Las Vegas Weekly

June 10, 2010 · 2:29 PM

Strip Scribbles: Steve Wynn reveals plans for a third casino in Macau

By Robin Leach

Phil Grucci and Steve Wynn watch Grucci's fireworks display during the grand opening of Encore Macau on April 21, 2010.

Photo: Wynn Macau

Las Vegas hotel tycoon Steve Wynn is now planning more hotels in Macau than he has here on The Strip. I’m also reliably told that he has given up his membership in Temple Beth Shalom here and has become a Buddhist, although Steve’s family still attends the temple.

This morning, Steve revealed that he now plans to break ground on a mega casino resort on the Cotai Strip there next year. It would be in direct competition to his longtime Las Vegas foe Sheldon Adelson, who has properties there, too. Steve said he will have it completed by late 2013 or early 2014.

The news of his third property there comes less than 60 days after he opened Encore Macau on April 22. Encore Macau is alongside Wynn Macau, which he opened in September 2006. The two are said to earn far more than his two same-named hotels here, and Macau now earns more than all Las Vegas gaming combined.

*I’m learning more astounding secrets about the time-travel spectacular Triumph coming to the Las Vegas Hilton this fall with the magic duo LaRaf. My superspy tells me that there’ll be three major dance sequences. A Mayan tribal dance will be part of the journey back in time to the ancient city of Chichen Itza, the hub of Mayan civilization. A second production number will be a battle through the nine circles of hell and has an inferno onstage where the dancers participate in a crowning magical ending of a mass flotation.

There also will be a sequence involving the original Tesla electric car, which will be “built” and appear through its 1893 mechanical diagrams from the World’s Fair in Chicago when the AC/DC current was first invented. The car will float through the air several feet above the stage and then disappear. “This technology is so new, so different, so unique, nothing has ever been seen like this before in Las Vegas -- or anywhere else in the world,” my confidante told me. Vegas DeLuxe will continue to push for more revelations, and I believe the Hilton will start ticket sales this month.

*Our beloved Congresswoman Shelley Berkley is set to get the roasting of her life, and yet she’s being an incredible generous donor as part of the annual fundraiser for the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth. It will take place as a casual jeans and yellow shirts dinner at The Mirage on Sep. 11, and Shelley has sponsored one of the major auction packages: an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., plus dinner with her and a private tour of The White House. Lon Kruger and retired UNLV Running Rebels have teamed up to give a private basketball lesson, and Floyd Mayweather Jr. might offer a boxing lesson in the ring.

*Peepshow headliner Holly Madison will be at the Tickets and Tours retail booth in The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace from 1 to 3 p.m. tomorrow as she helps raise money for The Animal Foundation here. A portion of the proceeds from each Peepshow ticket sold there and at the other 17 Tickets and Tours outlets in town will go to Holly’s favorite charity. “I think everyone knows how important The Animal Foundation has become to me. I wouldn’t have my two dogs without the benefit of adoption,” she said. “It’s a great cause that means the world to me.”

*It’s a mighty busy day on the calendar here at Vegas DeLuxe! Congratulations first to international superstar Julio Iglesias, who’ll be presented with the Maximum Hispanic Pride Award by the International Press Assn. at the Hilton as he begins a three-night run there. Clark County Commissioners also named today “Julio Iglesias Day” marking the first of his 2010 appearances in Las Vegas. Contributing photographer Tom Donoghue will be on duty there, and we’ll have that photo feature tomorrow. … The world’s only Playboy Club hosts a unique celebration to mark the original Playboy Club’s 50th anniversary tonight, and Holly Madison will dress as a Playboy Bunny dealer. Around the world, there will be 50 parties in 50 cities to join in a global celebration. Flamingo headliner comedian George Wallace and Luxor headliner comedian Carrot Top will join Holly to judge the Miss 50 beauty and talent contest. We’ll also have that coverage here tomorrow.

STAR SURVEILLANCE

Singer Natasha Bedingfield checked out Surrender at Encore last night with her husband Matt Robinson and friends. They ordered Skyy vodka with cranberry juice and danced at the new hotspot until 3 a.m. … Bill Blumenreich, the producer of Frank Caliendo’s show at Monte Carlo, has been using his longtime four Boston Celtics season tickets in the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers to plug the impressionist’s show. For the first three games, he and his guests have worn baseball caps that say “Frank Caliendo” and “Monte Carlo Las Vegas.” The stunt has become the talk of sports radio shows and blogs, and the buzz about Frank grows with each game!

TONIGHT’S TIPS

Julio Iglesias brings his romantic songs and Starry Night Tour to the Hilton for three shows. The Spanish superstar has sold more than 300 million copies of his 79 albums in his 42-year career. … Comic Andrew Dice Clay returns to his run at the Hilton through Sunday, and David Spade returns to The Venetian through Saturday. … Cort McCown and Paul Hughes host Iliza Shlesinger and Mo Mandel at The Playboy Comedy Lounge in the Palms through Saturday. … Carey Hart puts 40 oz. to Freedom onstage at his Wasted Space in the Hard Rock Hotel. … Insane Clown Posse is at House of Blues in Mandalay Bay with Coolio, Kittie and Necro as special guests. … Cats at 30 is one of the longest-running Broadway musicals, and the Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber masterpiece still plays in more than 20 countries. The touring show purrs into action at Planet Hollywood for three nights, with an afternoon performance Saturday. Your milk won’t be taken away from you if you sing along to “Memory”!

TOMORROW’S TEASES

Paris Hilton has become a new Las Vegas ambassador as a result of her regular travel here with in-between stops in Egypt and Brazil. Wherever she flies, she returns here for the weekends, and we’ve got the exclusive story as to just why. Plus, sister Nicky Hilton is helping boyfriend David Katzenberg celebrate his controversial MTV series. Also, Vince Neil spills secrets of his new tell-all memoir, and our exclusive chat with Holly Madison about Sunday’s premiere of Holly’s World on E!

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

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