Inside Gaming Column: Sorting Out the Surveys

New survey research from all over offers a mixed bag for summertime Las Vegas. First, even sky-high gasoline prices won't convince Americans to cancel their summer vacations; they see them as birthrights. Second, every indicator suggests record numbers of people traveling, but just barely records. Everywhere, it looks as if visitor numbers will increase less than 1 percent. And consumer confidence is eroding fast; most people say they'll spend less even if they do get away. Summer here could be very sluggish. Or it could be fast-paced if we get more than our fair share of big spenders.

Hooters may be politically incorrect, but does it sell? Six of the 24 blackjack tables at Hooters Hotel are in what's dubbed the Hooters Girl Party Pit. Hooters Hotel has Hooters Girls, some who've been featured in the Hooters Calendar, doing the dealing to make the night even more ... what can you say? Some say it's protection against advantage gamblers (just try counting cards when a Hooters Girl is dealing). But casino insiders say the real hoot is that the Hooters Girls are a huge draw.

Packed airplanes and airline financial woes conspired last year to increase lost and mishandled luggage to more than six cases per 1,000 passengers last year, up from the year before. This is not good news as surging gasoline prices are shifting Las Vegas' dependence for visitors to the airlines and away from driving. The Federal Aviation Administration and the airlines have been working to cut flight delays, however, which is the biggest cause of the lost baggage problem.

The Los Angeles Times last week opined against the proposed ban of online gambling. Fundamentally, the paper agreed with Sen. Harry Reid, once Nevada's chief gaming regulator, that the best way to protect the public is tough regulation, not laissez-faire capitalism. "Legalizing online gambling and regulating the industry -- as Britain has done -- is the best way to toughen protections against gambling by minors, identify problem gamblers and ensure that online sites are more scrupulous than the back-alley bookie."

It's time to say goodbye. For more than four years, Deutsche Bank analyst Marc Falcone has been a reliable source for the news media about the ups and downs of the gaming industry on Wall Street. Frequently, he's been helpful to the Review-Journal in reporting the real stories behind complex financial shenanigans. Investors say he's also offered them valued and respected advice on the stock market. But enough is enough. He left Deutsche Bank at the end of last week to join Magnetar Capital, a Wall Street hedge fund.

Gaming Wire Editor Rod Smith can be reached by phone at 477-3893 or by e-mail at rsmith@reviewjournal.com.

2006-06-19