Saturday, March 21, 2026

Great Consolidation (Remastered)

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Since the creation of modern day Las Vegas, there have always been people lamenting the good ole days, whatever that means to that individual at the time. Determining what is considered “good” is about as subjective as subjective can be.  Most people today will point to the time before the strip was primarily owned by 2 companies, MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment.  While the benefits of consolidation are obvious, potentially the best thing about it is the story of how it all happened.  To do that, we are going to have to trace back to how these assets exchanged hands before finally ending up in the corporate portfolio that are currently a part of.  To keep the story clean and the timeline defined, we are only going to focus on the majority owners and only their moves in Las Vegas.  We’re calling this, the Great Consolidation of Las Vegas 

Saturday, February 21, 2026

Oscar Goodman

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I don’t know what I think about Oscar Goodman. I want to say I respect what he does and if I needed help, I hope my advocate is half the lawyer he is. At the same time what he’s done and who he’s defended troubles me, makes me uncomfortable, ethically even if I’m not sure it should. When Oscar speaks about his clients he does so very deliberately as if he’s making sure he doesn’t say something that would get him in trouble. He claims there was no such thing as the mob even though history has proven it beyond a shadow of a doubt, but that might just be part of his well-polished schtick. Oscar will tell you he’s just really naive but it’s hard to accept because he’s clearly very intelligent. He considers his greatest accomplishment to be his family and he loves his wife very much. It’s clear he passionately enjoys what he does and what he does is defend rights. He’s also incredibly likable although he’s one hell of a ball buster. Oscar is the kind of guy you want to like you even though you’re not sure if you like him. 

Recommended Reading - Being Oscar

Saturday, January 24, 2026

Siegfried and Roy

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Siegfried & Roy, Masters of the Impossible, and in their time, as famously associated with Las Vegas as the Fountains of Bellagio are.  This act of illusion and tigers captivated audiences and really complimented the family friendly entertainment spectaculars coining phrases like “Only in Vegas”.  Let’s not forget, these are grownups going to see a magic show. But part of the interest was that disaster lurked around every corner, every night. At any moment, things could go horribly wrong. The fact that they didn’t sooner may be their greatest magic trick. 

Recommended Reading - The Secret Life of Siegfried and Roy

Saturday, December 20, 2025

Wayne Newton

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It’s fitting that he came up in lounges and has returned to them in the twilight of his career. That may sound like a slight, but it’s not meant to be. It’s a compliment. His lounge show is the only of its kind on the strip and that is because a lounge show couldn’t exist today with anyone other than Wayne Newton. When we lose him, we will lose that form of entertainment or at the very least the best incarnation of it.  

Recommended Reading - Once Before I Go

Saturday, November 22, 2025

Hammered History - Flamingo


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 As told by Tony and Rum.

 

Saturday, September 20, 2025

YESCO

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It was said that people would rebuild their buildings to accommodate the biggest sign they could afford.  That’s how important signage was, or how important it is.  Las Vegas was the only town in the world whose skyline was made up of signs.  So big, they were the first thing you’d see from a mile away.  YESCO, Heath, Federal, Ad Art and SSI are just some of the names responsible for bringing those iconic signs to life and by doing so caused one element to be more important in the hearts of so many…NEON.   

Saturday, August 23, 2025

Hammered History - Kerkorian

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Josh drinks excessively and attempts to tell us the story of one of the pioneering names in Vegas history.

 

Saturday, May 24, 2025

Evolution of the Strip

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What constitutes a Vegas resort?  We have to go to the original, universally agreed to be the first resort on the strip, the El Rancho.  Small casinos, nightclubs and motels existed on highway 91 before the El Rancho opened,  but it was the combination of a hotel/motel and a casino on property that made it a Vegas resort.  It’s with this template that we have created the definitive order for Las Vegas resorts and their evolution on the strip. 

Saturday, April 19, 2025

The Sands

 

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It’s a Vegas icon, even to this day.  The Sands presided over the golden age of Las Vegas, both in entertainment and in the zeitgeist.  When you think of cool you think of the Rat Pack at the Sands.  It’s a Vegas legend that actually only lasted a month but the legend lived on far beyond the run of shows.  And yet with all her history she wasn’t able to keep up with the competition and had to be imploded to make way for the future.  But no matter how successful her new incarnation is she will never equal the mythic status achieved by the Sands.

If you're interested in learning more about the Sands, check out the book, At the Sands

Saturday, May 18, 2024

Fountains of Bellagio

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The Fountains of Bellagio are one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world.  You’ve seen them on TV, in movies and even cartoons.  The Fountains transcend pop cultural trends that phase out over a decade or two and instead has become one of the unofficial ambassadors of the city of Las Vegas, as identifiable as the strip itself and the Welcome to Vegas sign.  Sadly, it is the last of the free shows Steve Wynn gave us while he was remaking the strip in his image.  As beloved as it is, we have to prepare ourselves.  Remember, especially in Vegas, everything has a shelf life.  It is inevitable that this too shall pass.

Who knows what the future holds for the Fountains of Bellagio.  One thing we do know is everything in Las Vegas has a shelf life.  How long that will be is indeterminable at this time.  So enjoy that last groundbreaking, free attraction from the mind of Steve Wynn still in operating condition in Las Vegas.  An idea so great that many of Wynn’s other properties around the world also feature smaller versions of the fountains and the concept has been borrowed from all around the world.
For more information about the Fountains of Bellagio, check out the book by the same name

Saturday, April 20, 2024

360 Vintage LOST Vegas E-3: Moulin Rouge

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Okay.  Let’s start by addressing the Elephant in the room.  Las Vegas was racist.  Really, really racist.  Not Alabama bad but Las Vegas was known as the “Mississippi of the west” and I’m certain it wasn’t a compliment.

Saturday, March 23, 2024

360 Vintage LOST Vegas E-2: Royal Nevada

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Nothing special is probably a very good way to describe the Royal Nevada.  Not that it wasn’t nice or well located, it just wasn’t memorable.  Think Monte Carlo Vegas and its luxury on a budget theme.  Mix that with the opening of 4 new Vegas properties in 1955 and the answer to the question is yes, Vegas was over built. 

Saturday, February 24, 2024

360 Vintage LOST Vegas E-1: Moon Hotel & Casino

 
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This is one of those projects that I would have loved to see make it to the strip; and who knows, we may still get it one day.  Yes a space theme has failed before in Las Vegas but come on, it was Bob Stupak behind it.  Just like Luxor before it, I wonder how long those themed attractions will last.  Another problem with a space themed resort is how quickly things can look dated. $5 billion dollars is a crazy price tag for a concept that is clearly targeting the middle class. Only time will tell if this concept comes to market but considering its Vegas, I wouldn’t bet on it. 

Saturday, January 20, 2024

Jay Sarno

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Many regard Jay Sarno as the father of the themed casino as well as the mind behind family friendly Las Vegas.  His contributions to the strip, Caesars Palace and Circus Circus, are complete opposites on the theme and customer base scale.  While he was many things, a womanizer and a gambling addict, no one can dispute that he was also a visionary.  Jay Sarno was exactly what Vegas wanted during a time when all its current owners were being scrutinized by attorney general Bobby Kennedy; a legit guy with no previous connection to organized crime.

If you're interested in learning more about Jay Sarno, check out...

Saturday, December 23, 2023

Aladdin

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At times the Aladdin has been called “The Vegas Jinx”.  History has documented a long line of potential suitors who, when they took their shot, missed.  In a town where the house always wins, it’s not only an anomaly when one doesn’t, it’s also a cautionary tale.  It isn’t as simple as build it and they will come.  Theme, location, timing and in some cases luck is needed to be a successful Las Vegas resort.

If your interested in learning more about the Aladdin, check out...

Saturday, November 18, 2023

Del Webb & the Sahara

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The Sahara used to be referred to as the start of the strip, when the strip began to develop.  During that time, people talked about the strip like they do off strip properties today, too far from the action.  Turns out what people really wanted was more options and the development of the strip over the years has been nothing short of remarkable.  The question is, does the strip have a limit to the number of properties it can support, or do the struggles facing places like Sahara fall directly on the shoulders of the properties experiencing them.  Give the people what they want and they will come.  If you follow that sentiment then the question has to be asked, do people not want what Sahara has to offer?  Is that why they are struggling?

For more information regarding Del Webb and the Sahara, check out...

Saturday, November 4, 2023

360 Vintage Vegas - Kenny Epstein

Most of you probably don’t know who Kenny Epstein is, but you should. He’s the owner and CEO of El Cortez. Much more than that, he’s the guy that made the conscious decision to not remodel the property but to refresh it while retaining the vintage feel the property permeates. Kenny understands what El Cortez does so well and sees the value in continuing to service those customers. So instead he upgraded just about everything in the property, all without changing the esthetic. This year, the El Cortez, and Kenny, celebrate their 80th birthday. So we took the opportunity to talk history and the El Cortez with the man himself in the first ever 360 Vintage Vegas Interview.

 

Saturday, October 21, 2023

Benny Binion

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Benny Binion is a Vegas legend.  Many of the policies and procedures he put in place to run his casinos are standard operating procedure today.  Making everyone feel like they were someone was the key to establishing loyalty and more importantly, return business.  At Binion’s, you knew you were getting a good gamble with a fair shake.
For more information about Benny Binion, check out the following

Saturday, September 23, 2023

Hacienda

 
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Something for everyone, that’s what Vegas has that makes it a magical destination.  It took decades for the market to get that way but it seems every time change is needed, the city finds a way to adapt and evolve.  At the end, the Hacienda looked miniature next to its new neighbors Luxor and Excalibur.  Like many properties before it and since, the Hacienda evolved as much as it could but ultimately had to be imploded to make room for the future of the strip.  Thankfully part of that evolution includes other properties adapting to cater to the audience that once frequented the Hacienda.

Saturday, August 19, 2023

Flamingo

 

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The Flamingo may be the most iconic property in all of Las Vegas.  Credited with bringing the luxury theme to the strip, its opulence was considered off putting to some, particularly locals, especially when they were initially informed they weren't allowed to wear their cowboy hats inside. 


If your interested in learning more about the Flamingo, check out...