Vegas News October 17, 2021

Earnings Season Is Upon Us

Earnings season is upon us and casino corporations are dropping news on a regular basis. Two weeks ago we saw MGM Resorts buy Cosmopolitan. Last week Red Rock Resorts (AKA Station Casinos) released information about its new casino Durango Resort. 

This week, Caesars made a rather major entertainment announcement that will impact a few casino markets. In Las Vegas, the market that matters, the company will have a new full-scale Spiegelworld production show called “DiscoShow” at The Linq. 

DiscoShow is scheduled to open during the fourth quarter of 2022. A new venue called Spiegelworld Glitterloft is being planned for the second floor of the casino. The last thing planned for the second floor at The Linq was Kind Heaven. Somehow that website is still around. 

Expect to hear more announcements as quarterly casino earnings approach. As always, I’ll be listening to the calls trying to translate the corporate-speak into normal language.

Las Vegas Quick Hits

Not all casino news comes from earnings calls and reports. Let’s start with a privately owned casino just off the Vegas Strip.

Palms

• The new owners of Palms shared some of their plans for reopening the casino with the local newspaper. Here are a few highlights:
  • Palms will reopen in the first half of 2022. Rumors were that the company would try to reopen by New Year’s Eve.
  • There could be a new name in the future.
  • The shark will remain at the center bar.
  • There will only be a couple of new eateries in the food court.
  • The sportsbook will be renovated and probably become smaller.
  • Parking will remain free. No mention of valet fees. 
  • There will be a rooftop pool deck. Are you even trying if you don’t have a rooftop pool deck in 2022?

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• That was quick, Wayne Newton’s Flamingo shows are postponed. Read more here.
• 10 Acres of land where the Riviera once stood was sold to a Chilean casino operator. I think we’ll see a new casino here in the future. Read more here.
• This isn’t the birthday gift I was looking for but I’m sure it will make others happy. Read more about foreign visitors returning to Las Vegas here.
• Las Vegas is a fun place to be for Halloween. The Fremont Street Experience should be the fun place to be in Vegas for the holiday since you can sit outside and people watch. Read about Rock of Horror here. 

Bad Rumors – Circa

• Could DraftKings buy Circa? That’s a rumor being floated. Owner Derek Stevens, owner of Circa, shot this rumor down pretty quickly. 
• Speaking of Circa here’s a quick fun read with a dancing dealer at the casino. 

Marriott, Ice Skating, Dolby Theater, NFR Events

• Marriott was never a part of Fontainebleau after the previous owner ditched the project. For some reason, this was confirmed during the week. 
• We knew Marriott was out because the current owner Koch announced it was partnering with Fontainebleau Development when the purchase was announced. While we’re talking about the stalled casino, you can see the original plans and renderings from 2007 and 2008 here.
• Ice skating is back for the 10th year at The Cosmopolitan. Read more here.
• Looks like Calvin Harris ditched Caesars Palace Las Vegas for Resorts World. Check out the site here.
• The Park Theater at Park MGM has a new name. Read about Dolby Theater at Park MGM here.
• One of two Vegas Strip casinos with a saloon is having NFR events. Check out the plans for NFR at Resorts World here. Yes, you should expect fun at Gilley’s inside Treasure Island too.

Let’s group a bunch of limited Classic Rock engagements here:

• Bryan Adams has a new album coming and a slew of shows at Wynn Las Vegas next month. Read more here.
• Styx is playing 50th anniversary shows at The Venetian next Jan. and Feb.
• Chicago is returning to The Venetian for more shows next February. Read more here. 
• The band Rush has a new beer that’s brewed in Henderson. Not the Hendertucky in NV but Hendertucky in NY. Read more here.

“America’s Best Cities For A Quickie”

• Las Vegas isn’t the best city in the US for a quickie. Read more here.
• People freaked out that the Vegas Golden Knights were listed as VGS on ESPN instead of VGK this week. The TV station has heard the people and will use VGK in the future. Read more here.
• You can read some thoughts on the poker room at Resorts World here.
• Ellis Island is getting a sandwich shop. Read more here.
• The immersive Van Gogh experience at Crystals will have yoga. Check the website for more info.
• Wakuda will open at The Venetian next year. It looks like an interesting restaurant. Read more here.
• There’s a new music ​​venue in downtown Las Vegas. Read more here.
• Boyd testing cashless at Aliante. Read more here.
• You’ve probably seen this Amazon driverless car video but sharing it just in case.  
• Last and not least, I’m sad to pass on that Darryl D. McEwen (Mr. AC) has passed away. His Seven Stars Insider newsletter was one of the first things I read about casinos when I started to learn about casino life. He was a consumer writing for other consumers. There aren’t many voices like this anymore. You can read more here.