PCP - 360 Vintage Vegas: Boyd Gaming

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Sam Boyd was a gambler at heart.  Once he discovered his passion for games of chance, he studied them feverously, learning that in every game, the advantage was always in the houses favor.  So Sam decided the best way to gamble was to be the house.  And that’s how his career in gaming began.  Sam’s son Bill was encouraged from a young age to get an education.  So he did and became a lawyer but eventually the father and son would join forces and become a team that grew into one of the most respected gaming companies in the world.  Factor in their inherent desire to do the right thing and give back to the community, and you instantly start to suspect there’s more to the story than what you’re being told.  But dig as deep as you like, there’s no more.  The story of Sam, Bill and Boyd Gaming may be one of the greatest American success stories in history and overwhelming proof that sometimes, nice guys finish first.

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Random Vegas

Original plans for the Stardust included a train stop at the back of the property (after hours architecture)

Twitpic of the week

It looks like a yearbook photo, if Vegas signs had yearbooks and reflected on their glory days at class reunions.  A sentiment poignantly made by Boyd Gaming’s removal of Stardust letters in the Electra Jag font to be replaced by the more subdued Helvetica.  Once you’ve soaked that in, take a look at the rest of the image, shared by @_GrandPaD.  It’s like a who’s who of the Neon Boneyard.  None of these properties exist today, except in the Boneyard, where they’ve all been put out to pasture, to a farm where they can run and play with other signs all day.  If you attempted to recreate this image today, it would look like the Riviera, La Concha, Morocco, Silver city and Stardust were all just photoshopped out, replaced with parking lots and desert landscapes.  Think about that!

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The Hacienda Hotel & Casino was one of a chain of 4 properties each featuring a distinctive horse and rider sign.  The other 3 locations were in California. (Neon Museum) 

Twitpic of the week

It’s so Vegas it's kind of annoying while simultaneously being sexy as hell.  If LED signage is eye-catching, what does one 30 stories tall do.  @Palms hopes it draws people to the off-strip property that kicked off the nightclub revolution in the city only to eventually be outdone by their strip counterparts.  Returning to the well is a risky proposition but how else do you recommend they reclaim their place in the market?  But when renovation costs exceed that of some newer projects, is there any chance they can recoup their investment?  Time will tell. 

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After Harrah's Entertainment purchased the Binion's Horseshoe brand so they could get the rights to the World Series of Poker brand, part of the assists included in that acquisition was the Horseshoe Hotel and Casino that existed in Shreveport Louisiana.  However, Harrah's already owned 2 casinos in the market.  So to avoid a monopoly, the Louisiana Gaming Commission required them to sell one of the properties.  So Boyd Gaming bought in and that's how Shreveport got a Sam's Town

Twitpic of the week 

I love history so much, especially documented history of Las Vegas, shared this week by @SummaCorp.  To illustrate how singularly focused I can be when it comes to the subject, the first thing I noticed when I looked at this picture was the Fremont hotel & casino under construction.  Once I was done marveling at that, I turned to the rest of the photograph and thought, “Okay, can we dial it back with the holiday decorations Vegas?  It’s a bit too busy for my taste.  And it’s getting the way of my ability to see all the neon signage on display.”  Then I’m reminded about another thing I love about Las Vegas “This isn’t all about you MARK”.  Then a sense of all-is-right-with-the-world washes over me. “You’re right Las Vegas, this is much bigger than me.  I recant my statements.  Please, carry on spreading happiness to all in whatever fashion they find appealing.  And also, I love you.” 

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