Quickies: Binion’s Hotel to Close ; Harrah’s Moving Closer to Planet Hollywood ; LVS Macau IPO

Three interesting stories breaking this morning:

Binion's to Close Hotel Tower - the legendary Downtown hotel has announced they will be closing the hotel tower and restaurant facilities as a result of the bad economy:

http://www.lvrj.com/news/Binions-to-close-hotel-tower-lay-off-100-workers-78149717.html

Harrah's Entertainment, who have been buying Planet Hollywood debt, is taking the process to the next step - Nevada gaming regulators:

http://www.lvrj.com/news/breaking_news/Harrahs-moves-to-acquire-Planet-Hollywood-78146292.html

Las Vegas Sands raised $5 billion in an IPO for their Macanese operations:

http://www.lvrj.com/news/breaking_news/LV-Sands-raises-5-billion-announces-timeline-for-Macau-construction-restart-78127742.html

Binion’s to close hotel rooms

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

The hotel-casino that launched the World Series of Poker is closing its hotel part of the casino.

All 365 rooms of Binion's Gambling Hall will be shuttered as of Dec. 14.

Along with the hotel closure, 100 workers will be laid off, keno will be shut down, and the coffee shop will be closed.

The remaining part of the casino will remain open, including the poker room and steakhouse.

Binion's opened in 1951 and was purchased last year by TLC Enterprises, owners of Four Queens. No word whether the Four Queens' 690 rooms will be affected.

Golden Nugget, located across the street from Binion's, opened a 500-room tower last Monday at a cost of $150 million. It was the first new hotel rooms in downtown Las Vegas in 20 years.

We popped by Binion's last night and not only was the casino pretty much empty, there were 0 poker tables running. A sad sign of the times, particularly since we enjoyed staying at the hotel which felt more like little apartments than hotel rooms.

Golden Nugget Rush Tower First Look Photos

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

The benchmark of luxury in downtown Las Vegas accommodations has taken a quantum leap with the past week's opening of the Rush Tower at the Golden Nugget. Flipchip hiked through the sparkling new addition to the Golden Nugget Resort and we posted the photos.

The brightly colored interior features the Las Vegas' only Chart House restaurant including a 75,000-gallon tropical aquarium. Another new restaurant, Red, serves the best in sushi, steaks and seafood. The Grand, an 11,000 square foot event center, is available for special events, conventions and meeting rooms. The Rush Tower also adds almost 500 oversize rooms and suites to give the Golden Nugget a total of 2,300 guest rooms.

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

Five Diamond World Poker Classic at Bellagio

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

The Bellagio's holiday poker tournament, Five Diamond World Poker Classic, is up and running at the luxurious Bellagio Resort on the Las Vegas strip. Satellites and the first event begin Friday, November 27, and continues with daily events through the final table of the Doyle Brunson Classic championship event on December 19.

This is the big holiday tournament that stages daily events with buy-ins ranging from a low $500 + $40 to the $15,000 + $400 Championship Event hosted by poker legend, Doyle Brunson. Super Satellites for the $15K championship go with a $1,500 + $90 buy-in beginning December 12. While most of the events are No-Limit Hold'em, players will also have Pot-Limit Omaha nwith and without rebuys and Limit Omaha Eight or Better. Seniors 50-years-old or better will have their own $1,500 + $90 three day event on December 6.

Stop by the Bellagio and enjoy the holiday spirit flowing throughout the resort and then put a little poker into your festivities. What better gift for yourself than to win one of the events and cart away a huge pile of cash.