Inside Las Vegas

Have you ever wondered, “How do I get comped in Las Vegas”?  Well, if you have seen the movie Vegas Vacation then you know how easy it was for Mr. Nick Papageorgio.  The reality is that one hot roll on the craps table will not get you an instant upgrade to the Presidential Suite.  Like anything else in Las Vegas nowadays, a little planning goes a long way. The hotels on the Las Vegas strip are certainly willing to comp rooms, food and entertainment for those who meet their criteria and know how to present themselves.  There are a few keys to receiving these benefits that everyone who is interested in getting comps in Sin City should keep in mind.

It all starts with the planning of your Las Vegas vacation.  Having a VIP host or a casino host is an absolute must. These are the people that hold the key to the city and they can be extremely helpful in assisting you to receive the benefits you deserve.  Search for a Las Vegas VIP Services company online to find an independent casino VIP host for the widest variety of options, or, contact the hotel that you desire to stay at directly and ask for a casino host.  Once you introduce yourself to your host they will get the process started, explaining to you the criteria necessary for receiving various comps and sharing with you any current promotions, casino rates or special offers.

It is not only the “high rollers” that get comped in Las Vegas.  You may be surprised at the comps available to lower level players, both on slot machines and table games.  The casinos use a number of factors in determining what comps a player earns, however, net win or loss is not the highest on the list.  

The two key factors in determining how much a guest gets comped are hours played and average bet.  The casino uses these criteria to determine a player’s “theoretical” win or loss, and based on this number they will decide if they can issue you a small comp for dining all the way up to a full “RFB” (room, food and beverage).  Slow and steady wins the race; the more time you spend playing, the more you receive in comps.

In order to have the casino track your play it is necessary that you sign up for a players card and use it every time you play.  Each casino has their own players card program and it is strongly recommended that you sign up at every casino you visit. Usually, the casino will offer great bonuses just for signing up and they market appropriately, only sending pertinent offers via mail or email.  Slot machines and video poker machines allow you to insert your players card directly into the machine while table games require that you present the card to the deal who will in turn notify the pit boss to track your play.

In terms of dollar amounts there are various comps available for players of all levels.  Slot players can earn rewards based on playing quarters over a period of 4-6 hours per day for 2-3 days and probably earn enough for a comped dinner or $100 off their final room bill.  The same level of comps applies to table game players who play an average of $15 per hand for the same amount of time. As the average bet increases and the total time of play increases, then so to do the comps.  A table game player who bets an average of $50 per hand and plays 4-6 hours per day for 2-3 days could get their room fully comped, depending on the property they are staying at the how busy it is.

This is where it all goes back to your VIP host and planning ahead.  Your host will let you know what the criteria is for the hotel you want to stay at and the time of year you’re planning on staying there.  A full room comp can be pre-arranged if you plan ahead and you know that you will be playing to the level that is outlined to you by your host.  It is all about choosing the right hotel and casino for your level of play.

For those interested in getting a comped suite in Las Vegas, this is something that should always be pre-arranged.  Often times, the suites on the Las Vegas Strip are only available to casino players how are receiving them as a comp.  That’s right, some hotels do not even offer the suites at retail to paying guests. They have to keep them available just in case a casino player happens to come into the casino.

The level of play to get a suite on the Las Vegas Strip is generally higher than your casual player.  Total bankroll is taken into account and a general starting point would be a gambling bankroll of $10,000.  Players of this level often open lines of credit with the casino and based on this line of credit the player will be given an option of suites available for them.  This is something that you will certainly want to arrange in advance and you will see how your host really rolls out the red carpet for you.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the casinos don’t give players much credit for betting on sports.  While all of the major casinos on the Vegas Strip certainly have sports books, they do not look at betting on sports with the same favor as they do playing slots or table games.

Overall, Las Vegas is still based around customer service and treating people right.  Always get credit for your play and don’t be afraid to ask for help. You will be surprised at how generous the casinos can be in compensating you for your play.

World-Renowned Illusionist Marks Return to His Original Las Vegas Stage

LAS VEGAS (August 2, 2018) – After more than a decade of dominating the world of magic as the biggest name on the planet, Criss Angel will unveil an over-the-top visual spectacular unlike any other in existence – Criss Angel MINDFREAK, in the newly-renamed Criss Angel Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino opening Dec. 19, 2018. The brand-new production incorporates cutting-edge technology and boasts more than 75 illusions with 20 never-before-seen effects that will give fans the ultimate immersive experience, showcasing the iconic Angel on a massive scale.

“It’s amazing to be back home at Planet Hollywood, where I began MINDFREAK in 2005. As that TV series changed the trajectory of magic on television, I believe my new show will do the same for live performance, creating a brand-new immersive experience that the world of entertainment has never had,” says Criss.

Hailed as the “#1 Magician on the Planet” by the Las Vegas Sun and dubbed “The Biggest Name in Las Vegas Magic” by Bloomberg Businessweek, Criss Angel is the only magician performing today honored with the highest award in the magical arts, the Lifetime Achievement award from the largest and most prestigious magic organization in the world, the nearly one hundred-year-old International Brotherhood of Magicians, given only five times in its history.  He will bring the ground-breaking new MINDFREAK to Las Vegas audiences and introduce more illusions and more technology than any other show, of any kind, in the world. This immersive evolution of MINDFREAK will combine pop culture with Angel’s iconic illusions, gripping audiences with mind-blowing visuals, pyrotechnics, LED effects, interactive lobby installations, memorabilia and more, including cutting-edge technology never before used on a live stage.

“Criss Angel is one of the most innovative magicians in the world and we’re ecstatic to bring his brand-new show to Planet Hollywood,” said Brian Becker, CEO of BASE Entertainment. “This show will shock and charm audiences with Criss’ personal stories intertwined with revolutionary illusions and extraordinary advances in the art and technology of magic on stage.” 

Based on Angel’s breakout hit TV series MINDFREAK, which smashed records and counted an audience of more than 100 million viewers in each of its six seasons on A&E, making it the most successful magic show in television history, MINDFREAK at Planet Hollywood will showcase 90-minutes of the most mind-blowing, original and inventive illusions performed to date.

“Planet Hollywood continues to be at the forefront of entertainment in Las Vegas,” said Jason Gastwirth, president of entertainment at Caesars Entertainment. “Criss Angel’s ground-breaking new show MINDFREAK is an entirely new approach to magic and solidifies Planet Hollywood’s reputation as a premier destination for the absolute best in live entertainment in Las Vegas.”

Criss Angel MINDFREAK will begin performances on Dec. 19. Tickets will go on sale to the public Friday, Aug. 3 at 10 a.m. PT. An exclusive presale for Total Rewards members, Caesars Entertainment’s loyalty program, will be available from Wednesday, Aug. 1 at 10 a.m. PT through Thursday, Aug. 2 at 10 p.m. PT. Tickets start at $69, plus tax and applicable fees and will available at CrissAngel.com and Ticketmaster.com/crissangel, by calling (855) 234-7469 or in-person at the Criss Angel Theater box office. A limited number of VIP Experiences will be available for each performance, including personal escort into the venue, limited edition VIP laminate, photograph and meet & greet with Criss Angel. Criss Angel MINDFREAK was created, directed, and produced by Criss Angel for APWI and is presented by BASE Entertainment.

The Criss Angel MINDFREAK residency will play in the Criss Angel Theater, formally known as the PH Showroom, at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino Wednesday – Sunday at 7 p.m.

Criss Angel’s MINDFREAK LIVE!, the “#1 Best-Selling Magic Show in Las Vegas,” celebrates its record-setting 10th anniversary and its last performance at Luxor Hotel & Casino on Oct. 28, 2018.  Don’t miss the final performances through October 28th. 

About Criss Angel

For more than a decade, Criss Angel has dominated the world of magic as the biggest name on the planet.  From his role as star, creator, executive producer and director of Criss Angel MINDFREAK on A&E, to countless critically acclaimed television specials, best-selling books, top-grossing retail products, sold-out touring shows and more, Criss is the most influential and imitated magician of the modern era.

His acclaimed series MINDFREAK on A&E is the most successful magic show in television history, resulting in more hours of magic during prime time than any magic show ever. His decade-long live show residency at Luxor Las Vegas was hailed as the “#1 Best-selling Magic Show in Las Vegas” (Extra) and “The #1 Magic Show of All Time!” (Las Vegas Review-Journal) and generated $150 million in revenue in 2010 as reported by Newsweek.  

Angel is also the most watched magician in television and internet history, a YouTube sensation. His “Walk on Water” clip has generated over 60 million views alone, and all of his clips combined have generated more than 300 million views. Criss has the largest social media following of any illusionist, with over six million followers.

In 2017, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce honored Criss with the 2,615th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The star was dedicated at 7018 Hollywood Boulevard next to the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel and across the street from the star of Houdini.

Criss has been named “Magician of the Year” an unprecedented six times, was the youngest magician inducted into the International Magicians Society Hall of Fame, was named the first recipient of “Magician of the Decade,” as well as “Magician of the Century” and “Innovator of the Decade.”  Most recently, Angel was given the highest honor in the magical arts – the Lifetime Achievement Award from the largest and most prestigious magic organization in the world (the nearly one hundred-year-old International Brotherhood of Magicians).  It has only been given five times in the IBM’s history, and Criss is the youngest artist ever to receive it and the only magician performing today that has been presented with this award.

For more information, visit CrissAngel.com or follow him on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @CrissAngel.  

About BASE Entertainment

BASE Entertainment develops, creates, and manages live entertainment productions and venues in North America and worldwide from offices in New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Houston.  In addition to Criss Angel MINDFREAK, BASE’s current productions in Las Vegas include Magic Mike Live Las Vegas at the Hard Rock Hotel and Nitro Circus, coming to Bally’s Hotel & Casino in the spring of 2019.  Past productions in Las Vegas include Absinthe, Rock of Ages, Million Dollar Quartet, Jersey Boys, Phantom-The Las Vegas Spectacular, Peepshow, Wayne Brady and Stomp Out loud, among others.  Current productions from BASE Hologram, a new division of BASE Entertainment which combines holographic film and AR technology with live performers and other production stagecraft to deliver worldwide touring concerts and theatricals/spectacles and museum and location-based residencies, including Roy Orbison – In Dreams, Callas in Concert, and Jack Horner’s World of Dinosaurs. BASE Entertainment’s founders and partners include industry veterans Brian Becker and Scott Zeiger and Beverly Hills-based private equity firm Clarity Partners.  For more information please visit BASEentertainment.com.

About Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino

Celebrating 10 years, Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino is the centerpiece of the famed Las Vegas Strip, with 2,500 beautifully redesigned guest rooms and suites showcasing some of the best views in town, along with endless options of unparalleled shopping, distinguished dining, popular entertainment and a bustling nightlife. A bright, bold addition to the resort’s portfolio, the new Ultra-Hip Rooms feature contemporary elegance and luxury bedding. Known as the place to play for its roster of A-list celebrity guests, Planet Hollywood’s 231 newly restyled suites feature stunning views of the glittering skyline and daring décor elements such as suspended sofas, lounge-style living spaces and oversized modern artwork. The resort encompasses more than 100,000 square-feet of gaming, several lounges, impressive restaurants including Gordon Ramsay Burger, KOI, Strip House, and the award-winning Spice Market Buffet, an intimate wedding chapel and the Planet Hollywood Spa by Mandara. The resort also features The Scene Pool Deck with the Strip’s first and only stand-alone wave machine, the FlowRider. Home to the first pop music residency in Las Vegas, Zappos Theater showcases resident headliners Jennifer Lopez, Lionel Richie, Backstreet Boys and Gwen Stefani. The property is encircled by Miracle Mile Shops with more than 170 specialty stores and restaurants. Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino is operated by a subsidiary of Caesars Entertainment Corporation (NASDAQ: CZR). Find Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram.

Resorts World is fast becoming a household name with casinos, cruises, and resorts around the world, including: New York, Manila, and the Bahamas. Now, we can add Las Vegas to the list. Resorts World is currently working on construction for an 87-acre mega-resort in Sin City, which is anticipated to open in 2020.

Resorts World Las Vegas is owned by Genting Group, a Malaysian leisure and gaming company valued at $7.2 billion. They will start with a 175,000-square-foot casino space in the resort. Expect top-of-the-line games, new features, and a casino experience to keep you entertained around the clock. The company is preparing to put in over 3,500 slot machines and gaming tables.

The groundbreaking on the site of the former Stardust Casino began on May 5, 2015. The total property has 21,847,314 square feet. The hotel, itself, will have four towers, for a total of 6,583 rooms. Hotel rooms and a casino are just the beginning of what promises to be a resort like no other. There are going to be amenities for everyone. Bring your kids to the aquarium, have an ice skating date with your love, or make a splash in the waterpark. Still looking for more activities? Try exploring the panda exhibit! Yes, you heard that right. Genting Group is bringing a full panda exhibit to Las Vegas. Naturally, the company is working to keep to its roots. Expect the gardens to have Asian details, like Koi ponds, bamboo, and cherry blossom trees.

Las Vegas is not only known for world-class gambling, but also world-class dining and shopping. Resorts World Las Vegas will feature an array of fine Asian cuisine and retail space. In keeping with the Asian theme, the resort will have a ‘modern Asian’ design—think the big buildings of Singapore and China. Originally, the plans were to represent old China with design reminiscent of The Great Wall, but that was abandoned to keep up with the modern approach happening in that area of Las Vegas.

The northern end of the Strip is undergoing a huge makeover. Aside from Genting’s mega-resort, the Wynn, which is next door, is also modernizing itself with Paradise Park, a Carnivale-themed series of attractions and interactive experiences that will include a carousel and bumper cars. The Drew, formerly known as the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, which is the tallest building in Las Vegas, is under renovations, as is the Stratosphere and SLS Hotel & Casino.

While 2020 seems far off, the wait is going to be well worth it for Resorts World Las Vegas. Get your bags ready! Pandas, dining, and a waterpark await!