Adelson undeterred; Winners and losers

I’m not sure which part of this story is more alarming: That Affinity Gaming was the victim of a widespread identity-theft scheme for seven months … or that the company didn’t disclose it until late this year. It certainly makes me think twice about spending money on Affinity’s premises.

Adelson portraitNot one to be discouraged, Sheldon Adelson is taking his EuroVegas concept on the road and shopping it from Athens to Milan (to say nothing of Rome, Paris and elsewhere). It’s unclear from his remarks, but Adelson may have marketing the idea of doing it in onesies and twosies — as was the case in Singapore — rather than trying to carpet-bomb one metropolis with 12 casinos. However, he’s also peddling the integrated-resort concept in Japan, South Korea, Thailand and Taiwanmaybe on Matsu — so he’s got enough to keep himself occupied for the next few years, until New York City or Miami Beach comes into play.

Adelson is a villain to some but a person who should be a heroine to all of us is Nevada Council on Problem Gambling Executive Carol O’Hare. In recent years, one of her nemeses has been Nevada itself, which raided the NCPG budget to plug budgetary. The damage, O’Hare says, has been mended but it — and the percentage of at-risk youth in the Silver State — should be stern reminders of how much work needs doing.

Macao‘s casinos consistenly flunk air-quality standards. Ergo, players who want to light up may have to do so in in airport-style cubicles. Stanley Ho‘s Casino Lisboa is already taking the lead with a trial facility. This is only appropriate, since Sociedade de Jogos de Macau is the most consistently substandard among Macanese operators.

Farewell soon-to-be-scrapped, Betfair Hollywood Park, symbol of a dinosaur industry. The adjoining card room will — no surprise — remain in place.

It’s already clear who the winner of Internet gambling in New Jersey is: The advertising industry. Caesars Entertainment is vowing to “empty out our pockets in marketing dollars” to educate the public and raise brand awareness, as nascent Web casinos race for player loyalty. There’s not a little pressure at their backs. Atlantic City casinos have been told they have to do better “or we’re going to need to start considering alternatives,” according to Atlantic City booster Gov. Chris Christie (R), in an ominous turn of rhetoric.

Another market that seems to be past its peak is Detroit, where casino-tax dollars maxed out in 2011. The long-term trend has been upward but there are warning signs. “To be sure, with $1.4 billion in total gambling revenues last year, the three casinos are still serious cash-generators and in no danger of closing,” writes the Detroit Free Press, but the city is heavily reliant upon them to pay for civic services and amenities. Even incremental losses to Hollywood Casino Toledo are taking a toll. So, no worries, right, Dan Gilbert?

This entry was posted in Affinity Gaming, Atlantic City, California, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Environment, Florida, Harrah's, Horseracing, International, Internet gambling, Japan, Macau, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Problem gambling, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Stanley Ho. Bookmark the permalink.