Not only were Nevada gaming revenues up 2% last month, so were Strip revs, propelled by heavy baccarat play. In addition to 17% 
more being wagered, the house played lucky, winning 24% than last year. That more than made up for a weak performance at the slots, down 5% on slightly lower coin-in and looser holds. Table games not called “baccarat” or “poker” were up 2%, despite 6% less money being wagered.
The locals market continues to confound; downtown Las Vegas was up 9% and Laughlin rose 8%. But North Las Vegas experienced a 7% decline and the Boulder Strip was off 5.5%. Outlying Clark County casinos were flat. Unfortunately, Deutsche Bank lumps Reno and ever-volatile Lake Tahoe under “Other Nevada,” although a 3% gain bodes well.
* You can write the final, sad chapter in the history of the Vegas Club. Outgoing owner Tamares Group is selling what remains of Mel Exber‘s collection of sports memorabilia at the nearby Plaza Hotel. The latter’s CEO, Jonathan Jossel, put the best spin he could on the turn of events, saying, “This pop-up gallery is a great opportunity for those looking for sports memorabilia that also was a unique piece of Las Vegas history.” Give Tamares props paying it forward by donating 10% of sale proceeds to the UNLV library’s special collections.
* Churchill Downs reported its best quarter ever, thanks not to the sport of kings nor to racinos but its Big Fish social-gaming application. Churchill Downs booked $280 million in revenue in 3Q15. Big Fish saved the quarter, in which Churchill Downs reported a slim, $4 million profit. Big Fish Games, meanwhile, grew by 34% in sales, representing $114 million in quarterly revenue. A poor performance at Arlington International track, near Chicago, drove racing revenues down 5%, to $39 million. Racinos contributed $83 million to the balance sheet.
* Illinois state Rep. Mike Zalewski (D) made if official, introducing a bill to regulate daily fantasy sports in the Land of Lincoln. FanDuel says it is looking forward to working with Zalewski. Uh-huh. Ever wonder if DFS might have avoided this pickle if FanDuel and DraftKings hadn’t been so hellbent on getting all up in your face with their incessant advertising?
Jonathan Jossel [said] to me back in May 2015 that the Las Vegas Club was NOT For Sale. If he says money from the sale is going to a charity, I would highly doubt it. All he had to do was tell me the truth.
I personally am surprised that there aren’t any Vegas casinos that have tried to capture the retro, rat pack, old Vegas kind of vibe. Correct me if I’m wrong. SLS is a great example. I think SLS would be doing better if they would have kept Sahara and then go for the 50’s-60’s ambiance. But, then again, what do I know.