After four months of failed test trials for automated poker dealers, the Excalibur Casino has decided to remove all of their electronic poker tables. In March, Excalibur struck a deal with software developer PokerTek to install 12 tables equipped with PokerPro. The automated system was designed to deal cards and display them to users on private screens very similar to those in online casinos, while displaying general information on a bigger screen in the middle of the table.

Many casinos in Atlantic City and California have had positive reviews of this system. However, Las Vegas gamers felt that automated poker tables took away from the genuine casino experience. The automated dealers were met with apprehension from casino-goers, who were far more inclined to visit tables with live-dealers. Clients noted that human interaction is an essential part of the casino experience. They argued that without live dealers and actually holding cards in your hand, it seemed less authentic.

Excalibur Hotel and Casino opened its doors in 1990 and is one of the busiest casinos in Las Vegas with one of the biggest client bases. While this means good news for the casino’s clients, it’s bad news for Excalibur’s owners. Automated dealers would not only have generated far more hands than a live-dealer but would have also saved them money on staff wages, ultimately increasing their profits.

Harrah’s is one of the biggest casino operators in the US, with locations in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Reno and other gambling capitals of the country. Now, they are planning on bringing the excitement overseas – via the World Wide Web. Harrah has recently started planning on opening an online casino for European players, which will be become a competitor some of Europe’s online gambling websites such as William Hill and Ladsbroke.

While a similar effort by MGM previously failed in recent years, Harrah’s believes that they are in a much better situation to take the leap into the only gambling world. In today’s economy, the casino industry is changing, as more and more people are seeing the benefits of gambling online. Most land-based casinos are expected to oppose online gambling because it presents itself as competition. But, as the recent economic crisis has gamblers staying closer to home and even at home to play their favourite casino games, American land casinos are beginning to realize that jumping on the online bandwagon could be advantageous.

However, there are still many people who continue to oppose the legalization of online gambling. Several casino owners continue to view online casinos not only as competition but as a possible embarrassment of the land-based casino industry.

Harrah’s is also at an advantage due to its ownership over rights to the World Series of Poker (WSOP), one of the biggest poker brands in the world. Harrah’s is a name that is widely recognized worldwide and they believe they will enter the European marketing with a readily-established reputation.

Well it’s not quite all transportation but definetly some of it. This bad news particularly concerns the Las Vegas monorail which was a project that was supposed to be fully funded on a private basis. It seems that this may not quite be the case as some tax dollars may now be required to keep the project running to scale.

The monorail is experiencing particular low traffic ever since the trains started moving about 5 years ago. As you may have guessed, the current economic situation isn’t making things any better as there hasn’t really been a pickup in traffic in recent times.

When the original forecasting was done to predict the traffic of the project and provide a cushion fund for the off seasons it seems as though traffic this low was never part of the consideration thus raising the issue of the predicament that it is currently facing. And funds are running out at a rather quick rate.

What will happen now? Well it seems that the weeks to follow will have some missed bond payments meaning that the project can be taken over by the original financers, however it is important to point out that the people in question are actually just that: financers and wouldn’t know the first thing about operating a train company.

While several different financing options are now up for discussion it is not clear at this time what the exact plan for payout will be. In the meantime the debt of the project is not getting any lower.

For those that may be concerned, there is nothing to worry about just yet as there are no plans to cancel operation and the train will continue to operate on schedule, at least until further notice.

There are many people that think only those that gamble can enjoy Las Vegas. Well perhaps that was the case many years ago but it is simply not the case these days. Enjoying Las Vegas is almost anyone can do these days. The fact is there are just so many activities that one can participate in that the fun is just endless.

For those that enjoy food: Las Vegas has some of the best restaurants in the entire world! Chefs from culinary schools from all over the world have come to Las Vegas to open restaurant and entice the taste buds of those that travel from far and wide to enjoy all the delicious options that Las Vegas has to offer.

Entertainment: There is always something to do in Las Vegas, from live theatre to the most luxurious night clubs; there is something that will make everyone happy. Whether it be going to a show, seeing your favourite rock artist in live concert or simply booking a bottle service reservation those that come to have a good time in Las Vegas always leave wanting more!

Gambling: Of course we cant forget the casinos. While there is much more to Vegas than just gambling, las Vegas offers some of the best gambling facilities in the world. From the numerous casinos on the strip to the original hotel and casinos downtown. Vegas casinos are filled with the newest games and the hottest new technology making sure all the players are catered to in their own right.

So don’t hesitate: book your Vegas Holiday today!

While construction has been slower these last few months (and everyone has noticed) it seems as though MGM has come to an agreement which is putting MGM construction workers back to work.

Projects that have been on hold for a long time and work that has been much overdo is finally getting some attention again.

The MGM Corporation was happy to come to an agreement which made sure that while employees would be back at work for the hotel and casino company, they were aware that raises would not be up for negotiation until summer 2010 at the earliest.

Casino and hotel operators throughout Las Vegas are all facing similar challenges as to making decisions which will greatly affect the outcome of their future for the next while to follow. Should they run themselves further in debt and continue finishing the projects that they started? Or should they cut their losses and put a stop to all the started projects and then move forward only once true financing for the projects is secures.

It is almost a double edged sword situation. While the hotels need to complete projects to appear more presentable and entice visitors to continue to make reservations and keep coming over they still need to control the spending especially in tough economic times that they country is facing.

In the meantime hotels are offering promotions that Vegas has not seen in a long time and rates that appear cheaper than ever. If you were planning to book a trip to Las Vegas, now is certainly a good time to do so!

Everyone that’s ever travelled to Las Vegas knows that the city is known for its very hot dry weather during the summer months but Las Vegas has been able to keep the really hot days off for the last little while. The hot weather is sure to be here any time now and hotels as well as their patrons are ready to enjoy the weather and the pools!

While Las Vegas hotels are surely known for their great casinos, those that dare to venture outside can also enjoy some really nice weather and some beautiful temperatures! The pools and general outdoor areas are just stunning in the summer months and what better way for you to cool off then enjoy a dive in the pool while taking in all the beautiful people around you.

Want to find out which hotel offers the best amenities for you and your travelling associates? Just check out the website or prowl the sites of hotels and casinos in Las Vegas for information and photos of all the great amenities that these hotels have to offer.

And for those that simply can’t get away from the tables? Not to worry!! There are many hotels that bring the games and the outdoors together offering table games such as blackjack and Caribbean stud poker directly from a comfy and refreshing seat in the water!

So what are you waiting for? Book your trip to Las Vegas now, while it’s nice outside and not too hot and enjoy all the luxuries that Las Vegas has to offer.

Paris Hilton is a popular guest of Las Vegas and always makes a great big party out of any place that she appears. But this weekend it wasn’t Paris who was making the main appearance.

World renowned soccer (football for some) player Ronaldo was the main event in Sin City this weekend as he made an appearance at several of Las Vegas’ hottest night clubs and was seen in some intimate moments with several young ladies.

The soccer player has been rumoured to be in a relationship with Paris Hilton but apparently such is not exactly the case as the sports athlete was getting quite cozy with the other ladies and was even reported to be entering his hotel room with them at the end of the night.

But him and Paris have one thing in common and that is their taste for all things nice. Ronaldo spent his weekend at staying at one of the nicest suites at the Palm Resort and Casino in a suite that ran him a nightly bill of over $11,000 per night!

Looks like the soccer player is doing okay and able to enjoy all the luxuries and amenities that the beautiful city of Las Vegas has to offer someone of this type of calibre.

If you are interested in checking out the room that he stayed in for a fun filled weekend for your and your friends you can visit the Palms website where you will find all the contact information that you may require.

The last few months have been a very quiet time for Las Vegas. Restaurants have been shortening their hours. Tables in the casinos look care and shut down at least half the time and everyone is not looking quite as happy and excited as they used to. BUT it seems as though all this is starting to change.

Activity in Las Vegas has surely picked up in the last months. Hotels are reporting that they are much busier and have fewer vacancies than they did in recent weeks past.

Analysts say that they are not exactly sure what is driving this as they economy still hasn’t relayed since the fall earlier this year.

Whatever it is this past week, there are many more smiling faces and people are starting to go out, shop, play poker, gambling and enjoy Vegas for the exact reason that they city is there for.

Builders are saying that projects that were under construction and put on pause are going to be back in action again by the end of this calendar year.

Everyone in Las Vegas and the US is looking for various signs that they economy will pick up and things will be back to the beautiful way that they were in this time last year. But until then you can still take advantage of the wonderful prices for what it takes to get into Las Vegas!!

So you are planning a trip to Las Vegas!!! Now that you have booked your tickets and you have that out of the way you have to start packing and once you get there all the excitement will start!

There are a few things that you just can’t go without. But of course, you have to remember that you are going to a city with some of the best and fanciest shops in the world so finding something that you are missing should not pose a problem at all.

The first thing you should bring is your passport and ID… not that you don’t need this for absolutely everywhere that you travel to, but it is especially important here because you are going to be asked for it all the time especially if you even closely appear underage.

Remember to pack plenty of out fits because you are sure to be enjoying several evenings out where all you will want to do is dress to impress. Las Vegas is a rather fancy city and people are always dressed to the nines.

Other than some ID and some great clothes the most important factor in Las Vegas will be a bank card or some cash – this trip is enjoyable as is, but it will definitely cost you a little if you want to have some real fun!