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The year ended with a bang in Las Vegas! Yes, the New Year’s Eve fireworks returned to the Vegas Strip after taking a break last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The newsy bang has to do with more casino deals and a major sporting event coming to Las Vegas.
2022 will welcome a slew of new casino operators to Las Vegas. While the changes happening on the Vegas Strip get a lot of attention, the first new casino operator in 2022 will takeover a casino just off the main resort corridor first.
In addition to the casino news, the biggest game in football will take place in Las Vegas in just a couple of years. Maybe sports bettors in Nevada will be able to fund sports betting s without walking into a casino by then!
Next year gamblers may fund a wagering outside of the casino. Unfortunately, this will only allow the funds inside the casino. This is a step in the right direction. Nevada sports bettors will have to wait to sign up for cashless online sports betting s without walking into a casino.
Hard Rock to reshape Vegas Strip with guitar shaped-hotel
Heading into December, MGM Resorts announced it was in talks to sell The Mirage. Since the process was underway with potential buyers, the initial for the deal didn’t take too long.
Hard Rock International purchased The Mirage. This sale should become official during the second half of 2022. Hard Rock’s plans for the iconic Vegas Strip property are interesting and not fully developed.
It appears as though the entire property will be under renovation at The Mirage. Hard Rock has a three-year license to use The Mirage” brand name. Eventually, The Mirage will become Hard Rock Las Vegas.
In a press release Hard Rock says there will be at least one significant change at The Mirage:
“Hard Rock plans to build an iconic Guitar-shaped Hotel which will be located on the famous Las Vegas Strip.”
Anyone who loves The Volcano at The Mirage should check it out before summer is over. While not confirmed, it appears as though the guitar-shaped hotel will occupy the volcano’s land.
Palms hotel and casino to open in March
In December, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians (San Manuel) gave the approval to open and operate Palms Casino.
The new owners’ goal is to be open in time for pool season this March. Coincidentally, this is around the same time visitors will be in Las Vegas for St. Patrick’s Day, spring break, and the first weekend of March Madness.
San Manuel doesn’t plan to make too many changes to Palms. Previous owners Station Casinos sunk $690 million into renovating the property before closing Palms.
Palms will be the first property in Las Vegas for San Manuel. The new addition to Las Vegas will likely link its Casino in CA.
Super Bowl LVIII taking place in Las Vegas
The NFL finally confirmed that Las Vegas will host Super Bowl LVIII on Feb. 11, 2024. This has been a rumor since Nevada decided to build a new stadium for the Las Vegas Raiders.
While this isn’t a surprise today, the NFL wasn’t always so cozy with its brand in Las Vegas. Less than a decade ago, the owners of a fantasy football convention sued the NFL for not allowing its players to participate at a gathering in Las Vegas.
The world has changed, and now the NFL has no problem with Las Vegas events. Now, visitors don’t even have to wait to see special NFL events in Las Vegas. This year the NFL Pro Bowl and Draft will take place in Las Vegas.
Las Vegas show news
The Katy Perry’s Play residency at Resorts World opened just before New Year’s Eve, and it’s exactly what her fans should be expecting.
Garth Brooks has been rumored for another Las Vegas residency for months. At this point, it looks like he’ll have a couple of intimate shows at Dolby Live inside Park MGM on Feb. 4 and 5.
Caesars announced a slew of final shows for the Shania Twain residency at Planet Hollywood. In addition to existing dates this year, she’ll be performing in 2022 on:
- June 10 – 25
- Aug. 26 – Sept. 10
Before Shania’s residency ends, a new Doobie Brothers residency will land at Zappos Theater inside Planet Hollywood. The yacht rock group will play shows on:
- May 13-14, 18, 20-21, 25, 27, and 28 of 2022.
New York-New York hasn’t had a Cirque Du Soliel show since “Zumanity” closed in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. That will change this spring or summer when a new Cirque show opens.
Details about the new show are sparse, but the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that this will be a “New York-themed show.”
Most Cirque Du Soliel shows are inside MGM Resorts casinos. Neither company has offered information on the future of The Beatle’s “Love” after The Mirage is sold to Hard Rock later this year.
Reporter Johnny Kats was at a Bruno Mars residency show at Park MGM when Mars said “Usher is playing here (Park MGM) next year, so get your tickets.” Usher currently has a residency at Caesars Palace. Usher’s move to Park MGM hasn’t been confirmed yet.
Criss Angel is teaming up with Franco Dragone is for a new show called “AMYSTIKA: The Secret Revealed.” The show was supposed to open before the end of 2021 but has been rescheduled to open in March.
Dragone has previously worked on “Mystère” at Treasure Island, “O” at Bellagio, and “Le Rêve” at Wynn Las Vegas. This show is billed as a prequel to Angel’s “Mindfreak” show at Planet Hollywood and will occur in the same theater.
Vital Vegas appears to be teasing that “America’s Got Talent” may not be at Luxor for much longer. Fans of the show might want to check it out if this rumor becomes true.
There aren’t many details about renovations at Rio, but there’s word that a KISS museum will be opening this year. The 15,000-square-foot venue will feature memorabilia from the band and art from lead singer Gene Simmons.
Additionally, the KISS mini-golf will be expanded by 2,000 square feet. Stay tuned for more details about new developments at Rio this year.
Last but not least
McCarran Airport is now Harry Reid International Airport. The airport is still LAS when booking flights. Frankly, that’s what matters the most.
Last but not least, anyone who’s price-conscious should check their bills before paying at bars and restaurants. More and more appear to be adding random service fees without disclosure. Sometimes the costs will be removed just by asking.
