In this podcast episode, the Jonathan and Gary discuss the introduction of weekly fireworks shows every Friday night in downtown Las Vegas, starting from May 24th. The idea, initially sparked in 2016 to bring attention to the plaza that was perceived as losing relevance, quickly gained community support. The narrative explores the origins, the decision-making process behind making it a regular event, and the involvement of downtown businesses and the city in amplifying the spectacle....

In this special 'Best Of' episode, Jonathan and Gary take a stroll down memory lane, showcasing some of the most unforgettable moments from the heart of Las Vegas entertainment. From the uproarious to the unbelievable, they’ve handpicked clips that capture the spirit and sparkle of Sin City. Revel in tales from nightlife transformers, iconic show creators, and unexpected guests who’ve each left their indelible mark on the city. Whether it’s discussing the revolution of the Vegas variety show...

Years ago, long before Jonathan started running The Plaza, Ashley Revel sold everything he owned in his native England, flew to Las Vegas and put all that money, more than $100,000, on red at the roulette table. It as a huge deal at the time, complete with a reality TV show crew following him around and recording the event. Jonathan and Ashley relive that moment, and Ashley shares how life has worked out since then. Hosts: Jonathan Jossel, Gary Vickery  

The Vegas historians who've appeared on the podcast get their own "Best Of" episode. Here's the lineup: Early history - Dr. Michael Green, UNLV Ending Segregation - Brian Greenspun, Las Vegas Sun Publisher The Culinary Union - Ted Pappageorge, Culinary Secretary How "The Venetian" name transferred from family restaurant to Strip mega resort - Larry Ruvo, Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada Director The Keep Memory Alive Foundation & The Lou Ruvo Brain Institute - Larry Ruvo again ...

Oscar Goodman, in January's Oscar's Dinner Series, remember Las Vegas' most famous lawman, Clark County Sheriff Ralph Lamb. Oscar says it was a working, respectful relationship - at least as he was concerned. The Sheriff? Not so much. Oscar recalls a successful challenge of the Sheriff's power to confiscate someone's casino work card with no recourse. But he also told the tale of a client who was banned from Vegas, with one exception: to visit The Venetian restaurant on West Sahara to enjoy...

With four years of podcasts (119 Episodes!), we thought it would be good to look back and share some of our best moments. But there are so many, it will take us three episodes to do it. This one centers on gaming - except for how Jonathan almost didn't make it to Las Vegas thanks to Dyson vacuum cleaners. Also: great stories from  Wynn Las Vegas president Marilyn Spiegel, casino superhost Steve Cyr, veteran gambler Billy Walters, Plaza bingo guru Weldon Russell, gambling consultant &...

Every big city had its ghetto, and Las Vegas was no exception. But the people of the Historic Westside made the most of what they had. Filmmaker Emmett Gates has spearheaded a new film about that place and those times, called "Across the Tracks: A Las Vegas Westside Story." He shares the story about making the film, the memories shared by longtime residents, and the hopes for the future.  Hosts: Jonathan Jossel, Gary Vickery  

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 your various loyalty programs and comps you've earned. And 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...

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!

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. 

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...

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. 

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. 

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.

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  

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  

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...

About half of the 2.4 million people in the Las Vegas Valley don't live in a city. They're in unincorporated Clark County. That includes The Strip, the Boulder Highway and all that empty space down I-15 to Primm. Representing much of that land is District A Commissioner Michael Naft. A Las Vegan since the first grade, Michael shares his journey from failed performer to staffer for Rep. Dina Titus to being appointed to the County Commission, being elected outright and now preparing his...

Jonathan and Gary review the big events of the past couple of weeks at the Plaza downtown - none bigger than U2 playing a popup show on Main Street right in front of the Plaza. The group shot a new video that's part of its new show inside The Sphere. John Katsolimetes, aka Johnny Kats of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, describes getting word of the show and following leads all over downtown before the band rolled up on a flatbed truck in front of the Carousel Bar. Kats also talks about The...

How do you go from being an expert of flooding to managing the flood of duties coordinating all of the hotel/casinos in Nevada? Virginia Valentine explains her career path in this episode. The CEO of the Nevada Resort Association speaks for all of the big properties in the Silver State, especially when it comes to laws and regulations coming from Carson City. Virginia also talks about the ever-changing sports betting landscape, resort fees, marijuana in hotel/casinos (spoiler: it's not...

Nicholas & Co. is the region's largest independent food distribution service, and Peter Mouskindas is the Co-CEO. Peter is the third generation of Mouskindass to run the company, after his father and grandfather, who founded the business in 1936 in Salt Lake City. He talks about how the business has grown, how they cater to what chefs want – and how it all comes together from all over the world to your plate at your favorite restaurant (like Oscar’s Steakhouse). Hosts: Jonathan Jossel,...

In this bonus episode, we dive into the life of a casino host. Nicole Osborne and Ashley McKenzie share their stories, and their journeys to the job. We also catch up with Esme Gonzalez, Director of Casino Marketing. And Jonathan shares the story of how the showgirl outside the Carousel Bar is now named "Ginger." 

Scott's back for his fourth appearance, but this time as "co-host." That's in quotes so you know that the author of Vital Vegas is NOT on the Plaza payroll. Scott and Jonathan talk to another big-time Internet influencer, Jacob Orth. He's been posting YouTube videos on life in Vegas for several years under the easy-to-remember title: Jacob's Life in Vegas. He regularly updates fans on the craziest stuff happening here. He strives for fairness, such as doing a video on why you should stay at a...