VEGAS ROOM TAXES GOING UP, AND THERE'S GOING TO BE A NEW STADIUM.

Update October 14, 2016  Soon, the hotel room taxes for Vegas visitors will be going up and it's to pay for a new domed stadium that just might house the Raiders football team. Earlier today the Nevada legislature approved legislation for the higher tax that paves the way for the stadium and new construction space.

$1.4-billion dollars will be spent on 600,000 square feet of new meeting space and tax money will be used to contribute to a $1.9-billion, 65-thousand seat stadium. The Clark County room tax will go up by 0.5-percentage point for the convention space, and it will go up 0.88-percentage point to contribute to the stadium. The Raiders could play in Vegas in 2020.

NEW CHARTER JET SERVICE BETWEEN BURBANK AND VEGAS

Update May 24, 2016  There is a new charter jet service that is starting a regular schedule for travel between Burbank and Las Vegas in just a couple of days. JetSuiteX is the name of the charter service and its flights will start on May 26 with regular fares starting at $129 each way. As I wrote this article I found Southwest Airlines charging as much as $149 for one-way flights during June.

JetSuiteX says it wil connect Burbank's Bob Hope Airport with McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas with three daily roundtrip flights on Embraer 135 aircraft. JetSuiteX is a new charter company that started a month ago with flights between Los Angeles and San Francisco. This charter company is different from other charter services because passengers do not need to sign-up for a membership plan or pay a monthy subscription. What will appeal to many tavelers is that as a charter company, JetSuiteX flies from private jet facilities so there are no long security lines and easy parking, too.

To purchase tickets go to their website www.jetsuitex.com or calling 800-435-9579. There are also plans for private jet membership and additional information is available on the company's website at www.jetsuite.com.

This appears to be the first LA-to-Vegas alternative that might really "work" since the X-Train tried to re-establish passenger train service. It appears the X-Train idea is no where close to becoming a reality and the company has "changed tracks" to provide travel services and luxury private passenger train cars in certain markets. You can read our reports on the development and downfall of the X-Train on our "Travel / Vacation" page and below you can see a video report we had on our TV show when the X-Train first announced its plans. We should mention that a second LA-to-Vegas passenger train project that another company wanted to develop also appears to have been abandoned. And a proposed high-speed train between Southern California and Vegas also has run into problems so it's prospects also appear to be, excuse the pun, a losing bet.

For those of you who forgot about the X-Train idea, below is the report we did about about six years ago.

WHO DO THE CASINOS CATER TO?

Update April 22, 2016  It's interesting what you can find out when you look at the job openings for casino companies. The job descriptions can give you some insights into how the casinos operate and how they treat you, the customer, when it comes to service and perks. For example, look what I found in the job description for a gaming analyst with Caesars Entertainment:

Caesars Entertainment gaming operations manages over 54k slot units and nearly 3000 table games. These operations generate over $4B in gaming revenue annually. These operations are further supported by the contributions made by our VIP customer, who although they account for roughly 5% of our overall guest trips, generate over 40% of our gaming revenue.

This is why there are special lines and special perks for Seven Stars and Diamond players in the Caesars Total Rewards system -- because they generate over 40% of the gaming revenue.

Also consider that these highly-rated players only account for 5% of guest trips. The way I interpret that, 5% of the hotel rooms generate more than 40% of the casino business. That's an interesting problem for Caesars: they must find a way to generate more revenue from the other 95% of hotel rooms.

How do you generate revenue from the other 95% of hotel rooms? You be sure they shop, or go to clubs, or go to restaurants and shows, and yes you want them to gamble, too. You also want them to be part of conventions that use ballrooms for convention meetings and dinners and parties because that also contributes to the bottom line.

But in the casino, just a few are responsible for so much. Remember that when you see an extra window for the Seven Stars and the Diamond players at the casino cage, and there is a special line at restaurants so these players can eat and get back to playing faster.

STATION CASINOS ADDING COMP AND OFFERS SYSTEM TO 19,000 SLOT MACHINES

Update April 6, 2016  IGT, the biggest manufacturer of casino slot and video poker machines, today announced that the Station Casinos group will be adding its system to 19,000 machines that will allow players to view comps and offers and access them while playing. This will allow players to stay in their seats to redeem free play offers and to view new offers and comps that are being earned while they play. Systems like this literally keep players in their seats longer because players can now access comps at the machines rather than walking to a separate redemption kiosk or to a Players Club desk. These systems can literally prevent extended "down time" or "away time" from slot and video poker machines and they remove a reason for a player to get up from the machine.

You'll still have to walk to an ATM in Nevada because the Nevada Gaming Commission has denied a plan to have players access their plastic cards at the machines they play. I'm not sure any casino has ever offered to dispense cash payouts at slot and video poker machines -- and I think the casinos want you to walk to a ticket redemption machine hoping that you'll play-off the remaining coins or dollars you have.

Of course there are other things you can take home from Vegas resorts and casinos and some of them are designed for you to take home. Some casinos have magazines that promote the resort and their chains and they want you to take those. Casinos used to give you postcards in your room hoping you would mail them to friends and relatives and that was a marketing goal. There are pens and envelopes and sometimes note paper and I think casinos would like you to take home the pen because each time you use it you will see the casino or resort name, and the same goes for the note paper.

Some of the hotels have very nice clothes hangars in their closets but it's gotten difficult to take these for home use because the rails in the closets are smaller than when you probably have at home and the hooks on the hangars are made for those smaller hotel rails and now what you have at home.

Don't take the Gideon Bible and yes I still see Gideon Bibles in some casino hotel rooms.

Some casino companies think you will like the bedding so much they include a price list for the beds and mattresses and pillows so you can order them new and have them delivered to your home.

If you are really lucky, you might be in the casino when they are changing the layouts on a gaming table. Layouts on craps tables, blackjack tables, roulette and other table games have to be changed every so often because of wear and tear and stains. My son and I were playing craps at Caesars Palace some years ago when the layouts were being changed on the craps tables. My son asked the installers if he could have the old layout from one table and they gave it to him and that was quite a souvenir.

For some Vegas travelers it's become a game and a challenge to see just what you can take home with you. For others it's not a game at all but a real financial necessity because they consider what they can take home as part of their "return" as a gambler. These players actually add in the value of soap and shampoo with the value of free show tickets and free meals into their equations for figuring if they have a profit or not gambling. I can't consider soap that I take home as part of my gambing dollar return, but I do value a nice bar of pricey soap that I can take home with me. 

MORE DELAYS FOR THE X-TRAIN BETWEEN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AND LAS VEGAS

Update November 10, 2012  It appears that the X-Train, the Las Vegas Railway Express, will not be starting its train service until the Fall of 2013.  Back in 2011, company officials were hoping to start service in June or July 2012, and then they were looking for a start in late 2012 perhaps in time for New Year's travel.  But recently, the company revealed that building permits had not yet been obtained for renovation of the old railway station behind The Plaza in downtown Las Vegas -- which the X Train will be using -- and that it has not yet purchased enough rail cars or started to refurbish them for the X Train luxury model.  Investors were told recently that a start might come in the Fall of 2013 but that further delays were possible.

Our information from company insiders are that these delays are normal in the course of business -- and this will be a big business -- and complications can be expected.  Rome wasn't built in a day, nor was Caesars Palace which is still reinventing itself with new additions, and nor will a successful passenger train system between Vegas and Southern California.  You might say it takes time to do it right.

When you think about it, if the X Train service is launched in late 2013 it might be even more successful than if it were launched right now.  In late 2013 the economy might be better and so there will be more demand for travel between Las Vegas and Southen California, and given the rise of inflation and oil prices and air fares and gasoline, the train's ticket price might appear to be an even better bargain.

THE X-TRAIN BETWEEN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AND LAS VEGAS WILL NOT HAVE GAMBLING

Update January 2, 2012  Michael Barron, the Chairman of the Las Vegas Railway Express, sent me a text message this morning to say that the X-Train will not be offering gambling when it starts service.  "We are not providing gambling nor proposing it," he told me.  He made the statement after a comment was posted on a YouTube.com video report we did about the X-Train.  You can see that video report here on our "Travel / Vacation" page.

When we first reported on the X-Train they had an idea about operating perhaps some kind of onboard gaming such as poker games, blackjack or even slots.  The company realized that in California they might be limited to classes about gambling and perhaps free poker games or limited poker or tournaments in accordance with California law.  The original idea was that maybe once the train was in Nevada, other gaming might be available.  But now, the Las Vegas Railway Express says gambling is no longer part of their plans.

Still on the table, from what we understand, is onboard entertainment, a sports bar to watch games, fine dining at a budget price, and a relaxing travel experience in first-class seating that will allow visitors to and from Las Vegas to beat the traffic headaches.  Even without gambling on the train the idea of a low-priced train trip that beats the I-15 traffic snarl and boredom still makes a lot of sense.

Onboard entertainment could range from TV movies, performances by comedians and magicians, even business meetings for business groups traveling to Vegas.  And don't forget the dining options that will be available.  The last we heard is that the start of train service will be this summer, June or July 2012.

CAESARS IS SMART ABOUT OCTAVIUS TOWER

Update September 18, 2011  Caesars Palace will open its new Octavius Tower on January 2nd and that is an excellent idea.  It means that if there are any headaches and glitches that accompany the opening of the new tower they will happen after the Christmas and New Year's rush during January, when business is usually a bit slower than during the peak holiday travel week.  Every new tower, and new hotel, runs into trouble of some sort when they first open and that is to be expected.

The other smart decisions about the Octavius Tower include these:

Caesars delayed the opening during the worst of the recession and controlled operating costs by not having a tower that probably would not have had enough visitors to fill it.

By delaying the completion they probably saved some money with prices being lower now for labor and some materials -- but that's my own guess because that's usually what happens in a recession.

And the other smart decision that Caesars management made was choosing the name Octavius for its new tower.  Octavius can be translated to mean "eighth" as in "eighth child" and eight is a number meaning prosperity for Asians and Octavius could become the tower of choice for Asian players.  It wouldn't surprise me if there are Asian cultural accents added to the Octavius Tower design and decor.  The Octavius Tower might be the choice for players seeking prosperity.

I don't know if Caesars just got lucky choosing the name Octavius so it would appeal to Asian visitors, or if it was planned.  But Caesars does have a history of carefully choosing its primary name of Caesars Palace.

Indeed it is called Caesars Palace and not Caesar's Palace because this it is supposed to be a palace for all of its visitors -- all of its Caesars -- who come there.

KISS MONSTER MINI-GOLF COMING SPRING 2012

Update December 15, 2011  The latest word is that the opening of the Kiss Monster Mini-Golf facility in Las Vegas won't happen until spring and probably in Mid-March.  About three months ago we reported here that progress was being made on the construction and opening of the KISS Monster Mini-Golf event center that is coming to Las Vegas.  This is miniature golf plus a whole lot more indoors.  About the only thing that will be traditional about this mini-golf course is that there will be holes to putt your golf ball into.  The rest of it will be unique with a theme that follows the KISS musical group set with glow-in-the-dark decor with a live DJ and party rooms for private events including weddings.  The event center will be across from the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino  at the Shoppes at Harmon Square.  It is expected to open now around March 15th.

"The custom-designed, frightfully fun course will feature animated KISS and monster props lurking in all 18 fairways," according to the company.  "A live DJ will rock the raucous house with continuous KISS music, trivia, contests, and prizes.  A gift shop will offer unique KISS and Monster souvenirs.  And for party monsters, one-of-a-kind KISS themed event rooms will host KISS and monster-themed parties, events and wedding celebrations."

It certainly makes sense that a KISS-themed mini-golf center would be located near the Hard Rock.  And you can expect to hear more about the opening soon as the prominent Las Vegas PR firm Preferred Public Relations is now connected to the project.  Combining the KISS brand with a miniature golf course that features monsters near the Hard Rock Hotel just seems to be a perfect combination.

THE NEW PLAZA HOTEL HAD ITS SOFT OPENING ON AUGUST 24TH

Update August 25, 2011  The newly refurbished Plaza Hotel has reopened in downtown Las Vegas, and had its soft opening on August 24th. The Plaza Hotel and Casino officially reopens in September after a makeover that involved some big changes inside this 40-year old downtown Las Vegas landmark.  Reservations for the night of August 24th are now being accepted on The Plaza's website and we saw rates at $35 a night with a two-night minimum for a deluxe room.

Earlier this summer we got a sneak peek inside the new Plaza and you can watch our video report below.  We got a very good look at what some of the hotel rooms and suites will look like when guests arrive.  The Plaza was able to get many of the interior furnishings of the abandoned Fontainebleau Hotel and these include room furniture, flooring, tiles, marble, bath fixtures, wallpaper, carpet and more.  This makeover just might make the jewel of downtown and certainly will raise the stakes for other casino hotels near the Fontainebleau once the Plaza opens in September.  There will also be new restaurants and former Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman will open Oscar’s, a steakhouse, inside the iconic dome of the Plaza Hotel and Casino overlooking Fremont Street.

Expected to open later this fall, the new fine dining restaurant will serve dinner nightly and a Sunday brunch.  “I can’t wait to open Oscar’s – my own steakhouse – that will have the charm and glamour of the Las Vegas that I love,” said Goodman. “Many people may remember that I once called for the Plaza to be torn down, but the much-needed investment by its committed owners has transformed it into the coolest place in Vegas.”

Adjacent to the steakhouse will be a new Italian restaurant and speakeasy – paying homage to Goodman’s years as an advisor and private attorney representing high-profile clients that played a role in making Vegas what it is today. Serving the customers of both restaurants will be a new bar and lounge that will serve a variety of cocktails, including martinis, the former mayor’s signature drink.

The Plaza just might become a transportation hub for Vegas in the future with the Bus Station next door and the trains running behind the property.  On our Forum you can talk about The Plaza by clicking here.  And you can go to their website www.plazahotelcasino.com for more information.

DOG FRIENDLY CASINO RESORTS ARE GIVING PUPS A HOT TIME THIS SUMMER

Update June 27, 2011  Several of the Las Vegas Casino and Hotel resorts are now dog friendly allowing pet owners to bring small dogs into the hotel and their rooms.  Caesars Palace, for example, has set aside an entire floor as "pet friendly" and Caesars management told me that these rooms are carefully cleaned between visits to be sure no doggie residue is left behind.  In fact, we understand that these pet friendly rooms get a more extensive cleaning than other rooms in the hotel and the extensive cleaning means a thorough cleaning of the carpet between guest visits.

As part of its pet friendly policy, Caesars Palace also has a small dog walk area but there is a problem with this.  The dog walk area is made with artificial turf.  Anyone who has ever been on artificial turf knows that it gets very, very hot on hot, sunny days.  And now I'm hearing that some puppies literally can't walk on the artificial turf in the dog walk area because it is just too hot.  This means that dog owners have to find another resource during hot days and some dog owners confess that they are walking their dogs on the natural grass lawns outside Caesars.

We suspect the artificial grass cools down in the evenings and at night, but Caesars should invest in some regular grass to keep its customers -- two legged and four legged -- satisfied.  I know that Caesars does a lot of surveys of its guests -- perhaps it should survey its four legged guests about those hot paws and hot times.

FACTS ABOUT LAS VEGAS THEY DON'T WANT YOU TO KNOW

Update June 9, 2011  I met with a business associate yesterday in Las Vegas and while discussing the economy and tourism he volunteered some "facts they don't want the public to know about Las Vegas."

I was unable to confirm these "facts" but since I trust my source, I'll present them here:

First, about 25 persons a year hang themselves in Las Vegas hotel rooms.  We know that most hotel rooms have sealed windows to prevent suicide by jumping,  And we know that it is difficult to carry gun, own a gun, or quickly get a gun.  So hanging has been the method of choice for a final exit.  I tried to find the statistics on suicide in Nevada and Clark County which is where Las Vegas is, but the latest report on suicides I could find goes back to 2007.  And those statistics report that 59% of the suicides in Nevada used a handgun which means that hanging probably is used a lot of times.

Among the statistics I found in the 2007 report:  Nevada has the nation's second highest suicide rate and suicide is the sixth leading cause of death for Nevada residents.  Seniors over the age of 60 have the highest suicide rate in the nation which is double the national average for that age group.  And I was very surprised to find out that more Nevada residents die by suicide than are murdered or die in auto accidents or from HIV/AIDS.  And what I think is missing from these statistics is the number of visitors who are suicides in Nevada every year.

The second fact they don't want you to know is that about 45 pedestrians each year are killed by vehicles crossing Las Vegas Boulevard.  I think it was a great idea to build those pedestrian bridges over the Strip, and they need more of them around center strip between the Flamingo and Caesars and near CityCenter and its properties.

THE VEGAS "X" TRAIN HAS A DEAL WITH THE PLAZA HOTEL IN DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS 

Update April 30, 2011  Officials of both the Las Vegas Railway Express which plans to operate the "X" Train and The Plaza Hotel and Casino in downtown Las Vegas have confirmed that there is a deal for the X Train to use the old railroad station at The Plaza.  The train station at Plaza used to be used by Amtrak when it ran passenger train service through Las Vegas from the Southern California area through to Utah.  The Amtrak route was abandoned a few years ago but the railroad tracks and the train station remain.  A spokesperson for the marketing department at The Plaza told me that there is a deal for the X Train to use that station and rails and that The Plaza will be involved in sales and marketing of the train service and train tickets.  The Plaza says it is also involved with a plan to rebuild the rail system so that a high speed train service can also use its downtown Las Vegas train station.  The X Train company -- Las Vegas Railway Express -- confirms that it has a deal to use the train station at The Plaza which is ideal for the idea of passenger train service from Southern California.

If their plan is successful, we might see a highly decorated train, reflecting the Vegas theme, and no doubt there will be cocktail waitresses in appropriate "Vegas dress" and I wouldn't be surprised if there were even entertainers on board to complete the party atmosphere.  Too bad, slot machines on board would not be allowed in California and I doubt they would have them for the short ride while in Nevada-- even if they were allowed.  But the last I heard is that they won't be allowed.  There will, however, be various cars on the train with various themes including a sports bar, and there might be a car just for quiet time or snoozing, as well as a car where you might be able to get some gaming instruction from experts or even to play cards.

The train ride is expected to take five hours, and for those of us who regularly drive either the 15 or Pearblossom Highway, five hours by train sounds like a wonderful idea, especially if we don't like to fly and having to put up with troublesome security checks.

The stock is now public trading under the symbol XTRN. 

For our TV report about the X Train go to our "Travel / Vacation" page and for information about the stock of Las Vegas Railway Express go to our "Vegas and Casino Stocks" page.  The www.xtrainvegas.com website has the company information.

HARRAH'S RINCON IN SAN DIEGO ADDS VIDEO POKER TO ITS DIAMOND LOUNGE.  IS THIS A NEW TREND FOR CAESARS?

Update February 7, 2011  The Harrah's Rincon Casino operated by Caesars (formerly Harrah's) for a California Indian tribe has been a "test casino" for some of the new ideas for the giant casino company.  The Harrah's Rincon Casino was the first to have touch screens on slot machines and video poker terminals that allowed players to order drinks, to download free play promotions, and to check on comps and to even order entertainment tickets and make reservations.  The initial test was a success at Rincon, more services are being added to the touch screen system, and these are supposed to be added to other casinos soon.

Now, Harrah's Rincon has added video poker terminals to its bar inside its Diamond lounge.  To the best of our knowledge this is the first of the Diamond lounges to actually have gaming.

Until now, the Diamond Lounges were a place to get away from gaming, and in some jurisdictions -- to get away from smoke and to have a drink, grab a complimentary snack, and maybe use a complimentary computer.  However, Rincon's new video poker terminals at its bar inside the Diamond Lounge might signal that more "boutique gaming" might be coming to other Diamond Lounges at other Caesars-owned casinos.

For some players, this actually might turn out to be very popular.  At Rincon, for example, we noticed that the pay tables on the video poker machines were actually better than on some of the terminals on the regular casino floor.  Also, you will find some games in the Diamond Lounge terminals that are not available on the main floor.  Also, if you want to get away from the smoke, the Rincon Diamond Lounge is a perfect place to play because smoking is not allowed inside the Diamond Lounge -- though there is a patio for smoking nearby.

Perhaps the best feature of playing at the video poker machines inside the Rincon Diamond Lounge is that there are always plenty of complimentary snacks being served and free soft drinks.  And the nicest restrooms in the entire casino area are only a few steps away within the Diamond Lounge.

As you probably know, the Diamond Lounges are not open to the general public.  Players must have a Diamond Card or a 7 Stars Card through the Total Rewards program, which indicate a certain level of play.  See the photos below.

THE GREAT BELLAGIO CHIP HEIST OF DECEMBER 2010

Updated June 27, 2011  The Great Bellagio Chip Robbery case is now the courts system after an arrest was made.  And now a guilty plea has been entered.  If you recall, the robbery was pulled off by a lone motorcyclist who parked his bike at the entrance of the Bellagio, walked in wearing his full helmet with the faceplate covering his face, went to a nearby craps table, pulled a gun and just as quickly walked out with something like $2-million in Bellagio chips.  Is he the next Bonnie & Clyde folklore hero of casino heists or was he just stupid?

Well, it looks like he won't be much of a hero.  Police said they recovered about two-thirds of chips allegedly stolen, and from the accounting that police made shortly after the arrest, only a few hundred thousand dollars worth of chips are unaccounted for and were presumably cashed, played or laundered.  And he is likely to get a long vacation away from the Strip in a state run hotel with secure locks on every door.

Well, anyone who tries to get away with a crime like walking into a casino is stupid by definition.  But in the hours after the robbery, the questions seemed to center around what is he going to do with the chips, some of which include $25,000 chips?  We now know that most if not all of the big chips were never "moved."

First of all, it's not easy to play or cash $25,000 chips.  Most casinos want to know who you are before you play them.  And if you try to cash one at the cage, they are likely to ask for identification and then will try to verify that you played them at a game and aren't trying to launder money for another winner or hide drug money.  Yes, the casinos are required by law to know who is passing big money in their establishments.

The crook in a big chip robbery could fence the chips but only a high roller could get away with passing the chips.  Would a high roller buy the chips for pennies on the dollar?  It would make a good story, a good book and a good movie, wouldn't it?   But in the case of the Bellagio heist, shortly after the robbery, a legal notice was posted about Bellagio recalling its $25,000 chips.  And now it appears few if any were ever fenced and passed and cashed.

You see, as soon as the heist happened, the crook knew that time was not on his side because the casino started to "demonetize" those chips or cancel them.  This is allowed under gaming regulations and casinos frequently will require all chips of a certain denomination to be redeemed so that new chips can be circulated to replace them.  Usually, this demonetization of chips is done to thwart counterfeiters who are able to duplicate a series of chips in use.

There has also been discussion that the $25,000 chips might have RFID chips in them which are identifying computer chips that send out a signal with an ID code.  Even if the chips do have RFID in them, the chances are the casino doesn't know exactly which $25,000 chips were at that table.  RFID chips are more frequently used to authenticate chips -- though tracking of chips is possible.  I have been trying to confirm that Bellagio has the RFID system, and so far I have been unable to confirm that it does.  I do know that Aria and Wynn do have RFID chips.

I've been around casinos enough to know something about how security works and why this heist -- while it made headlines -- is really no big deal in the overall scheme of things for Bellagio and parent company MGM.

First of all, two million dollars isn't so much of a big deal at a craps table.  Many of the casinos on the Vegas Strip can have a couple of million dollars or more on each craps table.  Consider this: in the center of each table the chips are in stacks of twenty.  Next time you go into the casino count how many stacks there are of $100 chips and $500 chips and $1,000 chips and even $5,000 chips and you'll know what I'm talking about.  I've seen craps tables with ten stacks of $5,000 chips.  At Caesars they are brown with black markings and appropriately called "chocolate chips."  Each stack of chocolate chips at Caesars (20 X $5,000) is worth $100,000 and as I said, I've seen ten stacks on a table worth a total of one million dollars.  Then there are the $1,000 chip stacks and $500 chip stacks and you get my point.

So how is it the bad guy made it out of he casino so quickly and without security jumping all over him?  Well, I'm sure Bellagio has excellent security but I think that as soon as they saw he had a gun they let him take the money and run -- and he literally did run out.  The last thing security wants is a confrontation with an armed robber.  By the way, have you noticed that few if any guards in a casino carry guns?  It's because two million dollars in chips -- or in cash -- is not worth the risk of a bullet hitting an innocent bystander, gambler or employee.  Let the guy take the cash -- the cameras have got him, and the police will get him.  By the way, I was told that Bellagio has a particularly sophisticated camera system which monitors all traffic driving up to the casino, including images of license plates and facial recognition software.  Ahh, but in this case our robber did have his helmet.  Well, the cameras will know exactly which model helmet he was wearing and probably they'll be able to determine the exact store it was sold in.

The bottom line is that the alleged robber was stuck with a glorious set of chips that he couldn't sell, couldn't pawn, couldn't launder -- and if not recovered probably would have ended up buried in his back yard that someone will dig up a hundred years from now.  Or, he would have had a great set of chips for a home game.

But there are other uses for these chips.  Some chips -- with a little modification -- might pass for chips in other casinos.  Wow.  Don't tell a stupid crook that.  I don't want to give a stupid person any smart ideas.

Anyway, I'm sure that Bellagio's security department handled this incident correctly.  The important thing is that no one got hurt.  It's only chips -- and heck chips are not real money, are they?  If they were real money, would players really throw those $1,000 chips on the table just to see a couple of cards dealt, or the dice roll?  Nah.  You wouldn't do that with real money -- so that's why casinos use chips.

Oh, and one more thing about casino security.  I know that some casinos have undercover, plain clothes security people at high limit tables playing with the casino's money to insure that things are safe for all players.  One night I was at Caesars when a player who was a little tipsy started to push a dealer and within seconds two undercover security men at two blackjack tables were on their feet and had that tipsy player restrained.  It made me feel good to know casinos have that kind of security.

Stupid robbers might think they're smart, but I guarantee you the security people are smarter.