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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, March 28, 2010

Cosmopolitan tweaks name


By Anthony Curtis

The long-under-construction Strip casino formerly known as the Cosmopolitan has changed its name to Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. The slight tweak was necessitated by a trademark-infringement lawsuit by Hearst Corp., the owner of Cosmopolitan magazine. One of the first Las Vegas victims of the recession, the beleaguered $2 billion, 2,995-room CLV is likely to be the city's lone major casino opening in 2010, probably in December.

MASTERS AT BELLAGIO: With the appointment of yet another member of the Court of Master Sommeliers, Bellagio becomes the only hotel in the world with four (the overseers of Osterio de Circo/Sensi, Michael Mina and Picasso, and the hotel's director of wine). Bellagio has 17 sommeliers in all, several in training for master status.

BALLOON POPPED: When ferocious winds ensnarled Las Vegas last week, the biggest loser was the Cloud Nine balloon ride, across the Strip from Mandalay Bay. The winds ripped the balloon apart as it sat on its launch pad. A replacement is expected soon.

SIRENS: Summer hours have started for the Sirens of TI pirate battle. The free shows run in the bay at Treasure Island at 7, 8:30, 10, and 11:30 p.m. daily, weather permitting.

Q: Which is the bigger sporting event in betting, the Super Bowl or March Madness?

While the numbers aren't tracked the same way, it's almost a certainty that college basketball's March Madness outpaces the Super Bowl. It was estimated that the first weekend alone of the basketball tournament would generate $75 million to $80 million in wagering in Nevada; the 2010 Super Bowl brought in $82.7 million. But the Super Bowl remains the single-game leader by a big margin.

Find out about Las Vegas shows, buffets and deals at www.LasVegasAdvisor.com.