Featured Articles Archive - Page 514

Proving Poker Is a Game of Skill

How can we make poker legal? The cleanest way is to get a statute passed through the state Legislature. In my book, "Gambling and the Law," I show how California became the draw poker capital of the world because the state enacted laws in the 19th century that outlawed specific games, like 21 and faro, but left draw poker off the list. Of course, there still can be problems...read more

Gambling and the Law: Proving Poker is a Game of Skill

How can we make poker legal? The cleanest way is to get a statute passed through the state legislature. In my book, GAMBLING AND THE LAW, I show how California became the draw poker capital of the world because the state enacted laws in the 19th century that outlawed specific games, like 21 and faro, but left draw poker off the list. Of course, there still can be problems...read more

Critics question Gaming Commission appointments

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- When the two newest members of the Nevada Gaming Commission take their seats, four of the five members will be attorneys -- which is seemingly contrary to language in the statute that covers eligibility and qualifications of the regulatory panel's makeup. A spokesman for Gov...read more

What's the course for LV Sands?

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- Analysts are starting to wonder whether Las Vegas Sands Corp. is playing out its last hand or is about to put a bad beat on the competition. Both sides of the poker game surfaced last week. First, Executive Vice President Brad Stone, head of the company's construction division, quit...read more

MGM makes $200 million debt payment

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- The $8.7 billion CityCenter development avoided a bankruptcy filing and potential shutdown Friday when casino operator MGM Mirage made a $200 million funding payment, allowing construction work to continue on the 76-acre Strip site. MGM Mirage's payment, which was approved by the company's senior lenders, included $100 million that was due to be paid by Dubai World, its joint venture partner in CityCenter...read more

Top-10 online poker mistakes

Back in December, we compiled the Top-10 mistakes made by Texas Hold'em players, but that list was heavily based on a live-poker atmosphere. So, as a natural follow-up, we have put together a list of no-nos that beginning online poker players should do anything and everything to avoid...read more

Deal Me In: How sweet they are, those 20 minutes of sanity

Dear Mark: I have always been fascinated by the gambling business. What I like most about your column is your insider's view as to what is going on. Take last week's column where you described the position of the "Pencil" and dealers being sent off to battle...read more

CityCenter may land in bankruptcy

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- The $8.7 billion CityCenter project, billed by MGM Mirage as the most expensive commercial development in U.S. history, could end up in bankruptcy as early as this weekend, some nine months before the project is scheduled to fully open. The possibility of bankruptcy arose after MGM Mirage was sued earlier this week by its joint-venture partner, Dubai World, which claimed the casino company had mismanaged the 76-acre development, leading to cost overruns...read more

Baseball record keeper should keep you sharper

With more than 2,000 baseball games in 2009, it's imperative the serious or even occasional bettor look at streaks and scheduling to measure team performance and the fatigue factor. With that in mind, the 2009 Major League Baseball Schedule & Record Keeper fits the bill (179 pages, spiralbound, $21.95)...read more

Another LV Sands exec resigns

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- Las Vegas Sands Executive Vice President Brad Stone, who was overseeing construction of the company's $5 billion Singapore resort, has resigned. Stone is the second top executive to leave the casino operator this month. Stone, who also held the title of president of global operations and construction, told the company's board of directors on March 18 he was leaving. Las Vegas Sands President Bill Weidner resigned earlier this month under pressure and was replaced by Michael Leven, a longtime hospitality executive and a member of the board. Weidner and Stone worked together for the Pratt Hotel Corp...read more