Las Vegas has its big openings and it has its small ones. One of the latter took place recently with the debut of Wildfire Valley View, a small "locals" casino on Valley View Boulevard, about 3 miles west of the Strip. It’s the fifth in the Wildfire chain, which is owned and operated by Station Casinos.

Converted from a traditional bar in just three weeks, the new casino features a revamped TV and audio system, a main bar with home-brewed craft beers, and a kitchen serving Mexican specialties priced below $8. It’s a slots-only casino for now, though a sports-betting kiosk is reportedly planned.

» Candy gone: After satisfying the cravings of customers for many years, the coin-operated candy machine at the Gold Coast has been removed. So far, the machine that was on the second-floor walkway from the parking garage hasn’t surfaced elsewhere in the casino; however, similar machines are still in place at Sam’s Town and the El Cortez.

» SLS book: SLS, the new incarnation of the former Sahara due to open next year, has named William Hill as its race and sports book operator. William Hill, which now operates more than 100 sports books statewide, says it wants to make the SLS book a "showcase."

» Drink required: After several years of holding the line on the excellent $7.77 "Gambler’s Special" in Mr. Lucky’s, the Hard Rock now requires that you buy a beverage to partake. This off-the-menu steak-and-shrimp dinner served 24/7 is still one of the town’s top values.

Question: When did the Palms’ Playboy Club close (inset photo) and are there any other Playboy-affiliated clubs or lounges in Las Vegas?

Answer: The Palms Playboy Club closed in June 2012. While Playboy currently does not have a presence in Las Vegas, there have been rumors that the company wants to open a new Playboy Club, possibly even back at the Palms, though nothing specific has been announced.