MGM's Overcharging Apology, Durango Phase 2 Confirmed, Dishonest Casino Marketing & Disney in Vegas?

Want more MTM Vegas? Check out our Patreon for access to our exclusive weekly aftershow! patreon.com/mtmvegas Want to work with us? Reach out! inquiries at mtmvegas dot com Episode Description This week MGM's earnings call opened people's eyes to how the company is adjusting to current market conditions. While the goal was to raise prices over and over the past few years, the company is finally acknowledging some of their errors. Will they be able to cut back prices while keeping Wall Street Happy and what have they learned from this showdown? In other news a blockbuster lawsuit has been filed alleging that influencers and sweepstakes casinos are being honest. We also discuss: Disney's F1 Vegas invasion, Odyssey Noir carnival, Durango's official phase 2, Caesars extending locals deals, the Pinball Hall of Fame and how the Daily Mail has it out for Vegas. Episode Guide 0:00 Fremont Gorilla gets some love 0:32 Disney invades F1 & Vegas! 1:57 Will the real and fake Disney characters mix? 2:54 Big F1 lawsuit is dropped 4:05 Odyssey Noir Carnaval at Area 15 5:40 Strip auction fails & Daily Mail's weird coverage 6:58 The Pinball Hall of Fame is still a really cool place 8:05 Durango officially announced phase 3 expansion - New renders 9:57 Caesars extends local benefits until Christmas 11:02 Rio Executive denied for gaming license 13:10 Big lawsuit surrounding sweepstakes casinos 14:40 Do we need more regulations for influencers/social media casino marketing? 16:59 MGM earnings takeaways - We're sorry for overcharging 19:30 Recognizing different customers at different venues/price points 20:40 How will MGM raise revenue in this era of price cuts? Each week tens of thousands of people tune into our MtM Vegas news shows at http://www.YouTube.com/milestomemories. We do two news shows weekly on YouTube with this being the audio version. Never miss out on the latest happenings in and around Las Vegas! Enjoying the podcast? Please consider leaving us a positive review on your favorite podcast platform! You can also connect with us anytime at [email protected].  You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or by searching "MtM Vegas" or "Miles to Memories" in your favorite podcast app. Don't forget to check out our travel/miles/points podcast as well!

Want more MTM Vegas? Check out our Patreon for access to our exclusive weekly aftershow! patreon.com/mtmvegas Want to work with us? Reach out! inquiries at mtmvegas dot com Episode Description This week sports and gambling were prevalent in the news as the NHL was the first major sports league to partner with prediction markets Kalshi and Polymarket. Also this week the FBI arrested a number of people regarding fixing games, individual prop bets and even mob run poker games. Is sports gambling too intertwined in our culture in 2025 and how should we deal with shadow gaming like prediction markets and sweepstakes casinos. In other news a closed Vegas casino finally got its marching orders as it is set for demolition. We also discuss: $8 hand sanitizer, new $10 dining specials, an incredible Vegas sunset, robe gambling at 8am, GVR's AI granny, Derek Stevens' big buy, whether Vegas has original concepts, Glowfest & why Oyo is cutting their deposit policy. Episode Guide 0:00 Gambling in your robe at 8am 0:47 Incredible Vegas sunset 1:32 Oyo cuts their deposit policy 3:08 Rio's $8 hand sanitizer? 4:27 Rio's $10 member food specials - Great deals 6:09 No original concepts in Vegas? 9:05 Eastside Cannery will officially be demolished 10:53 Glowfest lantern festival coming soon 12:32 GVR brings back the AI granny 14:05 Derek Stevens buy Golden Gate's land 15:28 NHL officially partners with prediction markets 16:33 Are prediction markets unsafe for consumers? 18:36 How do you keep sports safe from gambling influence? 20:28 Are individual prop bets a problem going forward? 23:40 Mob poker games & the future of cheating tech? Each week tens of thousands of people tune into our MtM Vegas news shows at http://www.YouTube.com/milestomemories. We do two news shows weekly on YouTube with this being the audio version. Never miss out on the latest happenings in and around Las Vegas! Enjoying the podcast? Please consider leaving us a positive review on your favorite podcast platform! You can also connect with us anytime at [email protected].  You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or by searching "MtM Vegas" or "Miles to Memories" in your favorite podcast app. Don't forget to check out our travel/miles/points podcast as well!

New players play $5 and get 500 total Spins over 10 days on Cash Eruption games! New customers sign up using https://dkng.co/m2m or through my promo code M2M. #DKPartner Want more MTM Vegas? Check out our Patreon for access to our exclusive weekly aftershow! patreon.com/mtmvegas Want to work with us? Reach out! inquiries at mtmvegas dot com Episode Description This week Flamingo finally unveiled their long anticipated replacement for Margaritaville. The iconic space is being replaced by yet another country music bar. Is this too much of a good thing in Vegas, what exactly is the new Category 10 doing differently and why couldn't we just get a nicer Margaritaville? In other news more AYCE deals are spreading around Vegas as we contemplate whether the Paris buffet should return or not. We also discuss: MGM's annual rent payments, a follow up on the Caesars villa mistake rate, how Durango's phase 2 looks right now, why you might want to link Venetian and Hyatt, a 3 pound pancake and Penn & Teller's brand new kind of tiny street. Episode Guide 0:00 Landing a plane on I-15! 0:25 Penn & Teller finally get their street 1:39 Follow up on Caesars Villa mistake 3:07 Negotiating for a better deal? 4:54 Ole Red's $30 AYCE brunch 6:04 Bottomless Mimosas & 3 pound pancakes 7:14 Inside the Paris buffet - Could it return? 9:01 Hogs N Heifers update - Pop up bar? 9:52 The other Michelin Key Vegas hotels 11:51 How much does MGM pay for rent annually? 13:16 Green Valley Ranch gets a new logo 14:19 A look at Durango's almost ready phase 2 casino 14:54 Kenny Chesney returning to the Sphere 15:32 Link World of Hyatt and Venetian Rewards 17:10 Category 10 replacing Margaritaville 18:57 Vegas lounge in a bathroom?   Each week tens of thousands of people tune into our MtM Vegas news shows at http://www.YouTube.com/milestomemories. We do two news shows weekly on YouTube with this being the audio version. Never miss out on the latest happenings in and around Las Vegas! Enjoying the podcast? Please consider leaving us a positive review on your favorite podcast platform! You can also connect with us anytime at [email protected].  You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or by searching "MtM Vegas" or "Miles to Memories" in your favorite podcast app. Don't forget to check out our travel/miles/points podcast as well! Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (MI/NJ/PA/WV).Help is available for problem gambling, call (888) 789-7777 or visit ccpg.org (CT). 21+. Physically present in MI/NJ/PA/WV only. Void in CT/ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. 1 per new customer. Opt-in req. Min. $5 in wagers req. Max. 500 Casino Spins for featured game. Spins issued as 50 Spins/day upon login for 10 days. Spins are non-withdrawable and expire 24 hours after issuance. $0.20 per Spin. Game availability may vary. Terms: casino.draftkings.com/promos. Ends 1/4/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.

Want more MTM Vegas? Check out our Patreon for access to our exclusive weekly aftershow! patreon.com/mtmvegas Want to work with us? Reach out! inquiries at mtmvegas dot com Episode Description This week Durango revealed some of their plans to Clark County for their 3rd phase expansion project. While the 2nd phase is wrapping up later this year, the much larger 3rd phase will include a movie theater, bowling alley and a ton more. Is Durango finally turning into a prototypical locals casino & will these expansions help or hurt the product? In other news Boring Company has finally closed on the land for their Vegas Loop airport station. Where will it be? We also discuss: Fontainebleau's Michelin Key, the most phallic house in Vegas, MGM's big casino sale, 1 million Oz tickets sold, When We Were Young and how Southwest is finally bringing international flights to Las Vegas! Episode Guide 0:00 Vegas Strip monk healing 0:23 When We Were Young brought Vegas crowds 1:00 Fontainebleau gets 1 Michelin Key 1:52 How does a hotel earn a Michelin Key? 3:33 Wizard of Oz - 1 million tickets sold 4:30 Is Ozempic killing Las Vegas? 6:18 The most unique shaped house in Vegas? 7:41 Follow up on Desperado's rumored purchase 9:36 Southwest's big international expansion from Vegas 11:36 Boring Company's airport station land deal 13:08 $1 million jackpot winner at Sunset Station 14:09 MGM sells Northfield Park racino for big profit 16:05 Durango's big expansion is finally on the horizon 17:17 How Durango is evolving into a traditional locals casino (movies, bowling, etc.) 19:11 Vegas locals casinos and parking garages   Each week tens of thousands of people tune into our MtM Vegas news shows at http://www.YouTube.com/milestomemories. We do two news shows weekly on YouTube with this being the audio version. Never miss out on the latest happenings in and around Las Vegas! Enjoying the podcast? Please consider leaving us a positive review on your favorite podcast platform! You can also connect with us anytime at [email protected].  You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or by searching "MtM Vegas" or "Miles to Memories" in your favorite podcast app. Don't forget to check out our travel/miles/points podcast as well!

Want more MTM Vegas? Check out our Patreon for access to our exclusive weekly aftershow! patreon.com/mtmvegas Want to work with us? Reach out! inquiries at mtmvegas dot com Episode Description This week Bally's and the A's revealed some more information about their combined property on the former Tropicana site. The A's sent out a survey detailing possible ticket prices for their inaugural season. Will they charge seat license fees? We also learned about the 4 phase timeline for Bally's project on the stadium site. When will it all be finished and what will they build first? In other news Caesars Palace recently had a big mistake where they were selling villas for the price of a regular room. What are they doing to make it right? We also discuss: the Sphere of Fear, Banana Ball's return, pedestrian bridge screens, Cosmo's private gaming area, Rio's new non smoking slots, Nine Fine Irishmen's new patio, what we learned from the Global Gaming Expo and how Venetian's long abandoned crane started moving again. Episode Guide 0:00 Frankensphere & Sphere of Fear 0:40 Rio's new non smoking slot area 1:41 The huge desire for Rio to bring back their buffet 3:30 Inside Cosmo's private gaming salon 4:47 Vegas pedestrian bridge screens are now live 5:40 Venetian's long abandoned crane comes to life! 7:50 Banana Ball is returning to Las Vegas 9:30 A's possible ticket prices revealed & PSLs? 11:30 Bally's Las Vegas 4 phase timeline revealed & more property details 14:21 Oyo rumor battle continues 15:54 Nine Fine Irishmen's patio & $5-$7 specials 16:55 Caesars Palace insane mistake rate - Villas for $37? 19:01 Takeaways from the Global Gaming Expo 20:11 Not a lot new in the slot arena for 2025? 21:18 Graphics are getting better & machines taller 23:24 ETG revolution coming soon?   Each week tens of thousands of people tune into our MtM Vegas news shows at http://www.YouTube.com/milestomemories. We do two news shows weekly on YouTube with this being the audio version. Never miss out on the latest happenings in and around Las Vegas! Enjoying the podcast? Please consider leaving us a positive review on your favorite podcast platform! You can also connect with us anytime at [email protected].  You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or by searching "MtM Vegas" or "Miles to Memories" in your favorite podcast app. Don't forget to check out our travel/miles/points podcast as well!

Want more MTM Vegas? Check out our Patreon for access to our exclusive weekly aftershow! patreon.com/mtmvegas Want to work with us? Reach out! inquiries at mtmvegas dot com Episode Description This week Retro Escapes a massive "decades themed" park was announced for Las Vegas. While this new Vegas theme park project does not have land or solid investment, it has an experienced design team, tons of concept art and a dream. Is this project going to make it to the finish line or is just another Vegas "dream project" that will never happen? In other news the Las Vegas Aces have won their 3rd championship in four years. At the same time UNLV is already bowl eligible starting the season 6-0. This comes at a time when concession prices at Vegas sports venues are going down! We also discuss: a $5K ghost hunting casino competition, the best hotels in Vegas, an update on the Guitar Tower, No Doubt coming to the Sphere and why Golden Gate's open bar promotion is proving to be very popular. Episode Guide 0:00 Flooding again in Vegas 0:25 Best hotels in Las Vegas according to CNT 2:35 Cheaper food/drink prices at Vegas sports venues 4:17 UNLV's incredible season so far - Bowl eligible already! 5:48 Alien Conference coming to Pahrump 7:25 $5K ghost hunting giveaway at El Cortez 9:03 Golden Gate's open bar & free play plus juicy rumor 11:10 Las Vegas Aces are WNBA champions once again 13:00 Guitar Tower Update - This thing is HUGE 14:29 The views from Hard Rock's guitar tower 15:19 Retro Escapes - A new Vegas theme park? 17:21 Is Retro Escapes a project that could actually be built? 18:35 Sphere lands No Doubt 20:40 Has the Vegas Sphere finally hit its stride?   Each week tens of thousands of people tune into our MtM Vegas news shows at http://www.YouTube.com/milestomemories. We do two news shows weekly on YouTube with this being the audio version. Never miss out on the latest happenings in and around Las Vegas! Enjoying the podcast? Please consider leaving us a positive review on your favorite podcast platform! You can also connect with us anytime at [email protected].  You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or by searching "MtM Vegas" or "Miles to Memories" in your favorite podcast app. Don't forget to check out our travel/miles/points podcast as well!

Want more MTM Vegas? Check out our Patreon for access to our exclusive weekly aftershow! patreon.com/mtmvegas Want to work with us? Reach out! inquiries at mtmvegas dot com Episode Description This week Fontainebleau Las Vegas continued with their efforts to attract more guests by going all-in on locals. Previously they revamped their rewards program and added other kickers like slot tournaments, but now they have added a ton more. Locals can get free parking, 20% off food, $125 rooms and more. But is the free parking love spreading to other guests as well? In other news Caesars giant new stripside club is progressing, but does it change the feel of the property? We also discuss: the great Guy Fieri tequila heist, fall room rates, MGM's downgrade of Cosmo's signature drink, saving the Desperado roller coaster, Universal on Groupon and why White Whale sounds like a cool bar, but we don't know what it will look like. Episode Guide 0:00 Guy Fieri's tequila tragedy 0:32 Room rates down? Analyst breaks down fall Vegas recovery 2:34 Construction update on Caesars' new stripside day club 4:00 What will happen to Caesars rotunda? 4:49 Green Valley Grocery sold - Local success story? 6:27 White Whale opening soon - Downtown Cocktail Room replacement 8:23 Las Vegas bedbug problem? 11:11 Universal Horror Unleashed on Groupon 12:48 Mob Museum and Slotzilla combo ticket 13:53 Saving the world famous Desperado roller coaster? 16:07 MGM downgrades Cosmo's signature drink 18:09 Fontainebleau goes all-in on locals 20:21 $125 per night and free parking - Is Fontainebleau doing enough? Each week tens of thousands of people tune into our MtM Vegas news shows at http://www.YouTube.com/milestomemories. We do two news shows weekly on YouTube with this being the audio version. Never miss out on the latest happenings in and around Las Vegas! Enjoying the podcast? Please consider leaving us a positive review on your favorite podcast platform! You can also connect with us anytime at [email protected].  You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or by searching "MtM Vegas" or "Miles to Memories" in your favorite podcast app. Don't forget to check out our travel/miles/points podcast as well!

Want more MTM Vegas? Check out our Patreon for access to our exclusive weekly aftershow! patreon.com/mtmvegas Want to work with us? Reach out! inquiries at mtmvegas dot com Episode Description This week Bellagio's long anticipated yacht arrived on the famous lagoon outside of the casino. While the $3 million vessel is quite fancy and nice, some argue that it isn't a yacht. Who exactly is this new ride for and is it a good investment at a time where some of MGM's properties are struggling? And what is it like to captain such a vessel? In other news October room rates are still looking soft, so is the fall recovery happening or are we still in for more pain? We also discuss: $3 craps at Rio, a big executive shakeup rumor, Bellagio's new yacht, cost overruns for the Brightline train, Paul Mccartney, Taylor Swift's door and another $20 AYCE brunch special. Episode Guide 0:00 Paul McCartney visits Vegas 0:29 Taylor Swift's Vegas orange door 1:24 Brightline train's cost skyrockets 3:48 Guy Fieri $20 brunch spread further 4:57 Tunnel of Terror coming to Vegas 6:00 Whiskey Pete's Ghost Tours 8:00 Rio's $3 craps & stadium baccarat 9:59 Bellagio's "yacht" has finally arrived 11:48 Katz' deli coming to Vegas…sort of 13:34 Neon City Festival lineup announced 14:42 What is happening with Plaza fireworks? 17:07 Rumor - Is Jonathan Jossel leaving Plaza for Fontainebleau? 18:30 Do Vegas casinos need more "faces of their brand"? Each week tens of thousands of people tune into our MtM Vegas news shows at http://www.YouTube.com/milestomemories. We do two news shows weekly on YouTube with this being the audio version. Never miss out on the latest happenings in and around Las Vegas! Enjoying the podcast? Please consider leaving us a positive review on your favorite podcast platform! You can also connect with us anytime at [email protected].  You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or by searching "MtM Vegas" or "Miles to Memories" in your favorite podcast app. Don't forget to check out our travel/miles/points podcast as well!

Want more MTM Vegas? Check out our Patreon for access to our exclusive weekly aftershow! patreon.com/mtmvegas Want to work with us? Reach out! inquiries at mtmvegas dot com Episode Description This week the Vegas visitor numbers for August, 2025 were released and they continue to tell a story of a struggling industry. While visitors and rates were down by a noticeable amount, there was a bright spot with gaming revenue increasing once again. What is causing this disconnect and how can Vegas defeat the struggling narrative. In other #news the Las Vegas police took delivery of their first cybertruck, but it comes with some other concerns. We also discuss: October 1 anniversary, restored Dunes sign lit, a crazy parlay loss, Excalibur's tiki bar, Atomic Golf's expanded all-inclusive deal, Reno's cool new stadium and why Desert Kingdom may be the coolest Vegas project that was never built. Episode Guide 0:00 The guy and the gal in a casino 0:32 The polarizing Bally's/A's concept art 3:36 Vegas police cybertrucks arrive + privacy concerns? 5:31 October 1 anniversary & strange Mandalay Bay story 7:17 Desert Kingdom - Coolest Vegas project that never was? 9:13 The restored Dunes sign is lit at Neon Museum 9:47 Crazy parlay loss & ties in football contests 11:37 Atomic Golf all-inclusive deal expands 12:29 Pin Up Pizza $9.99 special 13:17 Medieval tiki bar coming to Excalibur 14:30 Grand Sierra's $1B expansion & new arena 16:50 August, 2025 numbers - Less visitors more gaming revenue 18:27 Will Vegas ever defeat the "empty" narrative 19:40 Running Rich Grand Prix - Fun skill based driving slot Each week tens of thousands of people tune into our MtM Vegas news shows at http://www.YouTube.com/milestomemories. We do two news shows weekly on YouTube with this being the audio version. Never miss out on the latest happenings in and around Las Vegas! Enjoying the podcast? Please consider leaving us a positive review on your favorite podcast platform! You can also connect with us anytime at [email protected].  You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or by searching "MtM Vegas" or "Miles to Memories" in your favorite podcast app. Don't forget to check out our travel/miles/points podcast as well!

Want more MTM Vegas? Check out our Patreon for access to our exclusive weekly aftershow! patreon.com/mtmvegas Want to work with us? Reach out! inquiries at mtmvegas dot com Episode Description On this episode we cover Boyd's recent hack and whether or not they paid a ransom. We also dive into the controversy over the new casino Guiness World Record, say goodbye to Terry Fator, tell you how to score $40 tickets to Wynn Field Club and dive deep into the new Bally's Las Vegas concept including what may and may not ever be built. Episode Guide 0:00 How Cosmo handles broken windows 0:38 Bellagio's yacht gets a debut date 1:57 Eastside Cannery rumor 3:28 Terry Fator is out at Strat/Vegas 5:37 Why Fator's failure is a conundrum for other Vegas shows 6:15 Boyd Gaming hacked - Did they pay a ransom? 8:53 The big casino Guinness World Record kerfuffle 12:29 How to score $40 Wynn Field Club tickets 14:17 Bally's Las Vegas concept revealed - What will they actually build? 16:33 How the Bally's concept feels disconnected & vertical 18:17 A gaming company not building a casino? Each week tens of thousands of people tune into our MtM Vegas news shows at http://www.YouTube.com/milestomemories. We do two news shows weekly on YouTube with this being the audio version. Never miss out on the latest happenings in and around Las Vegas! Enjoying the podcast? Please consider leaving us a positive review on your favorite podcast platform! You can also connect with us anytime at [email protected].  You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or by searching "MtM Vegas" or "Miles to Memories" in your favorite podcast app. Don't forget to check out our travel/miles/points podcast as well!