Casinos called Reid about Obama visit

How important is Chinese New Year to the bottom line of Las Vegas casinos?

Important enough that several Las Vegas casinos asked U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to intervene on their behalf to shorten the airspace closure time during President Barack Obama's recent visit.

Vegas Confidential has learned the casinos made the case that normal airspace restrictions in place for Obama's visit would have delayed the arrival of many Asian high rollers during Chinese New Year.

Michael Weaver, senior vice president of marketing for Wynn Resorts, confirmed that Steve Wynn and other major Las Vegas gaming companies called Reid for relief. He said Reid "arranged" to have the airspace closure time reduced.

"The Chinese New Year is a critical time for all the casinos, especially those that handle important international customers," Weaver said. "It's important for us to get customers into Las Vegas during a very busy time."

During presidential visits, airspace is routinely closed "for quite a period of time," Weaver said.

He added, "I know that we were not the only casino that reached out to Senator Reid's office." Weaver said a rep from MGM Resorts called Reid as well, along with a third property he didn't name.

A source familiar with Air Force One airspace restrictions said a 10-mile radius usually applies, and that might have been part of the reason why Obama stayed at the Elements Hotel in Summerlin.

That was a departure from the norm. On recent visits, Obama stayed closer to the airport at Strip hotels such as Bellagio and Caesars Palace.

HOUSTON HEADLINER DEAL

Whitney Houston's representatives had worked out a tentative headliner deal in Las Vegas about two years ago that would have paid her $450,000 a night, a local entertainment agent said Saturday.

Houston, one of the biggest singing stars of her era, was found dead at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Saturday. She was 48.

Joey Battig, a longtime Las Vegas talent agent, said he was involved in Houston's comeback plan, which was to take place at Planet Hollywood Resort.

Battig said the deal was for four nights a week, 32 weeks a year for three years.

"We were supposed to start (in Las Vegas) right after her European tour but when they found out she couldn't sing anymore and that people wouldn't (accept) her performances anymore they canceled," Battig said in a email.

CRISS ANGEL'S RESPONSE

Criss Angel's attorney says the Luxor headliner was "in the process of firing" his producer/magician Joe Monti the day Monti filed battery charges against the illusionist.

Las Vegas attorney Ken Woloson said Monti, whose real name is Joe Safuto, "became abusive and Criss asked him to leave" Angel's office on Wednesday.

"Criss decided to fire Safuto in response to repeated complaints from co-workers and other magicians about Safuto's abusive and violent behavior and general ineptitude," Woloson said in a statement issued to the media.

"Witnesses have attested that there was no physical contact and that Safuto very clearly was the antagonist," he added.

As for the audio recording Safuto released to the Review-Journal, it is "a snippet of a much longer conversation," Woloson said. "We are exploring legal action against Mr. Safuto, including for his defamatory and illegal conduct."

Monti, 52, told the Review-Journal he recorded the conversation because of Angel's history of bullying staffers and "I wanted him to know how demeaning he was."

On the audio, Angel can be heard repeatedly ordering Monti out before sounds of a struggle are heard and Monti says, "Get off me. Don't you dare touch me."

SIGHTINGS

Rapper Flavor Flav, in the crowd at the UNLV-San Diego State men's basketball game on Saturday at a rockin' Thomas & Mack Center. Members of the 1987 Final Four team were honored at halftime. Freddie Banks and Mark Wade were among the eight players on hand, as was coach Jerry Tarkanian. Five members of the late Armon Gilliam's family also attended. ... Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro safety Troy Polamalu and Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Stephen Williams, backstage at the Jabbawockeez show (Monte Carlo) on Friday.

THE PUNCH LINE

"This is Arnold Schwarzenegger's personal photo. It's him and Sylvester Stallone in the hospital together. Hopefully he's in there getting a vasectomy. The truth is, Arnold Schwarzenegger asked Sylvester Stallone to be there in case Maria showed up with a scalpel." -- Jimmy Kimmel

Norm Clarke can be reached at 702-383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com. Follow Norm on Twitter @Norm_Clarke.