The total cost of renovations is around $165 million. Areas that are part of the renovation include:

• The casino floor
• Restaurants
• Pool
• Hotel rooms
• Convention center

In addition to these upgrades, the Tropicana is planning on building a nightclub-pool attraction named The Mob Experience. This will contribute to paying off this once run-down property. Despite a decrease in revenue and room rates for the second straight quarter; renovations, marketing and advertising for the Tropicana Las Vegas has increased the number of weekend visitors.

From now until the end of 2010, weekend room rates at the Tropicana are between $99 and $229 per night. This rivals competitors rates found at the Luxor and Treasure Island. Normally, weekend rates at the resort linger between $129 and $159 per night. The highest rate of the year is $229 for New Years Eve and the final weekend of September when many conventions are in town.

Prior to the renovations, some rooms were as cheap as $38 per weekend night in 2009. This was on track with rivaling casinos like the Sahara and the Rivieria. The room rates in 2010 compared to 2009 were primarily attributed to a rise weekend demand. This shows great promise for the casino industry.

The last time rooms at the Tropicana were renovated was in 1985. Recently, the casino announced that the renovation of the hotel rooms had been complete. They have been updated with a South Beach motif including new color patterns, carpeting and furnishing. All rooms are equipped with brand new mattresses and 42 inch plasma televisions.

This has significantly increased online reviews thus improving bookings at the hotel. In addition to renovating the hotel, the Tropicana upgraded its logo and marketing campaign to “We’re Changing Everything.” The hotel expects to complete the casino and floor phase of the renovations with an extended sportsbook including mobile gaming.

The Tropicana has certainly changed its reputation from an unclean, old casino to a modern, South Beach-style hotspot. Since emerging from bankruptcy in 2009, they have really hit the ground running and are on track to climb back into the black.

The casino boasts 240,000 square feet of gaming excellence complete with 497 premium guest rooms and suites. The resort also features a state of the art spa, a grand ballroom, several fine dining as well as casual restaurants and a 36 hole golf course.

The Security System at the Resort

The security system at the Talking Stick Resort features a 1,500 camera system with serverless storage solutions created by Pivot3. The specifications include 41 Cloudbanks and a 492 Terabyte storage capacity. The cameras are under the control of a NICE video management system.

This video surveillance system is highly sophisticated and well-designed rivaling many Las Vegas casinos. Since security is such a major contributor to the success and profitability of a casino; advanced, high-end systems like this are becoming increasingly important. North American Video is hoping to mitigate any security threats through the extensive technology offered by this equipment.

What Was Installed?

North American Video developed and installed a hybrid analog/digital video surveillance system. A few product demonstrations were given to Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community representatives as well as operators of the project.

How Does the System Work?

Cameras tape images taken from one of the 1,500 cameras throughout the casino. These images are recorded onto serverless computing infrastructure. The benefit of this is that the system provides storage and server resources within a single array. This reduces the amount of space needed for additional equipment within the server rooms.

The size and amenities offered by this resort rival many Las Vegas casinos on the strip. The experience provided by this establishment warrants a state of the art security and surveillance system. 1,500 cameras that view all areas of the 240,000 square foot gaming floor are sure to protect the casino and its patrons.

As casinos become larger; offer more amenities than ever before, they are going to need the surveillance industry to keep pace and offer advanced technology. The Talking Stick Resort is the first of many to implement these types of elaborate security systems.

There are many reasons for this lack of Las Vegas at every table. Depending on the area of the country, some view this amenity as immoral. Other casinos are hit hard by the economic crisis and cannot afford to give away free alcohol. As new casinos pop up, local legislators, many of whom do not support the arrival of a casino, set the guidelines. Consequently, they do not approve of this practice as they would like to maintain balance.

Many avid gamblers and party-goers are disappointed by these actions. They feel as if the combination of gambling and drinking run hand-in-hand. Oho recently passed a law that prohibits complimentary drinks in all new casinos. It also prohibits the 24 hour sale of alcohol in Ohio. Other Midwestern states that follow this same practice include:

• Missouri
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kansas

The nine states (not including Native American establishments and racetrack casinos) that do permit free alcohol while playing include:

• Colorado
• Iowa
• Louisiana
• Michigan
• Mississippi
• Pennsylvania
• Nevada
• New Jersey
• South Dakota

Kansas takes the idea of no free drinks in casinos even further by outlawing free drinks at any establishment across the state. There is also a statewide ban on any type of happy hour specials as well as games that promote drinking, such as beer pong.

The combination of Mothers against Drunk Driving (MADD) and bars, restaurants and taverns have lobbied against free alcohol at casinos in Ohio. Competing establishments state the economic impact as a major factor. They saw free drinks as impeding on the willingness of casino-goers to go out and eat dinner, or visit a local tavern for drinks.

This mentality has made its way back to major casino areas like Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Both areas showed a significant drop in the amount of drinks comped in 2009. They have come to realize that they sell much more alcohol when they’re not giving it away.

Although the elimination of free booze impedes on a long-lived tradition, most of the reasons point back to the economy. In this current climate, it’s difficult for businesses to give away anything for free. Perhaps once the economy returns to normalcy, the free drinks will return with it!

The Mandarin Oriental Suites

The Mandarin Oriental offers one, two, and three bedroom permanent residences inside the CityCenter megaplex. These suites range from 1,000 to 4,000 square feet and cost about one million a piece. Each unit was built with the newest designs and luxuries in mind, but the biggest selling point to these homes is the location. Mandarin Oriental is located in the middle of CityCenter and offers residents access to all of the action of Las Vegas’ latest and greatest building development. The suites cost in the range of one million a piece. So far 29 units have been sold in the development.

CityCenter

For those not in the know, CityCenter is the latest and greatest Las Vegas, Nevada has to offer. Construction on the megaplex hit a major turning point earlier this year when the first casino, the Aria, was opened to the public. So far CityCenter has been a success, despite economic downturn and early profit losses. MGM, a major holder in the CityCenter idea, did see an initial loss in profits. However, these are expected to turn around as the economy takes a turn for the better. The CityCenter project blends a combination of Las Vegas style gambling, luxury, and entertainment with modern technology and green friendly building. It is truly a work of modern art.

Suite units are still available for sale in CityCenter, both in the Mandarin Oriental and other locations across the megaplex. While these suites will not go cheap, there has been a high interest in the location, and it likely the center will fill up quickly.

Most casinos run in hotspots like Las Vegas are owned by large gambling companies such as Harris. In recent years, casinos have started popping up across the Midwest. These casinos are typically independent from each other and most are run by Native American tribes. A lot of gamblers are switching gears and starting to prefer these casinos for their easy locations. If you have not visited an Native American casino yet, you may wonder what the difference is between their casinos and Las Vegas’ megagiants.

Are Native American Casinos Different?

Native American Casinos are very similar to corporate run casinos. They offer the same games. You will find your poker tables, and the larger casinos regularly host bingo and poker tournaments in their convention rooms. However, Native American casinos have a few subtle differences from the Las Vegas counterparts.

21 and up, please!

One of the most well known 21^st birthday traditions is a trip to Las Vegas. Do you know why? Every casino in Las Vegas requires their patrons to be at least 21 years old. This is due for a few reasons, but mainly because alcohol is free flowing inside the casino and restricting age limits is just easier. Native American casinos run things a little differently. Most Native American casinos allow entry starting at age 18. It is a trade off because there is less alcohol to be found, but younger poker players have a place to play.

No Free Drinks

Las Vegas is famous for handing out free alcoholic drinks. It is a smart system, the more players drink the less they focus on their bankroll. Native American casinos are famous for their free coco-cola. Most Native American casinos charge for their alcoholic beverages, and some even require you go get them yourself from their bar. They do, however, off all the free soda you can drink.

Not Always 24 Hours

There isn’t as much as a pressing need for a 24/7 nightlife in the Midwest as there is in Las Vegas. Most people that visit Native American casinos are locals, or nearly locals, and not tourists looking to live it up as much as possible. Some smaller Native American casinos respond to this by closing early or not staying open every day of the week. Be sure to check the times before you visit or you may end up being unpleasantly surprised.

Gambling and Poker Tournaments: First, casinos do what they do best, gambling. Larger casinos have hundreds, if not thousands, of slot machines. They offer tables hosting all the popular games like Texas Hold ‘Em. Most casinos also throw tournaments through out the year. If you have been itching to play against other players, these tournaments are your chance.

Day Spas: Several casinos have top-of-the-line day spas inside their hotels. The spas offer massages, facials, steam baths, and everything else you imagine. Some casinos offer discounts on their spas throughout the year, especially during tourism downtimes. They might even offer the spa as a comp for their biggest players.

Entertainment and Shows: Larger casinos have nightly shows that go on in their banquet halls. These shows offer everything from singers, to acrobats, to burlesque shows. Some of the classic shows include Elvis impersonators, but you can also find acts from the actual artists themselves such as Tom Jones.

Dining: Most casinos offer a 24-hour buffet that serves lunch, dinner, and breakfast. Larger casinos also have several restaurants inside the casino. These restaurants range from reasonably priced hamburger joints to top-of-the-line steak houses and Japanese restaurants. Some of the most famous chefs in the world have made their home inside a casino.

Pools and Water parks: If the casino has a hotel, it is likely they have at least one pool. Some of the larger casinos even have small water parks with slides for the kids. These pools range from the simple oval shaped floating pool to all out beach resorts with sand and simulated tides. The pools offer a chance for the whole family to relax for the day.

Golf Courses: Some resort style casinos have a full 18-hole gold course on site for golfing fans. These courses were designed by golf pros to give the golfer the same experience they would get at any golf course. You can set up tee-times through the casino, and some will even rent you clubs and gear if you need it.

A casino is no longer just a place to kick back and gamble the hours away. You can turn your casino trip in to a rewarding experience that caters to your entire family.

Who was Dale Earnhardt?

Dale Earnhardt was a race car driver with more then twenty years racing in NASCAR events and several dozen wins. Earnhardt was one of the most popular NASCAR drivers on the track. In 2001 at the Daytona 500, Dale Earnhardt died in a car crash in the last of the race.  Dale Earnhardt was also known for his charitable nature and love of children and the environment. Throughout his career, he routinely gave money to organizations that supported education, wildlife foundations, or needy children. After his death, the Dale Earnhardt Foundation was started to continue this charitable movement for education, children, and wildlife programs.

What is the Stratosphere Casino?

The Stratosphere is a large casino resort located on the Las Vegas strip. The Stratosphere casino is 80,000 square feet. There are more then 1,200 slot machines. Several popular games are found on the casino floor like craps, blackjack, and roulette. There is also a large poker room, which hosts no limit poker tournaments on a daily basis.

The Dale Earnhardt Foundation Celebrity Poker Tournament

The Dale Earnhardt Foundation Celebrity Poker Tournament will be held on February 25^th inside the Stratosphere casino. Dale Earnhardt’s son, Kerry Earnhardt, will host the poker tournament. Several other NASCAR drivers are expected to appear including Scott Lagasse Jr, Andy Ponstein, Danny Efland, Aric Almirola, and Eric McClure.

The poker tournament will have a $150 entry fee, which will go to the Dale Earnhardt Foundation. The winner of the tournament will receive $2,500 as well as a package of Dale Earnhardt souvenir merchandise. In addition to monetary prizes, there will be loads of NASCAR related prizes, signed autographs, and a year’s subscription to iRacing.com.

Entry in to the Dale Earnhardt Foundation Celebrity Poker Tournament is limited to the first 500 players who sign up. There will also be a special promotional price for the Stratosphere’s hotel during the event. Interested poker players can sign up for the poker tournament on the Stratosphere’s website.

The Aria Resort

The Aria Resort and Casino is a 61-story resort, and part of the most expensive destination on the Las Vegas Strip- CityCenter; costing $8.5 billion. The Aria is set to be the biggest part of Las Vegas’ new CityCenter. The Aria resort has nightclubs, bars, and restaurants. The resort also has a 2,000 seat theater that will be playing a permanent Elvis attraction put on by Cirque du Soleil. A three-story convention center hosts four large ballrooms. There is even a 70,000 square foot spa with a salon, barber shop, and fitness room. The salon also features several private and group rooms. There are three pools outside of the resorts hotel rooms as well.

The Aria Casino

The casino is taking on a new direction from traditional casinos by incorporating natural light in with fluorescent lighting. The casino is 150,000 square feet and features high-end slot machines and poker tables. Many of the high-end options at the casino are featured in private rooms and offer a high-tech level of gaming that is new for Las Vegas.

Opening Night Festivities

Opening night for the new casino was truly Las Vegas style. The grand opening started the evening before opening day with gala hosted for 5,000 guests. The gala served Perignon champagne and caviar among other high-quality food. Around midnight, guests were allowed to enter the Aria for the first time. They were greeted by models and executives, all cheering for the new casino. A fireworks show was held outside for guests who were still awaiting entrance.

Viva Elvis: Truly a Las Vegas Show

The Aria even put on a show for their grand opening. The resort hosted a preview of their soon-to-be permanent attraction; Viva Elvis. Viva Elvis is put on by Cirque du Soleil. The show includes 75 performers reliving the life of Elvis through his songs. The production is a mix of performance art, dance, and acrobatics.

The Aria Resort and Casino promises to be an excellent center attraction for Las Vegas’ highly anticipated CenterCity. Since it will be one of the biggest, and most expensive, project Las Vegas has ever under-took, the Aria may be the trick to turning around the recession slump in the city that never sleeps.

Sex and the City- The Slot Machine

The Sex and the City game is one of many slot machines based after popular movies and TV shows. The trend is not a new one, and most casinos offer several games based on characters from hit shows. Sex and the City’s predecessor include Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Green Acres, and the Wizard of Oz to name a few. These games are extremely popular for the recognizable themes and fun-play.

The Sex and the City game feature all the main characters of the show; Samantha, Charlotte, Miranda, Carrie and Mr. Big. It is a modern style slot machine with several betting lines and an interactive bonus. The slot machine also has video clips from the show, voice-overs, and a soundtrack.

International Game Technology’s Multiplay

One of the most drawing features of the multi-progressive slot machine is the incorporation of International Game Technology’s Multiplay feature.

Multiplay is a technology offered exclusively by the slot-machine maker. In Multiplay, the player can play up to four games at once on the same screen. This means the player is betting more then usual, but there are also more chances to win. With four games running 30 pay lines a piece, it’s a hard thing to pass up.

Sex and the City Bonuses

On top of the Multiplay, the Sex and the City slot machine has attractive bonuses.

There are a total of five bonus rounds in the game that offer nine unique patterns. This is a far cry from the standard singular bonus round featured on most slot machines, and it is paying off. Most players are playing all four Multiplay games on every round in hopes of hitting one of the many bonuses.

The bonus games consist of Simply Fabulous, Hello Lover!, Change of Dress, and Perfect Present. While the games vary, they are all interactive. The bonuses either offer free spins or give the player a chance to pick prizes on the screen.

Overall, the Sex and the City slot machine is such a big hit for the casinos that one has to wonder if more HBO style games are in the works.

Thankfully, a reputable online casino will work effortlessly to protect your personal information. Respectable online casinos have internet security staff and offer a level of privacy you would get from a bank, or online shopping site. However, it is necessary for any player to protect themselves as well. Below are some of the five best ways you can protect yourself, your computer, and your financial information when gambling online.

1. Only Play at a Reputable Online Casino: The internet is flooded with websites offering online gaming, and some of these are far more respectable then others. To reduce your risk, play at a website that you recognize.

2. Research Any Online Casino Before Joining: With a few dollars, any web owner can make a web site look like the most trustworthy site on the internet. This is especially true of websites that deal in monetary goods. To be safe you should research any online casino before you ever give them any personal information. A good source of research is online reviews. Other gamblers write reviews for people like you. Do a quick Google search with the online casino’s name and “review.” You are likely to come up with hundreds.

3. Protect Your Computer by Adding a Firewall: Despite an online casino’s best efforts, a hacker may still get through. To reduce your risk of getting spyware, or worse- becoming a victim of identity theft, you should do everything you can to protect your personal computer on your end. First, increase the security settings on your computer. If they are set to a lower setting bumping this up will greatly reduce your risk. You should also install a Firewall. Your computer manufacturer may have already provided this software for free. Once the firewall is installed, make sure you have it running before you sign on to the online casino.

4. Be Cautious of what you Download: Most online casinos have a software platform that they require a player to download before they can gamble at the site. Even if you have researched the site thoroughly, you should still run any program through a virus checker before you install it on your computer. If you notice the site asking you to download additional programs make sure it is necessary, and safe, before you download. You can ask around online forums frequented by online gamblers, or send an e-mail to the casino directly.

5. Consider Using an Alternate Credit Card: If you are able, consider using a credit source other then your primary debit or credit card. This way if the card is stolen, the thief will not have access to your checking account; and chances are you will be able to cut them off before they completely drain your financial resources. You may also consider using Paypal’s create-a-credit-card feature. If you have Paypal, the company will make you a temporary credit card number that can be used at any online site. The number works just like a Visa or Mastercard, is linked to your bank accounts, but is incredibly difficult to steal. Since the card number is only good for a short time, this method will only work if you plan on only visiting an online casino for awhile.

All said; online casinos are a safe and enjoyable past time. As long as you are doing what you can to protect your information and your computer you should not have any problems gambling online.