Vegas casino gambling revenue off 8.7%

Number of the day

8.7 percent
That's how much Las Vegas casino gambling revenue fell in August, ending three months of gains. Betting declined to $496.9 million on the Strip, Nevada's Gaming Control Board said Tuesday. Revenue is up 5.2 percent for the first eight months of 2011 from a year earlier as the city stages a bumpy recovery from a record two-year drop in gambling and conventions.

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It's a pretty inexpensive way to use other people's money.

Greg McBride, an analyst for Bankrate.com, on U.S. banks' promotional offers encouraging their most creditworthy customers to take on more debt. The four biggest lenders, including Wells Fargo and Bank of America, are offering credit card balance transfers, some with no interest for a limited time. In these deals, customers can write a check to themselves rather than paying off their balance at another institution. Banks expect to make money on the offers with fees and late charges.

Heads up

The third annual Slow Money National Gathering opens today at San Francisco's Fort Mason Center. The three-day talkathon focuses on investing in the local-food movement, bringing together progressive entrepreneurs, financiers, farmers and nonprofit groups. Breakout session topics range from microfinance to composting.

sfgate.com