Writer: John L. Smith
Offering a ‘luxury quarantine package’ would send precisely the wrong message
If ever there was a wrong way to promote a hotel stay in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, offering a luxury quarantine package including... more
In Nevada: It took an arm twist, but gaming industry gets the message
Call it a coincidence if you’d like, but the timing of articles from major news outlets pointing out the fact Las Vegas Sands’ sparkling... more
Black Book Blues: Meet ‘Company’ boss casinos didn’t want to keep
“One in an occasional series profiling a member of Nevada’s List of Excluded Persons, often referred to as “The Black... more
Hamilton’s entertaining memoir explores life as a Las Vegas comic’s wife
My career as a standup comic was mercifully brief. It consisted of participating in a celebrity roast in 2012 at the South Point Hotel and... more
Mostly sunny: Las Vegas and Nevada shine in the national political spotlight
Chris Matthews played Vegas last week. Lester Holt did, too. During the Democratic Party presidential caucus in the Silver State, you... more
An ovation for Gary Platt, the man who helped casino customers take a seat
Pull up a chair and take a seat. There’s someone I want you to meet. His name is Gary Platt. He retired nine years ago at age 85 after... more
Super Bowl snapshot from New Mexico: Sports betting making presence felt
SANTA FE, N.M. – Roaming through the Buffalo Thunder Resort Casino on Super Bowl Sunday, there was a moment I could tell I wasn’t in Las... more
What a remarkable run: Harrah’s Reno on its way out
RENO – Harrah’s Reno is still very much alive, but as I walk through it, I can’t help but feel the presence of ghosts. Not just the spirit... more
Heads keep spinning as the NFL becomes Las Vegas’ biggest fan
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. Longtime locals can remember when the National Football League shunned Las Vegas at every turn.... more
Even these experts can’t precisely describe the legalized sports betting galaxy
No matter how hard I try, I keep underestimating the ever-expanding universe of legalized sports betting in America. I need the ghost of... more
