The Jeff Does Vegas Podcast

After a year-and-a-half away from the studio, I'm jumping back behind the mic for a special, one-off bonus episode of Jeff Does Vegas! If you’ve walked the Strip lately, you may have noticed a glaring lack of Canadian tourists. For decades, Canada has been Las Vegas's most reliable international ally, but over the last year, that pipeline has frozen almost completely solid. Let’s get one thing straight right off the top: I am not jumping on the clickbait "Vegas is dead" bandwagon. Vegas isn't dead. But the numbers don't lie, and the city is suffering a very real "death by a thousand cuts." Armed with hard data from the LVCVA, Harry Reid International Airport, Stats Canada, and international travel reports, I'm bringing the receipts to explain exactly why visitorship has plummeted. I'm busting the myth that Canadians are staying home just because of a weak dollar, and digging into the real reasons for the massive drop - from the fallout of unprecedented U.S. political rhetoric and border tariffs, to out-of-control Strip pricing, to insane nickel-and-diming of tourists, and the devastating reality of the "stealth layoffs" hitting the everyday hospitality workers who keep the city running.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Welcome to “From The Vault”, a special series of episodes of Jeff Does Vegas!Over the five years I ran this podcast, from 2019 to 2024, I released over 180 episodes and along the way, I talked to some very cool Vegas insiders, entertainers, and local experts. I also shared lots of tips & travel advice, and explored the fascinating history of the city.I thought it might be fun to take a little trip back in time and re-share some of those episodes. So, whether you’re a long-time follower looking for a re-listen or you’re a Vegas fanatic who just happened to stumble across the show, welcome!Las Vegas bills itself as "the Entertainment Capital of the World" and it's easy to see why with all the big names performing up & down the Strip on a nightly basis...and it's been that way for decades. But how did that all come to be...and what role did the world of organized crime play in making it happen?My guest for this episode of the podcast is here to help clear things up for us.Making her second appearance on the podcast is Claire White, the Director of Education for the Mob Museum in Downtown Las Vegas. Last time Claire was on the show, we went in-depth on Liberace & the impact he had on the Vegas entertainment scene. We briefly touched on the topic of the mob and their place in Las Vegas's entertainment history, but I thought it might be fun to get Claire back to go into a little more detail.We discussed the early days of Las Vegas entertainment, the Mob's role in helping to build up the industry in Las Vegas, and some of the prominent performers with alleged mob ties.If you want to learn more about the history of Las Vegas & the role of the mob in establishing the entertainment industry, pick up a copy of Bright Light City: Las Vegas in Popular Culture by Larry Gragg. And be sure to pay a visit to the Mob Museum on your next trip to Las Vegas.  Visit their website and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube! __________________________________________________________________________Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Welcome to “From The Vault”, a special series of episodes of Jeff Does Vegas!Over the five years I ran this podcast, from 2019 to 2024, I released over 180 episodes and along the way, I talked to some very cool Vegas insiders, entertainers, and local experts. I also shared lots of tips & travel advice, and explored the fascinating history of the city.I thought it might be fun to take a little trip back in time and re-share some of those episodes. So, whether you’re a long-time follower looking for a re-listen or you’re a Vegas fanatic who just happened to stumble across the show, welcome!I've talked about a lot of Las Vegas history on this podcast and I absolutely love doing it. And, based on the reaction to the various Vegas history episodes I've released, it's pretty clear that you do too.This time around, I'm covering a part of Las Vegas history that doesn't get the attention it deserves and if I'm being honest, it's a part of Las Vegas history that I really had no idea existed - and as someone who considers themselves a bit of a Vegas fanatic, I'm a little embarrassed by that fact.Joining me on this episode is Claytee White, the Director of the Oral History Research Center at the University of Nevada - Las Vegas. I asked Ms. White to come on the podcast to have a conversation about Black History and the African American Community in Las Vegas after hearing her appearance on the podcast, "Spectacle - Las Vegas".Ms. White shared her story of what brought her Las Vegas and got her interested in Black History, we discussed the situation in Las Vegas leading up to the founding of the Moulin Rouge, and what led to the integration of Las Vegas Strip.If you'd like to learn more about Black History, the African American Community in Las Vegas, and the Moulin Rouge, visit Documenting the African American Experience in Las Vegas, a project of the UNLV University Libraries. You can also check out the books, The Moulin Rouge and Black Rights in Las Vegas by Earnest N. Bracey and Storming Caesars Palace by Annelise Orleck.__________________________________________________________________________Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Welcome to “From The Vault”, a special series of episodes of Jeff Does Vegas!Over the five years I ran this podcast, from 2019 to 2024, I released over 180 episodes and along the way, I talked to some very cool Vegas insiders, entertainers, and local experts. I also shared lots of tips & travel advice, and explored the fascinating history of the city.I thought it might be fun to take a little trip back in time and re-share some of those episodes. So, whether you’re a long-time follower looking for a re-listen or you’re a Vegas fanatic who just happened to stumble across the show, welcome!In 1991, Warren Beatty jumped onto the big screen to portray one the most feared and most famous mobsters of all time...Bugsy.The film, directed by Barry Levinson and co-starring Annette Bening (as Bugsy's longtime girlfriend, Virginia Hill) tells the story of Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel and his role in the creation of The Flamingo and the building of Las Vegas as an "oasis in the desert".Bugsy was minor hit, grossing just over $49 Million at the box office, receiving high praise from critics, and garnering several Academy Award & Golden Globe nominations including a Golden Globe win for "Best Picture - Drama". But despite all these accolades, just how historically accurate was the film?My guest for this episode of the podcast is here to tell us.Making his FOURTH appearance on the podcast is Geoff Schumacher, the Vice President of Exhibits and Programs at the Mob Museum in Las Vegas. Geoff was kind enough to join me once again to help separate fact from fiction when it comes to the story of Bugsy Siegel.Did Bugsy actually try to get into acting during his time in Hollywood? Who actually came up with the idea for The Flamingo? And was opening night at the casino really a total flop?If you want to learn more about Bugsy & his associates and their place in Las Vegas history, plan a visit to the Mob Museum on your next Vegas vacation. You can also follow the Mob Museum on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.__________________________________________________________________________Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Welcome to “From The Vault”, a special series of episodes of Jeff Does Vegas!Over the five years I ran this podcast, from 2019 to 2024, I released over 180 episodes and along the way, I talked to some very cool Vegas insiders, entertainers, and local experts. I also shared lots of tips & travel advice, and explored the fascinating history of the city.I thought it might be fun to take a little trip back in time and re-share some of those episodes. So, whether you’re a long-time follower looking for a re-listen or you’re a Vegas fanatic who just happened to stumble across the show, welcome!Picture it...it's the late 1970's. You're a singer-songwriter working the bar scene in New York City. One night, after having enough of dealing with crowds that don't pay attention to you, you decide to mess around with the lyrics of a popular song and perform that on stage...and you manage to turn that into a career spanning almost 40 years.That's exactly what Dennis Blair did.Dennis is a Las Vegas-based comedian & musician who, over the course of the last 4 decades, has had the opportunity to work with some of the biggest names in comedy & music. He co-wrote a feature film, he's worked on TV specials, he's appeared on The Tonight Show and he recently released a book chronicling his time on the road as an opening act.Dennis and I chatted about what got him into comedy, the early days of working with Rodney Dangerfield & what led to their falling out, life on the road with Joan Rivers, and what it was like spending 18 years as the opening act for George Carlin.Visit Dennis's website to find out where you can catch him performing in Vegas, pick up a copy of his book, "Touring With Legends" from your favorite online bookseller, and check out his music on Apple Music & Spotify.__________________________________________________________________________Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This podcast episode was originally released as part of the Sin City Stories: Vegas True Crime seriesNevada offers the same lax residency requirements to obtain divorce today as it did nearly 100 years ago; a person only has to live in the state for six weeks before being eligible to for a divorce.But not too long after Nevada gained a reputation as the place to go for a quickie divorce, Las Vegas was the scene of a brutal public murder on the steps of a law office in a tale involving domestic violence, the death of a child, and a desperate insanity plea to avoid the gas chamber.To learn more about other true crime tales from the darker side of Las Vegas history, visit Mayhem In The Desert. Follow Sin City Stories: Vegas True Crime on Facebook & Instagram Follow Mayhem In The Desert on X (formerly Twitter) & Facebook__________________________________________________________________________Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This podcast episode was originally released as part of the Sin City Stories: Vegas True Crime seriesIn the 1970's Las Vegas was the site of bombings & murders...but not ALL of this mayhem was linked to the mafia.In the fall of 1975, a labor dispute between the Culinary Union and several off-strip restaurants escalated into violence. This ultimately resulted in the head of the Culinary Union, Al Bramlet, learning a very valuable lesson:No matter what, ALWAYS pay your hitman.To learn more about other true crime tales from the darker side of Las Vegas history, visit Mayhem In The Desert. Follow Sin City Stories: Vegas True Crime on Facebook & Instagram Follow Mayhem In The Desert on X (formerly Twitter) & Facebook__________________________________________________________________________Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This podcast episode was originally released as part of the Sin City Stories: Vegas True Crime seriesThousands of bombs have gone off across the United States over the course of the 20th & 21st centuries for every reason…from the personal, to the political, to the financial. And through its short history, the city of Las Vegas has not been spared from the threat of criminal bombings.To learn more about other true crime tales from the darker side of Las Vegas history, visit Mayhem In The Desert. Follow Sin City Stories: Vegas True Crime on Facebook & Instagram Follow Mayhem In The Desert on X (formerly Twitter) & Facebook__________________________________________________________________________Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This podcast episode was originally released as part of the Sin City Stories: Vegas True Crime seriesLas Vegas teenager Kim Bryant went missing from in front of her high school on a winter's day in 1979.Her abduction & murder would scar the Vegas community and remain unsolved for decades. But just as the case seemed to be going cold, new suspects in the disappearance would emerge - including a vicious serial killer known as "The Chameleon".To learn more about other true crime tales from the darker side of Las Vegas history, visit Mayhem In The Desert. Follow Sin City Stories: Vegas True Crime on Facebook & Instagram Follow Mayhem In The Desert on X (formerly Twitter) & Facebook__________________________________________________________________________Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This podcast episode was originally released as part of the Sin City Stories: Vegas True Crime seriesThe 1979 daylight abduction of a teenager from a parking lot nearby her Las Vegas High School absolutely stunned the local community.It was only a few weeks before the body of Kim Bryant was discovered in the desert surrounding the city, but it would be decades before police would finally be able to figure out who was responsible for her tragic death.To learn more about other true crime tales from the darker side of Las Vegas history, visit Mayhem In The Desert. Follow Sin City Stories: Vegas True Crime on Facebook & Instagram Follow Mayhem In The Desert on X (formerly Twitter) & Facebook__________________________________________________________________________Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Welcome to “From The Vault”, a special series of episodes of Jeff Does Vegas!Over the five years I ran this podcast, from 2019 to 2024, I released over 180 episodes and along the way, I talked to some very cool Vegas insiders, entertainers, and local experts. I also shared lots of tips & travel advice, and explored the fascinating history of the city.I thought it might be fun to take a little trip back in time and re-share some of those episodes. So, whether you’re a long-time follower looking for a re-listen or you’re a Vegas fanatic who just happened to stumble across the show, welcome!I generally try to keep things pretty light on the podcast and stay away from topics that some might consider "serious" or "controversial", but if I spot an issue that I think my listeners need to know about, I go for it. So, heads up...this might not be the Jeff Does Vegas that you're used to.Human Trafficking is a massive problem around the world, and especially in Las Vegas; it might not come as much of a surprise to some people that Vegas has the 4th-highest rate of trafficking in the United States ranking behind Orlando, Atlanta and Washington D.C..I wanted to take a dive into the issue, get to the root of the problem, and find out what's behind this high rate of human trafficking as well as but some of the myths & misconceptions surrounding it - and I think you might be very shocked by what you're about to hear.To help me out with this topic, I reached out to a Las Vegas organization called The Cupcake Girls and my guest for this episode of the podcast is Amy-Marie Merrell, their Executive Director.Amy & I discussed the work that The Cupcake Girls does with victims of human trafficking & sex trafficking as well as those working in the sex industry who are consensual sex workers, Amy shared some shocking facts about who's being trafficked and by whom they are being trafficked, and we talked about some of the legal changes Amy would like to see happen to better support & protect victims of trafficking.If you want to learn more about The Cupcake Girls, support the work they're doing, or find the resources needed to get assistance, visit their website at TheCupcakeGirls.org. You can also follow them Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.__________________________________________________________________________Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Welcome to “From The Vault”, a special series of episodes of Jeff Does Vegas!Over the five years I ran this podcast, from 2019 to 2024, I released over 180 episodes and along the way, I talked to some very cool Vegas insiders, entertainers, and local experts. I also shared lots of tips & travel advice, and explored the fascinating history of the city.I thought it might be fun to take a little trip back in time and re-share some of those episodes. So, whether you’re a long-time follower looking for a re-listen or you’re a Vegas fanatic who just happened to stumble across the show, welcome!As frequent listeners to the podcast know, one of my favorite parts of visiting Vegas is the food.Over the last several years, Las Vegas has become a Foodie's paradise with dozens of new restaurants opening each year, featuring celebrity chefs and cuisine you can possibly imagine. But you know what? No matter how hard you try, you just can't beat a classic.The Golden Steer, located just off the strip on Sahara Boulevard is Las Vegas's oldest continually operating steakhouse. They opened back in 1958 and over the course of it's almost-65 year history, they've become legendary not only for their amazing steaks but for the incredible service, old Vegas atmosphere, and their famous (and infamous) customers.My guest for this episode of the podcast is Nick McMillan, Managing Partner of the Golden Steer. Nick and I talked about the early days of the Golden Steer, it's evolution from "western roadhouse" to "cool celebrity hangout", their place in Vegas Mob History, and what makes the Golden Steer different from other Las Vegas steakhouses.If you want to learn more about the Golden Steer and make a reservation for your next Vegas trip, visit their website. And for drool-worthy pics of their awesome food, be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.__________________________________________________________________________Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Welcome to “From The Vault”, a special series of episodes of Jeff Does Vegas!Over the five years I ran this podcast, from 2019 to 2024, I released over 180 episodes and along the way, I talked to some very cool Vegas insiders, entertainers, and local experts. I also shared lots of tips & travel advice, and explored the fascinating history of the city.I thought it might be fun to take a little trip back in time and re-share some of those episodes. So, whether you’re a long-time follower looking for a re-listen or you’re a Vegas fanatic who just happened to stumble across the show, welcome!"The only constant in life is change" - HeraclitusThere's nowhere else in the world where that statement is more accurate than Las Vegas.It's constantly evolving, always trying to find new ways to bring new people - and revenue - to the city. And from the late 1980's through to the early 2000's, Las Vegas made the conscious decision to cater to a group of travellers whom they'd never attempted to attract before:Families.From castle-shaped hotels, to pirate battles in the desert, to full-blown amusement parks, Las Vegas made no secrets about who they wanted to come to the city during that time in history. But where did it all start? And how did it end up?My guest for this episode of the podcast is UNLV professor and Las Vegas historian, David G. Schwartz. David & I discussed some of Las Vegas's early attempts at being family-friendly, what led to the push to try to attract families to the city, and the eventual shift away from that strategy.Want to learn more about Las Vegas's family-friendly era of the 1990's? Visit these links:- "Family Friendly Las Vegas: An Analysis of Space and Time" - Diana Tracy Cohn- "Column One: Las Vegas Gambles on Families" - LA Times (Sept 23, 1994)- "The Sun's List Of Shuttered Family Friendly Vegas Attractions" - Las Vegas Sun (Feb 23, 2012)- "Family Friendly Las Vegas of the 90's" Panel Discussion (Video) - The Neon Museum (2016)And as discussed, check out the "Treasure Island: The Adventure Begins" TV special that ran on NBC-TV in 1994 to promote the opening of the Treasure Island Resort.__________________________________________________________________________Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Welcome to “From The Vault”, a special series of episodes of Jeff Does Vegas!Over the five years I ran this podcast, from 2019 to 2024, I released over 180 episodes and along the way, I talked to some very cool Vegas insiders, entertainers, and local experts. I also shared lots of tips & travel advice, and explored the fascinating history of the city.I thought it might be fun to take a little trip back in time and re-share some of those episodes. So, whether you’re a long-time follower looking for a re-listen or you’re a Vegas fanatic who just happened to stumble across the show, welcome!Over the last several years, there's been a push in the travel industry for people to practice what's called "Responsible Travel". This is travel that's all about making choices to minimize the negative impacts of your travel in favor of ones that are neutral or contribute positively.My guests for this episode are Erin Hynes & Kattie Laur, the hosts of Alpaca My Bags, a Canadian podcast that explores Responsible Travel.During our conversation Erin shared what got her interested in travel & what inspired her to start blogging and podcasting as well as how she connected with Kattie & brought her into the fold, the ladies shared their experiences of their own Las Vegas vacations, and we discussed how to apply the principals of Responsible Travel to when visiting a city like Las Vegas - known best for total irresponsibility.You can learn more about Responsible Travel by visiting Erin's website/blog as well as by following her on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. You can also follow Kattie on Twitter and visit her website as well. And be sure to listen to Alpaca My Bags wherever you get your podcasts.__________________________________________________________________________Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Welcome to “From The Vault”, a special series of episodes of Jeff Does Vegas!Over the five years I ran this podcast, from 2019 to 2024, I released over 180 episodes and along the way, I talked to some very cool Vegas insiders, entertainers, and local experts. I also shared lots of tips & travel advice, and explored the fascinating history of the city.I thought it might be fun to take a little trip back in time and re-share some of those episodes. So, whether you’re a long-time follower looking for a re-listen or you’re a Vegas fanatic who just happened to stumble across the show, welcome!There's no question that Las Vegas is the entertainment capital of the world, and all through the city's history, it's played host to some of the most legendary acts of all time.Some names come to mind instantly, like The Rat Pack...Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin & Sammy Davis Jr. There's Mr. Las Vegas, Wayne Newton who's been headlining in Vegas since the mid-1960's. And of course, there's the King Of Rock N' Roll, Elvis Presley who sold out a record 636 shows at the International Hotel (later, the Las Vegas Hilton).But one performer made his mark on Las Vegas before any of those people. In fact, some would say he paved the way for not only past legends but the massive residencies that would come decades later.That performer is the one and only Liberace...My guest for this episode of the podcast is Claire White, the Director of Education at The Mob Museum in Downtown Las Vegas. Before she joined the Mob Museum, Claire spent several years working at the now-closed Liberace Museum, also in Las Vegas, where she learned all about the long & storied career of "Mr. Showmanship".If you want to check out some of the highlights of Liberace's life, check these out:Liberace performing "Chopsticks"Liberace live with the London Philharmonic OrchestraLiberace's dual role as villains, "Chandell" and "Harry" on the classic TV series, BatmanLiberace's appearance on The Muppet ShowLiberace hosts on MTV in 1985__________________________________________________________________________Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Welcome to “From The Vault”, a special series of episodes of Jeff Does Vegas!Over the five years I ran this podcast, from 2019 to 2024, I released over 180 episodes and along the way, I talked to some very cool Vegas insiders, entertainers, and local experts. I also shared lots of tips & travel advice, and explored the fascinating history of the city.I thought it might be fun to take a little trip back in time and re-share some of those episodes. So, whether you’re a long-time follower looking for a re-listen or you’re a Vegas fanatic who just happened to stumble across the show, welcome!"In Vegas, everybody's gotta watch everybody else. Since the players are looking to beat the casino, the dealers are watching the players. The box men are watching the dealers. The floor men are watching the box men. The pit bosses are watching the floor men. The shift bosses are watching the pit bosses. The casino manager is watching the shift bosses. I'm watching the casino manager. And the eye-in-the-sky is watching us all." - Sam "Ace" Rothstein, "Casino", 1995Since the days of Sam Rothstein and the Tangiers - or Frank Rosenthal and the Stardust, if you will - casino security has come a LONG ways.The industry has moved on from binocular-carrying staff, wandering catwalks in the ceiling to a world of digitally networked video recording and facial recognition software...and my guest for this episode of the podcast is here to take us behind the curtain and into that world.Charles H. Barry is an expert in casino and corporate security, surveillance & investigations and currently runs his own consulting firm. He has over 30 years in the field and has worked with several major gaming companies. Mr. Barry is also a former law enforcement officer, having worked as a detective with the Phoenix Police Department and as a Special Agent with the FBI.Charles and I discussed the evolution of casino security over the last several decades, emerging threats to casinos & hotels, and the major event that forced gaming corporations to re-examine their security procedures from top to bottom.If you'd like to learn more about Charles and the services he currently provides, be sure to visit his website.__________________________________________________________________________Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Welcome to “From The Vault”, a special series of episodes of Jeff Does Vegas!Over the five years I ran this podcast, from 2019 to 2024, I released over 180 episodes and along the way, I talked to some very cool Vegas insiders, entertainers, and local experts. I also shared lots of tips & travel advice, and explored the fascinating history of the city.I thought it might be fun to take a little trip back in time and re-share some of those episodes. So, whether you’re a long-time follower looking for a re-listen or you’re a Vegas fanatic who just happened to stumble across the show, welcome!According to reports, Strip Clubs in the United States - or "Gentleman's Clubs" as they're often called - were forecasted to pull in roughly $7.4 BILLION in revenue in 2022. In Las Vegas, there are over TWENTY different clubs for visitors to patronize. And often, visiting a strip club in Las Vegas is a person's first experience with this type of establishment.If you've never been to a strip club, chances are you've got questions...and my guest for this episode of the podcast is the perfect person to answer them.Her name is Keila and she's currently a dancer at a Gentleman's Club in Las Vegas.In addition to discussing proper etiquette for anyone planning on visiting a club in Vegas, Keila was kind enough to chat with me about what got her into dancing, what her daily pre-and-post work routine entails, and we busted some of the myths & misconceptions about the people who work in her industry.If you want to learn more about Keila & see what life as a dancer is like, follow her on TikTok and Instagram.__________________________________________________________________________Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Welcome to “From The Vault”, a special series of episodes of Jeff Does Vegas!Over the five years I ran this podcast, from 2019 to 2024, I released over 180 episodes and along the way, I talked to some very cool Vegas insiders, entertainers, and local experts. I also shared lots of tips & travel advice, and explored the fascinating history of the city.I thought it might be fun to take a little trip back in time and re-share some of those episodes. So, whether you’re a long-time follower looking for a re-listen or you’re a Vegas fanatic who just happened to stumble across the show, welcome!The 1995 movie, "Casino" directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci and Sharon Stone is, in my opinion, an absolute classic and a must-watch for anyone at all interested in Las Vegas.The film tells the story of Sam "Ace" Rothstein, an expert sports-handicapper who's sent to Las Vegas by the Chicago Outfit to oversee the skimming operations at the fictional Tangiers Hotel & Casino."Casino" is based on actual events and pulls its story from the book, "Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas", written by Nicholas Pileggi who co-wrote the screenplay along with Martin Scorsese.As always, whenever a book based on a true story makes a move to the big screen, there's certain plot points that tend to be overly dramatized (or even flat-out made up) for the sake of entertainment. My guest for this episode of the podcast is here to help shed some light on some of the Fact vs. Fiction aspects of "Casino".Geoff Schumacher is the Vice President of Exhibits & Programs at the Mob Museum in Las Vegas. He was kind enough to join me to help separate reality from fantasy when it comes to the world of "Ace" Rothstein/"Lefty" Rosenthal.Did hotel security actually smash a cheater's hand with a hammer?  Did an FBI surveillance plane actually run out of gas and land on a golf course fairway?  Was there really an issue with blueberry muffins?We get the answers to these questions - and many more!Visit The Mob Museum's official website and be sure to follow them on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram. Also, be sure to subscribe to the Mob Museum's YouTube channel where you can check out virtual tours, special presentations and more!And if you want to really get into Las Vegas history and read the true story of Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal, Anthony Spilotro, the Hole in the Wall Gang and the massive Stardust skimming operation, pick up your copy of "Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas" by Nicholas Pileggi.__________________________________________________________________________Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Welcome to “From The Vault”, a special series of episodes of Jeff Does Vegas!Over the five years I ran this podcast, from 2019 to 2024, I released over 180 episodes and along the way, I talked to some very cool Vegas insiders, entertainers, and local experts. I also shared lots of tips & travel advice, and explored the fascinating history of the city.I thought it might be fun to take a little trip back in time and re-share some of those episodes. So, whether you’re a long-time follower looking for a re-listen or you’re a Vegas fanatic who just happened to stumble across the show, welcome!Dark Tourism - otherwise known as Thana Tourism, Black Tourism, or Morbid Tourism - is the term used to describe travel to places that are historically associated with death and tragedy.Dark Tourism destinations exist all over the world; from Nazi concentration camps in Poland, to the site of the Chernobyl disaster in Ukraine, to Ground Zero in New York City. There are Jack the Ripper tours in London, Pablo Escobar tours in Colombia and even JFK assassination tours in Dallas.But what is it that brings people to these types of attractions? Why has so-called Dark Tourism seen such a boom in recent years?My guest for this episode of the podcast is here to answer that question...and many others.Marta Soligo teaches Sociology of Leisure at the University of Nevada Las Vegas and is also a visiting professor at the University of Bergamo in Italy, where she teaches Sociology of Tourism. Marta has also done extensive research into Dark Tourism, specifically as it relates to celebrity culture.Marta and I discussed what got her interested in studying tourism & leisure from the sociology side of things, why people are attracted to "the macabre", and she shared a few examples of Dark Tourism destinations in Las Vegas.If you'd like to learn more about Dark Tourism, there are LOTS of great resources on line including Google Scholar (which has - literally - HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of great articles on the subject) and the website, dark-tourism.com featuring an extensive database of over a thousand Dark Tourism sites in 115 different countries around the world! __________________________________________________________________________Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This podcast episode was originally released as part of the Sin City Stories: Vegas True Crime seriesLas Vegas resident, Frank Waters survived his service with the U.S. military in Europe during World War II. But only a year after the war's end, the consequences of Frank's actions overseas followed him thousands of miles back to the middle of the Mojave Desert, ultimately leading to a series of events that would end with Frank's murder and a trial that made international headlines. To learn about other true crime tales from the darker side of Las Vegas history, visit Mayhem In The Desert. Follow Sin City Stories: Vegas True Crime on Facebook & Instagram Follow Mayhem In The Desert on X (formerly Twitter) & Facebook __________________________________________________________________________Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This podcast episode was originally released as part of the Sin City Stories: Vegas True Crime seriesWith the passage of the 18th Amendment and the Federal Volstead Act, liquor was, by and large, made illegal across the United States starting in 1920 – including in the tiny newly-formed desert town of Las Vegas. This immediately created a lucrative black market for the illicit sale of alcohol, and along with it came an explosion of violent crime as competing rackets fought for control of this new underground market. To learn about other true crime tales from the darker side of Las Vegas history, visit Mayhem In The Desert. Follow Sin City Stories: Vegas True Crime on Facebook & Instagram Follow Mayhem In The Desert on X (formerly Twitter) & Facebook __________________________________________________________________________Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This podcast episode was originally released as part of the Sin City Stories: Vegas True Crime seriesIn the spring of 1980, headlines across the united states screamed out, “ANGEL OF DEATH!” These sensational stories centered around 32-year-old Jani Adams, a nurse working the graveyard shift in a Las Vegas Intensive Care Unit. These articles about the so-called “Death Angel” carried a distinctly Vegas twist – word was, this nurse was running a hospital “dead pool”, placing wagers on when patients would die. But how did a mild-mannered nurse - who described herself being “shy as a mouse” - end up in the national spotlight for allegedly murdering her patients? Click here to read more about the case of Jani Adams - including photos, newspaper articles, and more! To learn about other true crime tales from the darker side of Las Vegas history, visit Mayhem In The Desert. Follow Sin City Stories: Vegas True Crime on Facebook & Instagram Follow Mayhem In The Desert on X (formerly Twitter) & Facebook __________________________________________________________________________Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This podcast episode was originally released as part of the Sin City Stories: Vegas True Crime seriesThe trial surrounding the 1998 alleged murder of a casino heir was one of the most sensational cases in Las Vegas history, garnering national attention. But decades before tales of jilted lovers, underground vaults in the desert, and a man rapidly squandering his wealth on a wild lifestyle, Ted Binion was at the center of another Las Vegas crime plot. Click here to learn more about the planned kidnapping of Ted Binion and the wild events that followed - including newspaper articles, photos and more! To learn about other true crime tales from the darker side of Las Vegas history, visit Mayhem In The Desert. Follow Sin City Stories: Vegas True Crime on Facebook & Instagram Follow Mayhem In The Desert on X (formerly Twitter) & Facebook __________________________________________________________________________Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This podcast episode was originally released as part of the Sin City Stories: Vegas True Crime seriesIn the spring of 1996, a trio of bodies were discovered in the desert just outside of Las Vegas. Initially believed to be victims of sex trafficking, the case remained unsolved for over a decade, demonstrating a troubling proposition: Three people can be murdered in a major American city, with little more than a passing mention in the local press and zero potential suspects. Click here to learn more about the triple-murder of Luz Maria Mucino, Edith Mucino Gonzalez, and Gabriela Mucino Gonzalez - including newspaper articles, photos, and more! To learn about other true crime tales from the darker side of Las Vegas history, visit Mayhem In The Desert. Follow Sin City Stories: Vegas True Crime on Facebook & Instagram Follow Mayhem In The Desert on X (formerly Twitter) & Facebook __________________________________________________________________________Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This podcast episode was originally released as part of the Sin City Stories: Vegas True Crime seriesIt's one of the most high-profile murders in the history of Las Vegas. On a scorching hot 115 degree summer day, a former FBI agent & prominent attorney left his office in downtown Las Vegas and made his way to the third floor parking garage. Bill Coulthard climbed into his car, cracked the window, started the ignition, and THAT'S when it happened... Click here to learn more about the murder of Bill Coulthard - including newspaper articles, photos, and more! To learn about other true crime tales from the darker side of Las Vegas history, visit Mayhem In The Desert. Follow Sin City Stories: Vegas True Crime on Facebook & Instagram Follow Mayhem In The Desert on X (formerly Twitter) & Facebook __________________________________________________________________________Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This podcast episode was originally released as part of the Sin City Stories: Vegas True Crime seriesIt’s June 3, 1999…early morning, sometime around 5 am in a quiet neighborhood roughly a mile from the Las Vegas Strip. Walking through this serene scene is a young man in his early twenties, draped in a camouflage shirt, sporting black pants and boots. In his hands, a pump-action shotgun loaded to maximum capacity. In his pockets are more shells…ready to be used. A total of nineteen shells in all. The man’s name is Zane Floyd, and on this early summer morning, he plans to use those ninteen shells to kill the first nineteen people he encounters. And as a resident of this neighbourhood, he already knows exactly where his first stop will be. To learn about the story of Zane Floyd and other true crime tales from the darker side of Las Vegas history, visit Mayhem In The Desert. Follow Sin City Stories: Vegas True Crime on X (formerly Twitter) & Facebook Follow Mayhem In The Desert on X (formerly Twitter) & Facebook __________________________________________________________________________Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This podcast episode was originally released as part of the Sin City Stories: Vegas True Crime seriesDuring the 1970's, the Las Vegas Hilton featured some of the most modern amenities in town along with incredible showcase entertainers. The hotel looked poised for additional growth and success heading into the 1980's.  But the deadliest arson in modern Nevada history temporarily derailed the steady expansion the Hilton had enjoyed, while putting a young hotel busboy in the national spotlight as the unlikely hero-turned suspect responsible for the blaze. Click here to learn more about story of the fire at the Las Vegas Hilton - including photos, newspaper articles, and more! To learn about other true crime tales from the darker side of Las Vegas history, visit Mayhem In The Desert. Follow Sin City Stories: Vegas True Crime on Facebook & Instagram Follow Mayhem In The Desert on X (formerly Twitter) & Facebook__________________________________________________________________________Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This podcast episode was originally released as part of the Sin City Stories: Vegas True Crime seriesThe term "serial killer" originated in the 1970s and was coined to describe individuals who commit a series of murders, typically with a cooling-off period between each crime.  The FBI formally defined "serial murder" in the 1980s, highlighting the repetitive nature of the killings and the psychological motivation behind them. The term has since become widely used in criminology and pop culture to categorize and understand this specific type of criminal behavior… …a criminal behavior from which Las Vegas has not been spared.Click here to read more about the serial killers who've had connections to Las Vegas - including photos, newspaper articles, and more!To learn about other true crime tales from the darker side of Las Vegas history, visit Mayhem In The Desert.Follow Sin City Stories: Vegas True Crime on Facebook & InstagramFollow Mayhem In The Desert on X (formerly Twitter) & Facebook__________________________________________________________________________Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Welcome to “From The Vault”, a special series of episodes of Jeff Does Vegas!Over the five years I ran this podcast, from 2019 to 2024, I released over 180 episodes and along the way, I talked to some very cool Vegas insiders, entertainers, and local experts. I also shared lots of tips & travel advice, and explored the fascinating history of the city.I thought it might be fun to take a little trip back in time and re-share some of those episodes. So, whether you’re a long-time follower looking for a re-listen or you’re a Vegas fanatic who just happened to stumble across the show, welcome!Every year, inventors come up with DOZENS of ideas for new casino table games, but only a handful actually make it to the casino floor. Maybe you've got an idea for a new game floating around in your brain and you've been wondering how to make it reality and get it out to the Vegas gaming community?My guest for this episode could be the one to help make it happen!Back for her third appearance on the show is Heather Ferris, the CEO & Founder of Vegas Aces Services.This time around Heather & I chatted about the process behind creating a new game, what makes for a good casino game, and some of the challenges behind convincing casino execs to give a new game a chance.If you want to learn more about Heather, Vegas Aces, and the services they provide be sure to go visit their official website. You can also follow Vegas Aces on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.__________________________________________________________________________Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Welcome to “From The Vault”, a special series of episodes of Jeff Does Vegas!Over the five years I ran this podcast, from 2019 to 2024, I released over 180 episodes and along the way, I talked to some very cool Vegas insiders, entertainers, and local experts. I also shared lots of tips & travel advice, and explored the fascinating history of the city.I thought it might be fun to take a little trip back in time and re-share some of those episodes. So, whether you’re a long-time follower looking for a re-listen or you’re a Vegas fanatic who just happened to stumble across the show, welcome!Get ready...we're going on a little road trip.We're heading about 35 miles southeast of the Vegas strip, to Black Canyon, where one of the greatest feats of engineering in the United States - and possibly the world - is located:  Hoover DamConstructed in the late 1920's & completed in the early 1930's, Hoover Dam serves a multitude of purposes including flood mitigation & hydro-electric power generation. Present day, millions of tourists visit each year to both marvel at this amazing structure and to take advantage of the many surrounding amenities including Lake Mead and the numerous hiking trails in the area.My guest for this episode is Patti Aaron, Public Affairs Officer for the Bureau of Reclamation in the Lower Colorado Basin. Patti and I talked about the history of Hoover Dam including its planning & construction, the "controversy" behind its name, some of the economic benefits of the dam's construction, and she shared some fun bits of trivia about Hoover Dam.For more information on Hoover Dam and to plan your trip, visit the Bureau of Reclamation's website and be sure to follow Hoover Dam on Facebook.__________________________________________________________________________Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Welcome to “From The Vault”, a special series of episodes of Jeff Does Vegas!Over the five years I ran this podcast, from 2019 to 2024, I released over 180 episodes and along the way, I talked to some very cool Vegas insiders, entertainers, and local experts. I also shared lots of tips & travel advice, and explored the fascinating history of the city.I thought it might be fun to take a little trip back in time and re-share some of those episodes. So, whether you’re a long-time follower looking for a re-listen or you’re a Vegas fanatic who just happened to stumble across the show, welcome!There are some AWESOME Vegas movies out there. Classics like "Casino", "Oceans Eleven" and "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas". There are also some TERRIBLE Vegas movies out there...like "The Incredible Burt Wonderstone", "3000 Miles To Graceland" and "Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2".I think it's fair to say that the film we're discussing in this episode falls somewhere in the middle.Considered to be one of the biggest box office bombs of all time, Showgirls (written by Joe Eszterhas, directed by Paul Veerhoven, and starring Elizabeth Berkley) has morphed into a huge cult classic.Thanks to a steady stream of nudity & gratuitous sex, the film was given an NC-17 rating and to this day, remains the only film with that rating to have had wide release in US movie theaters. And although Showgirls wasn't based on a true story, Eszterhas and Veerhoven claimed they did "extensive interviews" with people in the Vegas entertainment community to make the portrayal of the showgirl world as accurate as possible.So, did they get it right? We're about to find out.My guest for this episode, making her second appearance on the podcast, is Dani Elizabeth - a legit Showgirl and former cast member of the legendary Vegas shows, "Jubilee" and "Crazy Girls".Dani shared the story of the first time she saw Showgirls and how it almost led to a career change, we dove into the film with some character analysis & theories on why people watch the film over and over again, and we compared Dani's "showgirl life" to Nomi Malone's.If you want to dive further into the world of Showgirls - and really, who wouldn't? - check out the documentary You Don't Nomi directed by Jeffrey McHale (available for sale & rent on your favorite streaming service).__________________________________________________________________________Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Welcome to “From The Vault”, a special series of episodes of Jeff Does Vegas!Over the five years I ran this podcast, from 2019 to 2024, I released over 180 episodes and along the way, I talked to some very cool Vegas insiders, entertainers, and local experts. I also shared lots of tips & travel advice, and explored the fascinating history of the city.I thought it might be fun to take a little trip back in time and re-share some of those episodes. So, whether you’re a long-time follower looking for a re-listen or you’re a Vegas fanatic who just happened to stumble across the show, welcome!Below the glitz & glamour of the Vegas Strip lies a massive network of underground tunnels. In addition to serving the practical purpose of directing flash flood water away from the big casinos & resorts, the tunnels have become a living space for hundreds, if not thousands, of homeless people in the city of Las Vegas.My guest for this episode of the podcast is intimately familiar with these tunnels, having spent time interviewing dozens of their residents for his books "Beneath the Neon" and "Dark Days, Bright Nights".Matthew O'Brien is a writer, editor and teacher who lived in Las Vegas for twenty years. He's considered an authority on homelessness in the Las Vegas tunnels and is the founder of Shine A Light, a program that helps people living in the tunnels and provides them with the resources to get out of the tunnels.We discussed Matthew's first experiences with the tunnels of Las Vegas, the work that went into writing "Beneath the Neon", what inspired him to found Shine A Light, and much more.If you'd like to purchase "Beneath the Neon", "My Week At The Blue Angel" or "Dark Days, Bright Nights" you can visit Matthew's website at beneaththeneon.com.If you want to know more about Shine A Light and see the amazing work they do, follow them on Facebook and Instagram.(NOTE: I shouldn't have to say this, but I will. DO NOT go exploring the storm drains under Las Vegas. It's a very hostile environment for anyone who's not familiar with the miles and miles of tunnels. By going into the tunnels, you're risking severe injury or even death.)__________________________________________________________________________Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Welcome to “From The Vault”, a special series of episodes of Jeff Does Vegas!Over the five years I ran this podcast, from 2019 to 2024, I released over 180 episodes and along the way, I talked to some very cool Vegas insiders, entertainers, and local experts. I also shared lots of tips & travel advice, and explored the fascinating history of the city.I thought it might be fun to take a little trip back in time and re-share some of those episodes. So, whether you’re a long-time follower looking for a re-listen or you’re a Vegas fanatic who just happened to stumble across the show, welcome!In spite of its short history, the city of Las Vegas has some incredibly colourful characters in its past...and for this episode, I want to talk about one of those characters.Howard Hughes was a billionaire, an inventor, an aviator, movie producer and philanthropist. He was also known to be a little "eccentric."The stories about Howard Hughes are legendary - from the rumours of him urinating in mason jars & having foot-long fingernails to locking himself in a movie screening room for months on end & buying a Las Vegas hotel because he didn't want to leave. The stories have been around so long and spun in so many different directions, that it's sometimes hard to separate fact from fiction. And that's what my guest is here to do...Geoff Schumacher is the Vice President of Exhibits and Programs at The Mob Museum in Downtown Las Vegas. Last time Geoff was here, we talked about Las Vegas's mob history...but another one of his favourite topics is Howard Hughes' time in spent in Vegas.We talked about Hughes' aviation & filmmaking history, what prompted him to move to Nevada in the first place, the rumour that he bought the Silver Slipper Hotel & Casino because "the sign annoyed him", the bizarre reason behind his purchase of a Las Vegas TV station and much more.Visit Amazon to purchase a copy of Geoff Schumacher's book "Howard Hughes: Power, Paranoia and Palace Intrigue". Also be sure to visit The Mob Museum's website for Virtual Tours and follow them on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.__________________________________________________________________________Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Welcome to “From The Vault”, a special series of episodes of Jeff Does Vegas!Over the five years I ran this podcast, from 2019 to 2024, I released over 180 episodes and along the way, I talked to some very cool Vegas insiders, entertainers, and local experts. I also shared lots of tips & travel advice, and explored the fascinating history of the city.I thought it might be fun to take a little trip back in time and re-share some of those episodes. So, whether you’re a long-time follower looking for a re-listen or you’re a Vegas fanatic who just happened to stumble across the show, welcome!I think we've all had that experience where a bunch of time passes and we have no idea where it's gone. Whether it's while driving down the highway, surfing social media or - sitting at a slot machine in a casino in Las Vegas.But what causes that effect? Why do our brains drift away like that and take us out of reality?My guest for this episode of the podcast is here to help us understand.Spencer Murch has a PhD in Psychology & Cognitive Science from the University of British Columbia and, over the last several years, has been involved in several different research projects surrounding the cognitive science of gambling. Recently, Spencer completed a study surrounding "immersion" and being "zoned in" or "zoned out" during slot play.Spencer took the time to jump on the show with me to explain the methodology behind the study and share the results of his research. We also talked about the part slot designers play in creating that "immersion", what the future of gaming may hold and how to avoid "zoning in" or "zoning out" while playing slots.If you'd like to learn more about the psychology of slot machines, check out:Research Snapshot: Exploring zoned-in or zoned-out immersion during slot machine gamblingResearch Snapshot: The relationship between dark flow, depression, and multiline slot machinesOr pick up a copy of the book, "Addiction By Design" by Natasha Dow Schull.__________________________________________________________________________Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Welcome to “From The Vault”, a special series of episodes of Jeff Does Vegas!Over the five years I ran this podcast, from 2019 to 2024, I released over 180 episodes and along the way, I talked to some very cool Vegas insiders, entertainers, and local experts. I also shared lots of tips & travel advice, and explored the fascinating history of the city.I thought it might be fun to take a little trip back in time and re-share some of those episodes. So, whether you’re a long-time follower looking for a re-listen or you’re a Vegas fanatic who just happened to stumble across the show, welcome!Did you know that approximately 2% of the world's population uses a wheelchair AND that nearly 20% of people have a disability that limits one or more activities of daily living?If you applied that math to Las Vegas, that means that roughly 840,000 wheelchair users and almost 8.5 million people with different levels of accessibility requirements travel to Vegas every single year.In the various Vegas-related Facebook groups I'm a part of, I often see questions from people who are apprehensive about visiting the city due to the perception that Vegas isn't very wheelchair friendly.I wanted to break that perception...so I've called in an expert on the subject of wheelchair travel.John Morris is the founder & creator of WheelchairTravel.org, a website & blog where he shares his own experiences of travelling as a wheelchair user. And, like me, John is also a frequent Vegas visitor.If you want to learn more about John & get all the info you need when it comes to travelling to Las Vegas with a disability, visit WheelchairTravel.org and be sure to follow John on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.__________________________________________________________________________Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Welcome to “From The Vault”, a special series of episodes of Jeff Does Vegas!Over the five years I ran this podcast, from 2019 to 2024, I released over 180 episodes and along the way, I talked to some very cool Vegas insiders, entertainers, and local experts. I also shared lots of tips & travel advice, and explored the fascinating history of the city.I thought it might be fun to take a little trip back in time and re-share some of those episodes. So, whether you’re a long-time follower looking for a re-listen or you’re a Vegas fanatic who just happened to stumble across the show, welcome!My very special guest for this episode has been in the comedy business for over three decades and he’s made – literally – hundreds of TV appearances.Carrot Top has been headlining his own show at the Luxor in Las Vegas since 2006 and he recently signed an extension that will keep him there through to 2030.Carrot Top and I talked about his early days of prop comedy, how he comes up with his material, the current state of comedy, his apprehension when he first signed on at the Luxor and much more!Carrot Top performs in the Atrium Showroom at the Luxor Las Vegas 6 nights a week.  Visit the Luxor's website for tickets and showtimes. To find out if Carrot Top is touring to a city near you, visit his official website and give him a follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.__________________________________________________________________________Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Welcome to “From The Vault”, a special series of episodes of Jeff Does Vegas!Over the five years I ran this podcast, from 2019 to 2024, I released over 180 episodes and along the way, I talked to some very cool Vegas insiders, entertainers, and local experts. I also shared lots of tips & travel advice, and explored the fascinating history of the city.I thought it might be fun to take a little trip back in time and re-share some of those episodes. So, whether you’re a long-time follower looking for a re-listen or you’re a Vegas fanatic who just happened to stumble across the show, welcome!There's an old adage that says "Sex Sells"...and I don't think there's anywhere in the world where that's more prevalent than in Las Vegas.From the moment you step off the plane, you're bombarded with sex - from almost-naked showgirls on the strip asking for photos, to cab-top advertisements for topless shows, to giant roadside billboards for strip clubs, to a very public escort industry...which is where we're headed this time around.My guest for this episode of the podcast was Kate Layne, a Vegas-based escort who'd been "officially" working in the industry for the 4 years and had been involved in the industry in some form for approximately 6 years.Kate and I talked about how she ended up living in Las Vegas, how and why she decided to start working as an escort, how she kept her life as Kate separate from her "real life" and some of the common misconceptions surrounding people working in the escort industry.And because this is a judgement-free podcast where I know people are grown-ass adults capable of making their own decisions on whether or not to partake in the industry, Kate also shared some etiquette tips for men who might wish to enjoy the company of an escort as well as some safety tips so you can avoid getting robbed, ending up in jail...or worse.__________________________________________________________________________Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Fun fact: The average lifespan of a podcast is roughly 174 days - or just shy of 6 months.  Most podcasters quit before they reach their eighth episode, and it's believed that of all the podcasts currently available, roughly half of those podcasts have 3 or fewer episodes. By contrast, this podcast has lasted over 5 years and 180 official episodes, not including bonus & special episodes (if you count those, it's over 220 episodes). I've been giving it a lot of thought lately and I've reached the conclusion that it's time for me to put a lid on Jeff Does Vegas. But before I go, I felt I owed all of you - the listeners who've kept this thing running for the last 5+ years - an explanation on why now is the time to wrap it all up. __________________________________________________________________________ Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!  Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

5 years into my Vegas podcasting journey, I've completed over 200 episodes - including bonus & special episodes. Way back in the early days of the podcast, I had some pretty cool conversations & covered some great topics that are now buried deep in the archives where anyone new to the show is unlikely to find them.So, to save people the effort of going on the hunt for them, I'm doing the digging for you with a feature I'm calling, "From The Vault", where I re-share some of the best episodes from the early days of the podcast.This time around, we're hitting the road...solo.I do A LOT of solo traveling, particularly to Las Vegas - but I've also done solo trips to other cities including Seattle, Toronto and Los Angeles.People often ask me what the appeal is of traveling solo. Don't I get bored? Do I worry about my safety? What does my wife think about me traveling solo? (The answers to those questions are, in order: no, no and she's fine with it since I'm usually doing stuff she doesn't like)A lot of folks won't take the jump and book a solo vacation, but I'm hoping my guest for this episode of the podcast might help change a few minds.Janice Waugh is the founder of Solo Traveler World, a website & online community devoted to people who love to travel solo.Janice & I talked about the inspiration behind her creating Solo Traveler, the best ways to plan a solo trip, the mistakes to avoid while traveling solo and how to stay safe & out of trouble when you're on your own in a strange city.If you'd like to connect with Janice & the Solo Traveler community, visit their website at SoloTravelerWorld.com, follow them on Twitter & Instagram, or join the Solo Travel Society on Facebook.__________________________________________________________________________Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

I'm now 5+ years into this podcast journey now with over 200 episodes available - including bonus & special episodes. There's a ton of great topics I've covered on the show over the years and a lot of those episodes are now buried deep in the archives.So, I thought that to save you searching all over the place for those episodes, I'd go ahead and do the digging for you with a feature I like to call, "From The Vault", where I re-share some of the best conversations from the run of the podcast.This time around, I'd like to share one of my all-time favorite quotes:"I'm not superstitious, but I am a little stitious." - Michael Scott, The OfficeWhether we like to admit it or not, i think everyone is a little bit superstitious to some degree. And i don’t think there’s anywhere in the world where that superstitious nature is on display more than in Las Vegas.Whether it’s a lucky shirt that you always wear when playing blackjack, tapping the buttons in a certain order when playing video poker, or not using $50 bills in slot machines.And these are just a few examples of things i’ve seen on my many trips to Vegas.But is there any science behind superstition? To answer that question, i decided to bring in a professional.Stuart Vyse is a behavioral scientist, a teacher and a writer. He’s also an expert on superstition & irrational behaviour. I wanted to get his take on the world of superstitions.We discussed some of the most common superstitions & their origins, we chatted about whether or not certain cultures are more superstitious than others and we talked about some famous superstitions in the world of sports, music and theater.If you'd like to learn more about Stuart and the world of superstitions & irrational behaviour, be sure to visit his website.Stuart's books, "Believing In Magic: The Science of Superstition" and "Superstition: A Very Short Introduction" are both available via his website or from your favourite book seller. __________________________________________________________________________Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

I’m now a little over 5 years into my vegas podcasting adventure, and in that time, i’ve completed well over 200 episodes – including bonus & special episodes. Back in the early days of the show, i covered some pretty interesting topics and had conversations with some pretty incredible guests. Unfortunately, a lot of those episodes are now buried deep in the podcast archives and the chances of new listeners discovering them are pretty low.So, in order to save you from having to go digging for them, i’ve put together a feature i’m calling “From The Vault”, where I re-share what I consider to be some of the best content from the early days of the podcast.And this time around, we’re going to talk about the science of smell…If you’ve ever been to Las Vegas, you’re well aware of the unique scents of the various casinos & hotels up and down the strip. In fact, if you ask people what one of their favorite parts of going to Vegas is, they’ll often tell you, “it’s the smell inside the casinos” – and it seems everyone has their preferred casino scent. So much so that there are literally thousands of posts online from people asking how to either purchase or replicate their favorite casino scent.But what’s the big deal about smell? Why is the “scent” of a casino so important that the companies that own them spend - literally - millions of dollars on the development and distribution of these so-called “signature scents”.To get the answer, i turned to an expert…Dr. Rachel Herz is a cognitive neuroscientist, a Ted-X speaker, published author, and a world-renowned expert on the psychological science of smell.In addition, Dr. Herz has worked as a consultant for multiple international corporations on the development of fragrances & flavors – including the company first responsible for installing scent vaporizer systems in The Mirage back in 1991.Dr. Herz and I discussed how the sense of smell works, the connection between scents and emotions & memory, how businesses use scent to affect customer behavior, and much more.To learn more about the science and psychology of scent, visit Dr. Herz's website or follow her on Twitter. You can also pick up one of her books:"The Scent Of Desire: Discovering Our Enigmatic Sense Of Smell""Why You Eat What You Eat: The Science Behind Our Relationship With Food"That's Disgusting: Unraveling The Mysteries Of Repulsion"__________________________________________________________________________Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

5 years into my Vegas podcasting journey, I've completed over 200 episodes - including bonus & special episodes. Way back in the early days of the podcast, I had some pretty cool conversations & covered some great topics that are now buried deep in the archives where anyone new to the show is unlikely to find them.So, to save people the effort of going on the hunt for them, I'm doing the digging for you with a feature I'm calling, "From The Vault", where I re-share some of the best episodes from the early days of the podcast.This time, I've got inside info that could keep you from making a HUGE mistake on your next Las Vegas trip...Imagine this situation: You're walking down the strip with your significant other, minding your business, when all of the sudden someone jumps out in front of you and says, "What a lovely couple...how would you like some free tickets to a show?"First-timers & newbies are thinking, "Sure...where do I sign up?" Meanwhile, the Vegas veterans are saying, "RUN! RUN AS FAST YOU CAN...AND RUN FAR AWAY!!!"As anyone can tell you, nothing in Las Vegas is "free"...and the price of those "free tickets" is having to sit through a Timeshare Presentation.For this edition of "From The Vault", we're going back to my conversation with Lisa Ann Schreier - aka "The Timeshare Crusader". Lisa spent over 20 years working in the Timeshare industry and has since moved on to become a consumer advocate, author, and blogger helping to keep people informed of some of the shady practices going on in the business.__________________________________________________________________________Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Many consider it to be the ultimate Las Vegas movie…a film that not only re-defined comedy but helped to put Vegas back on the map as the ultimate playground for adventure and mis-adventure: It's “The Hangover” – and 2024 marks a major milestone as the film celebrates its 15th Anniversary! It was all the way back on June 5, 2009 when the world was introduced to "The Wolfpack” and we were all brought along for the ride as they tried to retrace their steps and solve several mysteries from the previous nights’ shenanigans. Joining me for this episode of the show is David Rosen, the host of “Piecing It Together”, a movie podcast with a twist.  David and I went in-depth on “The Hangover” as we discussed our first viewing; how it helped to launch the careers of several of the film's stars, the impact it’s had on Vegas tourism, and much more! Be sure to check out my chat with David Rosen on Piecing It Together as we talked about films related to & inspired by The Hangover, and take a listen to David's conversation with Dayvid Rosen on CityCast Las Vegas and their discussion about the relevance of The Hangover in today's Las Vegas.  __________________________________________________________________________ Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!  Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The Hangover - which could be described as the ULTIMATE Vegas movie - is marking it's 15th Anniversary this year. As part of my own personal celebrations for this milestone, I decided to gather some of my Vegas podcaster friends/past guests for a Hangover watch-along episode! Joining me is David Rosen, the host of Piecing It Together, a movie podcast with a twist and Dayvid Figler, the host of CityCast Las Vegas, a daily podcast that keeps you updated on the goings-on in Las Vegas. So here's how this works: For copyright reasons, I can't play the audio of the movie on the podcast BUT what I can do is invite you to cue up your own copy of The Hangover (whether it's on DVD/Blu-Ray or on your favorite streaming service) and when I give the signal, you press "play" and watch along with us. Or, you can sit & listen to us laugh & talk our way through the entire film...it's totally up to you! This is something completely different from anything I've ever tried on the podcast before, so hopefully you enjoy it! __________________________________________________________________________ Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!  Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Something you may have noticed when traveling, specificially when you travel to Las Vegas, is that people behave in very different ways on vacation than they do when they’re at home.  That might mean drinking more and eating less healthy, taking risks they might not other wise take, or straight-up dropping all their inhibitions and becoming a totally different person…buy why? Joining me to answer that question – and many more – is Dr. Michael Brein, aka “the Travel Psychologist”.  Michael is an author, lecturer, adventurer, and publisher of numerous travel books and guides. We went in-depth on the reasoning behind peoples changes in behavior & attitude when they travel, the types of personalities people adopt when they’re on vacation, and whether or not it’s healthy for people to “blow off steam” when they’re away from home. We also talked about bad tourists and the role social media plays in causing their poor behavior. If you want to learn more about Travel Psychology and check out some of Michael's books & articles, be sure to visit his website. __________________________________________________________________________ Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!  Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Now that I'm 5+ years into doing this podcast, with over 200 episodes under my belt, I've realized that early on in podcast, I covered a lot of cool topics that people might not be aware of.  Most of those episodes are now buried deep in the archives and the chances of new listeners finding them are almost nil. So, to save everyone having to search for them, I thought I'd go ahead and do the digging for you with a feature I'm calling "From The Vault", where I re-share some of the best content from the early days of the show. This time around, it's sage advice for the Vegas rookies... Las Vegas attracts tens of millions of people from all over the world every year, and a good number of those people are making their first ever trip to the city.  With so much to offer, Vegas is one of those places that can be extremely overwhelming for a first-timer - but don't worry...your friends will help you out with suggestions on hotels, restaurants, shows, and attractions. What they likely WON'T tell you is all the things they did WRONG on their Vegas trips...mistakes than can literally make or break your Vegas vacation. For this edition of "From The Vault", we're heading back to my conversation with David Demontmollin, a 20-year gaming industry veteran who's worked at both on and off-strip properties in Las Vegas.  David is also the author of the book, "Classic Vegas Mistakes", in which he runs down the biggest errors Vegas visitors make and how to avoid them. __________________________________________________________________________ Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!  Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!   Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We're headed into another Las Vegas pool season! As the weather heats up and resorts start opening their pools, I've been seeing a lot of questions online about the pool scene in Vegas, specifically about Day Clubs & Pool Parties. People want to know about prices, dress codes, etiquette, and everything in between.  So, in an attempt to help you out, I've enlisted an expert to assist! Christalle Dalstead is a Las Vegas Promoter and the creator/owner of Vegas Free Guest Lists.  For the last decade, Christalle has been working with Vegas visitors to make sure they have amazing experiences during their time in Sin City - and she was kind enough to come on the podcast to share her vast knowledge with us. We discussed what to wear, how to act, and what to bring.  We also talked about Cabanas & Daybeds (are they worth it?) and Christalle gave us an idea of what you can expect to spend for a day at at a Pool Party/Day Club. If you're headed to Las Vegas and want to book an unforgettable day or night out, reach out to Christalle via DM on Facebook or Instagram.  You can also send her a text message at 303-589-9407 __________________________________________________________________________ Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!  Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

I'm 5+ years into this podcast journey now with over 200 episodes available - including bonus & special episodes.  There's a ton of great topics I've covered on the show over the years and a lot of those episodes are now buried deep in the archives. So, I thought that to save you searching all over the place for those episodes, I'd go ahead and do the digging for you with a feature I like to call, "From The Vault", where I re-share some of the best episodes from the early days of the podcast. This time around, we're going all the way back to my conversation with Lauren Wolfe, the founder of the website, Kill Resort Fees. Lauren is a Washington, DC-based lawyer who, like a lot of people who travel to Las Vegas (and elsewhere around the world) got tired being nickel-and-dimed with this so-called "mandatory fee" and decided to do something about it. KillResortFees.com is a site devoted not only to eliminating resort fees, but educating travellers on how to avoid them, how to get them refunded, and how to force the government to take action against these and other "junk fees". __________________________________________________________________________ Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!  Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We have officially reached the end of an era in Las Vegas. After 67 years, one of the most legendary properties on the strip is shutting down, and as of April 2nd, 2024, the Tropicana will be no more. When it first opened back in April of 1957, it was one of the most luxurious hotels & casinos in Las Vegas, calling itself "The Tiffany of the Strip".  It's seen growth & expansion over the decades and it's survived ownership changes, financial crisis, and a global pandemic...all to be permanently closed to make way for a new baseball stadium. My guest for this episode of the podcast is UNLV Professor & Las Vegas Historian, David G. Schwartz.  David and I went in-depth on the history of the Tropicana including the very beginnings of the property, what set it apart from other resorts on the strip, some of the infamous figures associated with running the Tropicana, and much more! __________________________________________________________________________ Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!  Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

If you're a fan of Vegas-related movies & pop culture, chances are that you've heard about "the Black Book". This is a list of people who are banned from entering any gaming establishment in the state of Nevada for ANY reason - as was highlighted by Joe Pesci & Robert DeNiro in this scene from 1995 classic film, "Casino". So exactly how does one end up in "the Black Book"?  And, more importantly, how does one get OUT of it?  My guest for this episode of the podcast is here to answer those questions and many more... Back for another conversation is Geoff Schumacher, Vice President of Exhibits & Programs at the Mob Museum in Downtown Las Vegas. We went in-depth on the history of the Black Book including when it came into existence and why, some of the famous (and infamous) names that have landed in the book, and much more. __________________________________________________________________________ Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas! Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas __________________________________________________________________________ Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!  Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!   Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy