Vegas hits the jackpot & other Case Bets

We don’t know how much they’ve spent yet and how much of a blockbuster year this will be for Las Vegas but we know one thing for certain. We’ve finally broken the 40 million mark in annual visitation, a Holy Grail long sought by the tourism industry. Heck, we may hit 41 million by the time midnight strikes on New Year’s Eve. We doubt that Visitor #40 Million was garlanded with roses or laurels. But, reports the Las Vegas Review-Journal, “To mark the milestone, tourism officials are giving away Las Vegas suite upgrades, dining and thrill experiences and beauty makeovers to random tourists with local entertainers Penn &Teller, Carrot Top and Claire Sinclair (above) making the presentations.” Carrot Top? We want people to come here, not scare them away.

* Cordish Co. got the deal it was looking for to build a soccer stadium in Las Vegas … at a high price to the city. The latter’s end consists of a $25 million bond, $31.5 million in infrastructural improvements, free land that may be worth as much as $48 million and all the parking revenue from a city-owned garage on event nights. At least Downtown casino owners were spared an incremental tax levy, which was a sticking point in earlier negotiations — especially since Cordish has been known to build a casino or two itself. Hmmm. Could Bally’s Las Vegas get some county bailout money if it offered to restore its jai-alai fronton?

* Need another reason/excuse to visit Bermuda? In not too long it will have casinos. Tourism Minister Shawn Crockwell (wonderful name) shepherded them through parliament in a two-year process. He cautioned, “By no means is the introduction of casino gaming the panacea to revitalize our tourism industry. But it can certainly be a catalyst for jobs and aid the recovery of tourism.” Is Bermuda a big enough oyster to lure any American companies? It’s too soon to tell.

* A multi-state, Monopoly-themed lottery was much too complicated — and pricey ($5 a ticket) for its own good. R.I.P.