Hospitality Administration and Management Commons^™

Sunrise, Sunset? Comparing The Las Vegas And Macao Gaming Markets In 2010, Jung-Eun Joyce Kim

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

When The Mirage opened in 1989, it was the most expensive hotel-casino in history with a construction cost of $630 million. Along with eruption of its signature attraction, The Volcano, this high profile project started a tourism boom and started a trend of further developments of integrated mega-resorts. The Mirage set a new level of experience for Las Vegas strip. However, the global financial crisis that started in 2007 has since left Las Vegas with the highest foreclosure rate in the country and sent accompanying businesses and growth tumbling (Veiga, 2010). Gaming industry has long been thought to be recession …

A Mathematical Approach For Optimizing The Casino Slot Floor: A Linear Programming Application, Kasra Christopher Ghaharian

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Linear programming is a tool that has been successfully applied to various problems across many different industries and businesses. However, it appears that casino operators may have overlooked this useful and proven method. At most casino properties the bulk of gaming revenues are derived from slot machines. It is therefore imperative for casino operators to effectively manage and cultivate the performance of this department. A primary task for the casino operator is planning and deciding the mix of slot machines in order to maximize performance.

This paper presents the task of optimizing the casino slot floor as a linear programming …

Gaming In Britain And America: Some Historical Comparisons, Nicholas Tosney Ph.D.

Occasional Papers

This paper compares the development of gambling in Britain during the late 17th and 18th centuries with the emergence of gambling in Nevada during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Drawing on the existence of similar themes and ideas in different contexts, the author demonstrates several benefits of comparative studies of gambling. Focusing principally on gambling games played with cards and dice, this paper begins by examining approaches to taxing gaming before moving on to consider regulatory strategies.

Online Gaming: Prohibition Vs. Regulation, Andrew Montgomery

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Since online gaming began in 1995, the industry has been unsettled. Despite online gaming being viewed as illegal by the United States government, revenues generated from players in the U.S. grew consistently and rapidly from 1995 to 2006. U.S. lawmakers believed they clarified the legality issue by passing the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act in 2006 (UIGEA); however, this legislation did little to discourage people in the U.S. from engaging in online gambling. U.S. lawmakers have long debated prohibition vs. regulation of the industry. Given the apparent ineffectiveness of online gaming prohibition via UIGEA, lawmakers favoring legalization and regulation of …

Developing A Culturally Responsive Classroom Collaborative Of Faculty, Students, And Institution, Paul J. Colbert

MBA Faculty Conference Papers & Journal Articles

Culture is integral to the learning process. It is the organization and way of life within the community of students and teachers and directs the way they communicate, interact, and approach teaching and learning. Although founded in particular values and principles, the academy, like most organizations, is impacted day-to-day by its culture. Yet, the traditional higher education institution has not been designed to operate within a racially or ethnically diverse student population. The social, political, economic, and cultural forces that support the institution influence the teaching and learning environments. To better address cultural diversity in the classroom, faculty must first …

Unlv Magazine, Tony Allen, Shane Bevell, Donna Mcaleer, Ched Whitney, Cate Weeks

UNLV Magazine

No abstract provided.

Taking The Points: The Socialization Process Of A Sports Book “Regular”, Frederick W. Krauss Ph.D.

Occasional Papers

Patrons of a casino sports book use the environment for much more than the instrumental task of sports betting. It is also a place to congregate with other like-minded patrons and through this process complex interactional dynamics develop over time. The social world of the sports book emerges in a designated space for the betting act where patrons meet, interact, and establish a culture to which they adhere.

Legalizing Gaming In Singapore: The Ethical Implications, Yeng Tuck Nicholas Lee

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

In this day and age when directors of companies are found to be corrupt and governments are not void of graft and bribes, it is not a wonder that people would question the integrity of both companies and governments. Many cities in the world have decided to build mega resorts with gaming facilities for the purpose of economic development that includes employment and tourism. The aim of this study therefore is to contrast and compare the ethical issues and implications of the decisions made not only by the Singapore government but other governments of the US, Macau, the Bahamas and …

An Analysis Of Supervisor’S Gender And Subordinate Employees’ Job Satisfaction Within The Casino-Entertainment Industry, Nicholas J. Thomas

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This study investigates supervisor gender and various dimensions of employee job satisfaction within the casino-entertainment sector of the hospitality industry. Specifically, these dimensions were analyzed from the perspective of three variables related to individual employees: (1) satisfaction with company; (2) satisfaction with department; and, finally, (3) satisfaction with the supervisor. The data for this study was obtained from an employee survey administered to employees in three separate Nevada casino-entertainment properties and their corresponding corporate office. The results of this study fill existing gaps in the academic literature related to job satisfaction and the role of supervisor gender. There are implications …

Complimentary Rewards In Las Vegas Casinos: A Literature Synthesis And Recommendations For Profitable Complimentary Reward Programs, Katharine S. Meczka

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This study summarizes academic theories and industry applications related to loyalty marketing schemes, drawing on literature pertaining to casino marketing, behavioral learning theory, loyalty marketing, and economics. Specifically, this study attempts to understand the market conditions and program structure under which Las Vegas Strip casinos may profitably utilize complimentary rewards through increasing short-term revenue and generating long-term loyalty. This literature synthesis provides important professional implications for casino marketers both in terms of effectively designing complimentary reward programs and sustaining profitable business during recessionary times.

Recovery, Leadership Efforts, And The Casino Industry In The Mississippi Gulf Coast Region After Hurricane Katrina, Ethan Jon Joella

Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to examine the following three interlocking areas of theory: a) casinos as economic engines; b) tourism recovery following a disaster or negative event; and, c) economic/social characteristics that facilitate recovery after disasters generally. This study examines the necessary ingredients for a speedy disaster recovery (typified in the casino industry on the Mississippi Gulf Coast).

This study employs a qualitative interview design with elite interviewing to test the theory and provide evidence and context to it. With interview questions informed by Rubin’s three elements that influence the recovery process within a community (Rubin as cited …

International Encyclopedia Of Gambling, J. Cory Tucker

Library Faculty Research

An update to the author's Gambling in America (CH, Apr'02, 39-4347). this excellent encyclopedia provides detailed information on the gambling phenomenon throughout the world. In more than 300 entries, this two-volume set covers a wealth of information on a wide variety of topics related to gambling.

Nation, Corporation Or Family? Tribal Casino Employment And The Transformation Of Tribes, Theodor Gordon

Occasional Papers

Since its modest beginnings in the early 1980s, tribal gaming rapidly developed into a $25 billion industry that generates over a quarter million jobs. However, the increasing employment of non-Indians in tribal casinos prompts new cultural and political challenges. This paper analyzes tribal and commercial casino trade publications in order to demonstrate how tribal casino employee relations play a significant role in transforming public policy and perceptions of tribal government in the United States.

Estimating The Impact Of Showroom Entertainment On The Hourly Gaming Volume Of A Las Vegas Hotel-Casino, Eunju Suh

Caesars Hospitality Research Summit

Along with the emergence of mega casino-resorts in the gaming industry, researchers have attempted to estimate the indirect gaming contributions of non-gaming casino amenities such as showroom entertainment and restaurants. However, the daily data of aggregate gaming volumes analyzed in previous gaming research did not allow exploring transient gaming volumes associated with casino amenities during a much narrower range of time periods (i.e., hourly). The current investigation addresses this limitation by proposing a model to examine the relationship between showroom headcounts and hourly slot gaming volumes for the hours falling adjacent to the show’s performance time. Considering a major investment …

Urban Dynamics In The Las Vegas Valley: Neighborhood Casinos And Sprawl, Pascale Nédélec

Occasional Papers

Las Vegas is well known for its urban sprawl. While the casino industry has played an obvious role in the development of Las Vegas, no systematic study has evaluated the exact nature of urban growth and the rise of neighborhood casinos. This paper argues that neighborhood casinos, contrary to tourist‐oriented casinos, are not urban forces that drive the growth of an urban area but reinforce the status quo of residential developments. Neighborhood casinos have nevertheless become a major asset in the economic and social building of residential developments and community life.

The Boys' Club: An Exploration Into The Social World Of A Las Vegas Casino Sports Book, Frederick W. Krauss

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This ethnography of the La Mesa Casino Sports Book explores the characteristics that frame the social world its regular patrons create. Specifically, I explain the characteristics of La Mesa’s sports bettors, the types of people who bet on sports, the mechanisms used to sustain participation in the scene, and how the sports bettors view themselves, their social world, and those outside of it. I argue that regular sports book patrons do not use the environment simply for sports betting. Rather, their complex interactional dynamics create a robust social world they come back to again and again to create a meaningful …

The History Of Baccarat, Theodore Whiting

Occasional Papers

The true origins of modern Baccarat are probably lost to history. The first time the game Baccarat (spelled Baccara) was mentioned in print by a contemporary observer was in the early 19th century. The written record that would document the origins and evolution of the game is, unfortunately, incomplete. However, a close examination of the available material reveals some interesting facts surrounding the history of Baccarat, including a much earlier date for its arrival in the United States, that validates its continuing study.

Las Vegas Visitor Demographics: Be Careful What You Wish For, Joseph Akinsete

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Targeting the correct customer is one of the most important components to owning and running a successful company. To have a great product that is marketed to the wrong customer, will result in lost profits and missed opportunities.

Over the last 20 years Las Vegas has seen two drastic changes in its target customer and visitor demographics. By the late 1980’s gaming revenue in Las Vegas was down as other areas in the country started to legalize gambling. In an attempt to stimulate visitor numbers the city was reinvented in the image of Disney. Themed hotels such as the Luxor …

The Powerful Mythology Surrounding Bugsy Siegel, Larry Gragg Ph.D.

Occasional Papers

Journalists, authors, filmmakers, and historians have been interested in Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel for over six decades. Collectively, they have crafted a cohesive mythological narrative of Siegel’s life one focused upon “rags to riches” success and his contributions to the development of Las Vegas, Nevada. Most attribute to Siegel the inspiration for not only the Flamingo Hotel‐Casino, but also for the glamorous, classy, flashy resort city Las Vegas became after World War II. This paper describes the development of the myth since Siegel’s murder in 1947 as well as how it has been sustained.

Not Undertaking The Almost-Impossible Task: The 1961 Wire Act’S Development, Initial Applications, And Ultimate Purpose, David G. Schwartz

Library Faculty Research

For a Camelot-era piece of legislation, the Wire Act has a long and unintended shadow. Used haltingly in the 1960s, when the Wire Act failed to deliver the death blow to organized crime, 1970’s Racketeer-Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) became a far better weapon against the mob. Yet starting in the 1990s, the Wire Act enjoyed a second life, when the Justice Department used to it prosecute operators of online betting Web sites that, headquartered in jurisdictions where such businesses were legal, took bets from American citizens. The legislative history of the Wire Act, however, suggests that it was …

The Burger King Revolution: How Las Vegas Bounced Back, 1983-1989, David G. Schwartz

Library Faculty Research

Most who have considered Las Vegas history have concluded that not much happened in Las Vegas gaming between the openings of the original MGM Grand (1973) and Mirage (1989). In fact, several structural changes during the 1980s had already reversed a declining appeal. Responding to three crises—competition from Atlantic City, a national economic downturn, and the MGM Grand fire—Las Vegas casino operators began to draw more extensively on a middle-class mass market. Capitalizing on the “Burger King Revolution,” Strip casinos drew more gamblers who, on average, played less, and slot machines displaced table games as the industry’s leading revenue producer. …

Loyalty To Relationships: Examination Of Affluent Casino Guest Retention In Las Vegas, Adrian Y. Low

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This paper analyzes the challenges faced by Las Vegas, Nevada casinos when catering to their affluent guests. As part of the literature review, the paper will examine the various retention efforts taken by luxury products and service providers, along with luxury hotels and hotel casinos in Las Vegas. Personal communications with casino hotel executives provides a real-world comparison of the effectiveness and limitations of various techniques discussed in the literature review.

A Comparison Of Gambling Motivation Factors Between Chinese And Western Casino Players, Lu Ye

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This paper explored literature on gambling motivation of Western and Chinese casino players to find out the similarities and differences of their motivation factors. Study found that they are motivated in similar ways by the desire to win, social and early memories. However, the Chinese gamblers exhibit severer cognitive errors, stronger risk-taking tendency and higher level of stress and depression, which explained the common findings of literature that Chinese have higher gambling and problem gambling rates than other ethnic groups. The findings would benefit casino operators in making marketing strategy at the Chinese players as well as problem gambling treatment …

Applying The Service Profit Chain To The Gaming Industry, Emphasizing On Table Games Dealers, In Las Vegas, David Lee

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Gaming has been a significant part of the tourism industry in Las Vegas. Most gamblers come to Las Vegas hoping to win big, but are often disappointed. So what keeps people coming back time and again to contribute to Las Vegas’ economy? The casinos and the gaming industry believe that the unique and individual service guests experience at their establishment is the primary reason why guests return. For example, at Harrah's employees are upbeat and positive in an effort to keep customers returning; at the Venetian the core value instilled in each and every employee is to provide un-matched guest …

Social Cost Of Gambling, Douglas Walker

UNLV Gaming Podcasts

At the 14th International Conference on Gambling and Risk-Taking, Dr. Schwartz interviews Dr. Walker, getting his perspective on the applicability of "social cost of gambling" studies, casinos and crime, his latest book, and more.

The Swedish Casino Model: A Comparative Study Of Casino Gaming Models, Daniel Sahlin

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This comparative study addresses the different gaming regulations that exist around the world. The study involves seven different countries, with its center of attention on the Swedish Casino Model which is owned and operated by the Swedish Government. The study of the Casino Models that originate from each country’s gaming legislation and the influence they have worldwide, as well as how and why new Casino Gaming models are developed. Lastly, a discussion is presented on how different Casino Models can have an effect upon each other and how the Sweden Casino Model may or may not effect other nations.

An Examination Of Female Poker Players, Di Ma

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

MSN Encarta defines gambling as the wager “of money or other items of value on an uncertain event, dependent either wholly or in part on chance.” The major types of gambling are lotteries, sports betting including horse racing, and casino games including slot machines and table games (2007). A look at PokerUK.com’s Famous Gamblers of the 18th century to present shows thirteen men and zero women (2007). This gender division has experienced a recent change. In 1999, CNN.com reported that women who gambled increased 20% between 1994 and 1998. This figure doubled the percentage growth for male gamblers. The e-Commerce …

An Examination Of The Non-Gaming Nightlife Entertainment Sector Of Las Vegas Resort-Casinos, Jennifer Miyakubo

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This paper provides an overview of the non-gaming nightlife entertainment sector of Las Vegas resort-casinos. Three qualitative interviews with executives of The Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, The Monte Carlo Las Vegas Resort and Casino, and The Mirage Las Vegas were conducted to examine their perceptions and needs in the industry. This paper examines the impact the current economic recession is having on the Las Vegas nightlife and also reveals what types of questions resort-casino operators want to know about their customer. This exploratory research is a useful preliminary step that helps ensure that a more rigorous, more conclusive future …

Recession And Its Affect On The Las Vegas Hospitality Industry, William Provance

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the recession which began in 2007, and to study its causes, effects, and some attempted solutions through data analysis, academic literature review, public financial reporting, stock information and other news sources. Two major strip companies will be researched; Las Vegas Sands and MGM Grand, as well as a local’s company; Station Casinos. This information will be presented in a case study format that will be available as a learning tool for future hospitality leaders.

Pioneering Marketing To Hawaii With Downtown Las Vegas' California Casino, John M. Blink

UNLV Gaming Podcasts

Dr. Schwartz does a quick interview with John Blink, who pioneered marketing to and in Hawaii with downtown Las Vegas' California casino in the 1970s and 1980s. Blink talks candidly about working for both Sam and Bill Boyd at the Eldorado, Union Plaza, and California casinos, the early days at the California, and the loyalty of the casino's Hawaiian patrons and vice versa. Plus, learn how to get a free bowl of saimin noodles at the Cal.