We’re back on track for Vegas News in 2026! Casinos will begin reporting fourth-quarter and full-year earnings in a couple of weeks. As usual, Boyd will be the first to report on Feb. 5.
Why does this matter to you? Because this is usually when we hear big announcements and new developments. The financial info can tell a story like how “Vegas is dead” really impacted the bottom line for these casinos.
We’ll get into news and rumors shortly, but let’s start the week with a preview of the beautiful new Ballagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens display for Lunar New Year. 2026 is the year of the horse. See pics below and read about the display here.
Cromwell’s days are numbered. Hotel reservations will pause for two months in mid-February. I expect we’ll hear more about the transformation into Vanderpump Hotel by the time Caesars reports earnings on Feb. 17. You can read more about the timeline I pieced together here.
Caesars received the first thumbs up to operate the sportsbook at the FKA Rampart casino that we told you about in the last Vegas News. Final approval is expected to be received before the end of the month.
It looks like the long-rumored Metallica residency at the Sphere is a done deal. Expect to hear an official announcement shortly. Maybe around earnings. Read more here.
Blue Ribbon American Grill & Oyster Bar at The Cosmopolitan is closing for good on Feb. 16 and will be replaced by The Corner Store, another American restaurant. Read about the new restaurant here.
Blue Ribbon Sushi remains popular and open at Red Rock if you miss the restaurant that closed nine years ago at The Cosmopolitan. It has a solid social hour. Get more info here.
Finally, something promising about the Vegas Loop. A ride from Resorts World to LAS is being tested and currently costs $12 and takes 12 minutes. Check it out below.
Circa paid out more than $31 million in prize money to numerous football contest participants. Five people tied to win the Circa Survivor contest and each will take home $3,743,600 for their $1,000 contest fee. Read more here.
I was able to find a little more information about MGM’s Fountain Club for non-gambling big spenders. The only people commenting about the card are gamblers. That makes me more curious if this will be something customers find useful. Read more here.
Bruno Mars is out at Park MGM, and Mary J Blige is in. Coincidence? Probably. Get dates and more info here.
I guess Bruno completed his indentured servitude to MGM and can spread his wings with a national stadium tour. He starts with two shows at Allegiant Stadium in April. See the full itinerary here.
Caesars extended free parking and discounts for locals through Feb. 26. See the tweet here.
Not to be outdone, Fontainebleau extended its free parking for locals all the way until May 31. You can also get free valet if you valet for dinner. I’ve done that, and it’s seamless. Read more here.
Sunset Station has a new casino bar, a refreshed casino, and another new bar on the way. See pics/renderings below and read more here.
MGM revamped the show at Mayfair Super Club. Get the details here.
The Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, across from The D, will become a parking lot. Did you know Derek Stevens owns more parking lots than casinos? Me neither. Read more here.
The A’s were denied the Vegas and Las Vegas Athletics trademarks. It’s probably much ado about nothing, but it’s certainly fun. Read about it here.
The Vault at Bellagio will host an event all year called Liquid Legends. It will feature bartenders from around the country. Read more here.
There’s a mini Mob Museum at LAS. Check it out below.
Ellis Island has a new rewards program. Related, is anyone reading this a member? Drop a comment below because the only person I know who might be a member wrote about the changes here.
Color me surprised that Durango isn’t adding another Stoney’s outpost. Instead, it’s adding the Moonshine Flats country music venue from San Diego. Read more here.
Silver Sevens casino brought back dealers. See the tweet here.
The Plaza non-smoking slots room is getting a few table games and should be open next week. See the first tweet here.
On Thursday, there was an odd single-player crapless craps machine facing a corner that should be used for a trash can or something.
Hearthstone is reopening at Red Rock on Jan. 30. Read more here.
Allegiant Airlines and Sun Country Air are merging. There’s a Vegas reason I’m sharing this. Read more here.
I don’t expect this to have an impact on MGM Air. If you’re not familiar, read more here.
The Las Vegas Convention Center renovation was completed just in time for CES. Read more here.
CES usually has some technology that could be used in casinos. This year was a lot of robotics that won’t reach casinos anytime soon. The car mover below probably won’t work for a casino valet, but it would be fun.
Marc grew up on the mean streets of the South Bronx. He's the rare combination of Yankees and Jets fan which explains his often contrarian point of view. He learned about gambling at a young age working down the street from a bookie who took action on anything from the mainstream sports to the last three digits of the purse for certain horse races. Yeah, that's a thing. Today Marc is a freelance writer and social media consultant which allows him to work anywhere there's a wifi signal. This allows him to work from the sportsbook at Red Rock Resort or the food court at The Venetian where you’ll find fast and free wifi. Writing about steak, booze, gambling and Las Vegas is a tough job but somebody has to do it.