Nevada lawmakers and leaders of the gambling industry are criticizing the FBI's gathering of information on individuals from casinos without a judge's approval.

MGM Mirage, the nation's second-largest casino company (its trophy properties include the Bellagio and MGM Grand), reported disappointing results in late October, and the stock was hammered. MGM Mirage was hamstrung by the loss of properties in the Gulf Coast, which was no surprise. But the company also warned that things aren't quite as hot as was thought in its core market of Las Vegas.

The Comedy Festival (TCF) announced today Comedy Cares(R) first annual Celebrity Poker Tournament, hosted by HBO Chairman and CEO Chris Albrecht, "The Sopranos" creator and executive producer David Chase, James Gandolfini, Emmy Award-winning star of "The Sopranos," and Emmy Award-winning star of "Everybody Loves Raymond," Ray Romano, to benefit Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. The event, to be held at PURE Nightclub at Caesars Palace on Friday November 18th, is part of HBO and AEG Live's inaugural festival, sponsored by TBS, to be held in Las Vegas, November 17-19.

In November 2004, two Las Vegas Casinos, Mandalay Bay and Caesar's Palace, renewed their applications to operate private gambling salons.