Share
Bring your face covering(s) if you plan on visiting Las Vegas. Thanks to the surge of the Delta variant of COVID-19 cases, everyone is required to wear a face mask in indoor venues (including casinos) in Las Vegas. The mandate is for anyone in Clark Country – vaccinated or not.
A mask isn’t required while eating, drinking or smoking. Guests don’t have to wear a covering outside at a pool, dayclub or at an outdoor show either.
There’s no term on this so expect to wear a mask until you hear otherwise.
More Vanderpump could be a hint at more changes at Paris and Ballys
The second Las Vegas outlet by famed restauranteur and reality star Lisa Vanderpamp, Vanderpump à Paris, is under construction with an opening timeframe sometime this winter. It will take over the space once used by the Diamond/Laurel Lounge at Paris Las Vegas. A second location is definitely needed — the original at Caesars Palace is often so packed that a line snakes through the casino.
Leasing the space and removing the VIP lounge will generate Caesars more money while reducing expenses.
Rumor has it that this will be the first of the restaurant changes at Paris and Bally’s. Martorano’s at Paris, Buca Di Beppo and Tequila Taqueria at Bally’s could also be on their way out.
One of the replacement restaurants at Paris could be a new Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart restaurant. New restaurant options could be appealing to new casino guests.
All of these restaurant changes could lead one to believe the rumor that the World Series of Poker (WSOP) will move from Rio to Bally’s and Paris.
If the WSOP moves to this location it might make sense for Bally’s to rebrand as Horseshoe Las Vegas. After all, Bally’s Corp. (not Caesars) is in the process of closing a deal to buy Tropicana Las Vegas.
Confused?
A major renovation at Caesars Palace
There’s even more happening with Caesars Las Vegas casinos. Let’s start with the renovations at Caesars Palace.
The original main entrance to the casino is getting a multi-million dollar facelift. This is next to the hotel lobby entrance most people use today.
The main casino off the lobby and porte-cochère are being renovated to create a new grandiose entryway. The gaming areas will be redesigned and there will also be a new lobby bar.
Construction is underway and will be finished by New Year’s Eve. Getting into the casino will be a little different during construction. The following changes are in place until work is complete:
- The main valet off Las Vegas Blvd. will accommodate Caesars Rewards Diamond and Seven Star only
- The Colosseum valet (ground floor of the Caesars Palace self-parking garage off Frank Sinatra Drive) will accommodate all valet guests
- Rideshare pick-up and drop-off will be relocated to the exit doors next to Vanderpump Cocktail Garden
- Express hotel check-in/check-out kiosks will be placed at all available entrances
The casino renovation will include two new state-of-the-art gaming pits next to the entrance. This kind of renovation is already happening at other Caesars Las Vegas casinos.
Caesars removing live dealer table games
And in even more Caesars news, a major change is underway on Caesars Las Vegas casino floors. Caesars is removing live dealer table games from almost all casinos. The Cromwell, Flamingo, Harrah’s, The Linq and Paris Las Vegas have already reduced the number of live dealer table games. Planet Hollywood closed its poker room presumably for the same reason.
Keep your eyes peeled at Caesars’ casinos for the Roll To Win Craps game. This has been one of the games the casino operator has been adding to these properties. This semi-automatic game is something different for gamblers and saves the company money. You may be sensing a theme here.
Roll To Win Craps allows players to use real dice but is mostly digital. The game only requires a stick person so there’s only one dealer instead of three.
Slot machines and electronic table games are now occupying the spaces once used for live dealer games. Caesars Las Vegas casinos have nearly 20% fewer table games than in late 2020.
New Las Vegas sports betting apps
Football season is almost here. This is when many casinos start rolling out promotions and app updates. Resorts World Las Vegas has its own proprietary sports betting app. The app was created by IGT but lines and odds are exclusive to Resorts World.
Station Casinos just rolled out a major its sports betting app. The new STN Sports is an upgrade of the existing app. The biggest change in the app is the betting options. In addition to more sports, there are more player and game props. STN Sports now offers one of the largest sports betting menus in Las Vegas.
Caesars rolled out a new sports betting app for much of the country. Unfortunately, Nevada won’t have the latest technology since the state requires in-person registration. The current Caesars Sportsbook by William Hill received a minor update but not as much of a big deal as the rest of the country. The same update was also made to the existing William Hill app.
Reminder: Most casinos on the Vegas Strip charge a fee to reserve a seat in the sportsbook during football games. The best option is to look off-strip to casinos like South Point and Red Rock if you don’t want to pay to reserve a seat.
More cashless gambling options in Las Vegas
Look for there to be a way to bet sports on credit in Las Vegas when football season begins. There’s a new deal between a cashless gaming company for sports betting apps and a company that provides digital markers for slot machines. The names of the companies aren’t as important as the services they provide. Combining their powers should allow sports bettors to use a marker for betting on games. Look for an official announcement shortly.
Boyd Gaming’s cashless option at Aliante casino is expanding to include table games later this year. There’s no timetable yet but this will eventually expand to other Boyd Gaming properties like The Orleans and Gold Coast.
Resorts World opened as the only Las Vegas casino that doesn’t require cash. The casino is now moving another step forward. The Fred Segal Market will be the first Las Vegas business to use Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology. Guests will scan their credit cards upon entering the grab-and-go shop. Each item will be ed as it’s taken so there’s no checking out.
Sweet discount for Las Vegas locals
The Venetian offers discounts to many of its restaurants for Las Vegas locals. A few of the deals include:
- 25% off Yardbird Southern and Chica
- Complimentary bottle of wine with dinner purchase at estiatorio Milos
- 25% off Spa, Salon and Wellness service at Canyon Ranch spa + fitness
Make sure to ask about the discount. Most places require that you just show your Las Vegas ID to receive the discounts.
MGM Resorts sells Aria and nothing changes
Casino sales aren’t as exciting as they used to be. A new casino operator in Las Vegas usually brings competition in products and pricing. That’s not quite the case with many sales recently.
There’s nothing meaningful for the customer experience when a casino sale is a real estate deal. MGM Resorts sold Aria last month and is leasing it back from the new owner. The casino operator has done this with most, if not all, of its Las Vegas casinos.
Bottom line: Aria is sold and nothing is changing.
Quick residency roundup
The Backstreet Boys have a new short-term Christmas Party residency at Planet Hollywood’s Zappos Theater this November and December. Rocking the same theater is the band KISS, who finally confirmed their run of shows will begin Dec. 27
The rumored Sammy Hagar residency at The Strat is selling out shows in its intimate venue quickly. More shows have already been added.
Vital Vegas is sharing a rumor that Adele will be the next residency announced by Resorts World. This is a single unsourced rumor that follows years of discussion about Adele having a Las Vegas residency. Sooner or later the rumor could come to fruition. Right?
Times Square-ing the Vegas Strip
Eater Vegas is reporting that the uber-popular chicken finger restaurant Raising Canes will be opening on the Vegas Strip at the Showcase Mall next to MGM Grand and across from Park MGM next year.
This part of the Vegas Strip is without a casino and has plenty of shopping and dining options. You can now visit Chili’s and Fat Burger. Soon you’ll be able to dine at Olive Garden. Shoppers can find anything they need at the only Target on the Vegas Strip. It may be getting a little commercial, and dare we say, tacky, but any way you slice it, these outlets will be big moneymakers.
Not everything opening in this area is a large US brand. There should be a rooftop microbrewery from BrewDog. This would be unique for this part of the Vegas Strip.
Many people don’t visit Las Vegas for chain restaurants and shops. However, there’s something comforting enough for tourists to visit for these familiar outlets. Look for more of these big names to open at a shopping complex that will be opening between Crystals Mall and the Cosmopolitan in a couple of years.
Last but not least…
Check out this new Gogo Claw casino game available only at The D in downtown Las Vegas.
