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.

E-323: Straight Godfather

Random Vegas

Starwood Resorts once owned Caesars Palace before selling to Park Place Entertainment, aka Hilton, and also owned the Desert Inn before selling to Steve Wynn. In 5 years, the value of the land they sold would increase 2,000 percent. (Vintage Research)

Twitpic of the Week

A single tear rolls down the cheek of those who fondly recall Las Vegas first Landmark, no pun intended. @classiclasvegas’s picture this week, somehow encapsulates what those that have an affinity for this property did and/or do whenever they see a picture of the Landmark, gaze up in fascination at the structure and that pod at the top. Sadly, gambling only existed for a few years at the top of the structure. The space was eventually redesigned into suites for high rollers. That said, I would have happily forked over whatever amount of disposable income required to live in that space for a period of time. That said, if anyone is aware of a way to travel back in time, if only to Las Vegas, I’d also happily pay whatever amount the Dunes would have liked for a room right next to that turret marquee as well, just so I could just stare at it for hours. Also, I’d take any room on the Fremont facing side of the 4 Queens, that face the Mint, so I could do the same thing to that sign. Also, there is a chance the experience would be so cool that it causes one to become catatonic. Totally worth it.

News

MGM/Mandalay Deal Done

Allegiant Stadium Updates

Eldorado sells a legend

Club 512 Shutdown

E-304: Virgining Market

Random Vegas

May advertising, a Las Vegas ad agency, created 250 logos for the Union Plaza (now plaza) before one was approved (@vitalvegas)

Twitpic of the week

The monologue for this week’s winner will be unique in that it gives me a chance to share some insight into what goes into Vintage Vegas research, or maybe its just a fun fact with impeccable timing.  I’m currently working on a large project to document the evolution of Fremont and the people who played a part in it. Recently, my research has led me to a connection to the owners of the various casinos that used to exist in the place known today as the Bonanza, the World's Largest Gift Shop, on the north west corner of Las Vegas Blvd and Sahara.  Almost as if they knew I was going to need it, @NeonMuseumshared a picture of two of the casinos that existed at that location for a time, MoneyTree and Honest John’s Casinos.  As previously state, research is ongoing, so that’s all I can tell you about those two casinos.  What I learn will be shared in a future Vintage Vegas episode

News

 Caesars-Eldorado Merger
The Sahara Returns
Cake Boss Expands to Harrah’s
Station’s Union Problems

E-301: Highest Functioning Autistic EVER

Random Vegas 

When bill acceptors were added to slot machines in the '90s, it generated a 30% increase in the amount of money played. (@VitalVegas via Natasha Dow Schull) 

Twitpic of the week 

The story of Rio is a tragic tale.  When it opened, it was a monster success, pioneering the move to fine dining and celebrity chefs.  3 years after opening in 1990, the property was so popular that it built and opened a 20-story expansion tower, showcased this week by @LuckysLasVegas.  In 1997, at a cost of about $200 million dollars, it unveiled the “Masquerade in the Sky” show.  When Harrah’s Entertainment decided to relocate their corporate headquarters from Memphis TN to Las Vegas in the late 90s, they didn’t feel they owned a property that was worthy to setup operations in.  So they purchased the Rio in 1999 for $888 million and established it as their corporate headquarters.  And so began its downfall.  Years later, after all the celebrity chefs left, CEO at the time Gary Loveman would admit that they made the mistake of thinking they could run Rio with the same way they run Harrah’s.  Despite making Rio the home of their prized acquisition, the World Series of Poker, the property has noticeably not received any of the renovation love that has been given out to all its sister properties.  While Rio has been at the middle of many sale rumors, the latest claiming it will be demolished so a baseball stadium can be built on the land would not only be its final indignity, it would be its most egregious.  The irony isn’t lost on me that a sport infamous for its many cheating scandals wants to move to a city that originally identified the importance of insuring that the games had to be fair to the player only to recently adopted the practice of hidden fees.   

News

360VV8 Eve

Neon Museum Expansion Plans 

Grand Sahara Residencies Coming

Cirque announces plans to refresh "O"

Pro Sports Impact

Eataly is run by morons

Wynnification

Eldorado's Caesars Acquisition Plan

Drug Amnesty Drop Box @McCarran

New Golden Gate Logo