Boyd Gaming has imposed a nine- to 12-month freeze on construction of Echelon Place, the $4.8 billion complex slated for the north Strip site of the old Stardust. The project had been scheduled to open in 2010, but economic conditions forced the postponement. Boyd says it will eventually complete the project, but there are concerns about the job site sitting dormant at the center of the Strip — several stories have already been built.

Big Pennies: A jackpot of nearly $1.8 million was hit on a penny machine at Fiesta Rancho. It's a big jackpot for a penny machine, but well off the penny record of $18,799,414.61 hit on penny Megabucks at the Nugget in Pahrump, a Nevada town located about 50 miles west of Las Vegas.

Samba Brunch: The new restaurant SushiSamba at the Palazzo is serving a brunch that offers the choice of a Samba menu (Japanese/South American) for $23 or a traditional style "Brazilian feijoada" breakfast for $15. The brunch is served Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

GAMBLERS' LUNCH: South Point is offering a good deal for gamblers. Play $300 through a machine between midnight and 1 p.m. and get a free lunch buffet. This equates with 240 hands on a 25¢ video poker machine, or about a half-hour of play. If you want to play another 20 minutes after that ($200 coin-in), you'll also get a free dinner buffet. The deal is offered Monday-Thursday till the end of the month and you have to join the players club.

SHOW-DOWN DEAL: The World's Greatest Magic Show is scheduled to close at the Greek Isles Sept. 1. This is noteworthy, given the show's bold attempt to draw by giving away up to 100 free tickets a day for just a $2 printing fee. Call them prior to the closing date to see if you can still get the deal.

Q: Can you bet on the Olympics at any of the sports books?

A: No. The books aren't allowed to accept wagers on noncollegiate amateur events. However, even if they were allowed they probably wouldn't, due to a lack of interest in all the events, except perhaps the basketball competition.

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