Second-generation gaming executive Noah Acres runs Acres Manufacturing with his father, John. The company says: EVERY casino in the world uses at least one of its inventions. Its most famous tools: the system that links slot machines to create progressive jackpots and another that allows casinos to track slot machine players by using loyalty cards.

Noah and Jonathan talk about the future of loyalty programs, the move toward cashless gaming, and how to dive down into the deep data to rate players’ abilities. Also along for the ride: Oliver Lovat, a past podcast guest who advises casinos on development and real estate. 

Hosts: Jonathan Jossel, Lisa Melmed

Scott Roben is the very first person to be a guest for the fourth time! He and Jonathan and Lisa dive into what’s happening with the Plaza improvements, as well as downtown.

Scott re-visits his dust-up with the Sahara, Scott still doesn’t get the appeal of pickleball and bingo, even as he was caught in a wave of people exiting Super Bingo.

Also: Jonathan tells the story of Big John, a London-based social media star who was the guest of Plaza last month. And there is a lot of pizza talk, including a monthly Plaza special from one of the world’s best pizza makers.

Hosts: Jonathan Jossel, Lisa Melmed

For the past five years, Johnny Avello has been the face of DraftKings’ sports book, shepherding its rollout across the US. Before that, he ran Wynn’s sports book – one of the few remaining stand-alone books in Las Vegas. Johnny recalls many of his stops in his 40 years in Las Vegas – and how he almost didn’t make it thanks to his work at a not-so-legal casino in the heart of New York City decades ago!

Hosts: Jonathan Jossel, Lisa Melmed

Oscar is back with an assortment of stories from his days in the courtroom. Listen all the way to learn about a juror’s “tell,” the very surprising resolution for a Reno dentist accused of awful crimes, and how an autographed baseball helped him win a big case. Also: lots of questions from diners, and a guest appearance by the CEO of Plaza’s parent company. 

Hosts: Jonathan Jossel, Lisa Melmed

We are three years old! “On The Corner of Main Street” started slowly, was interrupted by Covid, came back remotely, started recording again with VERY long microphone cables across half the bar at Oscar’s… and we’re still here. Jonathan, Lisa, Gary and producer Rich Johnson recall some of the best moments of all that time. They also catch up on what’s happening these days, look back at the Super Bowl (and the loss by Gary’s beloved Eagles), and answer several questions from loyal listeners. 

Hosts: Jonathan Jossel, Lisa Melmed, Gary Vickery

When it comes to “been  there, done that,” few can match Sue Ascanio. The 30-year gaming veteran has risen from running the employee cafeteria at the Holiday Casino to managing properties in Las Vegas, Indiana and California. And now she’s back, as General Manager of the Plaza. Sue is the first female GM in downtown Las Vegas. She shares her journey in what she admits is her very first podcast!

Hosts: Jonathan Jossel, Lisa Melmed

Hizzoner is back! This time we’ve taken the greatest hits from Oscar’s November Dinner Series talk and asked him to expand on the stories. The common theme of the random stories: how Oscar never dined with his clients (although his mother did). Also: defending the mayor of San Diego, and securing the release from jail of newspaper vending machines.

From slots to the 9th Island, Andre Filosi has spent nearly his entire working life with Boyd Gaming. He’s currently the General Manager of Boyd’s three downtown properties, the Fremont, Main St. Station and the California. Andre shares his own journey up the ladder, as well as how the California went from the verge of bankruptcy to the most popular destination in Las Vegas for Hawaiians. It’s another great episode highlighting the history of Las Vegas Downtown.

Hosts: Jonathan Jossel, Lisa Melmed

When you need a license to run a casino in Nevada, Dennis Gutwald is that man to see. That’s what Jonathan did when he took over the Plaza a decade ago. Gutwald was also an investigator for the Nevada Gaming Control Board.

These days, along with gaming, he also advises people in the cannabis business. He shares stories of his long career, including how he helped then 29-year old Jonathan become the youngest person ever to be licensed as a casino operator.

Hosts: Jonathan Jossel, Lisa Melmed

Casinos, online gaming, and online travel reservations. Tim Poster has been successful in all three. He made his first fortune turning a Vegas-centric telephone hotel reservation service into a company that Expedia would buy.

He bought the Golden Nugget, then sold it for a profit after only 18 months – becoming a reality TV star along the way. He tells all – in one of our most comprehensive episodes yet!

Hosts: Jonathan Jossel, Lisa Melmed