Readers, Start Your Engines!
It’s NASCAR weekend in Las Vegas, so let’s start the news at the track. There are over 100,000 people expected to visit Las Vegas for the races this weekend. If the third race of the year is too early for race fans to visit Las Vegas, maybe a second race will help. Last week Las Vegas Motor Speedway was awarded a second NASCAR race. This race will take place in September and begin in 2018. NASCAR is essentially swapping second races from New Hampshire Motor Speedway to Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
The average high temperature in Las Vegas during September is still 95 degrees. The weather should be perfect for fans watching the race. However, the drivers might be sweating through their race suits. ESPN has much more information about the race.
The downside of the second race in Las Vegas is that this could become a weekend where the hotel operators will hike prices.
The Cosmopolitan Does NASCAR
If you’re a race fan you may have already seen the right amount of wrong on the track in Las Vegas. The Cosmopolitan was the primary sponsor of the Number 21 Chevrolet Camaro that was driven by Daniel Hemric during the Boyd Gaming 300 NASCAR XFINITY Series race on Saturday.
This is another step towards marketing the casino to a mainstream customer. Original marketing for the Cosmopolitan was targeted to a non-mainstream visitor to Las Vegas. You can read about the race sponsorship here.
The Vegas Golden Knights Sign First Player
The Vegas Golden Knights are officially an NHL team and already making moves. Last week the newest NHL team signed their first player. Reid Duke signed a three-year contract with the Golden Knights last week. If you’re stoked for the first major professional sports team in Las Vegas you can watch the expansion draft in June.
The schedule for next season will be announced in July if you’re only interested in the Vegas Golden Knights so you can plan a trip to Las Vegas to see them play your favorite team.
Station Casinos Begins Renovating Palms
Palms Casino Resort will seem more like a Station Casinos property before you know it. The casino operator is currently renovating the cafe to be more like the Grand Cafe you’ll find at other Station Casinos around Las Vegas. Station Casinos will also change the buffet so it uses the same recipes and product as other Station Casinos. Lastly, the casino will add nearly 300 slot machines.
StationPlay Isn’t A Confusing Name At All
You cannot enjoy Madden or Resident Evil on StationPlay, but you will be able to earn Boarding Pass player club points. Even though they discussed the game last year, Station Casinos officially announced that the free online social gaming app will be released in the second quarter (April, May, June). The app will have access to hundreds of casino games with the ability to win players club points to use in any of their casinos. Sounds like this will be a Station-centric version of MyVegas.
I’m looking forward to this game. MyVegas was never particularly rewarding for me. StationPlay should be better for me. I’d consider it a win if even if I can only earn a few points towards a cup of Starbucks while I work at Red Rock Casino. You can read the full StationPlay press release here.
MGM Resorts International In Pennsylvania
Last week I mentioned the rumor that MGM Resorts International may be purchasing Sands Bethlehem in Pennsylvania. Well, those rumors seem more likely as The Morning Call now says the purchase of the Las Vegas Sands casino is imminent. Neither party will comment on the sale yet. It seems as though an announcement could happen in the next couple of weeks.
This would give a lot more east coast casino visitors gateways to Las Vegas through the Mlife Rewards players club.
Rumor Of The Week: Hard Rock May Be Sold…To Hard Rock
Shortly after posting Sunday News last week, Vital Vegas reported that they’re hearing rumblings that the Hard Rock casino could be sold. They buyer is rumored to be Hard Rock International. The casino company is owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida (see more here). The Hard Rock in Las Vegas seems to have been in financial turmoil for years. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the other Hard Rock make the purchase.
The Hard Rock company in Florida has been looking to expand for awhile. They’re also tied to potentially buying the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City.
Semi-related: The Hard Rock poker room is closing or has recently closed.
Quick Hits
“Flip or Flop Vegas” hits HGTV in April. I’m curious how much Las Vegas scenery they show. You can find more information on the show here.
ATM skimmers on Vegas Strip money machines. Just giving a heads up that this happened. You can read details here.
Robots Invade The Vegas Strip ? I wrote about robotic bars 2 or 3 years ago and wondered when they would be in Las Vegas. It looks as though it’s time for robot booze slingers to hit the Vegas Strip. You can find more information here.
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