Richard N. Velotta

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Many changes for tax season, but few affected: Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014; There are more changes in federal tax laws affecting filings for 2013 than anytime in recent memory.
But the good news for the average taxpayer is that changes affect only a small percentage of the population.
Bitcoin debate: Is online currency worth its weightlessness in gold?: Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014; The use of Bitcoin has grown to the point that two downtown Las Vegas hotels and a high-octane attraction at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway accept it.
In addition, a Las Vegas company has developed and installed the world’s first Bitcoin ATM. The machine, which operates at a coffee shop in Vancouver, British Columbia, converts Bitcoin to cash and vice versa.
But what exactly is Bitcoin? And are consumers and businesses wise to use it?
Nevada tourism officials see India as next big market: Friday, Feb. 21, 2014; India is the next frontier for attracting international tourists to Nevada, and state tourism leaders this month took their first steps in marketing to the nation of 1.2 billion people.
Slot players will be able to use prepaid access cards in Nevada: Friday, Feb. 21, 2014; The Nevada Gaming Commission on Thursday approved amendments to two regulations that would allow the use of prepaid access instruments in conjunction with approved wagering accounts.
Peppermill's $1M settlement over slot machine spying is finalized: Commission grants license for company exec, despite arrests; Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014; The Nevada Gaming Commission conducted a meeting today in Las Vegas. The commission conducted a suitability hearing and considered the licensing of Todd McTavish, senior vice president, general counsel and chief compliance officer for Austin, Texas-based Multimedia Games.
South Point online poker site goes live: Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014; South Point’s entry in the online poker arena, Realgaming.com, has started operations, becoming the third company to offer real-money play within the state.
MGM Resorts narrows its 4th-quarter loss to $38.3 million: Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014; Las Vegas-based MGM Resorts International reported its fourth-quarter earnings Wednesday.
First riders say El Loco roller coaster lives up to its name: Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014; It’s the shortest — by height, length of track and duration of ride — of Southern Nevada’s roller coaster roster. But El Loco is crazy good, say the first riders of the Circus Circus Adventuredome’s newest ride. “It was the best roller coaster I’ve been on in my life," said Chris McKenna, 19, who said he’s been on 60 coasters.
Sandoval, Heck give Barclaycard a hero's welcome in Henderson: Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014; Elected officials credited a team effort among state and local economic development leaders for Thursday’s opening of a Barclaycard US call center at the Green Valley Corporate Center in Henderson.
Winter storm on East Coast cancels flights in Las Vegas: Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014; A winter storm pummeling the East Coast and the South is wreaking havoc on flight schedules at McCarran International Airport.
Maternity services being disbanded at Valley Hospital: Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2014; Valley Health System is closing its maternity-related services at Valley Hospital, moving all of its resources to three other affiliated hospitals in Southern Nevada.
Pinnacle credits Ameristar acquisition for boost in earnings: Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2014; Las Vegas-based Pinnacle Entertainment, operators of 16 casino and racino properties in nine states, including two in northern Nevada, reported its fourth-quarter earnings Wednesday.
Tourism agency not concerned about dip in 2013, optimistic about 2014: Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2014; The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority thinks it knows why visitor volume dipped 0.1 percent to 39.7 million people in 2013, and 2014 already is setting up to be the year that the number of tourists breaks the elusive 40 million barrier.
Las Vegas Chamber joining US Travel Association: Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2014; The Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce is joining the board of directors of the U.S. Travel Association.
Stratosphere operator reports 4th-quarter loss of $2.8 million: Monday, Feb. 10, 2014; Las Vegas-based American Casino & Entertainment Properties LLC, operator of the Stratosphere and two Arizona Charlie’s properties in Las Vegas and the Aquarius in Laughlin, reported its fourth-quarter earnings Monday.
Family's canceled flight brings attention to plight of disabled passengers: Monday, Feb. 10, 2014; Amy Graves has been a big fan of Virgin America Airlines for years. But she, her husband and her sister felt like they had been betrayed by an old friend this week when their travel plans went awry, thanks to the sudden enforcement of a rule that the family — and apparently the airline — didn’t know existed.
Pay your way out of TSA routine: Monday, Feb. 10, 2014; Take off those shoes, belts and jackets. Get that laptop out of your travel bag. Empty your pockets. And be sure to put your deodorant and toothpaste on public display in a quart-sized plastic bag.
Bally Technologies has 10th straight profitable quarter: Thursday, Feb. 6, 2014; Las Vegas-based Bally Technologies, which manufactures and distributes slot machines and casino systems, reported its second-quarter earnings Thursday.
Penn National Gaming reports 4th-quarter loss of $888 million: Thursday, Feb. 6, 2014; Wyomissing, Pa.-based Penn National Gaming, operators of the M Resort and 25 other casino and racino properties in 17 jurisdictions, reported its fourth-quarter earnings Thursday.
Despite arrests, businessman recommended for Nevada gaming license: Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2014; The Nevada Gaming Control Board conducted a suitability hearing and considered the licensing of Todd McTavish, senior vice president, general counsel and chief compliance officer for Austin, Texas-based Multimedia Games.
X Train derails plan for scheduled service, to offer charter trips instead: Company transporting partiers from Southern California shows off specialty cars, culinary offerings; Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2014; Las Vegas Railway Express unveiled a revised plan to bring Southern California visitors to Las Vegas in upscale rail cars, which shifts its model to charter excursions.
Southwest adding nonstop flights between Las Vegas and Dallas: Monday, Feb. 3, 2014; Southwest Airlines will begin nonstop flights between Las Vegas and Dallas in the fall when an antiquated law restricting flights at Love Field ends.
Barclaycard US to begin training classes for workers at new Henderson call center: Monday, Feb. 3, 2014; Last year when Zappos moved into downtown Las Vegas, it left a gaping hole in the Henderson office space from which it moved. But it didn’t take long for the space to be filled.
Las Vegas reports small drop in visitors for 2013: Friday, Jan. 31, 2014; After posting record tourist visits in Las Vegas in 2012, visitor volume fell just short of the mark and the city’s elusive goal of attracting 40 million people.
Las Vegas tourism officials finalize NFR deal: Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014; The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority’s board of directors made it official today — the Wranglers National Finals Rodeo is here to stay for another 10 years.
Wynn posts 4th-quarter earnings on strength of Macau operations: Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014; While Las Vegas growth was overshadowed by Macau, Wynn Resorts Ltd. chairman Steve Wynn said the company was seeing an uptick in convention bookings, retail sales, room rates and occupancy on the Strip.
Las Vegas airport sees most passengers since 2008: Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014; A total of 3.3 million passengers moved through McCarran International Airport in December, up 4.1 percent from December 2012 and closing the books on a year that saw 41.9 million passengers.
Allegiant reports another profitable quarter: Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014; Las Vegas-based Allegiant Travel Co., parent company of Allegiant Air, the sixth-busiest commercial airline at McCarran International Airport, reported its fourth-quarter earnings Wednesday.
Las Vegas Sands 4th-quarter earnings up almost 32 percent: Table games drop at Venetian, Palazzo sets record at $649.7 million; Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014; Las Vegas Sands, operator of the Venetian and Palazzo resorts on the Strip and properties in Macau and Singapore, reported its fourth-quarter earnings Wednesday.
Winter storm down South affecting flights at McCarran: Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014; Snowy and icy weather in the South is creating flight delays to and from the region’s airports, including the nation’s busiest, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International. Most nonstop flights between McCarran International and Atlanta have been canceled or delayed by more than two hours, according to data provided by FlightStats, which monitors airline on-time performance.
Hualapais to offer scenic excursions on Colorado River year-round: Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014; Beginning in March, Grand Canyon Resorts Corp., the tribe’s tourism enterprise based in Peach Springs, Ariz., will offer the one-day trips on the Colorado River beyond the summer season. Trips include transportation from Peach Springs to the river, more than an hour on the river in a pontoon raft and a helicopter trip to Grand Canyon West.
Canada’s Westjet adding flights to Las Vegas: Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014; WestJet, the Canadian discount airline that is the busiest international air carrier at McCarran International Airport, will expand Las Vegas service with 18 new weekly flights next summer.
Additional cabs to be on streets for February events: Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2014; Extra taxicabs will be rolled out next month when three major traffic-generating events arrive. The Nevada Taxicab Authority today approved additional permits, known in the industry as “medallions,” for the weekend of the Super Bowl and during the International Builders’ Show and the MAGIC fashion trade show.
For 2 small cab companies trying to compete, it's resistance at every turn: Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2014; Two small Southern Nevada taxi companies are waging a David-and-Goliath battle against industry competitors to be allowed to pick up passengers on the Strip, the city’s convention centers and McCarran International Airport.
Countdown to Dallas flights: When Southwest is allowed to fly more nonstops to Love Field, prices could drop; Monday, Jan. 27, 2014; Soon, Southwest will publish its first fall flight schedule of the post-Wright Amendment era. Las Vegas is expected to be in the mix of cities getting nonstop flights to and from Texas' third-largest city.
Speakers: As Las Vegas rebounds, it's no time for complacency: Friday, Jan. 24, 2014; Battered and bruised from what seemed like a relentless recession, Las Vegas is poised for a rebound, a series of speakers told business people gathered for Preview Las Vegas Friday. But it won’t come without leadership, investment and political fortitude, they added.
Use of prepaid cards for slot play worries problem gambling advocates: Friday, Jan. 24, 2014; For years, gaming regulators have created barriers between debit or credit cards and slot machines so that gamblers wouldn't drain their bank accounts or ruin their credit ratings. While they've allowed automated teller machines at casino properties, regulators have never crossed the line of enabling players to put their cards into a slot machine to access money directly.
IGT reports quarterly earnings of $79.2 million: Thursday, Jan. 23, 2014; Las Vegas-based IGT, the leading manufacturer of slot machines and casino game management systems, reported its first-quarter earnings Thursday.
Gaming commissioner: Cantor's record fine sets mark as warning: Thursday, Jan. 23, 2014; The state treasury got a little richer today, but only because the state's reputation as a gaming regulator took a big hit.
Southwest Airlines reports record 4th-quarter earnings: Thursday, Jan. 23, 2014; Dallas-based Southwest Airlines, the busiest commercial air carrier at McCarran International Airport, reported its fourth-quarter 2013 earnings today.
Legislative panel mulls how to protect Nevada's online gaming interests: Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014; A legislative committee charged with studying the impact of technology on the gaming industry may consider what, if anything, the state can do to protect licensed online poker sites from competition from illegal offshore casinos.
Nevada gaming regulators work with Olympic Committee to thwart cheating: Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014; The state Gaming Control Board has signed an agreement with the International Olympic Committee to exchange information to try to detect manipulations in competitions in the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia.
Las Vegas airport already following new regs to avoid mid-air crashes: Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014; New federal safety regulations ordered to take effect by April to prevent midair collisions at major U.S. airports won’t result in additional flight delays at McCarran International Airport, because the Las Vegas air traffic control tower implemented the new policies last year.
Northeast storm already impacting flights in Las Vegas: Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014; Airlines serving McCarran International Airport have put passengers on notice that a winter storm in the Northeast may lead to delays and cancellations later today, and several scheduled flights already have been canceled.
All eyes on Colorado: If marijuana sales prove more profitable than problematic, expect others to follow; Monday, Jan. 20, 2014; New Year’s Day was historic for Colorado as the nation’s first recreational marijuana shops opened.
Nevada's drone testing to take flight by May, group says: Friday, Jan. 17, 2014; The era of pilotless commercial aircraft has begun in Nevada and the first drone test flights are expected by May, a team from the state’s program management office told the board of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development on Thursday. Details of the plan to grow what is expected to be an $11 billion-a-year industry were unveiled to a packed board room at Gov. Brian Sandoval’s Las Vegas office. Nevada was notified Dec. 30 that it had been selected one of six states designated by the Federal Aviation Administration to test unmanned aerial systems.
Curlers glide into Las Vegas for pre-Olympic competition: Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014; In three weeks, some of the best athletes in the world will be gathering in Sochi, Russia, for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. But this weekend, 36 of them will be in Las Vegas to compete in their Olympic sport — curling — for the 2014 World Financial Group Continental Cup.
To curb long-hauling, new signs at airport to list fares, trip times: Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014; The Taxicab Authority and McCarran International Airport will unveil their latest attempt to thwart taxi long-hauling — signs that list the approximate mileage, time and fare from the airport to downtown and Strip resorts.
All about curling: International athletes brush up on their skills on road to Olympics: Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014; Dozens of Olympic athletes are in Las Vegas this week to compete in the World Financial Group Continental Cup at the Orleans Arena, the last major curling competition until next month’s Winter Olympics in Russia. “The best curlers in the world are going head-to-head here, and the next time they’ll see each other will be in Sochi in competition for Olympic medals,” said event co-manager Jon Killoran, CEO of the Reno-Tahoe Winter Games Coalition.
Make sure your SHOT Show souvenirs don't delay your flight home: Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014; If you're in town for the SHOT (Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade) Show, you'll likely leave with souvenirs or purchases. But what can you legally bring on the plane home?