💰 The cartel-to-casino cash pipeline

💰 The Cartel-to-Casino Pipeline

More than $135 million in federal and state penalties paid by the Wynn last year were connected to an investigation of “underground bankers,” who use American casinos — coordinating with employees — to funnel large amounts of cash to Chinese high-rollers. The money comes from Latin American cartels who do business in prostitution, human trafficking, and the sale of drugs like fentanyl. Wynn said it cooperated with the investigation and fired the employees involved. [CNN]

🏗️ Titus Pushes Lombardo on Vegas Loop Oversight

Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) told City Cast Las Vegas she was sending Gov. Lombardo a letter about the Boring Company’s underground Vegas Loop project — and wasted little time in doing so. She’s asking the governor to cooperate with a public hearing and make monthly meetings between OSHA and the Boring Company public. [Fortune]

• Meanwhile, a large pool of green water at a Vegas Loop station on Paradise may just be part of routine construction, but Boring Company security is aggressively discouraging anyone from taking photos of it. [KLAS]

📨 Now That Nevada’s Special Session Is Over …

Let’s look ahead to the next one. The next regular one at least — in 2027. Already on the docket: a proposed constitutional amendment to guarantee Nevadans automatic mail-in ballots during elections. If passed, it would go before voters for approval in 2028. [Nevada Current]

🚗 Car Thieves Are Cloning Key Fobs

Police say there's a spike in stolen cars due to thieves cloning key fobs 🤯 It usually happens when keys are stored near the front door of a home and scammers get close enough to pick up the signal and broadcast it to a car in the driveway to unlock it. (You’re all standing up to move your keys right now, aren’t you?) [KVVU]

⛽ Get Used to That Gas Tax

Congratulations, drivers. A gas tax has been extended in Clark County. City Cast Las Vegas looks at who benefits, who pays, and what’s at stake if the tax had expired in the latest Friday news roundup. The episode also reveals why Caesars Palace was slapped with a hefty fine and why Vegas is overrun with Santas before we’ve even started defrosting our Butterballs. [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]

😃 Hey, news junkies!

It’s time for the latest Hey Las Vegas news quiz. The questions are based on stories featured in the newsletter over the past week. Have you been paying attention?

Here’s the first question to get you started:

Where can Formula 1 fans attend a free Las Vegas Grand Prix viewing party?

• Craig Ranch Regional Park in North Las Vegas
• Las Vegas Ballpark in Downtown Summerlin
• Water Street Plaza in Henderson
• The Chelsea at the Cosmopolitan

Once again, it’s time for City Cast Las Vegas Neighbors to shine a spotlight on their favorite local people and places.

📣 Toni Jr. loves the prime rib dinner special at Magnolia’s Veranda inside the Four Queens casino on Fremont Street. She calls it “fantastic for the price” with “a large slab of meat plus potatoes, vegetables, and even a salad!

📣 Carolyn T. suggests you check out the Lion Habitat Ranch in Henderson: “Highly recommended!”