On September 11, there was a report of systemwide outage at Bellagio prompting MGM Resorts to shut down several systems across all of its Vegas resorts including use of credit cards, online payments at restaurants, website bookings, and remote room keys. Only cash payments were accepted in restaurants and the MGM Resorts website also went down: MGM released a statement on the issue:   “MGM Resorts recently identified a cybersecurity issue affecting some of the Company’s systems. Promptly after detecting the issue, we quickly began an investigation with assistance from leading external cybersecurity experts.” “We also notified law enforcement and took prompt action to protect our systems and data, including shutting down certain systems. Our investigation is ongoing, and we are working diligently to determine the nature and scope of the matter.” In a follow up statement on 11^th Monday 9 pm, MGM stated: “As an update to our previous statement, our resorts, including dining, entertainment and gaming are currently operational, and continue to deliver the experiences for which MGM is known. Our guests remain able to access their hotel rooms and our Front Desk staff is ready to assist our guests as needed. We appreciate your patience.”

The Tiger Wood backed Popstroke Vegas golf experience officially broke ground earlier this summer at Town Square. The official groundbreaking ceremony was held this week on the two putting courses.

Greg Bartoli, founder & CEO of Popstroke Entertainment Group, talked about partnering with two internationally renowned partners including Tiger Woods and TaylorMade, to bring this luxurious family-friendly putting golf experience to Las Vegas.

Putting at Popstroke will cater to people of all ages and skill levels from amateurs to pros and as young as three to ninety years of age. Every guest will receive a free token souvenir TaylorMade golf ball as they play at the course.

The golf course is a two-18-hole championship level putting course that will include four full-service bars, cornhole, foosball, an ice cream parlor with 24 flavors of premium ice cream, kids’ playground, a two-story full-service restaurant, and a space for hosting events including a VIP lounge area.

Popstroke Vegas is set to open early 2024.

Also Read: Best Golf Courses in Las Vegas

Daniel Weinman from Atlanta, Georgia won a record-breaking $12,000,000 prize at the 2023 World Series of Poker (WSOP), taking home the largest payout in Main Event history.

By outlasting a field of 10,043 players, Weinman took on fellow American Steven Jones in a final hand that lasted a surprisingly short nine minutes. The final table took just 164 hands for Weinman to win, much quicker than most people expected.

For a minute it felt like Jones had the upper hand by going all-in with Jack-eight. However, Weinman called his bluff and went in with his greater King-Jack, sealing the historical win for the 35-year-old.

Weinman barely made it to the final table when he almost lost on Day 8 of the WSOP competition. He managed to get a pivotal clutch two-outer that saved his spot and assured his entry into the history books.

Even though it was a disappointing loss for Jones, he went home with $6.5 million in second place, followed by Adam Walton who was the third finalist with $4 million.

Weinman is the 2023 Main Event Champion making him the first American to win the tournament since John Cynn in 2018.

2023 WSOP Main Event Final Table Results:

	Player	Country	Winning Prize
1	Daniel Weinman	United States	$12,100,000
2	Steven Jones	United States	$6,500,000
3	Adam Walton	United States	$4,000,000
4	Jan-Peter Jachman	Germany	$3,000,000
5	Ruslan Prydryk	Ukraine	$2,400,000
6	Dean Hutchison	United Kingdom	$1,850,000
7	Toby Lewis	United Kingdom	$1,425,000
8	Juan Maceiras	Spain	$1,125,000
9	Daniel Holzner	Italy	$900,000

On Wednesday, July 5th, 2023, Dreamscape announced the extension of the Penn & Teller Show for a couple more years at Rio Hotel & Casino Las Vegas. Show dates are from July 2023 through the end of 2026.

The news comes just after Penn & Teller completed their sold-out UK tour featuring classical Penn & Teller tricks and new additions to their acts. 

As the current longest-running headliners in Las Vegas history, the show has been stable at Rio for over 22 years with record-breaking viewership and critical acclaim. The duo has won eight awards as “Las Vegas Magicians of the Year” alongside many nominations and accolades.

Dreamscape President of Entertainment & Gaming, Trevor Scherrer, announced, “We are thrilled to continue the partnership with Penn & Teller. Penn & Teller are icons in entertainment, and their show continues to be a must-see for Las Vegas visitors. We are honored to have them as part of the Rio as we reimagine this iconic resort.”

“The Rio has been our performing home for nearly 23 years,” said Penn & Teller in a joint statement. “We are very excited to share this new partnership with Dreamscape and the great employees at the Rio.”

Another announcement for their future plans includes the 10^th Season shoot of the hit Penn & Teller: Fool Us! starting in early August at the Penn & Teller Theater.

On June 20, 2023, Tuesday afternoon at around 4:30 p.m., a massive fire broke out in the Southwest Las Vegas Valley at 8030 W. Maule Ave. near South Buffalo Drive and the 215 Beltway.

The afflicted apartment was still under construction, and luckily, there were no occupants in the area at the time. Residents in the nearby apartments were notified in time and evacuated to safer distances. There are no reported casualties.

The blazing inferno had huge flames that residents had never seen before, reaching a scaring 50 feet height when the fire personnel arrived. Fire crews were alerted around 4:30 p.m. and quickly responded with 75 personnel and 11 fire engines.

Despite the intensity of the fire, neighboring buildings were protected from evacuation and lasting damage. However, tenants of an apartment building across the street were instructed to leave as a precaution.

As of Tuesday evening, the building was still considered a total loss, and fire investigators were working to determine the cause of the blaze. The walls of the structure were observed falling to the ground amidst the intense heat.

While the fire posed a significant threat, the initial defensive strategy successfully safeguarded nearby buildings.

Lilly Bar & Lounge at the Bellagio closes on Sunday, July 9, 2023.

Announced by an MGM Resorts spokesperson, the 3,393 square foot retreat is set to close its doors next month to give way to a new concept, expected to open this coming winter.

No announcements have been made yet on who will be stepping in. Still, there are some speculations that “The Pinky Ring” will take over – a Bruno Mars Lounge expected to open at the Mirage but is now rumored to be heading into Bellagio. 

In a bill introduced on Friday, May 26, 2023 in the Nevada Legislature, Oakland Athletics stand to receive $380 million from Nevada for the construction of their potential $1.5 billion stadium on the Las Vegas Strip featuring a retractable roof.

The team has agreed to use land on the southern end of the Las Vegas Strip, currently occupied by the Tropicana Las Vegas casino resort.

The funding would come from $180 million in transferable tax credits from the state, $120 million in county bonds, and $25 million from Clark County for infrastructure costs.

The rendering of the baseball stadium shows that it would have a seating capacity of 30,000, making it the smallest in Major League Baseball stadium. Las Vegas will become the smallest TV market in the MLB with just three major professional sports franchise.

Despite the small size, Las Vegas and the team are hopeful of pulling many tourists among the 40 million who visit the city each year.

The proposed bill also includes the creation of a homelessness prevention and assistance fund in coordination with MLB and the Nevada Resort Association.

The Clark County Board of Commissioners would manage the funds for services such as emergency rental and utility assistance, job training, and rehabilitation and counseling services for individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

The lease agreement with the Las Vegas Stadium Authority would be subject to renewal after 30 years.

However, the proposal faces uncertainty in the Nevada Legislature as Democratic leaders have indicated that financing bills, including for the Athletics, may not proceed if Republican Governor Joe Lombardo vetoes budget bills.

The bill does not involve direct tax increases and can move forward with a simple majority vote in the Senate and Assembly.

The legislative leadership in Nevada is currently reviewing the proposal and seeking input from interested parties before making any commitments. The decision on the Oakland A’s move to Las Vegas could be voted on when MLB owners meet in June.

As announced by Resorts World on April 26^th, the hotel & casino will be kickoff a special four-day Kevin Hart performance dubbed ‘Hartbeat Weekend’ from July 6^th to July 9^th. Tickets went on sale on Friday, April 28^th at 10:00 AM PT on hartbeatweekend.com, check the link to get your tickets today.

The weekend will be filled with exclusive events on top of parties, live performances, and comedy celebrations.  Headliners for the events will include Kevin Hart, Jack Harlow, J Cole, Ludacris, Kaskade, and RL Grime.

The highlight of the event will be a two-night comedy set to mark an end to Kevin Hart’s ‘Reality Check Tour’. This is scheduled for July 6^th & 7^th at Resorts World Theatre. July 8^th will be a celebration featuring competitions among hand-selected individuals in a $5 million pot of No Limit Hold ‘Em gold.

Other events during the weekend include a performance from Jack Harlow, Ludacris, and J Cole at Zouk Nightclub’s After Party. Jalisco Underground and Ayu Dayclub are also set to host several other celebrations during the weekend.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that COVID-19 is no longer a global health emergency after more than 7 million deaths worldwide. However, the WHO still considers COVID-19 to be a public health emergency of international concern.

This is a significant milestone in the fight against the pandemic, but it’s important to remember that the virus is still a serious threat to public health. Stay safe and continue to follow public health guidelines.

Cathédrale at ARIA Resort & Casino is now open on May 1st! The restaurant honors the legacy and DNA of the original Cathédrale located in New York City.

The Las Vegas location extends the spirit of that layered, urban decadence and grit while celebrating the architectural drama, grandeur, and decorative flourish inherent to the restaurant’s brand.

Designed by Rockwell Group, the restaurant features a theatrical ceiling installation made of 25 miles of chain and weighing 6,000 pounds.

Tao Group Hospitality now operates more than 80 locations in 20 markets, a number which was heavily bolstered when the company acquired Hakkasan Group in 2021. Strauss alludes to expansion of the brand in the future.

You can also check out the website of Cathédrale at ARIA Resort & Casino for more information about the restaurant and to make reservations.

The District at Green Valley Ranch has announced the return of their ‘Movies on The Green’ event. The Saturday-only family-friendly film event will screen your favorite blockbuster movies under the stars starting at 7 pm.

Event dates stretch from May 6^th to June 24^th, 2023, and will take place on The Green in Green Valley Ranch. The venue is easily accessible on the Village Walk Drive and is located adjacent to Whole Foods.

Seating is free to the public, and the weekly movies will air between 7 pm – 11:59 pm. The movie lineup includes:

• May 6 | Top Gun
• May 13 | Top Gun: Maverick
• May 20 | Sign 2
• May 27 | Lightyear
• June 3 | The Prom (PG 13)
• June 10 | Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
• June 17 | Black Panther
• June 24 | Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

The Carousel Bar will offer outdoor bar experience unlike any other.

It is situated under the iconic dome of the hotel’s porte-cochère. It features life-sized Vegas-themed elements such as carousel horses, spinning martini glasses, and an oversized deck of cards. The centerpiece of the bar is a rotating ribbon of lights that hangs above the bar.

The design of the bar preserves the dome’s vintage Vegas lights, which have been featured in many movies and shows over the years.

And news that the Carousel Bar will be a lounge.

It will be interesting to see how it turns out once the project is complete.

The Cowabunga Canyon water park announced that it would finally open for the start of the season on April 22, from 11:00 am-5:00 pm.

Pack your bags, grab your friends and family, and head to Cowabunga Canyon on Fort Apache Road. Enjoy delicious notes from food outlets AND food trucks.

See other choices? Check the Best Water Parks & Water Slides in Las Vegas.

Marking the kickoff for National Park Week, April 22 2023 has been designated as a fee-free day by the National Park Service.

The waiver applies only to entrance fees, while camping fees will remain in effect. Visitors staying beyond April 22, will need to pay the regular entrance fee for their remaining stay.

“Your Park Story” is this year’s National Park Week theme.

The Big Wong restaurants shared a post on April 15:

“Big Wong has been proud to be part of the Las Vegas Chinatown community since 2011. We have decided to retire and close our doors in the up and coming weeks.

We wanted to thank all of our loyal customers and friends who have supported Big Wong over the past 12 years. You made it possible for us to share our joy for tastes from Malaysian style curries, ramen, chicken wings, shrimp wontons, and so many other dishes that we hope you enjoyed. Please come to enjoy our food once again before we go.”

Sad to let you go, but Thank you Big Wongs!