The Battle for Las Vegas

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A closer look at the competition between MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment for supramecy on the Las Vegas Strip. Just two operating companies control a large part of the Casino business in the gambling capital. This video dives into the mergers, acquisitions, and high-stakes business gambles that led to today's fascinating situation. It presents an outlook on how the real estate business in Las Vegas is changing today.
Images via Getty, AP Newsroom
Map source by MapTiler / OpenStreetMap Contributors via Geolayers 3

[@mindob766]

"While mom and dad gamble upstairs, the kids go downstairs to the arcade" responsible parenting right there

[@Riptionator]

You have to realize that Excalibur was following the business model of the original Circus Circus, which was built in the 60s. During that time and up to the 90s, latchkey kids were a common thing. You let your kids loose to go play throughout the day and just told them when to be home for dinner. It was a real thing because it was actually safe back then. It made kids stronger rather than weaker and taught them responsibility. My Dad would always hand us cash and we'd spend hours playing games while he gambled. It was a blast.

[@gamzillio]

I laughed hard at this.

[@SWLinPHX]

@@Riptionator Yes, Excalibur was Circus Circus Entertainment's second casino. Since the 1970s Circus Circus was THE family casino (although I couldn't stand the annoying and chaotic circus sounds and atmosphere when I stayed there on night due to a free stay I had).

[@H8Magnet]

​@@Riptionatoryeah but no. That was bad parenting back then and it is still the same today.

[@alexcisneros2980]

​@@H8Magnethelicopter overbearing domineering paranoid tracking 24/7 surveillance parenting modern style life 360 is the way to go! F-ing dipsht.

[@andres7th]

As a non-American, Las Vegas looks like such a surreal place

[@stevenjlovelace]

As an American who's never been there, I agree!

[@Akash-lo5ts]

As someone who has been there multiple times, I agree

[@yokobono1180]

It’s legit like GTA lobby lol

[@TheLaziiness]

As a frog on the side of the road, I have to agree

[@gjd424]

It’s an adult version of disneyworld! 🎰

[@MockOverdrive]

I like how the video game, Fallout New Vegas, depicted the hotels as being ganglike factions competing for power, with one being ran by a mafia, another by cannibals, and one ran by a senior citizen with bloodthirsty robots. The House always Wins 💰

[@littlewinston8141]

Patrolling the Mojave almost makes you wish for a nuclear winter

[@teogonzalez7957]

Lucky 38 isn’t open. The third casino is the tops, which is the stereotypical 50s casino as opposed to the NSFW casino and the luxurious casino.

[@clu2573]

I clicked on this video thinking it was a history of gang warfare in Las Vegas.

[@sethleoric2598]

Ave true to Caesar.

[@TachyonKing]

I like that the least worst faction on the strip are the Chairmen simply by virtue that ‘they are neither the White Glove Society nor the Omertas’ , and even then the game has you almost murdered by their leader in the first two minutes.

[@zacka6226]

About a year ago, I was super drunk in Vegas trying to get back to my hotel and I kept walking around in circles because I kept seeing MGM on everything and thinking I was still all the way back at the actual MGM Grand hotel. I'm actually very familiar with where everything is on the strip and I don't get confused or disoriented if I'm not extremely drunk. But I was, so it was hopeless. I had to literally just sober up enough to realize the MGM logos were on other casinos, I'm not all the way back at the MGM Grand.

[@davestevens4263]

That’s awsome brotha , I get it !

[@joeroscoe3708]

Good job Zack

[@liamh1015]

If it makes you feel any better, I got really stoned in the MGM grand and couldn’t find my way out for half an hour.

[@joeroscoe3708]

@@liamh1015 Good job Liam

[@mcfly7]

Wake up and pay attention.

[@eringanley1796]

Crazy how many monopolies exist where we might not even realize it. Love the visuals you did for this, really easy to get a sense of how everything shifted around until we got to how everything is today!

[@thefatbob3710]

not really a monopoly if its the corporate version of a fucking 1v1

[@graxx478]

@@thefatbob3710 duopoly

[@americanhero8606]

Land is the most precious commodity, it literally underpins and makes possible all other worthwhile products, services and investments. There's nothing more lucrative than desirable urban land parcels, that's why most urban properties in big cities will never be listed on public stock markets for the "regular Joe" to invest in. The profits and ROI are something above and beyond anything you or I can ever reach with our boring stock and bond portfolios. Even most REITS on the markets are bad imitations, usually just suburban mall operating companies (malls are kinda a bad investment when you buy your stuff on Amazon). Henry George famously wrote about the "evil" of allowing land to be a commercialized property, not in the communist sense but in the "we didn't make the land, none of use should get rich just from lucking out or taking possession of land that just so happens to be better than other pieces of land". More people need to get on board with the idea of abandoning taxes on earned income and sales, and putting high taxes on the value of land since land value inequality is the #1 driver of socioeconomic inequality in the world.

[@thefatbob3710]

@@graxx478 implies that they would be working together

[@graxx478]

@@thefatbob3710 you think they aren’t?

[@GodTierComments]

I'm so glad that the 0.1% can avoid federal tax, I was worried for a moment that casinos might have to close down

[@Apple_Beshy]

The thing is, these people is providing 90% of the total tax we have, they paid the less percent, but they are the biggest contributor in taxes

[@harish5724]

@@Apple_Beshy This is completely false and not even close to true. Your numbers are way off.

[@Apple_Beshy]

@@harish5724 then you can do your own research most of the tax funds came from these billionaires

[@srs6461]

@@Apple_Beshy Where the f did you get that information?

[@gonzzzz]

His source is that he made it up and believes trickle down economics actually works

[@IronicHavoc]

I literally just realized the Caesar's Legion being a faction in New Vegas was a reference to Caesar Entertainment.

[@joeroscoe3708]

Well _nothing_ gets by you, does it

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

This is literally a Monopoly game in real-life. Another thing, these resorts are in Paradise, a town created in 1950 so that the resorts WOULDN'T pay taxes to the city of Las Vegas. Vegas tried to absorb the strip that year, and then the state government itself tried absorbing the strip for Vegas in 1975 and also failed. Something else to note: When Treasure Island opened, it became the first Las Vegas resort to house a Cirque du Soleil show, called Mystère. Thus, this changed Vegas entertainment forever as more Cirque du Soleil resident shows dominated. O would later join at the Bellagio in 1998 with the feat of being Cirque's first aquatic show, then Zumanity at the New York-New York in 2003 (since retired in 2020 and replaced with the show Mad Apple), Kà at MGM Grand in 2004, The Beatles Love at The Mirage in 2006, Criss Angel Believe at Luxor in 2008 (retired in 2016), Viva Elvis at Aria in 2009 (retired in 2012 and replaced with Zarkana which retired in 2016), and Michael Jackson: One at Mandalay Bay in 2013.

[@wokeclub1844]

wow. this comment needs more likes. i just checked in the maps and chuckled at the Paradise thing

[@drdewott9154]

That reminds me, wasn't Monopoly created as a way to warn kids about runaway monopolies, by showing how awful it is to be losing in the game and how thats reflecting of real life if we allow such monopolies

[@joshuamartinez9067]

@@drdewott9154this comment

[@ianerickson2210]

@@drdewott9154 Nah the real message is just to get the monopoly first. "Be the winner or settle for middle class and eventually broke" - Monopoly (some year probably)

[@dunkmasterflexx]

@@drdewott9154 you might be the first one on the internet to spell 'losing' correctly. Congrats!

[@richardtemple342]

I would love to see a full history from say the 1960's to the present Las Vegas Strip. Showing what was where and when it was built and destroyed would be really impactful.

[@getthebagnelly]

There is a video like that

[@michaelward944]

My first trip there was in 77'. There's been more change there than one can keep up with

[@Student0Toucher]

The Italian Mafia built vegas

[@shalenasutter829]

The 40s would be a better starting decade - some of the casinos on the Strip and downtown have that old of roots. El Cortez, 1941. Golden Nugget, 1946. Flamingo in 1946, too, and as the narrator said, its the oldest operating one on LV Blvd. Binion's Horseshoe on Fremont Street, 1951, before it became just Binion's and Horseshoe was bought by Caesers. To better understand the Strip, its best to know why and how it started, which begins with the downtown area.

[@Vavin124]

The Cynical Historian has a series on Los Vegas history.

[@xxDxxism]

One takeaway from this is companies can't make up their minds on a name

[@activityuday5229]

Agreed... Lol.

[@johnshoemakerpbc]

Here here

[@Dabidto]

@@johnshoemakerpbc it's hear hear.

[@masterdriveroftoyotazupr4164]

@@Dabidto Hear, hear” is a shortened version of “hear ye, hear ye,” which goes back to British Parliament in the 1600s, if not earlier. The expression was - and is - used to draw attention to what someone is saying. It implies agreement with the speaker or, in modern times, the writer and you just read all of this? Damn you bored. Go outside my guy

[@nicktechnubyte1184]

Same goes for start-up companies!

[@drumraider]

I do agree heavily that Vegas is like GTA. It really feels like it having lived here for years. People drive fancy cars with total disregard for traffic laws, there's crazy guns and many people are armed, there's constantly helicopters including police copters flying around, an airforce base nearby so sometimes you see jets in the sky, and the whole culture is over the top. Even our billboards are completely ridiculous, crazier than anything I saw growing up 18 years in the Midwest. I once saw a digital billboard go from an ad for beer, to an ad for guns, to an ad for a Marijuana dispensary. Doing all those together is a felony but on a billboard in vegas? A typical Tuesday 😅

[@calzoneyyy]

my personal favorite is the fbi tips billboard

[@sethleoric2598]

Billboards for hookers too, really felt like something i'd see in GTA

[@Faceplay2]

To be fair, it’s really not like that. Anywhere in the West Coast for the most part besides, California is going to be better with gun laws rhyme from Arizona. We even have better gun laws, the Nevada. Also no one can just buy crazy guns in normal citizen. Can’t just purchased like a machine gun. That’s a company with a specific gun license.

[@adog3129]

@@Faceplay2 oh yeah they're talking about battlefield vegas, aren't they? i was wondering

[@whoismillie1]

dont forget the news and the radio stations

[@mtgbigdog5984]

War never changes. The battle for the Mojave strip raged on. Caesar’s Entertainment and The MGM continued to skirmish in the ruins of New Vegas, taking no prisoners. Only a courier, with luck 10, shot in the head by some junkie in Fremont, could bring change…

[@_PS.]

As a vegas native this honestly blew me back at a few points and made my jaw drop. The fact the battle is alot deeper is amazing great work!

[@Hilissa]

SAME HERE!! I used to worked for both the companies.

[@dankelly5150]

@@Hilissa No worries, there's plenty of my money to be wasted at both companies casinos!!

[@visiondemedici6347]

I’ve been here since 1953, and had no idea.

[@benwarped7272]

the fact so many people live there ignorant of the political happenings is jaw dropping.

[@visiondemedici6347]

@@benwarped7272 I agree!!

[@Homer-OJ-Simpson]

The history of Las Vegas is fascinating. I've been there maybe a dozen times, a few times for pleasure and the rest for work. To think that the old popular part of Vegas was it's downtown by the 1970's or 1980's, the strip became the hot spot while downtown began to die out. The strip even pivoted in the 90's to family friendly only to drop that a few short years later. When I first went to Vegas around 2005, downtown (Freemont Street) was dead and old. Looks nothing like today -- it was mostly seniors and locals. By around 2010 when I next went to Freemont, I saw some changes happening with new hotels plus the light show. It still didn't draw huge crowds like today but on my next trip to Freemont around 2015ish, it was a hot spot. Numerous improvements and modifications. It looked nothing like a decade before. Today, Freemont St is a must stop even for one day if you're visiting the strip. The light show is a great fun experience, there are at least 3 stages playing live music and sometimes even famous acts. I saw Shaggy perform for an hour for free with thousands of people watching. Step away from downtown or the strip, and you have some areas serving great food. To the west of the strip is a huge area of great Asian food -- Chinese, Japanese and Korean. There are also great Mexican restaurants throughout the city. And from Vegas you can go to the lowest spot in the Americas which is the hottest place in the world -- Death Valley. Hoover Dam is a very popular half day trip for tourists and it's a must do. Or hit the mountains nearby, especially the beatiful Valley of Fire park.

[@IsaPodrasky]

I’m actually planning to go to Las Vegas for the first time this year (if I get the approved time off first. If not this year, definitely next year). But on both trips (and future trips), there will be at least one day spent in the Fremont Street area. Because of all the research that I did, Fremont Street is just like the main Strip; there’s so much to do and see that you can’t do everything in one vacation.

[@tyler1783]

I’d say the strip is pretty family friendly.

[@coreygarrett9545]

Local here can confirm, the strip sucks but Fremont is where it’s at big time.

[@Homer-OJ-Simpson]

@@IsaPodrasky Freemont is much smaller. You could see everything in one day though coming back twice in the evening is nice. During the day, it doesn't compare to the stirp but at night, it's a mini version of the strip.

[@Homer-OJ-Simpson]

@@coreygarrett9545 Since I've been to Vegas so many times (12 times), I know spend at least one full day sometimes two in Freemont. I'm bored of the strip and it's over prices so unless my company is paying for it while there for business, i'm going to spend some time in downtown.

[@MasterSluggyKornNuts]

I first went to Vegas in 1989 and then 1991. There was some growth then. But when I lived there from 2001 to 2015 to see the growth and change was tremendous on and off "The Strip". Even the Welcome To Las Vegas sign had to change and add parking because tourists were getting killed and or hurt crossing the street to take pictures.

[@johnf2539]

I've been a regular Vegas visitor since 1978, so this type of content was very interesting. Great job!

[@champan250]

This video only focused on MGM vs Ceasars, there are still other very important players in the strip that drove some decision makings, like Las Vegas Sands, Wynn and the new entrant named Genting

[@adamseidel9780]

Las Vegas Sands doesn’t own any properties in Vegas any more, they sold last year to… Vici and Apollo.

[@pjay6746]

The Mirage acquisition from MGM by Hard Rock International was finalized in 2022; HRI now has a long-term lease with Vici. The property is in renovation and will be renamed Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas. What wasn't mentioned was that Steve Wynn sold his Wynn Resorts company to MGM back in 2000. That's how MGM acquired the Mirage, Monte Carlo, Treasure Island, Bellagio, and Mandalay Bay. Good video overall (though the pronunciation of Bally's and Mirage was odd).

[@raylopez99]

Also not mentioned is Steve Wynn is near sighted and once accidentally put his arm through a priceless modern art painting due to be sold...sale was rescinded.

[@bb1111116]

About the odd pronunciations, I assume the narrator is from Asia and not from the US, considering many of the names and words are said with a strong accent.

[@pocketaces6756]

@@raylopez99 He had it repaired and sold it to the same buyer for about 12 million more than the previous agreement, about 7 or 8 years later. No harm, no foul.

[@AndreYoutube111]

So much completely skipped over. A great video but misleading, these two while large, there’s more money at stake than just these two operators. Of course, it is always changing. Still, good video.

[@AndreYoutube111]

So much completely skipped over. A great video but misleading, these two while large, there’s more money at stake than just these two operators. Of course, it is always changing. Still, good video.

[@PlutoIsntReal_]

Ive been to the Excalibur before and lemme tell you, being in that huge shopping tunnel was so surreal. I remember so SO many side shows and activities it was almost overwhelming, we went in through the Castle casino and got out on the complete other side. Its almost impressive how much time flies while you're in there, I spent like 8 hours in there and it felt like 4.

[@RageABoo]

went there 15 years ago with family, it was a blast, most of my time there was either the arcade or the buffet though , while they go gambling or shopping, afterwards its the shows, i like the tournament of kings, the food was okay, just give you a knife, but the the fruit juice was the best( dunno what they used) like the jousting matches( prop shafts lol when i know better at older age) feels like they were duking it out.

[@jenniferolivera8966]

Agreed ! I just stood at the Luxor for Nye and I was alone going through all of it time def flies in there!

[@johnjohn888]

Excellent job on the story telling, presentation, high quality production. Anyone who wants to know about the subject, this video has it all.

[@myeviltwin666]

I never heard anyone pronounce "Bally's" as "Baileys" Baileys is something you might find in a cocktail!

[@mdpeterman]

This. It’s BALlys. Not Baileys. Drove me crazy.

[@retroguy1976]

well vegas has good frozen baileys lol

[@radekjedrak]

I think the presenter on the video has some sort of speech impediment.

[@moneyhoopla]

@@radekjedrak No he's probably just not a native English speaker.

[@rygregory]

Yeah. It made me cringe each time.

[@matthoward598]

This is the best video explaining all of the acquisitions and mergers that I've ever seen. I remember this all happening in real time and didn't fully understand what exactly was going on. Thanks for the explanations

[@flo8720]

Seeing The Battle for Las Vegas and Caesar in the same context had me like "Fallout New Vegas, in the real..."

[@Beavis-ej3ny]

The most confusing thing is that Circus Circus in Las Vegas is an independent casino, but Circus Circus in Reno, is owned by Caesar’s Entertainment.

[@davidfeltheim2501]

The history and cultural impact of Vegas is fascinating, It's crazy to learn the actual business behind all these casinos which people never second guess are actually under the same corporations.

[@ozzyzarate2259]

Go for MGM gold membership trust me it's the shit, all casinos charge for parking so if you reach a lvl of sapphire and up you get free parking for all MGM hotels and free nights stay at the Excalibur or Luxur. I got married at the Belagio back in 2018 and man I been living it up with all the free things they been giving me.

[@crazycuckoohead9908]

I live in Vegas, and it is interesting how interconnected so many of the casinos are, some even have trams connecting one another. Personally, if you want to stay at any specific resort/hotel/casino depending on your budget, caesar's palace and the venetian I believe are going to give you a pretty good bang for your buck. Nice rooms, facilities, casino floor, and shopping area, and hey, marble nude statues in caesars too. If you want to go expensive, Bellagio, Wynn, The Cosmopolitan now and the new Resorts World are fairly luxurious. Especially the two other hotels inside Resorts World and their separate casinos (its weird). Budget, Treasure Island, Mandalay Bay, and Planet Hollywood are fine. Planet Hollywood's miracle mile is kinda fun. I wouldn't want to stay downtown unless maybe you are staying at the Circa. Maybe you may want to visit it if you go to the strip, but it is a bit of a drive from downtown to the strip, but the small restaurants, container park, and the general area can be fun, particularly with friends. No gambling advice, I mean, slot machines are a waste of time, roulette is fun with people at the table, same with blackjack and especially craps. Poker can be stressful for some but can be fun for others. Budget yourself though, because every single thing at the strip is very expensive, even bottled water or a protein bar.

[@gumshew2007]

You really have to be extremely wealthy to live in Las Vegas. I go once or twice a year and everything like food etc is 3 or 4 times the price where I live. Just to go out to a dinner on a Friday night will set you back $200 minimum.

[@TotallyJoel]

​@@gumshew2007 You mean to live in the strip lol. Las Vegas homes are pretty affordable compared to the west coast.

[@uknowmetwin]

Who owns circus circus now?

[@ktcottrell]

Venetian is a little closer to the more luxury hotels and I definitely wouldn't put Mandalay in the budget category. Mandalay, MGM and Caesars are all the standard level hotels. Budget picks would be NYNY, Excalibur, Luxor, TI, PH. Park is somewhere between those two levels.

[@GSC2000]

@@ktcottrell Where would you rank The Mirage? Is it worth it or not?

[@SWLinPHX]

I hate how they took out the interior themes even from the highly-themed buildings: Luxor had the Nile river, cocktail waitresses in Egyptian wigs, shirtless valets dressed as pharaohs with eye makeup and headdress, hieroglyphics on the interior walls, Nefertiti's Lounge, etc. Excalibur had medieval candelabras and room decor and themed shops too. They all become more generic. And the buffets have not be a great deal since the 1990s. Do they even still have buffets after Covid?

[@4fthell]

I loved themed hotels/shops and that makes me so sad

[@paulgerrard9227]

Only a few are left. Circus only lunch. MGM only brunch. Wynn super expensive. Luxor i think brunch but its like a sewer. Buffet days are gone and sooooo expensive. And quality is poor. Crab legs are as big as seafood gets now. Yuk. No queues like 15 yrs ago. Back then you could buffet three meals a day for reasonable price.

[@CarolinaAutos]

I just moved to Las Vegas from the east coast (where I grew up, I'm 33 now) and WOW what a crazy place to live. I moved into the Downtown area on Fremont Street and I have to say I'm glad I didn't commit fully to the strip. It's a whole different vibe up this way and I love it. Enjoying learning more about my newly adopted city with videos like this

[@joeroscoe3708]

Welcome to Vegas

[@noodlessurprise]

I stayed at the Venetian - it took 25 mins to get from my room to outside, it was a myriad of mazes to ensure you won’t leave the place.

[@hostileaks4495]

When I went I stayed at a cheap hotel and when I was standing outside a local resident and street worker told me venetian was their favorite of all hotels I believed em because I imagine they were in them a lot

[@JessicaZane4realz]

There is so much space out there, make a Vegas part 2.

[@felineboy1586]

That's not why people live in cities to have big open spaces cities exist to allow dense concentrations of population socio-economics are the answer

[@MrAsianPie]

Vegas part 2? You mean Macau?

[@swaree]

please don't

[@user-jq1mg2mz7o]

a New Vegas, if you will

[@jlc5639]

@@user-jq1mg2mz7o i dig

[@poprostugrzegorz9684]

I’ve just found this channel and I immediately subscribed. Great job, please do more films like this!

[@participantparticipant506]

Caesar's has a smaller connector in Reno: Circus Circus, Silver Legacy and El Dorado. All three are quite busy for Burning Man.

[@persjofors2586]

I live in Los Angeles and visit Vegas at least 3-4 times every year. And have done since about 1982 or maybe 1983. I don't gamble and visit for meetings and trade shows. Vegas is like Disney Land for adults. Love it. Very very interesting video, and what great graphics. Whoever did those need an Oscar.

[@supraa18]

Love to see elders sharing their experiences on this platform ❤

[@gumshew2007]

It’s the old people like you I could listen to stories about Vegas all day. I’m sure you have a few.

[@calvinma9493]

You go for the prostitution and drugs

[@GodzillaMane]

I’m sure you have seen Vegas change a lot. I was born and raised in Vegas. And even in the nearly 30 years I’ve been alive, Las Vegas changed so much. So very much. It’s such a trendy place. Definitely nothing like Vegas, yes we have gambling and legal prostitution in Nevada just north of Vegas, but Vegas is unique.

[@JoeRogansForehead]

@@gumshew2007stop glazing strangers

[@sam08g16]

Patrolling the Mojave almost makes you wish for a nuclear winter

[@grantmccoy6739]

Nevada means snowfall 🤯

[@I.____.....__...__]

It's really something those wopmafioso criminals made out in the middle of nowhere, huh?

[@Liam-iv7wk]

When I got this assignment, I figured there would be more gambling.

[@maxkos7166]

We won’t go quietly, the legion can count on that.

[@senorbaguette2269]

When the Legion gets here, I have a bullet I'm saving just for me.

[@DannyBeeVegas]

I live in Vegas and the battle of the Strip is real- the battle of Las Vegas is intense when it comes to your entertainment dollar. When you look into who owns who and who leases what, its really eye opening and this is just the Strip. We haven't even started with Strip corridors, Downtown, and local casinos that add names like Red Rock Resorts/Stations Casinos, Boyd Gaming, even Indian/Native American casino operators Mohegan Sun (Virgin Hotel), San Manuel (Palms Resort), and the Seminoles (The Mirage soon to be Hard Rock).

[@gfullcrayon562]

Four years have passed since MGM Resorts held the Dam - just barely - against Caesars Entertainment onslaught. The Legion did not retreat. Across the river, it gathers strength. Campfires burned, training drums beat. Through it all, the Vegas Strip has stayed open for business under the control of its mysterious overseer, Mr. House. And his army of rehabilitated Tribals and police robots. You are a courier, hired by the Mojave Express, to deliver a package to the Vegas Strip. What seemed like a simple delivery job has taken a turn ...for the worse.

[@brysonkuervers2570]

Hah. Nice

[@edrianaviles996]

I laughed when the narrator pronounced (my workplace) Bally's as "Bailey's".😂

[@favor4afavor823]

Lots of mispronunciations in this video, but still good

[@SupremeLeaderKimJong-un]

There's also Las Vegas Sands who owned the Venetian and Palazzo before selling them to Vici in 2021 to focus on Macau. As successful as Vegas is, it's still nothing compared to its Asian rival Macau who is one of the richest territories/countries in the world. Las Vegas Sands replicated the Strip by using landfill to combine Coloane and Taipa, and built a way bigger Venetian there, as well as The Londoner and The Parisian. Other chains like Wynn and even MGM have opened resorts there. This creation of the Cotai Strip has boosted Macau's economy. Gambling being banned in Mainland China also plays a role.

[@Raphael_Bizmann]

How very knowledgeable. Thank you, Dear Leader.

[@Jack-he8jv]

useless places with negative productivity.

[@cheesy223]

@@Raphael_Bizmann lmao!! 👌

[@neeljavia2965]

Nice joke.

[@paulgerrard9227]

Wynn was stripped of his vegas license. Venetian Macau is massive. I would guess gondalier canals are 10 times size through huge mall. But macau lacks a lot. vegas has more sleeze

[@mattbattaglia4694]

what an absolutely incredible video. So entrancing and easy to follow, truly top notch stuff

[@davidlocke1668]

Excellent video, thank you. Big history lover here and this was really nice to see. Thank you so much!

[@ryebread921]

Steve Wynn is the GOAT of casino design. That's why MGM casinos are superior to Caesars. And the Wynn is the classiest casino in Vegas.

[@DaedricFaZe]

Most of the newer hotels are the classier ones, honestly wouldn't stay in half the hotels mentioned here, like Paris, Excalibur or the Luxor... yuck.

[@zedpilled]

MGM casinos are mid af, NYNY, Excalibur,Luxor all trash

[@do9138]

@@zedpilled What does mid af mean? Do you know words?

[@ryebread921]

@@zedpilled The Bellagio, Aria, Vdara, Cosmopolitan are all MGM operated casinos. I would even rather stay at Park MGM over Caesars Palace

[@Omega-qi4kn]

@@ryebread921 no

[@trapizonn3603]

Living here it’s so fascinating to me how everybody is so interested in this city

[@JackT_Music_on_Vinyl]

A lot of work went into this. Thank you, Joey for sharing!

[@miggymouse357]

Very well done. I really enjoyed this documentary. Things change so quickly in Vegas it is hard to keep up - kudos!

[@redyurt5367]

This story clearly shows how capital works. Small businesses and BS like that have absolutely no any chances to survive because any capital always strives to capitalization or conglomeration (to become bigger), parallelly getting rid of all smaller and weaker competitors.

[@Trigathus]

CIA disliked this post

[@ryang2573]

It's consumers though who are to blame for this. It is customers who supply demand and customers who are, ultimately, the arbiters of what businesses can or cannot do. How many people are conscientious consumers who do research about the products they're looking to buy, dig in to how ethically sourced its materials or practices are, etc? In most cases, the only thing that matters is _their_ bottom line. This isn't some abstract theoretical either. Decades ago, when Oprah merely suggested to her viewers that they eat less beef, demand for beef plummeted and the American Beef Growers Association ended up suing her over it. Regardless of what you think she did, you cannot deny that she put a real fear into a multi-billion industry. No matter how big a company might be, they cannot exist without people choosing to use their good or service. Someone like Jeff Bezos might be one of the most wealthy men on the planet, but there is absolutely nothing he could do if everyone decided tomorrow to stop using Amazon. Same goes for every other megacorp on the planet. One might hem and haw about how inconvenient it might be but that only proves my point that most people, when left to make their own decisions, will prioritize cost and convenience over any other factor; even factors that might hypothetically benefit them in the long term such as keeping money in their local economy.

[@censored4christ162]

Our boy donald J trumps hotel sure seems to be growing in value in a situation like this. Hes gotta be one of the few truely independant. Hope his sons keep the empire going. Trump hotel 2050

[@Lizwindsor]

@@censored4christ162🤮

[@uncletrick1]

I've been a Las Vegas resident since 1986 and have witnessed everything mentioned in this video. The video is very well put together. (Except the pronunciation of Bally's. BAH-lee. Rhymes with Tally. Taken from on old pinball machine called BallyHoo.)

[@_Morph1ne_]

Vegas is such a cyberpunk dystopia. I’ll never go there but I love learning about it. Almost every aspect feels so surreal.

[@JH-ot5mn]

No, it isn't. Its a huge, plastic, fake mall. I mean they literally have people taking gondola rides, in a fake waterway, by fake boatmen, thru a literal mall.

[@Simple_But_Expensive]

If you want to see the real Vegas, watch the alleys behind the casinos for a couple of hours. Visitors see all the flashing lights and workers in company uniforms and costumes. They aren’t allowed to see the real life in Vegas, because it is ugly.

[@luishuerta8893]

@@Simple_But_Expensivewhat goes on?

[@nickhood4073]

Very well made video with great visuals for better understanding. Great work 👍

[@XER0GRAVITY]

Saw this on Nebula first. Neo never disappoints

[@jh0720]

Athletic Greens could never

[@ducknotfound]

​@@jakewatson2660imagine waiting

[@Homer-OJ-Simpson]

I think it was at least 2 weeks ago that it was on Nebula. Maybe a month or so ago.

[@XER0GRAVITY]

@A Z I’m paying $20 a year for both, but I really only use Nebula

[@kalebponds5848]

@@XER0GRAVITY what is on Nebula?

[@Emiljournal]

most of the Las Vegas Strip (the casions you talk about) is located in the unincorporated town of Paradise, which is separate from the City of Las Vegas

[@JellisJansen]

Probably one of my favorite videos on the site. Great editing, great storytelling, great subject.

[@S.E.C-R]

This was interesting… I’ve spent a lot of time in Vegas and have stayed at several of the hotels on the strip and never knew any of this, but I am not surprised by it at all. Great video!

[@mpaulm]

My favorite thing about Vegas is being able to walk in hotels you don’t stay at.

[@stevencooper4422]

It's a window shopper's paradise lol

[@OzDaMonke]

Ayoo! My most recent trips suddenly make more sense now. What a doc! Thank you for researching this and making such an amazing vid!

[@vvalasek]

This is a great analysis - the 3d maps are stunning not sure how you created them and thanks for clearing this up !!

[@vipersxbl4832]

Great visual representation for the Las Vegas Strip, especially with the high quality 3D of the hotels

[@Crazy_Nancy]

How the hell did you get all this amazing model flyover footage? Incredible.

[@NickSchale]

SAME question! I do video production and this is BEAUTIFUL. GeoLayers? Google Studio?

[@riverlife2379]

DRONES DRONES DRONES jb

[@riverlife2379]

@@NickSchale DRONES DRONES DRONES jb

[@NickSchale]

@@riverlife2379 lol. I just noticed in the description they are using GeoLayers. Great work with it.

[@riverlife2379]

@@NickSchale That's right DRONES. GO PRO GEO LAYERS AND OTHER BRANDS... remember always everything in the aerial 🚡 either flyovers planes heli Or Drones depends on ur brand... TECHNOLOGY FOR U... jb

[@HyperBlueSTI]

This is basically a giant game of monopoly lol

[@mamabearsantos4897]

Wow! Great educational video. I’ll be in Vegas in 2wks and will be looking at it with a new set of eyes 👀 Love to visit often as I have over the years and this really taught me something.

[@TheUnlegend]

It’s also really interesting to know if you look at all the events and shows that go into these hotels, all the A/V is done by one company, Encore Event Technologies. Those hotels and the money they make are actually mostly responsible for Encore still being alive today as many of their other properties around the world are failing. It’s a very interesting topic and I absolutely think it’s worth research

[@gavin2391]

Encore lives on grift

[@Bustah]

Worked there, can confirm grift

[@TheUnlegend]

@@Bustah oh no it’s terrible working there but I just think it’s interesting the chokehold they have on Vegas AV

[@Bustah]

@@TheUnlegend there’s an IT branch that works most of the casinos as well. The AV folks always seemed decent, can’t speak for them much (I know that’s the majority of revenue though)

[@ktcottrell]

@@Bustah curious as to what you mean by grift

[@I_Love_Learning]

You always have the best quality! Can't wait to watch.

[@florianplack2973]

Such a stunningly made video! This is so pretty! Amazing job.

[@coolman949]

It's mind blowing to see what Vegas has become. First time I visited in 1990, all they had was Excalibur, Tropicana, Flamingo, Mirage, Caesar's, Circus Circus, and a few others. Even people with money stayed at the lower end hotels. Now it seems to be all about prestige and bragging about where you stayed, vs having a good time.

[@josiahpetz5770]

I went there for the first time a month ago and people I tell about my trip always ask where I stayed, I stayed at my cousin's place who lives there so I get to tell them how I didn't spend anything on a room. I don't get to brag about me staying at the Bellagio, Luxor, etc but I do get to brag it cost me nothing where I stayed

[@beamed7770]

@@josiahpetz5770 i don't think anyone would brag about staying at the luxor LOL

[@forzaacmilan36]

@@beamed7770 What you got against ancient egypt?

[@saikik.6534]

@@beamed7770I’ve never been to Vegas but what’s wrong with the Luxor I would assume its really nice no?

[@beamed7770]

@@saikik.6534 nothings “wrong” with luxor, but it’s like an average hotel, not something to brag about. think it’s around $50 a night

[@riskbusin3ss]

For someone that visit Vegas multiple times a year and now lives here is sure feels like a magical place.

[@kiwikiwi2483]

How's it like living there?

[@riskbusin3ss]

@@kiwikiwi2483 If you can get over the hot summer then is a fantastic place. There is much more then the strip in Vegas for the locals to enjoy.

[@michaelellringer5600]

@@kiwikiwi2483 I lived there for 22 years and I couldn't stomach the conservatism of Sinless City any longer. Too much Mormon influence in local and state politics.

[@kiwikiwi2483]

@@riskbusin3ss Vegas is such a fascinating place to me. Anytime I'm there it just feels so fantastical and I often forget that people genuinely live in the surrounding area. Couldn't imagine seeing that skyline light up every night

[@Presssent]

I go very often and want to move there! All the food on/off strip, china town, local perks with casinos like parking and discounts! The pools are opening up soon and although the waters are disgusting I love to lounge and ppl watch!

[@kastsports3528]

Great Video. So well done for the content and the production. Kudos.

[@carasmussen27]

MGM Grand was already there but was damaged by a fire. It moved down The strip from it's original location. I love the clips of Old Las Vegas!!

[@4567praveen]

This is one of the best use of google 3D view I’ve seen in a video

[@magnesium_subsoil_94]

There could be something wrong with me, but there is nothing about Vegas that appeals to me at all.

[@stevenjlovelace]

Me neither.

[@iparadoxg]

I see nothing wrong with you.

[@perc3136]

Its really fun.

[@hafizsalaam673]

What?? U guys don't love the 110°F heat? Or the panhandling people all over the strip?? How about them big Casinos where at least 51% of people lose money??

[@traetenthorell2299]

Nah you’re just broke

[@MGSXNProductions]

(Early in view.) I remember as a kid, long before MGM bought the south end (and they had an amusement park that's now a parking garage), Excalibur, Luxor, and Mandalay Bay (as per the example) were connected, but each one had a distinct feel, making it obvious when you shifted from one to the other. And as for interior walkways, the summer heat is cancer there. Also, who remembers that arcade at Excalibur and the dragon shows?

[@charliewestfort6245]

The same time I was watching this I was thinking about food in Canada because we think brands are different and think we do something but we’re still helping one main player grow. Thanks for the video. Life is a game of monopoly everywhere

[@Joshua-Samarita]

Same thing with P&G

[@Army-xn9tj]

Technically speaking the strip is not in Las Vegas. It's actually in Paradise, Nevada

[@randomshiba779]

its unincorporated and its inside the Las Vegas area 💀

[@masterdriveroftoyotazupr4164]

yeah yeahh we all watched the video on youtube.. nothing new

[@sirwannabeguy4886]

- 🤓

[@Army-xn9tj]

@@sirwannabeguy4886 Lol

[@P1CKL3_RICK]

ackshyualley

[@lioneatsthesheep8996]

such a well made video, I wish I knew how to make videos like this

[@mr.someone6128]

This is an amazing documentary. You deserve millions of subscribers.

[@creativside]

This video was so well produced, the music, animation, it was compelling throughout 🔥💯

[@Rusty945]

What happend to the good old days where several mafia families had casinos. Now it's just 2

[@Liam-iv7wk]

It never changed. There has always only one real family that controlled the strip from its very foundation.

[@filanfyretracker]

when Nevada allowed corps to get a gaming license the Mafia just could not keep up. Have no fear though I am sure the mob still controls some behind the scenes things in Vegas.

[@rizrocadillac6077]

This is the first video I’ve watched on your channel. Love it

[@tymccarthy5465]

The tilt shift effect on here is really top notch!

[@Skyguy_steve]

This video is amazing, and please update it every year as we all know they're going be more changes as the years a pass.

[@ajbeaver25]

I've been waiting for this video my whole life

[@limecm]

Went to Vegas a little while back, I hate the entertainment there but I admit the architecture is insane

[@RANDsreviews]

Lots of great content here. Thank you for doing the research! I know it’s a lot of work.

[@likemostthings]

great video! Love the Animations of a city I thought I knew well, but never seen like that before.

[@ShapeyFiend]

I'd heard that so many people coming to Las Vegas who aren't gamblers meant the price of everything isn't as subsidized as it used be, but the monopolistic practices of highly leveraged companies can't help either.

[@SethMethCS]

That can only work as long as people are willing to pay and there aren't competing destinations. Or maybe the revenue from reverse ATMs is in decline.

[@oktfg]

The need to get things done means leveraging isn’t a problem. Debt is tradable like stocks. Doubtful any of the participants in the initial bond issue still held at the time of the bankruptcy- normally the lender would exit to fund the next construction. Same with stocks where families of founder investors rarely still retain majority control. Marcus Samual created Shell Oil. Today his descendants own negligible stock and history has forgotten him, unlike Rockefeller and Getty which are remembered and synonymous with wealth.

[@kevlon_]

I've been there a few years ago and was actually surprised at how cheap 5-star hotel rooms were.

[@NotKimiRaikkonen]

One small thing, Bally rhymes with valley. It's not Bailey.

[@jbrooke156]

THANK YOU

[@Dos895]

I like learning about the background and backstory of things and I learned a lot here. Well put together too.

[@stelazhou]

Omg I love this video!! I’ve been researching about vici properties and this gave me even a bigger picture about Las Vegas strips and the competitiveness

[@felixsoheili1154]

Yes while these mega resorts are battling people forget to notice Station and Boyd own huge chunks of land and casino operations in Las Vegas with Boyd owning 8 properties along with having a larger national presence than MGM Resorts.

[@Orozco_PNW]

I used to go annually to Vegas for a work conference. The Caesar's Palace Mall is cavernous and always seemed completely empty. Dead-Mall level empty almost, except the area where H&M and some other shops were.

[@vincenthamilton09]

Seriously? It was always bustling back in the day. That toy store was incredible

[@the_officials38]

I love the artstyle the overhead view looks superb!!

[@justindt94]

The visuals were fantastic! Such an interesting topic

[@edwesby5752]

Back in the late 1980's through the 1990's I would go to Vegas 2, 3, and sometimes 4 times a year because the airfare from Maryland where I lived was in the range of about $200 to $250 per person round trip. And I joined all of the player's clubs so got really cheap room rates even though I was never a big gambler. While I never knew about all of the acquisitions and moves going on in the background, what I did notice was the strip was getting much too crowded. All of those new hotels with cheap room rates brought in a lot of people. And I also noticed that the slots got a lot tighter than they once were. I liked it much better when the "mob" ran the strip because they didn't care if you won $500 or $1,000 because they were still making money off the gambling. Its been about 5 years since I have been to Vegas now mainly because it way too crowded, you can't win any money (even small wins like $500 or so became rare), there are too many peddlers on the strip outside the hotels, people in costumes hawking photos, people selling water, and people selling time shares. And besides that the buffet prices, which at one time was a BIG draw for many, have now skyrocketed. I am so glad that I enjoyed the place before all of these changes.

[@Jupe367]

Same. I visited Las Vegas several times between 1990s -2000 and the strip was nice then. Buffett was affordable but the show was a bit pricey for me. Luckily, it was a gift at the time and I was able to see cirque du solliel. [ the very first show]. It has been a while since I’ve been back and I’m sure with inflations, buffet price may be in the 100s and hotel rates must be ridiculously high. Perhaps one day I will consider revisiting.

[@edwesby5752]

@@Jupe367 I was fortunate during the times when I went to see the marquee shows, Jubilee at Bally's, and Showboat at the Tropicana. But back then the tickets were in the range of about $40 per person and that often times included 2 drinks. I saw some really great shows there but NOW tickets are about $100 for the top shows. Last time I was there the buffets were ranging from $15 for breakfast to $25 or more for dinner. When I first started going breakfast buffets were under $5 and dinners were about $10.

[@PimpDaddyStyles]

slots did not get a lot tighter, thats just a misconception, by law they have to average a payout of 75% of their takings, it all comes down to when you get on it whether its going to take money or payout.

[@estebanpertuz2590]

Great video Bro! Thanks for such a high quality doc.

[@aaaaaa-hd7zp]

This is an excellent video. It would be interesting to see how the mob has been involved in the development. I know there's many videos out there but the way you break it down is the best.

[@Badia147]

I would love to get a playlist, the soundtrack sounds amazing!

[@Stuck_In_The_Ice_Box]

By the title I was expecting this video to have a lot more Roman LARPers in football pads

[@ouryayommay9435]

i just went to vegas with my mom to celebrate my 18th birthday and we were SO disappointed. we paid for a nice room at the planet hollywood hotel and they literally didnt even give us blankets and we had to pay to use the hot tub. my mom said she almost wishes we stayed in a motel 6 because at least we would have known what to expect

[@absbi0000]

much better places to visit than vegas! it's such a facade, no pun intended.

[@ouryayommay9435]

@@absbi0000 i definitely agree. really the only thing i enjoyed there was seeing the show "rouge" with my mom. everything else was stressful and dissapointing

[@jugogaming3614]

As a resident of Las Vegas I don’t even go to the strip and have only gone like twice to visit family most people that live in Vegas don’t even go to the strip it’s crazy how different the city is from the strip

[@pikachuchujelly7628]

I remember going to Vegas as a kid, and we stayed in a Travelodge. I did have a fun time at the Circus Circus indoor theme park.

[@richlebarron8957]

Hey, I'm sorry to hear Your 18th went that way.. I hope Your 21st is a blessing and you can make some great memories.. California's beaches are a great time, or going to see the Giant Redwood trees You will never forget. If You like to Jet Skii, check out Laughlin Nevada.. It's about an hour and a half away from Las Vegas but everything is waaaay more affordable and all the casinos sit right on the banks of the Colorado River. I can rent a Jet Skii and stay out on that River all day!!! So much fun and won't break the bank or disappoint you 😊

[@polishprince7219]

great video and the music goes well with the tone of each story!

[@maxmustermann5492]

Ceaser‘s Palace Coup is an excellent read on that topic, highly recommended

[@edl4220]

at 2:56, that's actual footage from the 90's i'm assuming. I'm a Vegas native, and seeing the larger tower of the Rio in the background being built when it was a casino i grew up down the street from, and zero sign of the palms as a thought, is just straight trippy. good job neo

[@Arrynek01]

So, Oceans Eleven (2001) wasn't actually over the top when they said the Mirage, Belagio, and GMG Grand all belong together. In fact, the group counted five casinos at that point.