The Valley has 100 new neighbors. Thursday’s fourth annual Independence Day ceremony was part of Las Vegas’ Celebrate America festivities.
It’s all thanks to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service and the city of Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman welcomed the new citizens at City Hall.
“I feel a part of this great country, something that I can’t explain it with words. It’s real exciting about all that it happened and now, that I can vote now,” said new citizen Stella Angelova.
Las Vegas might be the city where “What Happens Here, Stays Here” reigns, but despite the scandalous catchphrase, Sin City actually has a bonafide legal system comprised of real-life laws and a police squad to enforce them. You don’t say! But do tourists know about this? Not really. How about pit bosses and casino mobsters? Yes. The LVPD? Not so much.
Thousands of tourists are arrested here every year. Most of these arrests are not OJ-holding-up-memorabilia-dealers-at-palace-station type arrests. That’s right, the vast majority of Las Vegas bookings are your garden variety dumb crimes and yes, alcohol is almost always involved.
So pay attention as we clue you into the 10 Surest Ways to Get Arrested in Vegas. Who knows, maybe this list will resonate with you the next time you are in Las Vegas at 3 AM and have had a bit too much to drink, not that it’s meant to be a checklist or anything.
1. Take a Dip on the Strip.
It goes without saying that while attending a Major League Baseball game you can’t run onto the field or you will get arrested — same rule applies in Vegas. Think of any of the Strip’s waterway attractions as your home field and stay off it. We know, we know, after a couple drinks and a little coaxing from your hen party you might be just about ready to make a splash. If you do, you will get arrested. Don’t believe us? We’ll let a Vegas drunk’s lips tell their tale:
Okay, I once was “apprehended” when I went for a night swim at the Treasure Island moat. And yes I was drunk. I had a good lawyer, but for the record anytime you go for a swim on any of the Strip’s waterway structures is a sure way to land in the can.
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An appellate court ruled against the city of Las Vegas in its fight to stop commercial jets from flying over homes in the northwest part of the city.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco ruled Friday that the Federal Aviation Administration didn’t act arbitrarily or capriciously when it changed a flight path out of McCarran International Airport in March 2007.
FAA spokesman Ian Gregor says the ruling showed environmental reviews were properly conducted before the so-called “right turn” flight path was adopted.
City Councilman Steve Wolfson says the city is disappointed, but won’t appeal.
The city contended the FAA failed to fully consider noise, safety, air quality and property value concerns of residents in the affluent northwest Las Vegas neighborhood.
Las Vegas has gone back to marketing itself as a place that will keep your secrets.
After a year of flirting with tourism pitches that directly addressed the recession, the entertainment mecca is resurrecting its successful “What Happens Here Stays Here” campaign, which started in 2003.
“We feel it is time to get back to our brand messaging,” said Rossi Ralenkotter, president of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, in an email.
The “What Happens Here” campaign nods to Las Vegas’s reputation as a party town where visitors can enjoy some forbidden fun, or indulge in extreme behavior like conspicuous consumption. But a little more than a year ago, as the economy soured and visits to Las Vegas began to taper off, the city tried to adjust its image to something more in keeping with the prevailing mood of thrift.
Marketers ginned up messages touting the city’s affordability, suggesting that Las Vegas was just the place for hard-working people to get some well-deserved rest and relaxation. Last year, they used residents of tiny Cranfills Gap, Texas, in a campaign showing mostly blue-collar Americans enjoying Las Vegas activities like indoor skydiving.
But the economy continued to tank, and Las Vegas’s revenues kept sliding even as the city was upping its bet on tourism. During the first two months of this year, the number of visitors to the city fell 10% from a year earlier, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority — though some casinos lately have reported better-than-expected results. At the same time, developers were planning to add between 13,000 and 15,000 rooms by the end of 2010, the authority said.
Though the city’s marketers say those campaigns were successful, they say new research showed them that even in a painful recession, consumers still liked the idea of going to Las Vegas to sample pleasures unavailable at home.
The resulting $7.8 million campaign has been tweaked to put a humorous spin on the recession. In one TV spot, which aired nationally last week, a female TV news reporter walks along what appears to be a deserted Vegas poolside, calling it “yet another troubling sign of the times.” But, as soon as the cameras stop rolling, she pulls off her business attire to reveal a bikini. Guests, who have been hiding, emerge, and everyone jumps into a packed pool as music thumps in the background.
The ad is meant to suggest that despite the financial troubles faced by some of the city’s big resort-casinos, Las Vegas is alive and thriving.
Market research showed consumers wanted “some comfort that this is the Vegas they’ve always known and loved,” says Billy Vassiliadias, chief executive of R&R Partners, which created the “What Happens Here” campaign. Mr. Vassiliadias says that, in interviews with consumers, researchers picked up a sense that consumers have “exhaled,” and may be ready to splurge a little bit.
“People are still not comfortable enough to call it a real vacation. They’re just looking for some time to decompress,” he says.
DUI or drunk driving is the most common criminal offense in the Las Vegas area. This trend has not only launched groups pushing for stricter laws, but it has also created another industry focused on defending those charged with a DUI. DUI checkpoints are a scene many locals are used to since the city serves alcohol. Sandy Heverly with Stop DUI describes Las Vegas as a culture of drinking, even though the state has seen a significant reduction in DUI accidents and fatalities.
“Alcohol is a drug, a drug that impairs your ability to operate a motor vehicle in a safe fashion,” says Heverly.
Although Nevada has some of the toughest DUI laws, advocacy groups want more. Working with the Nevada Legislature, Heverly is pushing a bill that would double the cap for victim compensation.
“This bill is not just designed for…any crime victim that suffers injuries and requires additional assistance. The beauty of this bill is it does not affect our general fund; it has nothing to do with that. It has no fiscal note to this. These monies are derived from federal grants and other resources.”
But for all of the resources for victims, you’ll find just as many for offenders.
A simple online search found numerous web sites focused on helping those charged with DUIs. Local attorney Michael Becker lists his help online. He says he is not advocating drinking and driving, but rather provides helpful information for those who run into trouble.
“Where there is a demand for service, there are those that respond and provide those services. Of course, those who are facing prosecution for driving under the influence need representation; because some are guilty, some may not be.”
A second bill up for debate would require all DUI offenders to attend a live victim panel within a sixty-mile radius of their home, as opposed to watching it online where there is no supervision.
A Korean-American woman has won the jackpot in Las Vegas. Xochitl Hwang (52) is the developer of Onionmap, which has been chosen as the official online map of the city of Las Vegas. An obscure little Korean firm edged out global giants Google, Yahoo, Microsoft and AOL.
Onionmap, made by Korea’s Quriocity with technology developed in Korea, is a three-dimensional, interactive map which also helps with shopping, sightseeing, hotel and restaurant reservations and community activities. Within Onionmap, all services are one-stop. The company is expected to make W400 billion per year from Las Vegas reservations, out of an average of W4 trillion in annual revenues Las Vegas earns from tourism (US$1=W1,291).
Hwang says she was never satisfied with what she had, constantly searching for new things and enjoying challenges. “I changed businesses the way some people change their boyfriends,” she says. “And the way relationships can become boring after some time, I always opt for a new and different business when my current one is stabilized.”
The key to survival is to think differently from others. “You can’t be at the top when you benchmark the front runner. The best you can reach is second place. To be in the first place, you have to take the road not taken,” she says.
When she started Onionmap, many people asked her why she did not do it like Google or Yahoo maps. If she had, the “miracle of Las Vegas” would never have happened.
Hwang says she has spent one-third of last 30 years in airplanes and hotels on business trips in the U.S., Europe and China. But her latest journey has just begun. Hwang now plans to target other major U.S. cities with Onionmap.
A consumer economic report released Monday suggests the economic slowdown that has befallen the Las Vegas gaming industry has showed signs of bottoming out.
The report from Las Vegas-based Majestic Research predicts the rate of decline in casino revenues – which has eclipsed double digits in recent months – will be lower in the first quarter of 2009 compared to the fourth quarter of 2008.
“While modest improvements such as these do not indicate a bottom, they could be potential first steps to a much-awaited economic recovery,” said John Aiken, managing director at Majestic Research.
Aiken added that some of the “positive trends” are the result of active promotion from mid-market Las Vegas casinos.
“The improvement likely reflects easier comps for the mass market properties relative to higher-end properties,” Aiken said. “However, we think this could be an early sign that trends are bottoming out in Las Vegas as the value-conscious visitors who were priced out earlier in the downturn may be responding to the bargain room rates that are being offered by the mass market properties.”
Other factors that contribute to a somewhat healthy prognosis for the gaming industry are early reports of positive gains in venues outside of Nevada. They include:
• Pennsylvania reports a 9.4 percent increase in casino revenues for March. Slot machine play generated more than $155 million in revenues for the state’s seven operating casinos. Two new casinos are expected to open this year, as well as two expansions at casinos currently in temporary facilities.
• West Virginia gaming revenues increased 2.6 percent in March, due to the addition of table games to a third casino compared to two last year. Overall, slot revenues were up about 1 percent in West Virginia.
• Gaming revenue in Maine increased 31.3 percent in March. Net gaming revenues reached $4.7 million at Penn’s Hollywood Slots, with a gross revenue of $55.1 million compared to $47 million a year ago.
• New York’s racinos saw its video lottery terminal (slots) revenue increase 11 percent to $81.2 million in March. Most of the state’s operators enjoyed double-digit gains, ranging from 13.5 percent to 18.2 percent. Only Monticello and Saratoga had year-over-year declines of 1.3 percent and 1.4 percent, respectively.
Gaming revenues for Nevada casinos in March won’t be published until May 10. On April 10, the state’s Gaming Control Board will release its revenue report for February.
If traveling around the strip, walking is a reasonable option as hotel-casinos are found close to each other. In fact in most cases, at least two hotels are connected to each other either by bridge or underground or in the case of Excalibur, Luxor and Malanday Bay, by a complimentary rail shuttle. Be aware that during the summer, the oppressive heat during the daylight hours may make walking a very uncomfortable activity. So if you don’t feel like walking or are staying at a hotel off the strip or better yet renting a home in Las Vegas here are some options:
he Las Vegas Monorail [11], +1 702 699-8200, runs on the east side of the strip with stops behind several of the hotels and at the Las Vegas Convention Center [12]. It costs $5 one-way, $9 return and $15 for a one-day pass. Do the math before boarding, it could be cheaper for a small group to take a taxi. Because the monorail stops at the back entrance of the hotels, it takes a long time to wind through the maze of casinos, often taking 30 minutes to an hour to get from one point to another on the Strip - if you’re in a hurry take a taxi.
Taxi
One of the easiest ways to get around is by taxi. It is relatively cheap to go from hotel to hotel. The cab driver is required to turn on the meter and to take the shortest route to your destination. There is a surcharge for rides originating at the airport, but not for extra passengers. Taxi lines (queues) are typically found at the front of hotels. You would be unwise to attempt to hail one on the street, especially on the Strip as it is illegal for a cab to stop traffic to pick up or drop off a passenger. The best way to hail a cab outside of a cabstand is to use the following method: if you are wanting to go north on the strip, stand on the east side about 20 feet before a turn off. The cab you want to wave over will have the yellow lights off. Standing like this allows the cab to turn off the road and pick you up. It is customary to tip the hotel taxi dispatcher $1 or more; tip the cab driver at least 15% of the meter, and about $1 per piece of luggage.
Renting a Car in Las Vegas
Renting a car at McCarran International Airport is fairly cheap and popular. The opening of the new rental car facility has increased the wait time to get your car. All the rental agencies are now located under a single roof and all use the same shuttle from the airport to the facility. There have been reports of an extra 30 min increase in the time it takes to pick up and/or drop off your vehicle, so please add this to any arrival and departure times so you won’t be late for anything important. Expect to pay about 50% more for your car rental due to recent tax increases.
Are you taking your sweetie to Vegas for Valentine’s Day? Why not surprise her with a spa treatment. The resort spas are getting into the spirit by offering holiday-themed facial, scrub and massage specials. But be careful not to blow it, make the reservation before all you spontaneous lovers show up on the Strip. Your thoughtful advanced planning will score as many points with her as the gift.
Caesars | The Kama Sutra with Shirodhara couples treatment is on the menu year-round. “Celebrate the art of love with someone special as you enjoy the Shirodhara and body exfoliation with massage experience side by side in your own private suite. Warm oil anoints the forehead, opening the intuitive mind, while chilled rose petals rest softly over the eyes. Tantric music and pure aphrodisiac massage oils of sandalwood and rose transport couples into romantic bliss.” Cost: $450 (per-couple price) for 75 minutes. Contact: Qua Baths & Spa, (866) 782-0655.
Venetian | For the big splurge, get the “Valentine’s Date” package for couples at Canyon Ranch SpaClub. Six-hundred dollars gets you and your loved one a 50-minute side-by-side Chocolate Cherry Massage or a 50-minute Fruit and Chocolate Facial, a couples Rasul (or private mud treatment experience), use of the Aquavana, Canyon Ranch’s facility experience including steam rooms, saunas, wave room, aromatherapy room, rain showers, cool air igloo and more. The package also includes a prix fixe dinner for two at the Canyon Ranch Grill. Note: While the Canyon Ranch SpaClub has some Valentine’s spa treatments good through the rest of the month, this date package is limited to Valentine’s Day weekend. When I called the only availability left was on Monday, Feb. 15, 2009. Contact, Canyon Ranch SpaClub, (877) 220-2688.
Treasure Island | Enjoy a Chocolate Mint Body Scrub to invigorate and exfoliate the skin or a White Chocolate Body Soufflé with amino acids and more than a dozen minerals to increase cellular rejuvenation and restore elasticity to the skin. Both are 25 minutes and cost $70 each. Contact: Wet, (702) 894-7474.
Red Rock | Head out to Summerlin for some chocolate. The Spa at Red Rock has nine Valentine’s treats to choose from including a Cocoa Creme de la Creme facial (50 minutes, $145), Chocolate Chip Double-Dip Scrub and Massage (80 minutes, $195), Couples Delight package with each person getting a 50-minute Swedish massage (in the same room) and an 80-minute Top of the Rock pedicure ($254 per person). Contact: the Spa at Red Rock, (866) 363-2872.
New York New York | Sweetheart Massage: Swedish and deep-tissue massage with romantic aromatherapy strawberry & Champagne scents plus a box of chocolate truffles. Cost: 25 minutes for $85, 50 minutes for $115 or 75 minutes for $165; running all month. Contact: the Spa, (702) 740-6955.
hat Rhonda Hunt knows about football could fit into a thimble.
“I don’t know anything about it, to tell you the truth,” said Hunt, credit manager for Tejas Industries in Amarillo. “I try to watch a little with my husband, and he tries to explain it to me. There’s too many rules. I don’t even know who’s playing in the Super Bowl.”
So today is just the first day of the new month? There’s nothing Super about it and Hunt just ignored all talk, any office involvement last week with Super Bowl XLIII? Right.
“It is the Super Bowl,” she said. “It’s different than any other game. A lot are involved in it. It’s kind of a group thing.”
That means when it comes to the time-honored office pool, for the picking of the squares, Hunt is like millions across the country. Casual football fan or no fan at all, she’s all in.
“Because that’s where the money is,” she said.
No event - not the Kentucky Derby or the NCAA basketball tournament - generates the massive amount of wagering like a Super Bowl. It’s like a moth to flame.
For each of the last five Super Bowls, more than $90 million has been wagered in Las Vegas alone, according to sportsbetting.com. Six years ago, that figure was $70 million. Las Vegas consultants believe what is wagered in their city legally is just 1 percent of the entire action.
Estimates are that $10 billion - that’s with a ‘b’ - will be wagered on today’s game. It’s not just the point spread between the Arizona Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers, but more than 300 proposition bets surround the game, too. There are opportunities to win - or more likely, lose - hundreds of times during the game.
A huge bulk of the wagers come from online gambling sites where just one site last year for New England-New York averaged 700 bets a minute in the nine hours before kickoff.
The rest comes from wagers between individuals and the office pools, the games of chance that seem to draw everyone from the hard-core fantasy-league player to those who may not know who’s playing, but know a fun thing when they hear it. There’s myriad Web sites on how to set up grids for “pick the score” squares.
“We do the grid and I guarantee you, we’ll get everyone to participate,” said Sam Spradlin, chief financial officer for Tejas Industries. “We’ll get 100 percent participation. People will not miss out on a chance.
“We’ll get wives to play. Guys will pick for their wives. You don’t have to know anything about the game or teams. People jump on it like lottery tickets.”
In a 2008 survey of office betting pools, vault.com, a jobs-oriented Web site, found 58 percent of office workers have participated at least once in a betting pool, and that 77 percent of their co-workers did.
In the survey, the Super Bowl edged out the NCAA basketball tournament as the most popular event. Only 9 percent surveyed said their office had a policy against such pools.
In essence, the office pool is like buying a raffle ticket to win a prize. Throw down a few bucks and hope the football gods smile. If it helps with office morale, so much the better. The vault.com survey said 72 percent of participants said “harmless fun” was the top motivation.
“We charge a couple of bucks a square with 49 to 50 squares, and so maybe the winner of each quarter gets $25,” Spradlin said. “There might be $100 in the whole thing. We keep it so it’s not too crazy. It ends up being basically coffee money.”
But a huge segment do get a little crazy. Those who bet on football each week of the season online or with a bookmaker certainly aren’t going to simply watch the Super Bowl.
“The only betting I did was on football, so the Super Bowl was like going for broke,” said Scott, 34, an Amarillo blue-collar worker who asked that his last name be withheld. “It was definitely the adrenaline rush. You got a financial interest in it. It’s like someone watching the stock market.”
Scott bet for years until he quit after last season. He was worried he could drift into being a problem gambler if he didn’t stop. So he did. Before this year, he would bet $125 on a weekend of games.
For the Super Bowl, his average was around $300. One game he bet $500.
Last year, he bet the point spread, the over/under and the coin toss with a bookie. And for the Super Bowl, unlike any other event, he had friends wanting to get into some action.
“I’d get people calling me because they knew I had a bookie and say, ‘Hey, can you get me $300 or $100 on so-and-so,’ ” Scott said. “It was almost like I had my own bookie service. People who’d not normally bet liked to do it a little and make it fun.
“It absolutely sucks-in the one-time bettor. The guy who used to handle the book for me, before he got computerized, he’d get a call from a client who’d say, ‘Hey, my brother wants to put $100 on this team.’ He’d complain about it because how was he going to find Joe’s brother when it’s time to pay?”
Brian, 36, an acquaintance of Scott, bets pro and college regularly.
He won $3,200 two years ago when the Indianapolis Colts and Chicago Bears played. He likely will wager around $300 on most Super Bowls. He has plenty of company.
“There are quite a few who do this,” he said. “It’s pretty big around here as a local type deal, definitely.”
For Scott, his gambling participation today will be like most of those at his Super Bowl party - throwing $5 to $10 into a pot.
He’s gone from the weekly $125 with a bookie to the occasional $5 bet with friends.
“Of all the people I’ve known, and this is probably true just about anywhere, about 50 percent who bet on the Super Bowl are casual bettors, who just do it for the major events,” he said. “The other 50 percent are the guys who are there for every game.”
The innocent $2 office square to the online bookies to the major casinos in Las Vegas. The Super Bowl explodes into a billion-dollar wager industry every year. And that’s a sure bet.