ABC and CNBC Roll the Dice

Tonight, CNBC’s Melissa Francis anchors a new CNBC Investigates, “The Big Business of Illegal Gambling.” Francis takes viewers beyond the Las Vegas strip where there’s a thriving underworld of illegal gambling — a multi-billion dollar business that has millions of Americans getting in on the action. The special debuts tonight at 9pmET on CNBC.

And later on Nightline, ABC’s Neal Karlinsky takes viewers inside Vegas’ biggest gamble yet: the 4,004-room Aria Hotel-Casino which is part of the $8.5 billion MGM-Mirage CityCenter complex. The 18-million-square-foot behemoth is considered the crown jewel of the Strip and is opening as the U.S. emerges from a crushing recession. Which may be best evidenced by current room rates in Las Vegas. You could book a room at Ceasers Palace tonight for $81.

The complex opens to the public tomorrow.

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