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THE FUTURE OF LAS VEGAS

Las Vegas, Nevada is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. It is home to many of the world’s biggest and best casinos. It is one of the entertainment capitals of the world. It hosts concerts, shows and sporting events, and is the capital of the gambling world.

But there are many who believe the future of Las Vegas is in trouble. Internet gaming has made gambling accessible to people in the privacy of their own homes. Every state – including California, a big market for Las Vegas – has casinos cropping up everywhere.

Almost every state now has its own casinos in some form or fashion.

But Las Vegas endures. In fact, it remains one of the fastest growing cities in the country. Widespread construction continues, and new casinos are cropping up all the time. The ultra-exclusive Wynn was a recent addition in 2005, and that started a trend of growth that has been unprecedented. Vegas continues to grow by leaps and bounds.

Casinos like Ceasar’s are constantly expanding, and business continues to boom.

Las Vegas has undergone several transformations over the years. From a mafia-run casino town, the city became more kid-friendly in the 1990s and tried to woo more families.

But after 911, when travel dropped, Vegas returned to a slogan that is now famous – “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.” The slogan appealed to the city’s “Sin City” reputation.

It also helped Vegas be reborn.

With unprecedented growth, Las Vegas is becoming a place to live as well as work. The city has hosted the NBA All-Star Game and hopes to lure a major sports team. But at the heart of it all are still the casinos, and they are still successful.

For many years, Las Vegas would comp rooms, meals, etc. But most of the casinos are so successful now; they barely need to offer deals.

Vegas has made itself into a destination. The gambling is still the heart, but the city is now a full body. It draws thousands of conventions, and major events like the World Series of Poker bring millions of gambling dollars to the city every year.

Las Vegas hosts a NASCAR race, which is also extremely popular.

But what’s next? Internet gaming continues to grow. More casinos are cropping up around the country.

Vegas’ future is probably based on its multiple businesses that attract the gambling crowd. Sexually-oriented businesses thrive, which ties in neatly with gambling. At the same time, the city has built an infrastructure that supports other businesses as well. Constant construction has kept the city growing.

The future will be in conventions and as a destination. Even for Californians, there is more to do in Las Vegas, and everything is packaged nicely. In addition, the various themed casinos allow players a wide range of options and varieties.

In the end, Vegas will continue to be what it is – what happens there, stays there. But eventually it will be home to sports teams and additional businesses that will help boost the infrastructure beyond the tourist industry.

Some of the casino business will likely have to change. Many of the old casinos have been imploded and replaced, and some standbys might face the same fate. Bally’s for instance, strip staple, may eventually be recast to compete with all the upscale casinos.

But Las Vegas will continue to grow and thrive over the next 20 years, even in a depressed economy, because sex and gambling will always sell.

When it comes down to it, that’s what Las Vegas is best at, and will continue to be best at doing.