It was sold to Ramada in 1979 and, despite ownership changes, was operated as a budget-friendly resort until it closed. Now, as Las Vegas visitors demand more high-end experiences, the city is competing less directly with longtime gambling hubs such as Atlantic City, New Jersey, or Laughlin, Nevada, some 90 miles south of Sin City, Belarmino said. Prof. Nicholas Irwin, University of Nevada, Las VegasThe bargains may not be as close at hand as they once were. Alicia Muscs works at a travel agency in Las Vegas, where she moved from California this year. Unemployment in Las Vegas hit 6.7% in July, according to federal data, up from 5.7% the same month the year before and ahead of both the statewide rate (6.3% in July) and the national one (4.1% as of September).

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Persons: Belarmino, Nicholas Irwin, ”, Belarmino’s, Alicia Muscs, Allie Leepson, Jesse McClary, Irwin Organizations: Tropicana, Ramada, University of Nevada, UNLV, Real Estate, Las Vegas, NBC Locations: Vegas, Atlantic City , New Jersey, Laughlin , Nevada, Sin City, Francisco and New York, Las, “, Clark County, New York, Las Vegas, California, Nevada, U.S