Anthony Curtis’ nationally syndicated weekly column.
March 3, 2010
Nevada’s 2009 statewide gambling win amounted to $10.39 billion, the lowest total since 2003 ($9.62 billion) and the largest single-year decline since Nevada began keeping track of year-to-year revenues in 1956. It was a 10.5% decline over 2008’s $11.6 billion, itself down nearly 10% from 2007. On the Strip casino revenues of $5.5 billion in 2009 resulted in a decline of 9.4% compared to 2008’s $6.12 billion and downtown dropped 10.1%. Las Vegas’ visitor volume also fell, down 3% with just under 36.4 million coming to town. And convention attendance was down a whopping 23.9%, due to 13.6% fewer meeting events.
Peepshow Returns: The topless revue at Planet Hollywood featuring “Girl Next Door” Holly Madison has resumed performances after an abrupt two-month hiatus, during which the theater was remodeled and the show tweaked.
Monorail Fares: The bankrupt Las Vegas Monorail has raised its fares once more, increasing the cost of the unlimited-ride one-day pass to $14 (from $13) and adding $2 to the cost of the three-day pass, which is now $30. The single-ride fare remains the same, at $5.
New All-Dayer: The Rio has joined the fluctuating list of buffets offering an all-day pass. The Carnival World is offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner for $24, which includes the weekend champagne brunch (which by itself is $24).
Question: I heard from a credible source that Bill’s will be turned into a strip club. That’s amazing. Will it keep the casino and hotel?
Answer: You probably have your Bills mixed up. It’s not Bill’s Saloon and Gambling Hall on the Vegas Strip, it’s the former Bill’s Casino in Lake Tahoe that’s being converted. Still, it’s fairly big news and an interesting sign of the times, although the plan has yet to be approved by Lake Tahoe officials.
