According to www.TripAdvisor.com, the third hippest hotel in the world is Mandalay Bay's oddly spelled THEhotel. It's a good bet that this highest-inLas Vegas assignment came as a surprise to the Hard Rock and Palms casinos.

CANNERY CASINO COMING: Operators of the Nevada Palace have announced plans to replace the aging Boulder Highway casino with a new Cannery casino. The Nevada Palace will remain open during the 18 months it takes to build the new resort. Ground is expected to be broken in January.

HARRAH'S HIKE: Two firms bidding for Harrah's Entertainment have increased their original bid of $15.05 billion to $15.5 billion, after the initial bid was rejected. The Harrah's board has yet to respond to the new offer.

Q. Is there a bill that makes Internet gambling illegal, and will it affect Las Vegas?

A. The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 does not make wagering on the Internet illegal. However, it will make it difficult, since processing payments to and from the sites is now banned. In Las Vegas, look for attendance at the World Series of Poker to take the biggest hit.

For information about Las Vegas shows, buffets, coupons and deals, see www.LasVegasAdvisor.com.