Evolution and Development of Metro-casinos

This paper discusses the metro-casinos that are being built in Las Vegas and how they differ from the existing casinos that proliferate downtown and the Las Vegas strip. Examples of mega-casinos cropped up all along the strip during the 1990’s and into the new century but very shortly there will be a massive change on the strip. To understand the changes taking place in the casino industry it is important to look at the casinos of the past to include themed and mega casinos before discussing the current trend in Las Vegas casinos, the metro-casino. These mini cities within cities have the entire infrastructure of a metropolis. They are self-contained microcosms of the larger Las Vegas area and contain living, dining, convention, and entertainment space all in one overarching architectural plan. The difficulties inherent in such a massive undertaking will be discussed as well as what changes this may herald in the overall casino markets of the world. II. Review of the Literature On the Las Vegas strip there are a multitude of hotel and casino types, from the small mom and pop to large themed casinos with exploding volcanoes and sinking ships. Hotels and casinos today such as the Bellagio, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, Caesar’s Palace and The Luxor Hotel and Casino are gran