Sunday, July 26, 2009

Something "new" from Harrah's


So I'm a bit late talking about this, but as far as Vegas goes, it's the first big news that doesn't have to do with bankruptcy in some time. According to the folks at Las Vegas Sun, Harrah's is going to take a new approach to Las Vegas. See the article below:

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/jul/12/harrahs-plans-new-street-bars-eateries-near-strip/

It seems that Harrah's has realized what I have thought for a few years now. That the high end market in Las Vegas has become over saturated. There's the high end places (Wynn, Encore, Bellagio, Aria, Mandalay Bay) and the places that charge high end prices but don't feel as high end (Paris, Palazzo, Caesars, Venetian, Mirage, Hotel 32, Planet Hollywood). Harrah's has decided that, rather than tear down the very condensed block with Bills, Flamingo, O'Sheas, Imperial Palace, and Harrah's, that they will direct the current traffic into a walkway of stores and an observation wheel.

The current plan would have Harrah's close the service road between Flamingo and Oshea's and turn it into a walking mall with plenty of bars and stores. They would leave the current properties open in an attempt to appeal to the mid-market consumer. See the Las Vegas Sun link above for more detailed information and a mock-up of what this might look like.

As opposed to our good friends at Vegastripping.com, I happen to think this project makes a lot of sense. The high end market is over-saturated and the low end market has places to stay like Circus Circus, Sahara, the Trop, Casino Royale, etc. But the mid-market has somehow been left out of the picture. Most mid-market places have tried upgrading their rooms and amenities to be part of the high-end picture, like Treasure Island. I believe that Harrah's has the right plan. Many mid level consumers don't want to stay at a Circus Circus but can't afford a nice place like Bellagio, and it's nice to have a choice in between.

As far as the walking mall goes, while there are plenty of shops and bars in Las Vegas, it is a nice concept to have a little row of places to eat and drink. The observation wheel is an idea that has been proposed numerous times but never completed. With the ever growing Vegas skyline, it's something that would not only draw crowds down the street, but is also something that would be awesome to almost any visitor. My only hope is that they don't put the giant Harrah's logo in the center like the picture.

All that being said, however, I doubt Harrah's could get the funding for this project. Their debt situation is out of control and with the way lenders are giving loans, it sounds like Harrah's may be out in the cold on this one.

I am one, however, that would like to see this happen.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Slots-A-Fun Update

Our good friends at vegastripping.com finally got the scoop out of MGM Mirage regarding Slots-A-Fun. Here's what they had to say:

For purposes of operational efficiency, the two separate gaming licenses at Circus Circus Las Vegas and Slots-A-Fun were merged into one license on July 1. Guests will notice that there are new gaming chips and some other minor, visible changes at Slots-A-Fun, in order to comply with the new licensing structure. There are no plans to sell or close Slots-A-Fun.

The official name of the property will be Slots-A-Fun at Circus Circus.

The news makes it sound like not much will change. Since the licenses were merged, uniforms, chips, signs have to be changed, but the feel, carpet, etc. shouldn't have to change. No one seems to know yet if Slots-A-Fun will be incorporating the ticket-in ticket-out system, but some sources say that they have already begun the changeover. That is sad as Slots-A-Fun was the last place on the strip where you could still hear coins hit the trey.

However, I'm glad to hear that the hot dogs, carpet, and overall feel are (hopefully) not going to change.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Not Slots-A-Fun


I had been thinking about writing some thoughts and musings on Las Vegas for a while now, but nothing had really kicked it off for me... until today. It appears that MGM Mirage has decided to close down the smallest casino on the Las Vegas Strip, Slots-A-Fun, and to add it on to the Circus Circus property.

This saddens me in more ways that I can describe. Slots-A-Fun had so much character. It was the only casino left on the strip that still disbursed coins when you cashed out (a great sound that can't be duplicated with speakers no matter how hard you try). The carpet was classic... do a Google search if you haven't seen it or don't remember it. They had $1.99 (recently raised from 99 cents) hot dogs, cheap drinks, really low limit tables ($1 blackjack, $2 Craps, 50 cent Roulette). It definitely was a one-of-a-kind place.

By contrast there is nothing fun or welcoming about Circus Circus. It is so bad that MGM Mirage won't even include their players card there. So as of July 1st Slots-A-Fun will being being re-branded and incorporated into the Circus Circus property. It's a sad day for Vegas fans and people who wanted a cheap fun place to gamble. I'm glad I got to see it one last time in May and that my last great memory will be my girlfriend hitting a small jackpot on the Deal or No Deal slot machine. Slots-A-Fun will always hold a fond place in my heart. More of my time will now be spent at Fremont Street, especially since I have no need to walk north of Encore anymore.

RIP dear friend.