MGM Mirage is pulling out of Atlantic City.

It isn’t because of the economy but because of MGM Mirage’s ties to alleged organized crime in Macau.

The New Jersey Casino Control Commission found MGM Mirage’s partner connection to be questionable and recommended a separation.

The burgeoning casino empire that MGM Mirage is building in China wasn’t worth the hassle, so they decided to settle by selling its 50 percent share of The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, which MGM Mirage jointly owns with Boyd Gaming.

Once this occurs, MGM Mirage will no longer do business in New Jersey as a gaming licensee.

And what if the Nevada feels the same way? Could be interesting.

What looks like an annual tradition (2nd year in a row), the Las Vegas Strip will go lights out on March 27 at 8:30 p.m.

To recognize the World Wildlife Fund’s Earth Hour, for 60 minutes most casinos on the Strip will go dark.

Yep, that includes the famous Welcome to Las Vegas neon sign.

At last year’s event, turning off the lights for an hour in Las Vegas saved 65 megawatts (65 million watts) of electricity.

‘Course, without being able to see anything for an hour, we took a longer bath.

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com
Marie Osmond with fans at the Flamingo

Marie Osmond returned to the Las Vegas Flamingo Resort’s stage Tuesday in an emotional tribute to her lost son, Michael Bryan. He jumped from his Los Angeles apartment and fell eight stories to his death February 26. Michael Bryan was eighteen.

Marie Osmond stars with brother Donny Osmond in the Donny & Marie Show at the Flamingo on the Las Vegas strip.

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com
Las Vegas Flamingo

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com
Nancy Cartwright & Bart Simpson

Nancy Cartwright is hosting the 5th Annual Happy House Poker Tournament and BBQ at her home in Northridge Saturday, April 24 from 1 PM to 6 PM. If you’re wondering, Nancy Cartwright is the iconic voice of Bart Simpson.

Adults (21 years or older) are invited to take part in a charity poker tournament that will include celebrities and friends playing for some nice prizes. The poker tournament features Texas Hold’em and allows rebuys for $10. There’s also a BBQ and plenty of games for the kids so make it a family affair.

A top ticket for $60 gives you a seat in the poker tournament plus all the festivities. If poker not your thing and you’re there for the BBQ then $15 covers the tab. Children under 12 are FREE. Players should arrive by Noon for the 1 PM sharp tournament start.

More information is available by calling 818.882.7483 or visit www.HappyHouse.org. All proceeds will go towards Happy House and its mission to Build Better Families.

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com
Nancy Cartwright is the Honorary Mayor of the North Valley

The president of the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas was found dead this morning.

TMZ.com is reporting that Randy Kwasniewski was found in his Summerlin home from a gunshot wound that they claim to be self-inflicted.

Kwasniewski had been in the hotel business for over 30 years and has been with Morgans Hotel Group, which co-owns and runs Hard Rock in Las Vegas, since 2006.

At Morgans, he served as president and was chief operating officer of Hard Rock.

Cloud Nine (pictured above from their website), the big tethered balloon ride across from Luxor, has been grounded.

But only for a short while, until they receive a part that apparently can only be received from France.

The high winds this past weekend caused the balloon to shake more than deemed safe by county officials, and the ride has been closed for business since Saturday night.

The balloon, which holds 30 passengers, floats up 500 feet for a view of the Las Vegas Strip, and then down again.

Tickets are $25 per person.

Lest you’re thinking of advantage-playing a ticket voucher machine, we point you to a tale of a faulty one at the Harrah’s Casino and Racetrack in Chester, Pennsylvania.

Voucher machines are a combination slot ticket redemption, ATM, and change from large bills.

Last week, players found that instead of receiving $1 bills, one machine was dispensing $100 bills, effectively paying 100:1.

Upon discovery, walking away quickly with your windfall probably would not have provoked a response.

But a 53-year-old woman greedily returned to the machine 56 times, receiving $22,200.

She was charged with theft by unlawful taking or disposition.

The money was recovered (though there’s no mention of the $222 she was legitimately owed), and her bail was set at $10,000.

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com
Annie Duke, the 2010 NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship Winner
Click image for gallery photo

Annie Duke won the NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship Sunday evening at Caesars Palace. Annie Duke becomes the first woman to win this prestigious poker tournament and joins the ranks of past winners - Phil Hellmuth, Ted Forrest, Paul Wasika, Chris Ferguson and Huck Seed. On the way to the championship she had to defeat a former champ, a WSOP Main Event winner, two players that sat at a WSOP Main Event final table and then get past eight-WSOP-bracelets man, Eric Seidel, in a best of three final matches.

In the end Annie Duke prevailed when her nines took the final pot. She won $500,000 plus a championship diamond ring. Along with the loot she gets the trophy and a lifetime of bragging rights. Congratulations to Annie for blazing the way and making poker history.

Photos from the final day action will be added to the photo gallery.

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com
Annie Duke shares her win with 2009 heads-up champion, Huck Seed
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We all know the stories of the old days when a six shooter was one of the most important things a poker player carried in his bag of tricks. More than once the poker game was decided, not by the turn of a card, but by the best pistol shot.

Although no one died at the European Poker Tour (EPT) tournament at the luxury Grand Hyatt Hotel in Berlin some were injured when robbers armed with assault rifles and hand grenades burst into the tournament room and stole the $1.1 million cash prize pool.

The EPT tournament resumed about four hours later. It was not reported if they were playing for real money or an IOU contingent upon the crooks being apprehended and the money recovered.

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com
Leeann Tweeden, NBC TV Host of the Heads-Up Poker Championship
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Thursday evening the Red Carpet fronting PURE at Caesars Palace was filled with poker’s elite. A dozen WSOP Main Event winners, movie stars with WSOP bracelets, Internet wonders with WSOP bracelets, and many bracelet owners in between.

Flipchip was there as they walked the carpet into the draw party at PURE. A couple of dozen photos are available in the 2010 NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship photo gallery.

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

Mike Matusow, poker star with a three WSOP bracelet