Bars across the country have attempted to capitalize on the poker craze by offering free poker tournaments where winners can earn bragging rights, cash prizes and even entries to big casino tournaments.
But there may soon be an easier way for watering holes to invite wagering on poker games without attracting attention from local law enforcement. PokerTek, which makes an electronic, dealerless poker game for casinos, is also rolling out a poker game for bars, restaurants and other noncasino venues that plays like a video game.
Resembling the sit-down "Pac-Man" games of old, the "Heads-Up Challenge" game allows two people to play no-limit hold 'em poker on digital green felt for about $4.
But that probably won't be the only money changing hands.
"People are going to bet on these things like crazy," said Anthony Curtis, publisher of the Las Vegas Advisor newsletter. In other words, why spend only $4 when you and your buddy could each lay side bets of $50 on the action? Spectators could also grow that pot, he said.
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Las Vegas hotels are jumping on the green bandwagon by seeking eco-friendly certifications. Although many are motivated by sizable green tax breaks and the savings from using less energy, image also plays a big role.
MGM Mirage, which was working on green designs for CityCenter on the advice of the company's architect before legislators began discussing green tax breaks, believes the resort will attract new ranks of eco-conscious tourists by publicizing its green efforts.
Green consultants say environmentally sensitive certifications will become a more important consumer seal of approval in the years to come as celebrities and the superrich - concerned about their public image - start to tout their green allegiance.
"Rich people are spending (big money) when they travel and it's hard to spend that kind of money without doing some damage to the environment," said John Krause, principal architect with Day Night After, a New York-based design firm.
But Las Vegas, popular for its image of excess and wasteful extravagance, has some work to do: Last month, a Travel & Leisure magazine poll ranked Las Vegas at the bottom of 25 major cities in environmental awareness as well as in other categories such as museums, historic sites and public spaces.
For Las Vegas, "it's not just about doing the right thing, it's about publicizing it and getting credit for it," Krause said.
Casino companies aren't doing much to publicize their money-saving schemes - yet. Harrah's Entertainment properties employ people who sort through garbage by hand, removing recyclable items before they head to the landfill. And Red Rock Resort, owned by Station Casinos, is converting an estimated 150,000 gallons of kitchen grease a year into biodiesel fuel for Clark County School District buses, for example.