blocking traffic for an hour and chanting a message for the decision-makers of the Cosmopolitan resort, where union employees have been working without a contract for two years.

Winter is coming: MGM teams with HBO to hype 'Game of Thrones'

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Stand beside the obelisk inside the Luxor and look up: you'll see the shadow of a dragon stretched across one of the slanted pyramid walls. Look a few feet above its head, and you'll see the title of the television show it came from: HBO's "Game of Thrones." The image is part of a recently formed advertising partnership between MGM Resorts International, the Luxor and HBO.

Lucky local wins $50,000 playing bingo

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

It was a lucky St. Patrick’s Day weekend for two bingo players at the Suncoast casino.

Fee frenzy: The South Point is the latest hotel to start charging resort fees

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

The South Point has joined Las Vegas' growing list of hotels that charge resort fees. The hotel began instituting nightly fees of $14 ($12.50 plus tax) March 1. The fee pays for amenities such as in-room Wi-Fi, access to a fitness center, local and toll-free phone calls, boarding pass printing, rides on an airport shuttle, valet parking and a casino funbook. South Point officials did not respond for comment about why the fee was adopted.

Plaza debuts sports book, just in time for March Madness

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

A new William Hill Race & Sports Book opened at the Plaza casino Tuesday — just in time for the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. The completion of the downtown sports book follows on the heels of nearly two years of extensive Plaza renovations.

Culinary threatens to block Strip traffic over Cosmopolitan contract dispute

Monday, March 18, 2013

First, they picketed. Now, members of the Culinary Union plan to block traffic on Las Vegas Boulevard and let police arrest them. The “act of civil disobedience” is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday.