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Posts Tagged ‘Las Vegas’

Nevada Still Struggling Financially

Tuesday, August 24th, 2010

There is more bad news for Nevada. Over the past three years the state has seen a notable decline in revenue and that is meaning more and more problems for the state. Since the recession, all states have had problems financially, but Nevada has seen them since a year before the recession. It has been since 2007 that Las Vegas’ economy has been on the decline. Part of the issue can be attributed to the fact that gambling is becoming more popular. At one time Las Vegas was considered to be the hub of US gambling. If you wanted to spend an exciting weekend of entertainment, wagering, drinking, shows and hotel stays, then Las Vegas was the nearest place to head off to. Now, things are quickly changing. Gambling centers are cropping up around the US and they are spreading the gambling market thinner and thinner among the world. That is bad news for casinos that once held a strong market share. Now they are having to share that with neighboring competitors.

Las Vegas’ problems stem partially from having one main economy. In a lot of ways Las Vegas is like Detroit Michigan. Detroit built is financial future on one main economy: auto manufacturing. It housed a number of large companies and manufacturing plants that were heavily reliant on the auto industry. One of the primary causes of the recession was the auto manufacturing bust. Dealerships were closing down and there were a wide range of problems for companies to deal with. When the auto manufacturing industry took its huge hit, Detroit plants closed down. That left millions of dollars missing from the state and local governments and it also left millions of residents without jobs. It was a hard time for everyone involved and experts are saying one of the biggest issues is that those jobs will never be replaced. It has caused the Detroit area to be a wasteland in a lot of ways and waiting for the next move to change its economic state. Las Vegas is the same in that it built its economy on one industry: gambling. That is making it difficult for the city to find recovery because it has no secondary market to rely on for a turn around. It has to revive the gambling market one way or another or face future disaster financially.

Las Vegas Revenues Still on the Decline

Tuesday, August 24th, 2010

Poor Las Vegas is still suffering financially. The numbers are in the Las Vegas has still not gained as much revenue as needed to return to pre-recessionary revenue. A few short years ago Las Vegas was considered to be the number one gambling location in the US. For years it held that reputation. Of course Atlantic City came in to challenge it, but together those two locations traded off the number one spot time and time again. Unfortunately Las Vegas isn’t hitting the same amount of profit it did in past years and it scrambling to change its package deals and promotions to try to increase customers. The thing about gambling today is that there are so many options, that customers are spreading themselves thin. No longer is Las Vegas the only option for gambling. Now, there are more and more land-based casinos being built and online casinos are a viable option for outstanding gambling. Customers know this and are using these additional options to bring in the dollars they need. It’s splitting the market and entities that had a substantial market share, no longer can rely on that to get them through their monthly budgets.

The numbers Las Vegas calculated showed that its revenues are still down by 7.6% from the same time last year. Most of the decline is attributed to the recession, but now that it is over, the area is looking how to revive its numbers. If you look at promotions in the city you are going to find a huge range of specials and bonuses. These package deals offered are set to attract a larger customer base and bring them in again to Las Vegas. Due to people still being on the verge of their own financial recovery though, it seems that it is taking time for people to get back into gambling or at least getting back to their old gambling habits. People are still being conservative with their money and holding off on jumping back into gambling at the rates they were gambling pre-recession. Las Vegas is hoping for a full recovery, but the signs are showing that it will take a few more months, maybe years for a full turnaround to happen.

Las Vegas Cites $400 Million Loss

Thursday, August 19th, 2010

The city of Las Vegas was hard hit by the recession. Not that numbers were doing well just prior to the recession’s official beginning; in fact, they were not. Numbers for Las Vegas’ casino industry have been down for over two years. The recession caused a drastic decline in revenues. The Strip used to be a money-generating location that relied on the gambling industry for its revenue. It was a sure-fire money maker that never let down the state’s economy. Due to the recession though, that is changing. New numbers showed that revenue for the Strip were down by 7.6% since the same time last year. This is particularly harrowing news because it was hoped that things would be turning around now that the recession is over.

With revenues down, Las Vegas organizers are reeling from a more than $400 million loss. Nevada’s Gaming Control Board is well aware of how difficult this is going to be to overcome, in particular if the decline in revenue is continued. Both Las Vegas and Atlantic City are fighting for their financial security. They are creating top-notch bonuses and specials, but they are at such a discounted price that unless huge numbers come into the cities to bring in the numbers needed, they will be all but useless. So what should the cities do for recovery? The best thing they can do according to experts is to push through the aftermath of the recession regardless of what the immediate problems are. Though it will take time to see if the promotions are going to work, there are many signs that other aspects of the economy are returning to normal. The unemployment rates are coming down, though slowly. Businesses are starting to hire again, though at minimum wage or close to it. These are small signs, but hopefully they are a small snippet of where the market is moving. People are hopeful for change, but it most likely won’t happen quickly. This means that Las Vegas and Atlantic City are going to have to rely on their former coffers to sustain themselves until the market truly changes for the better.

Las Vegas Working Hard to Spur Economy

Friday, August 13th, 2010

If you have been to Las Vegas then you know how much is available in the city. The number of casinos are just the tip of the iceberg with regards to the city. If you visited a few years ago, it would do you well to visit again. Over the past few years Las Vegas officials realized that it is not impervious to market changes. It was once thought that people would gamble no matter what. They would come in droves to places like Atlantic City and Las Vegas for their gambling needs and both cities would have no problems with revenue or tourist attractions as a result. Unfortunately the recession taught the officials a hard lesson.

It seems that officials didn’t bank on the fact that the 2008 and 2009 recession would cause their numbers to diminish greatly. People were rendered jobless throughout the recessionary months. They lost their jobs in record numbers. Unemployment rates soared and that caused people to cut back drastically on their spending. Consumers were hard pressed to find valid reasons why they needed to gamble and most people didn’t. They cut wagering out of their budgets altogether. This meant savings for them, but casinos started to feel the pinch. Though once they had millions to work with, the recession brought that number down considerably. Of course their expenses remained the same and that proved difficult for many to manage. Without the same revenues coming in, but the same expenses it was hard to manage.

In response to the problem, Las Vegas came up with City Center. This was a huge addition to the Vegas skyline and included a premiere billion-dollar development of retail outlets, entertainment/conference centers, casinos, condominium communities and attractions. It was hoped that this would spur a new market to the city and return the revenue numbers to what they were prior to the recession. Unfortunately, City Center thus far has underperformed, but that doesn’t mean it is out. The coming months are when analysts predict that things truly will begin to change to what the market was back in 2007. Hopefully Las Vegas won’t have to wait much longer for true change to come about.

Las Vegas Still Has a Huge Draw in the US

Friday, August 13th, 2010

Las Vegas has long been a gambling hub of the world, in particular in the US. The location has been a draw for decades. In the 40s it became the center of excitement for stars from the Rat Pack and various high-rollers. It was known for its luxury and decadence to the tourists and locals. Casinos began building premiere locations for not only gambling, but also for retail outlets, corporate centers, entertainment and resorts. Over the years the city has built itself up to be an expert deliverer of various hobbies and that means that everyone can find something fun to do in Las Vegas. In a lot of ways the city has developed into a full-service area with things to do for all ages. Retirees to families with 2-year olds can find activities that will well serve them all. Although it may seem like a tall order to serve that big a demographic, it isn’t an exaggeration of specialty.

The US Travel Industry Association did a recent study to see how many people have been to Las Vegas and it was a startling percentage of US residents. In fact, over 37% of residents of the states have ventured to Las Vegas to enjoy all it has to offer. The average stay in the city was four days, or a long weekend. Studies also showed that the long weekend was enough to enjoy more than their share of casino and nightlife along with daytime spas and shopping. Most people see Las Vegas as a vacation, but not an exotic one that takes weeks to visit. It has an accessibility to it that draws in millions each year.

Right now Las Vegas is suffering due to the recent recession of 2008 and 2009 years. Many people in the city are still without jobs and having difficult times managing their bills and mortgages. It is estimated that about sixty percent of residents are having some type of mortgage trouble, whether that is in official foreclosure or defaulting on mortgage loans. It may take some time for Las Vegas to recover, but the city still has a lot to offer. In fact, there is even more now that the recession is over and investors are once again starting to put money into development.

Great Places to Eat in Las Vegas Gambling World

Friday, August 13th, 2010

One thing is for sure, Las Vegas is not going down without a fight. The city has long been suffering due to lost revenues since the recession. It has taken a lot, but now the city is left in a state of financial disarray and still trying to come back. A recent study showed that almost 60% of the residents within the neighboring areas are either in foreclosure or in default of their mortgage loans. That is a startling statistic to work with, but it is also a sign of how far the economy fell due to the struggles of 2008/2009. Though things are no close to what they were pre-recession, Las Vegas casinos are striving to revive their economy with various find dining areas. Here are some of the best ones to visit if you are in the area.

• Payard Patisserie & Bistro at Caesar’s Palace. If you love French cuisine and desserts, then this could be the perfect location for you to visit. You have basically three different options here: a pastry shop, a chocolatier, or a custom-crafted crepe and sandwich shop. Whether you are looking for an after-dinner treat or a light dinner with a treat afterwards. This is a location that makes the most of French delights and their preparations.

• Rao’s in Caesar’s Palace. This is another Caesar’s Palace location that brings a great reputation to the market. It is an Italian restaurant that has a lot of history within the area. It has been family-owned for over a century now. It has been labeled the “ultimate in New York Italian dining” in Las Vegas.

• Mon Ami Gabi in Paris Las Vegas. This is another authentic French bistro that is known for its simple, but delicious foods. You can find all three meals here—breakfast lunch and dinner. Whatever you are looking for, if you love French food, you are going to find it here. One of the favorites of all guests is the outdoor café/patio that sits right outside the Las Vegas Strip. You can perch there for hours watching the exciting life of Las Vegas tourists and residents.

Overall there are a wide range of restaurants in the city, but these are three of the best. If you love the diverse foods of Las Vegas, then test out anyone of the above. You won’t be disappointed by the selections and quality of foods.

New Las Vegas Show Hopes to Draw Big

Friday, August 13th, 2010

It’s no secret that Las Vegas casinos have been suffering with lowered revenues since the recession. Not only is the recession’s long-lasting affect holding on, but more and more gambling options are coming into the market. These additional options are making it difficult for Las Vegas to hold on to its current market and its reigning dominance over the gambling industry. There was a time when gambling was synonymous with Las Vegas. The city built itself up on its huge reputation for overwhelming gambling and entertainment, along with big-name stars and package deals too good to pass up. Though the casinos in Las Vegas are still offering the deals, they aren’t as popular as they once were to people who have a wide range of less pricey options for wagering.

This is becoming a huge problem in the gambling market- oversaturation. Gambling has proven to be a strong draw in terms of revenue. It has brought in billions of dollars worldwide and has a draw that is not slowing down. Because of this more and more companies have been opening offering premiere gambling services to the market. They know that if they come up with a great package, they are going to find a good selection of gamblers who want in on their deals. Though Las Vegas has suffered financially since the recession, it still is working hard to bring back its former popularity. One of the ways is to continue building packages that people can’t turn down. The Strip’s Hollywood Resort and Casino has come up with a great one for the masses. Now it is called the “Peepshow.” It is being promoted as a hot time on the strip for anyone who wants dinner and show fun. The normal package costs $288 and that includes a Strip House signature steak dinner, a Caesar salad, and a fantastic dessert for the hungry to partake in. Then comes the fun of a live show and that is where the Peepshow comes in. This is where participants are privy to an exclusive cabaret like show that comes along with a complimentary beverage for all ticket holders. This is just one example of the specials that Las Vegas is coming up with to help spur the economy again.

Las Vegas Still Struggling Post Recession

Friday, August 13th, 2010

Though the world of online gambling has grown steadily over the past few months, land-based gaming has seen trouble. It seems that most gamblers in the US have cut back on their casino visits. In particular during the recession many gamblers who were left without discretionary funds, had to cut gambling out of their budgets altogether. Though that still left some room for a few online games, it cut out venturing to land-based casinos for gaming fun. The reality is that a lot of land-based casinos are losing money due to the huge growth and convenience of online gambling websites. No longer do people have to pack up, get babysitters, travel for a few hours, find parking, wait in lines and then wait to gamble. If you have a computer and internet access, you can log on in a matter of minutes and be playing your favorite casinos games. These days online casinos offer the same games you will find in a land-based casino and most of the times, with better bonuses and specials.

Las Vegas and Atlantic City are two locations that were formerly equated with gaming excellence. If you wanted the best in casino gambling, you found a long weekend to travel to either location and have gambling fun. Unfortunately, the two markets are now suffering and showing no signs of recovery in the near future. Officials for Atlantic City gaming recently announced that revenues are down by 5% from the same time last year. Part of the changes are due to the added competition of Pennsylvania gaming companies. The problem is that gamblers are being spread thin and now that more and more casino locations are coming into the market, competition is steep. Gambling Meccas of old like Las Vegas and Atlantic City are having problems keeping up with the market. There is little they can do to compete with the overwhelming bonuses that online casinos and new casinos are creating when their budgets are already suffering. Competition is a good thing—for customers—but not such a good thing for companies that don’t have the ability to keep up. Without some tangible changes, Las Vegas and Atlantic City could be in for trouble in coming months of performance.

Las Vegas Hoping for a Market Turnaround

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

Las Vegas casino operators are hoping for a market turnaround. Since the recession the city has taken a hard hit. At the height of the recession the city’s unemployment rate was well into the double digits. That left thousands of area residents in financial turmoil. According to reports from Clark County, approximately 15% of people were out of work and that adds up to about 125,000. The problem with an unemployment rate that high is that it causes other problems. First of all, it causes a growth in defaults on home loans. The number of defaults in mortgage loans were up to 60% at the height of the recession for the city of Las Vegas. The high unemployment rate also meant that the economy continued to suffer because people had no discretionary funds to fuel back into the economy. It caused a lot of problems for local businesses that also struggled.

Despite the bad news, the Las Vegas casino industry is still hopeful. For example, casinos are still building promotions and taking on big-dollar endeavors. City Center was one billion-dollar project. This was built on the Strip and it brought a myriad of positive changes to the market. Shopping centers, condonium complexes, convention centers and casinos were all built up in an effort to attract new customers into the market. Thus far City Center has not been as successful as hoped, but it is still a new project. Experts are hoping that as the market continues to regulate itself, City Center will grow into what its developers had in mind in the first place.

The coming months will be telling for the casino market in Las Vegas. City officials are hoping that all the combined efforts for advertising and promotions that bring customers in, will work. They are creating deep discounts and packages for tourists who are planning on visiting. With some great discounts, Las Vegas may still be able to turn around but even experts know that it will take time for that to happen. Watch out for the discounts and take advantage of them- it is a great time to get in on the fun of Las Vegas.

City Center in Las Vegas Underperforming

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

The big news last year was Las Vegas’ City Center. It was a billion dollar renovation of the gambling location that promised to revamp the city. Las Vegas suffered a huge blow during the recession. Numbers were down drastically over the past eighteen months and now the entire state of Nevada is still reeling. City Center is a complex filled with movie theaters, shopping, office buildings, hotel space and gambling locations. Developers were hoping that it was going to help turn the local economy around. Unfortunately, it hasn’t. The added growth of online gambling sites hasn’t helped.

The Las Vegas Strip has suffered in income just like the rest of the world’s economy. In fact, cities in the US that relied upon gambling as their sole or predominant revenue stream ended up in difficult positions with the recession. They were a lot like Detroit, Michigan. Detroit was known for its automobile manufacturing industry. When the automobile industry came crashing down pre-recession, it meant that the manufacturing plants began closing one by one. That was difficult news for the thousands of people employed at the plants and for the state’s economy that was dependent on manufacturing as revenue.

The same thing happened with cities that relied on gambling. Las Vegas in particular was hard-hit. Studies have shown that within the city, 60% of homes are either in foreclosure or the owners are in some form of default on their mortgages. That is why so many residents and legislators were depending on the City Center to bring them out of the financial difficulties. They were hoping the gambling mega- center would be the answer and spur more gamblers into the area. MGM has thus far had one problem with City Center after another. During development, many of the mid-level to high-priced condominium units have remained unsold, retail outlets have not seen the numbers they hoped for and convention centers have not been booked as anticipated. All together these are creating a problem for Las Vegas and MGM. Now they are facing the fact that though people are once again gambling, they are also very picky with their gambling activities. It may take a long time for Las Vegas to return to its old revenue levels it did pre-recession. Hopefully City Center will be instrumental in the turnaround.