[StevieG]

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I like what Paris and Venetian do with their themes, and NYNY to some extent. What's wrong with a theme casino?

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It's how the theme brings in the crowd willing to spend money that counts. Namely, the non-family crowd willing to drop money on food, games, and drinks.

Your post is evidence - you like what Paris and Venetian do (that sense of a destination with elegant appeal, and the quality restaurants to back it up).

Jay Sarno really started the theme idea with Circus Circus and then Caesars. Circus Circus, with its family appeal and carnival games, gets slammed on its appeal to the party crowd. Caesars Roman decadence keeps rolling to an extent. Cleopatra's Barge still floats, but the Bacchanalia was replaced and Pure leads the way.

If you are the Luxor, you know you have that mezzanine level with a game room, a simulation ride, a couple of gift shops, and a food court. How can you not look at Pure and the long lines of people waiting to get in and do bottle service and not want to change direction?

It might be possible to do that with a theme (like the Palms Playboy tower) but not one that screams amusement park, like the Luxor does now.