It was like old times in Las Vegas last week as the first new (full-service) casino since Red Rock Resort in 2006 opened to huge crowds. Eastside Cannery looks a lot like the original Cannery on the north side of town, with a '50s theme running throughout. A raised center bar is central, with an entertainment lounge, sports book and several restaurants ringing the 65,000-square-foot casino. The hotel has 307 rooms and a lounge on the 16th floor. Located on the Boulder Strip, it's the area's first new resort since Sunset Station opened in 1997.

BELIEVE IT: The opening of Criss Angel's "Believe" at Luxor has been delayed from Sept. 12 to Sept. 26. The official opening is still planned for Oct. 10.

LOW STAKES: With the economy still an issue, casinos continue to discount — even in the casino. Gold Coast is advertising $5 craps and double-deck blackjack, and Hooters is advertising $3 blackjack. Both guarantee the low-stakes tables are available 24/7.

NEW MONEY: Binion's has unveiled a new million-dollar display of cash. Unlike the original that was made up of a hundred $10,000 bills, the new display consists of $270,000 in $100 bills, $688,000 in $20 bills, and $42,000 in $1 bills. The cash is viewable from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily in an acrylic pyramid atop a poker table in the center of the casino. You can get a photo taken for a $20 fee (the original was free).

FREE PLAYS: Of more than a dozen football contests running in Las Vegas this year, three are completely free to play. You can take a shot at weekly winner-take-all paydays of $30,000 at Coast casinos (also Sam's Town, California, Fremont, Eldorado, and Joker's Wild); $10,000 at Fiesta casinos, and $6,000 at Plaza and Terrible's.

Q: Football season is here. Who are the favorites in the Vegas books?

A: The Patriots are the favorites to win this year's Super Bowl, currently at odds of 8-5. They're followed by the Colts and Cowboys, both at 5-1. In college, the favorite for the national championship is USC at 5-2.

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