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Forget
the family friendly stuff -- the white tigers, the roller coasters, the wave
pools. In a town that is constantly redefining itself, what's old is new again
as the entertainment pendulum swings back toward sex appeal. For all the talk
about the Disneyfication of Las Vegas as a wholesome, family-oriented
destination, topless entertainment is making a comeback in Sin
City.
Sure, most of the Strip's signature shows -- the ones featuring
tall, bare-breasted showgirls parading in flamboyant headdresses -- have long
since closed shop. But in their place, a different breed of erotic show is on
the rise -- including matinee burlesque, G-stringed magicians, aerobic dancers
in the almost-buff prancing around to canned music.
The biggest hotel in
town -- the MGM Grand, which embraced the family market when it opened in 1993
-- is now switching to the rejuvenation of sex in the city. Last year it closed
its amusement park and is now refocusing on adult entertainment, bringing in
"La Femme". Its not that Vegas is losing money, its just that the big boys woke
up and noticed that its the destination for large numbers of men attending
conventions. Its no coincidence that the tacky top-less burlesque Frenchy
sort-of show, "Folies Bergere," which opened in 1959, is the longest-running
show in the USA.
Back in the UK, its almost heartening to hear last
month's announcement that annual sales from the lottery had fallen below
£5bn for the first time in four years. The National Lottery watchdog has
also warned that Camelot, the lottery operator, will donate £5 billion
less than it had promised over the next five years because of a funds shortage.
People are just not buying the sad dream anymore.
In contrast however,
over in California, one ticket took the $70 million first prize in the $141
million rollover lottery, with $43 million worth of sales on the Saturday
alone. The winner of course has decided not to show up and claim the prize.
Of course even this gigantic win gets you nowhere on the world's
richest list. Forbe's latest map of the Billionaire world shows 538 men and
women, topped once more by Bill Gates at $58b. Microsofts co-founder Paul Allen
is at no.3 and the CEO Steve Ballmer is no.13. The richest person in Europe is
Liliane Bettencourt who owns L'Oréal. The worlds biggest, best and
longest running gambler, Warren Edward Buffett is no.2 at the age of 70. His
Berkshire Hathaway investment fund has out gunned everything in sight and was
up 15% last year when most things were down.
Lastly there's more poker
afoot. The European Championship's take place at the Victoria Casino in London.
Why this title we don't want to ask, after all how many European poker
champions can you have, they seem to be everywhere. Yet the £2000 buy-in
should make it fun. Bluesquare is trying to run a book though prices are
somewhat conservative. Ask for a price on Sir Clive Sinclair, his form of late
is good and he isn't worried about the money. Also noteworthty is Henry
Nowakowski at 66-1. No one rates his play but as a previous Euro-champ and 7th
place in this year's World Series Championship Final, he must be doing
something right!
Take care when betting, if your player does not
compete, tour money is lost! |
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