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VEGAS RESTAURANT ROUNDUP: Food Network Star Joins Caesars Palace, Mexican Restaurant Standoff

Celebrity chef Esther Choi will open a M?kbar Korean ramen, dumpling and bun house at the Caesars Palace food hall this fall – in the the former Tiger Wok & Ramen space. Choi, a Food Network fave, operates five Korean restaurants in New York City.

Esther Choi, who made Zagat’s “30 Under 30” list in 2015, has appeared on several Food Network shows, including “Bobby’s Triple Threat,” “Throwdown with Michael Symon,” “Chopped,” and “Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend.” (Image: Instagram/Esther Choi)

“M?kbar will offer a diverse menu for both seasoned Korean food enthusiasts and newcomers alike,” according to a Caesars Entertainment press release. “The fast-casual experience will feature classics like Pan-fried Dumplings, Buns, Fried Chicken, Bibimbap and Dumplings in Broth. Guests can choose from an array of rich ramen flavors and multiple rice bowl options.”

Already in the food court are Bobby’s Burgers by Bobby Flay and Guy Fieri’s Chicken Guy, to be joined later this year by Rick Bayless’ Tortazo and Buddy V’s Pizzeria by Buddy Valastro.

The owner of the Lindo Michoacan Las Vegas Mexican chain claims that this restaurant, which opened in 2016, uses its trademarks and branding. Michoacán is a state in Mexico. (Image: Michoacán Mexican Gourmet Mexican Restaurant)

Battle for Michoacan

The company behind Lindo Michoacan restaurants – which opened its fourth Las Vegas location in May at Palace Station — is suing the company behind the Michoacán Mexican restaurant in northwest Las Vegas for using its trademarks and branding without permission.

“Lindo Michoacan restaurants have received numerous awards, accolades, and favorable media attention since opening its doors,” claims the lawsuit filed by Lindo Michoacan Inc. against Divina Brands LLC, which seeks compensation for damages, profits made by Divina Brands, and legal fees.

The suit also seeks a court order forcing the company to change its name.

Dining Ins & Outs

Retro, the ’80s and ’90s-themed restaurant from “Top Chef” stars Michael and Bryan Voltaggio that closed on June 29, is reopening as The Cove, as per Vital Vegas.

Public School 702 is out forever. The restaurant, which was decorated like a schoolhouse with shelves of old textbooks, opened along with the Downtown Summerlin outdoor mall almost 10 years ago. A sister location, Public School 310, will continue operating in Culver City, Calif.

Roma Kitchen will open at 10420 S. Decatur Blvd. in Southern Highlights in September. The restaurant is the creation of executive chef Ricardo Romo and hospitality exec Steven Kennedy, the team behind Chef’s Roma Kitchen in Henderson.

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VEGAS MUSIC ROUNDUP: Bruno Mars Fans Go Gaga, Tickets on Sale for Life is Beautiful’s Sad Consolation Prize

Fans of Bruno Mars got what they wished for this week when the singer introduced his sold-out Dolby Live crowd to his partner on the new single, “Die With a Smile.” The two top-grossing Park MGM headliners performed the ballad twice during Mars’ encore. Released Aug. 16, “Die with a Smile” debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard singles chart.

Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga dance while dueting at the Park MGM on their new single, “Die With a Smile,” on Tuesday night. (Image: Instagram/@BrunoMars)

Life is Beautiful Pitiful Tickets on Sale

Tickets went on sale today for Life is Beautiful’s consolation prize this year — a thoroughly unexplained, much smaller festival with smaller acts called A Big Beautiful Block Party.

The downgraded festival that no one asked for will take place Friday and Saturday, Sept. 27-28, in a parking lot behind the Plaza Hotel instead of on 18 city blocks along East Fremont Street — as it had been presented since launching 11 years ago.

The lineup for A Big Beautiful Block Party.

Headlining the new festival will be French electronic music duo Justice, South Korean DJ Peggy Gou, English DJ Jamie XX, British dance band Jungle, pianist James Blake, and American rock band LCD Soundsystem.

And if you suspect us of having to Google every single name other than LCD Soundsystem, Justice and Jungle, your suspicions are correct.

Tickets and VIP passes, starting at $178 each, are available through StubHub, which is normally a resale distributor.

Cold on Playing Sphere

In an interview with Audacy Check In, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin said that seeing U2 open the Sphere scared him off the idea of performing at the orbital concert venue behind the Venetian.

“I’m a big, big U2 fan,” Martin said. “It was among, if not the, best thing I’ve ever seen them do. It took me to this place of being a total fan again. It made me so inspired, but unfortunately, it made me swear to not play the Sphere for a long time because they nailed it and I don’t want to compete with that!”

Though the singer denies it, a case can be made that he had been mulling the booking before catching the old Dubliners. Coldplay’s 2021 album was titled “Music of the Spheres.” And the Madison Square Garden Company first announced the name of its future venue in February 2018.

In other Chris Martin news, he has been added to the list of names — along with A$AP Rocky and The Weeknd — scheduled to play the annual IHeartRadio Music Festival, happening at the T-Mobile Arena on Sept. 20-21. Already committed are Gwen Stefani, Dua Lipa, the Black Crowes, New Kids on the Block, Keith Urban, Halsey, Doja Cat, Camila Cabello, Hozier, Paramore, Shaboozey, Thomas Rhett, Big Sean, and Victoria Monét.  Ryan Seacrest returns as host. 

Tickets are on sale now.

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LOST VEGAS: The Frank Rosenthal Show

“The Frank Rosenthal Show” has gained legendary status since airing on local Las Vegas TV from 1977-79.

Frank Sinatra appears on the first episode of “The Frank Rosenthal Show,” filmed at the Stardust Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on Aug. 27, 1977. (Image: Las Vegas News Bureau)

In fact, the mind boggles that there was ever such a thing as “The Frank Rosenthal Show.” Taking the idea of hiding in plain sight to the height of WTF, a mafia associate not only refused to hide from the spotlight, but hosted his own TV talk show?

A Frank Assessment

Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal is photographed following a March 19, 1971 Vegas arrest for illegal gambling. (Image: Clark County Sheriff’s Department)

Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal ran the Stardust from 1974 to 1978 — as well as the Fremont, Marina and Hacienda casinos in Las Vegas — without possessing a gaming license.

That’s because the secret owner of these properties was the Chicago branch of the mafia. Its bosses installed Rosenthal because he was also in charge of the illegal skim operation that netted the mob at least $1.6 million — and probably many times more.

In the ’50s, Rosenthal purchased contracts to fix sporting events, earning multiple sports-bribery indictments. In 1963, he pleaded no contest to bribing a New York University basketball player to shave points. And, he was a suspect in multiple business and car bombings in Miami in the ’60s, which is allegedly why he fled to Las Vegas in 1968 in the first place.

Actually, there was a method to the madness of Lefty’s TV hosting gig. He used the show to prove to the Nevada Gaming Commission that his presence at the Stardust, where his show taped, consisted of something other than running it for the syndicate.

This is portrayed accurately in Martin Scorsese’s 1995 film “Casino,” which shows Sam “Ace” Rothstein (Robert De Niro’s character, who was based on Rosenthal) interviewing the real Frankie Avalon for his TV talk show, “Aces High,” shortly after being denied a gaming license.

For several reasons, however, “The Frank Rosenthal Show” — which aired on KSHO-TV, the ABC affiliate that became today’s KTNV-TV — didn’t fool anyone.

A Whole Host of Bad

Frank Rosenthal, his wife Geri (portrayed by Sharon Stone in “Casino”), O.J. Simpson, and “The Frank Rosenthal Show” announcer Judy Angels pose on the set following Simpson’s interview. (Image: frankleftyrosenthal.com)

First off, Rosenthal was the worst talk show host who ever lived.

This isn’t just an opinion. Stiff, uninformed and uniquely unfunny, Rosenthal never failed to achieve boredom immediately out of the gate. Go ahead — try to watch one of the show episodes uploaded to YouTube in its entirety. We’ll wait…

See? We tried warning you.

“Wokay, now what do you want to do, Frank?” Don Rickles said during the first of many lulls on Rosenthal’s Nov. 27, 1977 episode. Turning to the crowd, the legendary comic then offered, “I’ll give you 500 dollars to get me off of this!”

It wasn’t only Rosenthal’s cardboard personality, but also the show’s high school AV club production values that made New York’s similarly unprofessional yet charming “The Joe Franklin Show” look like Carson in comparison.

Even the talk show that Kramer hosted in his living room on “Seinfeld” was better.

Famously Suspicious Guests

Rosenthal interviews Liberace with, for some reason, the “Lido de Paris” showgirls as a backdrop. (Image: frankleftyrosenthal.com)

It was the incongruously high profiles of this literal shit show’s guests that kept its viewers coming back for more each week.

Somehow, Liberace, Bob Hope, O.J. Simpson, and Sammy Davis, Jr. all ended up granting Rosenthal interviews.

The “somehow” part no doubt was another reason gaming officials — who by 1988 included Rosenthal in their “black book” of people banned from every Nevada casino for life — didn’t buy the charade.

Especially since Rosenthal’s choice of a first guest for his very first show was Frank Sinatra, the man whose friendship with Chicago mob boss Sam Giancana cost him his relationship with John F. Kennedy and his casino license for the Cal-Neva Lodge.

By the way, anyone who tells you they saw Rosenthal interview Sinatra on that show is either mistaken or lying. The only witnesses were the couple of hundred people who attended the taping on Aug. 22, 1977.

And that’s because, seconds after the opening, the VCR that was playing the prerecorded tape broke.

All viewers saw for most of the hour was a “One Moment Please” sign, according to Mike Weatherford’s 2001 book, “Cult Vegas.” And no attempt was ever made to replay the episode.

Sinatra did appear on a later Rosenthal show — alongside Rickles in the very same episode from which we quoted the comic earlier. The clip is actually hysterical, but not because of Rosenthal.

“Just do what you’re told,” Rickles laid into the host. “Read the lines, what it says on the sign: ‘Help me, I am a dummy.’”

“Lost Vegas” is an occasional Casino.org series spotlighting Las Vegas’ forgotten history. Click here to read other entries in the series. Think you know a good Vegas story lost to history? Email corey@casino.org. 

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Vietnam Extends Casino Trial for Local Players Until End of 2024 Amid Mixed Financial Results

Vietnam-extends-casino-trial-period-for-local-patrons-until-year-endVietnam has decided to extend the trial period that permits its citizens to gamble at select casinos until December 31, 2024. This decision follows the mixed financial results reported by the Phu Quoc casino during its pilot phase. The trial, initially set to conclude in 2022, has been extended to allow further evaluation of the impact and viability of allowing Vietnamese locals to participate in casino gambling, traditionally reserved for foreign visitors.

Phu Quoc Casino’s Performance Under Scrutiny

The Phu Quoc casino, which has been operational since January 2019, is the first and only casino in Vietnam where local citizens are currently allowed to gamble. Over the course of its trial, the casino generated VND 6.4 trillion (approximately $258 million) in revenue and contributed nearly VND 3.69 trillion ($148 million) to the state budget. Despite these contributions, the casino has reported a cumulative loss of VND 3.72 trillion ($150 million), mainly due to high initial depreciation and interest costs.

The financial performance of the Phu Quoc casino has been mixed, with an improvement noted in 2023 compared to the previous year. However, the accumulated losses highlight the challenges faced by the casino in its early years of operation. The trial’s extension aims to provide additional time for a thorough evaluation of these financial outcomes and their implications for the future of local gambling in Vietnam.

Extending the Trial and Broader Implications

A draft decree has been submitted by the Ministry of Finance to the Vietnamese Government, proposing an extension of the trial period for the Phu Quoc casino until the end of 2024. This decree also outlines that other casinos will follow a three-year trial period starting from the date they receive their Certificate of Eligibility for Casino Business.

The Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with other governmental bodies such as the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, will conduct a comprehensive review of the trial period. This review will be crucial in determining whether the trial will be further extended, altered, or concluded by the end of 2024. Should the Government fail to issue a resolution by the trial’s end, casinos will temporarily suspend allowing Vietnamese citizens to gamble.

The decision to extend the trial reflects Vietnam’s cautious approach to expanding its casino industry to include local participation. The trial’s outcomes will significantly impact future regulations and the broader strategy for developing Vietnam’s integrated resort sector, which aims to boost tourism, generate employment, and contribute to the economy.

Looking Ahead: What This Means for Vietnam’s Casino Industry

The extension of the trial period is a significant move in Vietnam’s evolving gambling policy. The Phu Quoc casino’s results, both in terms of financial performance and player demographics, will serve as a key indicator for the future direction of the industry. From 2019 to the end of 2023, the Phu Quoc casino attracted nearly 295,943 Vietnamese players, accounting for 62% of its total patronage, with the majority of these players being 39 years old.

In parallel, the Van Don casino project, another key part of Vietnam’s casino strategy, will undergo its own three-year trial once it begins operations. The outcomes of these trials will shape the landscape of casino gambling in Vietnam, balancing regulatory concerns with the economic benefits of an expanded casino sector.

Source:

VN extends trial period for local citizens to play at casinos until end of 2024, Vietnamnet global, August 26, 2024.

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Thaksin Shinawatra Confirms Support for Legalized Casinos in Thailand

New-Thai-PMs-influential-father-Thaksin-Shinawatra-confirms-support-for-legalized-casinosIn a significant development for the gaming industry in Thailand, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has confirmed his support for the legalization of casinos. This endorsement from Thaksin, the influential father of Thailand’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, is seen as a strong indication of the government’s direction towards legalizing casino resorts. Thaksin’s backing comes at a crucial time, following the recent removal of former leader Srettha Thavisin from office.

Economic Vision and Casino Legalization

Thaksin outlined his vision for revitalizing Thailand’s sluggish economy during a detailed speech titled “Vision for Thailand” on Thursday. Among the measures he proposed to stimulate economic growth is the development of large-scale integrated resorts (IRs) featuring legalized casinos. Thaksin emphasized the significant investment potential these projects could bring, with an IR in Bangkok alone estimated to attract investments of around TBH100 billion (US$2.90 billion). Similar projects in other provinces are projected to draw investments of approximately TBH50 billion (US$1.45 billion) each, according to a report by Bloomberg.

This stance aligns with predictions from industry experts who have anticipated that the Pheu Thai party, led by Thaksin’s daughter Paetongtarn, would continue to pursue casino legalization as part of its economic policy. William J Jones, Assistant Professor of International Relations at Bangkok’s Mahidol University International College, stated last week that “Thaksin and his daughter as new PM will continue with the casino plan, as tourism including MICE is a major plank of [their party]

Pheu Thai’s economic policies.”

Economic Stimulus and Policy Influence

Thaksin also voiced support for a substantial economic stimulus plan during his speech. The proposed TBH500 billion (US$4.5 billion) handout plan aims to distribute TBH10,000 to approximately 50 million Thai citizens via a digital wallet, with the stipulation that the funds be spent locally within six months. Thaksin described this plan as an “immediate economic boost in September,” stressing the need to stimulate the economy, which he noted has been stagnant for an extended period.

Regarding Thailand’s broader economic outlook, Thaksin remarked, “I think the Thai economy hasn’t hit the bottom yet but it’s unlikely to slide any further. The government has done many things and that will help control the situation.” He highlighted the importance of government leadership in these efforts, while also calling on the private sector to contribute.

Despite not holding an official position within the Pheu Thai party, Thaksin’s influence over his daughter’s administration is undeniable. Many political analysts believe that Thaksin will play a pivotal role in shaping policy, particularly in navigating the coalition government towards supporting casino legislation. Thaksin’s experience and political acumen could be crucial in securing backing from coalition partners, some of whom have expressed reservations about the casino initiative.

Path Forward for Casino Legislation

The timing of Thaksin’s endorsement is noteworthy, as it follows the conclusion of a two-week public feedback period on draft casino legislation. Released earlier in August, this draft outlines the key governance and operator requirements for the proposed casinos. The public feedback period, which concluded quietly over the weekend, represents a step forward in the legislative process. The removal of Srettha and the appointment of Paetongtarn Shinawatra as Prime Minister have injected new momentum into the discussion, with Thaksin’s support likely to be a decisive factor in the legislation’s progress.

As Thailand moves closer to potentially legalizing casinos, the involvement of Thaksin Shinawatra, with his vast political experience and influence, is expected to play a critical role in shaping the future of the country’s gaming industry.

Source:

New Thai PM’s Influential Father Thaksin Shinawatra Confirms Support for Legalized Casinos, asgam.com, August 23, 2024.

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