Sands IPO a Stunner
Las Vegas Sands, Inc., owner of the Venetian, launched an initial public stock offering yesterday (Wednesday December 15) that nearly went into orbit before the end of the first trading day. The stock’s price closed at $46.56, a whopping 61% increase. Even more amazing, at yesterday’s stock price, the company has a market capitalization of more than $16 billion -- the biggest in the business. With only one casino, the Venetian is worth more than MGM Mirage at $9.5 billion.
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SINCE THE DECEMBER LVA
Buffet Changes
The Commander's Palace Jazz Brunch at the Aladdin has gone up $1 to $36.
The Paradise Buffet at downtown's Fremont is currently closed for its annual cleaning/upgrading routine; it will reopen on December 24. Prices will remain the same.
The Steak House at Gold Strike and the Jade Room at Nevada Landing are closed until the 24th; the Champagne brunches at both casinos will pick up again on Christmas day.
Palace Station's Saturday and Sunday Champagne brunch has gone up $2 to $8.99.
The Saturday-night T-bone and scampi buffet at Railroad Pass has gone up $1 to $10.49.
Buffet prices at Silverton have gone up $1 across the board to $7.99 (brunch) and $9.99 (dinner and Champagne brunch).
Show Changes
Bruce In The USA has closed at the Aladdin's V Theatre.
Vinnie Favorito at Binion's Horseshoe is complimentary for hotel guests (up to two complimentary tickets per room).
Both complimentary shows at Bourbon Street have been assigned names. The comedy improv show is now called Mandatory Friends; the magic show, Magic in the Desert.
Ovation at Lady Luck has gone up from $30.90 and $40.65 to $38.45 (show only) and $48.35 (with buffet), respectively. Hotel guests get $10 off per ticket.
In the case of a rare event, ticket prices for David Brenner at the Las Vegas Hilton went down $11 to $52.
Ventriloquist Ronn Lucas is no longer performing at the Rio.
Ticket prices for Exotic Hypnotics at Riviera have gone up $5.55 to $37 and $42.50 VIP, respectively.
Ticket prices for Performing As ... Live! at Tuscany have gone up from $30.25 and $38.45 to $39.95 (show only) and $49.95 (dinner and show), respectively.
Westin Casuarina's Forbidden Vegas has gone up $1 to $44.95.
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ODDS AND ENDS
If we don't win..., then I am a monkey's uncle...
... is what Mayor Goodman said regarding the Las Vegas float that'll compete in the 2005 New Year's Day Rose Bowl Parade. The float, sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, will play a part in launching the city's year-long centennial celebration and will feature 18 showgirls waving to the crowd, Vegas Vic, and Sassy Sally. There'll also be a birthday cake and an oversized Champagne glass that'll appear to have bubbly flowing into it from a huge Champagne bottle.
Penn Jillette Auctions
Penn Jillette, the recently married satirist magician, is auctioning his prize 1994 Ford Bronco, "Pink Death," to raise money for the James Randi Educational Foundation. The "stripper-pink" truck is equipped with five 10-disc CD changers, two heavy-duty subwoofers, and has been modified to accommodate a 6'6" driver. In a comment about the vehicle, Jillette said, "It's big, goofy, loud, aggressive, and a little bit effeminate, just like me." Bidding on the eBay auction runs through December 22 and starts at $5,000.
The organization, founded by James Randi, a magician, skeptic, and personal friend of Jillette, promotes critical thinking about paranormal and supernatural ideas. For more info, visit http://www.randi.org.
Music Megastore Closing
The Virgin Megastore inside Caesars Palace's Forum Shops is closing January 9, 2005. The company plans to reopen in the future at another but as-yet-undetermined Strip location.
Tit for Tat
In last week’s Las Vegas Advisor Lite, we reported that the cocktail waitresses at the Hard Rock were dressing in crimson Christmas costumes. Not to be outdone in its Coke-Pepsi rivalry with the Hard Rock, the Palms has dressed up its drink runners in their own version of Santa fineries.
The Maloof Touch
MaloofTV, along with MGM Television, has announced its inaugural project: a reality show featuring select struggling American family businesses that will be exposed to the philosophical principles that have enabled the Maloof family to amass a billion-dollar empire. Along with a team of experts, the Maloofs, the owners of the Palms who are said to turn everything they touch into gold, will help transform these businesses into flourishing enterprises by teaching them important business lessons and offering them an inside look at a successful business operation. The show, which will air on Spike TV sometime next year, will follow the success of these families after they return to their businesses to apply the lessons they've learned.
Blackjack Hall of Fame Voting Continues
You can still go to http://www.huntingtonpress.com/halloffame to cast your vote for this year inductee into the Blackjack Hall of Fame. As of this writing, the current leader is Ian Andersen with 29% of the vote, followed by a tie for second between Julian Braun and James Grosjean. The public vote counts for one final vote at this year's Blackjack Ball.
Happy Holidays Las Vegas
"Happy Holidays Las Vegas" is a CD compilation of holiday favorites featuring Las Vegas headliners including Clint Holmes, The Scintas, Rita Rudner, and Danny Gans. One hundred percent of the proceeds will benefit the Foundation for Positively Kids, a local non-profit dedicated to opening a skilled nursing facility for medically fragile and terminally ill children.
"Happy Holidays Las Vegas" may be purchased at Tower Records, 4580 West Sahara Ave, or online at the following Web sites:
http://www.positivelykids.org
http://www.vezzorecords.com
----------------------------------------
LINK OF THE WEEK
Gambling-Law-US.com
Visit Gambling-Law-US.com for an indepth look at gambling laws in the United States at the federal and state levels. The site, created by attorney Chuck Humphrey, presents the full text of statutory gambling laws for each state, articles explaining different aspects of gambling laws, and a chart summarizing common gambling-related legal questions, including whether or not a state expressly prohibits Internet gambling on its books. The site provides links to a variety of gaming-related resources, including the UNLV Gaming Library.
----------------------------------------
COUPON OF THE WEEK
Introducing the 2005 POV List
Las Vegas Sands, Inc., owner of the Venetian, launched an initial public stock offering yesterday (Wednesday December 15) that nearly went into orbit before the end of the first trading day. The stock’s price closed at $46.56, a whopping 61% increase. Even more amazing, at yesterday’s stock price, the company has a market capitalization of more than $16 billion -- the biggest in the business. With only one casino, the Venetian is worth more than MGM Mirage at $9.5 billion.
----------------------------------------
SINCE THE DECEMBER LVA
Buffet Changes
The Commander's Palace Jazz Brunch at the Aladdin has gone up $1 to $36.
The Paradise Buffet at downtown's Fremont is currently closed for its annual cleaning/upgrading routine; it will reopen on December 24. Prices will remain the same.
The Steak House at Gold Strike and the Jade Room at Nevada Landing are closed until the 24th; the Champagne brunches at both casinos will pick up again on Christmas day.
Palace Station's Saturday and Sunday Champagne brunch has gone up $2 to $8.99.
The Saturday-night T-bone and scampi buffet at Railroad Pass has gone up $1 to $10.49.
Buffet prices at Silverton have gone up $1 across the board to $7.99 (brunch) and $9.99 (dinner and Champagne brunch).
Show Changes
Bruce In The USA has closed at the Aladdin's V Theatre.
Vinnie Favorito at Binion's Horseshoe is complimentary for hotel guests (up to two complimentary tickets per room).
Both complimentary shows at Bourbon Street have been assigned names. The comedy improv show is now called Mandatory Friends; the magic show, Magic in the Desert.
Ovation at Lady Luck has gone up from $30.90 and $40.65 to $38.45 (show only) and $48.35 (with buffet), respectively. Hotel guests get $10 off per ticket.
In the case of a rare event, ticket prices for David Brenner at the Las Vegas Hilton went down $11 to $52.
Ventriloquist Ronn Lucas is no longer performing at the Rio.
Ticket prices for Exotic Hypnotics at Riviera have gone up $5.55 to $37 and $42.50 VIP, respectively.
Ticket prices for Performing As ... Live! at Tuscany have gone up from $30.25 and $38.45 to $39.95 (show only) and $49.95 (dinner and show), respectively.
Westin Casuarina's Forbidden Vegas has gone up $1 to $44.95.
----------------------------------------
ODDS AND ENDS
If we don't win..., then I am a monkey's uncle...
... is what Mayor Goodman said regarding the Las Vegas float that'll compete in the 2005 New Year's Day Rose Bowl Parade. The float, sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, will play a part in launching the city's year-long centennial celebration and will feature 18 showgirls waving to the crowd, Vegas Vic, and Sassy Sally. There'll also be a birthday cake and an oversized Champagne glass that'll appear to have bubbly flowing into it from a huge Champagne bottle.
Penn Jillette Auctions
Penn Jillette, the recently married satirist magician, is auctioning his prize 1994 Ford Bronco, "Pink Death," to raise money for the James Randi Educational Foundation. The "stripper-pink" truck is equipped with five 10-disc CD changers, two heavy-duty subwoofers, and has been modified to accommodate a 6'6" driver. In a comment about the vehicle, Jillette said, "It's big, goofy, loud, aggressive, and a little bit effeminate, just like me." Bidding on the eBay auction runs through December 22 and starts at $5,000.
The organization, founded by James Randi, a magician, skeptic, and personal friend of Jillette, promotes critical thinking about paranormal and supernatural ideas. For more info, visit http://www.randi.org.
Music Megastore Closing
The Virgin Megastore inside Caesars Palace's Forum Shops is closing January 9, 2005. The company plans to reopen in the future at another but as-yet-undetermined Strip location.
Tit for Tat
In last week’s Las Vegas Advisor Lite, we reported that the cocktail waitresses at the Hard Rock were dressing in crimson Christmas costumes. Not to be outdone in its Coke-Pepsi rivalry with the Hard Rock, the Palms has dressed up its drink runners in their own version of Santa fineries.
The Maloof Touch
MaloofTV, along with MGM Television, has announced its inaugural project: a reality show featuring select struggling American family businesses that will be exposed to the philosophical principles that have enabled the Maloof family to amass a billion-dollar empire. Along with a team of experts, the Maloofs, the owners of the Palms who are said to turn everything they touch into gold, will help transform these businesses into flourishing enterprises by teaching them important business lessons and offering them an inside look at a successful business operation. The show, which will air on Spike TV sometime next year, will follow the success of these families after they return to their businesses to apply the lessons they've learned.
Blackjack Hall of Fame Voting Continues
You can still go to http://www.huntingtonpress.com/halloffame to cast your vote for this year inductee into the Blackjack Hall of Fame. As of this writing, the current leader is Ian Andersen with 29% of the vote, followed by a tie for second between Julian Braun and James Grosjean. The public vote counts for one final vote at this year's Blackjack Ball.
Happy Holidays Las Vegas
"Happy Holidays Las Vegas" is a CD compilation of holiday favorites featuring Las Vegas headliners including Clint Holmes, The Scintas, Rita Rudner, and Danny Gans. One hundred percent of the proceeds will benefit the Foundation for Positively Kids, a local non-profit dedicated to opening a skilled nursing facility for medically fragile and terminally ill children.
"Happy Holidays Las Vegas" may be purchased at Tower Records, 4580 West Sahara Ave, or online at the following Web sites:
http://www.positivelykids.org
http://www.vezzorecords.com
----------------------------------------
LINK OF THE WEEK
Gambling-Law-US.com
Visit Gambling-Law-US.com for an indepth look at gambling laws in the United States at the federal and state levels. The site, created by attorney Chuck Humphrey, presents the full text of statutory gambling laws for each state, articles explaining different aspects of gambling laws, and a chart summarizing common gambling-related legal questions, including whether or not a state expressly prohibits Internet gambling on its books. The site provides links to a variety of gaming-related resources, including the UNLV Gaming Library.
----------------------------------------
COUPON OF THE WEEK
Introducing the 2005 POV List
