Tiger scandal puts VIP hosts on spot

Las Vegas VIP hosts have been caught in the eye of the Tiger storm and only time will tell how much damage has been done.

Tiger Woods' widening infidelity scandal has brought unprecedented media scrutiny to the roles of VIP casino and nightclub hosts and whether they are involved in hooking up clients with sex partners.

Catering to casino VIPs' every wish is considered an age-old tradition in Las Vegas -- the foundation of many a casino's bottom line, some say.

It is no secret that some major clubs have for years paid local companies to provide women to hang out in the clubs and fraternize with the big spenders. Those so-called "legitimate escort services" are coming under the microscope after revelations that Woods consorted with former porn stars and hookers.

Does the pressure on VIP handlers to keep high-end clients such as Woods happy ultimately come down to Nike's credo of "Just do it"?

A veteran casino host, still involved at the highest level, responds with an emphatic no.

"That (sex hookups) is not something we take care of. Same thing with drugs. We're not Heidi Fleiss or drug dealers," said the source, who knows Woods and those who worked with him. He spoke on the condition of anonymity.

"Believe it or not, they do it themselves. That's one of the main reasons they end up in the nightclubs," he said.

He acknowledged that Las Vegas "is probably getting a black eye because a lot of girls are running their mouths" and that's going to affect the bottom line because "the wives' of high-end casino players are thinking, 'What's going on?'"

"It's not the best timing, with the economy the way it is, and it's not the perception you want out there," the host said.

"There's definitely talk about (the image problem)," he added. "It certainly doesn't help having all these people blabbing that they slept with (Woods).

"Eventually I think it's going to blow over. I think people understand this happens in other cities, not just in Las Vegas."

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Steve Wynn's war on scalpers has apparently worked. There were no scalper-related "snags" as far as Garth Brooks' opening night at Wynn Las Vegas on Friday, according to spokeswoman Jennifer Dunne.

"The message got out," she said.

Wynn, with Brooks' approval, vowed not to honor tickets purchased through brokers, who are known to buy huge blocks of tickets and charge what they wish. ...

Changes in recent weeks at the "Viva Elvis" show at CityCenter's Aria include a new choreographer. The unveiling is next week.

SIGHTINGS

Ageless B.B. King, performing "The Thrill is Gone" and "Been Downhearted Baby" during his hour on Friday at the grand opening of B.B. King Blues Club (Mirage) on Friday. Willie Nelson was among the big surprises. He sang "You Were Always on My Mind." Other performers and red carpet participants included Buddy Guy, Lee Ritenour, Robert Cray, Ruby Wilson, Steve Cropper, Lee Roy Parnell, comedian Ron White, "Grey's Anatomy" star James Pickens Jr., the stars of The History Channel's "Pawn Stars," NASCAR driver Taylor Barton, Louis Prima Jr., Kissy Simmons of "The Lion King," Chris Phillips of Zowie Bowie, Shar Jackson, Palms headliner Matt Goss and Robin Antin, the Sin City Sinners, and the casts of "Fantasy" and "Thunder From Down Under."... Actor Gary Oldman, celebrating his mother Kathleen's 90th birthday Friday with family at "KÁ" (MGM Grand) ... At XS (Encore) on Friday: Chicago White Sox ace Mark Buehrle; At Tryst (Wynn): Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Matt Garza ... Steve Wynn and his girlfriend, Andrea Hissom, in front-row seats at the National Finals Rodeo on Thursday.