Gambling on development

But every few weeks, the top floor comes semi-alive as poker players compete for $25,000—and a chance at Poker Dome’s $1 million grand prize—in front of crowds of 100 to 150. The contests are televised Sundays on Fox Sports Net.

Poker Dome isn’t as grandiose as Mayor Oscar Goodman proclaims (calling it a “great start to the rebirth of Las Vegas”), but it does deserve credit for giving people a reason to visit Neonopolis. Poker Dome communications manager Kathryn Farrell: “As a branding exercise, we know that the series has been successful, and I don’t believe that there would be many in the industry who haven’t heard about mansion.com or our Poker Dome Challenge televised tournaments.”

Here’s to hoping the red and black playing cards can keep Neonopolis in the black.