Author: Alex Perez

Vegas Pauly C

Posted on | by Alex Perez
Pauly C is Paul Contino, a former telcom executive who also calls himself a degenerate gambler. He’s also the inventor of Casino Comp Wallet, an app that aggregates and curates various loyalty programs and comps you’ve earned.
 
Pauly C is also an Internet star, posting short Vegas-centric videos under the name “Vegas Pauly C.” His dozens of posts have accumulated more than a million views. Pauly C shares the ups and downs of his Vegas journey, and offers some tips on maximizing your comps. 

Hosts: Jonathan Jossel, Gary Vickery


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The Downtown Grand’s Andrew Economon

Posted on | by Alex Perez
Downtown Grand GM Andrew Economon has, in his words, worked “both sides of the street” in Las Vegas – for Caesars and for MGM. He’s made other stops along The Strip and off The Strip, He now runs the hotel that used to be “Lady Luck.”
 
After a long closure, it came back ten years ago as The Downtown Grand. Andrew and Jonathan discuss the challenges and rewards of operating downtown, and the latest efforts to, in Andrew’s words, “Make Downtown Great Again.” He even has hats with that motto!

Hosts: Jonathan Jossel, Gary Vickery


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Christiaan Van Buuren, Plaza Table Games Director

Posted on | by Alex Perez
Jonathan and Gary continue the “tradition” of welcoming new manager by putting them on the podcast. Christiaan Van Buuren is the new Director of Table Games, and a South African like Jonathan.
 
Christiaan shares his journey from the casino world of South Africa to Las Vegas, a detour to South Korea, then back to Vegas. Also in this episode: Jonathan and Gary review the big events of 2023 at the Plaza, and preview/hint at new things to come. 

Hosts: Jonathan Jossel, Gary Vickery


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Former Las Vegas Mayor Jan Jones Blackhurst

Posted on | by Alex Perez
Las Vegas’ first female mayor, Jan Jones Blackhurst, served from 1994 to 1999 – immediately preceding Oscar Goodman. Jones Blackhurst had already made a name for herself as a TV spokeswoman for her family’s grocery store chain, Thrifimart, and her former husband’s car dealership.
 
She tells how she ran for mayor on a bet, which she obviously won. The city mushroomed in size during her terms, and she’s credited with making the city more livable. She shares stories about establishing the Fremont Street Experience, running for governor and her career with Caesars since leaving office. 

Hosts: Jonathan Jossel, Gary Vickery


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Welcome Fontainebleau Las Vegas!

Posted on | by Alex Perez
It’s finally here. Fontainebleau Las Vegas is opening its doors. Jonathan and Gary got a sneak peek from the woman at the top, COO Colleen Birch. Recorded inside the resort’s top steakhouse, Colleen recounts her Vegas history and how she joined Fontainebleau nearly a year ago. 

Hosts: Jonathan Jossel, Gary Vickery


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Jeremy Aguero, Las Vegas’ Analyst

Posted on | by Alex Perez
When Vegas wants to do something big, like hosting the Super Bowl or F1, or helping the A’s move to town, somebody has to crunch the numbers. And often, that somebody Jeremy Aguero, head of Applied Analysis. He’s the valley’s leading expert on economic, fiscal and policy issues, and has undertaken projects of local, regional and national significance. Jeremy and Jonathan discuss some of those projects, and agree to disagree on the benefits of F1. 

Hosts: Jonathan Jossel, Gary Vickery


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Formula One: A Quick Reality Check

Posted on | by Alex Perez
This is a short bonus preview for a full episode that will come out at the end of November. With Formula One weekend happening in Las Vegas, Jonathan wants to share some thoughts about how it’s going for the Plaza and other downtown properties. Here’s Jonathan with Jeremy Aguero, founder of Applied Analysis, which played a big part in helping Formula One and the LVCVA make the race happen.

Hosts: Jonathan Jossel, Gary Vickery


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Dayvid Figler, Podcasting for Las Vegas

Posted on | by Alex Perez
The son of a dealer, Dayvid Figler has worn many hats during his life in Las Vegas: staffer for Sen. Harry Reid and Gov. Richard Bryan, attorney, and for a short time courtesy of Mayor Oscar Goodman: a judge! 
 
These days Dayvid hosts the daily podcast “CityCast Las Vegas,” which dives deep into issues both vital and trivial. 

Hosts: Jonathan Jossel, Gary Vickery


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Billy Walters, Las Vegas Gamblin’ Man

Posted on | by Alex Perez

From hustling pool at age nine, to making and blowing a fortune in his native Kentucky, Billy Walters has risked it all – and then some. Walters is telling his story in a new book: “Gambler: Secrets From a Life at Risk.” Billy shares a few of his stories: developing the first computer-driven sports betting program, running an offshore book that bet games all over the world, doing prison time, working with Opportunity Village and much more. 

Hosts: Jonathan Jossel, Gary Vickery


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Oscar Goodman’s Crossroads

Posted on | by Alex Perez

The former mayor is back in the main dining room of his namesake steakhouse with more stories of his life. This talk was entitled “To Be or Not to Be.” He’s not talking about his time as king of Denmark, but rather the crossroads he’s encountered and the choices he made.

Among the first, and most important: asking Carolyn’s father for permission to marry her. Other crossroads: being courted by a bookmaker in New York to move east, by a big law firm to return to Philadelphia and by the Teamsters to run a new Las Vegas casino.

Hosts: Jonathan Jossel, Gary Vickery


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