Las Vegas News and Events
WELCOME TO Kimo’s Vegas … The Player’s Edge!
WHEN HIS SHOES first came out, people called them “Michael Jordans” … As their popularity grew, they quickly acquired the shortened tag “Jordans”… Blame it on texting, but if you step into the Vegas Nike factory outlet and the Generation Z (those born around 1990) aka Generation M (for multi-tasking) or Generation C (for always connected) might call your kicks by their abridged ID: “J’s.” BTW, tickets for “J’s” 12th annual Celebrity Invitational (April 4-7) are on sale with military and senior discounts. The best deal of all is you get to bring in two keiki (16 and under) for free.
Michael Jordan and the Air 1. Photo from Kimo Akane
THE U.S. Department of Justice is investigating the Las Vegas Sands and Wynn Resorts for potential violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. And the Feds’ attention is not limited to Vegas casino operators. Lucky you (high rollers) live Hawaii, because the revised procedures will make it more difficult for foreign high rollers to get kala into the country.
VACATIONS HAWAII is celebrating its 10-year anniversary with Omni Air International during February … Look for low package rates from $599, two-for-one specials and all kine Sin City fun! Like it on Facebook or follow on Twitter for the latest scoops!
CASTLE KNIGHTS Class of ’83: You guys are reunion-ing April 17, and Vacations Hawaii sales and promos’ Kevin Kaneshiro has set up some special stuffs for you, his fellow classmates.
CONGRATS TO Dallas of Honolulu for having a rockin’ name in paradise and for hitting 7 of 7 on a $2 KENO ticket at the Fremont … That’s a $32,000 win! And where were we when Stephany of Waipahu held the bones at the Fremont for 65 passes!
NOW THAT the Big Game is just a memory, how cool would it be if the Monday after the Super Bowl was a national holiday?
WHEN DOES the house lose money? When it’s a Vegas casino. Contrary to popular belief (or is that creative accounting?), the house lost money in Nevada last year. In fact, it’s the fourth year in a row that it posted a net loss. Revenue was up 4.4 to $22.9 billion, but that wasn’t enough to prevent the collective casinos from posting a $1.21 billion loss.
FOR THE 14TH consecutive year, non-gaming revenue – money spent outside the casino – was greater than the money generated from gambling.
PENN & TELLER will celebrate the 20th anniversary of their Las Vegas residency Feb. 8 in their Rio showroom. Get to the theater an hour early to enjoy Penn (on upright bass) and band leader Mike “Jonesy” Jones (on piano) jamming on stage.
SENTIMENTAL RIDES should be taken ASAP … The giant bi-directional people-mover in front of Bally’s is looking at a fate similar to that of the now-extinct giant Hawaiian goose. The hotel’s deed holder, Caesars Entertainment, plans to open “The Grand Bazaar Shops,” a tourist trap that could be similar to the Strip’s Hawaiian Marketplace.
FOLLOW US on Twitter, like us on Facebook and get the latest Vegas news online at KimosVegas.com and every week here in MidWeek. Send me your Vegas questions, mana’o, photos and reunions to Kimo@KimosVegas.com.
