The Las Vegas PR machines might be slow right now but this week was a blur and I expect more of the same next week. A friend was in town for a conference and that gave me an excuse to enjoy Las Vegas like a tourist for a few days. Let’s get to all the Vegas scoop, and also my Vegas News G2E Preview.
This Week Was a Blur – (even the photos!)
This Week Was a Blur Jackpot! This Week Was a Blur Pai Gow Poker – This Week Was a Blur
The good news is that I had a great time on the Vegas Strip and exploring the new Able Baker brewery and taproom. More on the latter shortly. The bad news is that I didn’t win the $1.7 million Pai Gow Poker progressive major jackpot. Sad trombone.
Next week is the Global Gaming Expo (G2E). Seminars begin on Monday and the expo begins on Tuesday at 9 am. I’ll do a quick run through the expo as soon as the show opens and return later to deep dive into some interesting games and products. Follow on Twitter and Instagram for pictures and videos.
Vegas News G2E Preview
Let’s start the week of Vegas News with some new game announcements ahead of G2E. In the past few years, it seems like the gaming manufacturers were focusing on big brand name themes to sell the slot machines.
This year it looks like new technology will stand out for slots and all gaming products. Here’s a look at some of the information shared from a few gaming manufacturers heading into G2E.
Aristocrat previously announced the Star Trek Next Generation slot machine. They’ll also have a “Crazy Rich Asians” slot machine. It looks as though they’re focused on new cabinets more than new big brand names.
IGT will introduce a new bartop video poker machine and the following slot machine titles: Jumanji, Jeopardy!, $25,000 Pyramid, and The Price is Right Showcase Showdown which actually debuted last year.
Scientific will have new Monopoly and James Bond games. It looks like they’ll be focusing on other parts of the gaming business more than their slot machine titles.
New Shuffle Machine – Vegas News G2E Preview
Everi will have slot machine titles from the movie Mask, Karate Kid (debuted last year), and more.
The most interesting product I’ve seen before the show comes from Scientific Games. They say the new shuffle machine below eliminates “Edge Sorting.” MGM Resorts may have ordered enough for every table at Borgata.
“As Caesars Turns: Resort Fees And Rewards”
Caesars Entertainment announced that they will increase resort fees at two properties and three hotels on October 15.
- The resort fee for Caesars Palace Las Vegas and Nobu will be $51.02 after tax.
- The resort fee for Rio All-Suite Hotel will be $39.68 after tax.
If (when) hotels are not allowed to charge resort fees, the charge will eventually be rolled into the full price of rooms. This will take away one of the biggest perks from Caesars Rewards Loyalty Program. Not paying resort fees on complimentary rooms is probably the best perk for Diamond members.
The merger with Eldorado Resorts will be voted on in November. Time will tell if the new company will be replacing Caesars Rewards benefits with something of equal value. I wouldn’t hold my breath.
Caesars Entertainment has been trying to grow the VIP level of the loyalty rewards club over the past few years. The more upper-tier members, the more valuable the program is.
While the company is able to raise more money this way, it’s easy to see how loyal customers might feel less special. There are plenty of new Diamond level members that have zero loyalty to Caesars. Plenty of new members achieve Diamond status from Founders club or tier matching promotions with other casinos.
Caesars looks as though they might start to offer more benefits to people who actually spend money with the company. Caesars Rewards Loyalty Program is introducing two new Diamond tiers for next year. This could give loyal customers that spend money with the company some special benefits.
Meanwhile, Caesars Rewards is offering a Diamond upgrade to pretty much anyone with an upper-tier players club card for the rest of the year. You can read more here.
New England Casinos October 2019
News, Promos and Entertainment
Quick Hits – Vegas News
Not everything happening in and around Las Vegas and casinos need in-depth commentary. Here are some quick news bites in case you have to know everything going on today and tomorrow in Las Vegas.
- Genting continues to say that Resorts World will be open before the end of 2020. This may not just bluster. While the cranes appear stationary, it looks like there’s a lot of activity on the ground of the construction site. As always, I’ll believe the opening date when I see it. Read more here.
- Wynn Golf Club is now open. If you have to ask how much a round will cost, then you probably can’t afford it. Read more here.
- The Pac 12 Men’s basketball tournament will remain at T-Mobile Arena through 2022. The Women’s teams will play its tournament at Mandalay Bay Events Center through 2022. Read more here.
- MGM Resorts will report earnings on October 30. There’s bound to be some news. You can listen to the call. Read more here.
- The International Builder Show will be an annual convention in Las Vegas. It used to alternate between Orlando and Las Vegas. Why does this matter? It’s another few weekdays where hotels can increase rates. Lower midweek rates have been a great way to save a few bucks visiting Las Vegas. Read more here.
- Las Vegas upgrading the roads in downtown Las Vegas. The Fremont East area will see some changes. The medians will be removed and some neon signs will be relocated. Check out the video from the city here.
- Casino sales are fun. Real estate deals are boring. The land under Suncoast is on the market. You can be the landlord for the Boyd Gaming casino for at least 35 years. Read more here.
- Aces of Comedy will return to The Mirage next year. One of my favorite comedians, Iliza Shlesinger, will perform in February. Read more here.
- This happened in California but everyone loves a good poker scam. Read more here.
- Evidently the monorail is adding a stop at Sands Avenue. This will give access to conventions at The Venetian as well as The Sphere when it opens. Read more here.
- “7 Days to Vegas” (formerly “Walk To Vegas”) looks like fun. The movie was just released. See the trailer below.
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