Jim Murren’s white flag; More slots in New England

In a moment of weakness upon which Sheldon Adelson is certain to pounce, MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren called for a cease-fire in the intra-industry war over Internet gambling. In addition to his day job, Murren is chairman of the American Gaming Association and his remarks were a sharp yank on the reins of AGA President Geoff Freeman, who has been vocal on the issue, aggressively pushing back against Adelson and sometime ally Steve Wynn. Although Adelson is relatively isolated in his efforts, Murren waved the white flag: “I feel like the Internet has become too divisive a topic when there are so many other topics we want to put forward where we can all agree.”

That’s a sign of weakness, once which fails to acknowledge that Adelson is in this to win it and isn’t about to call off his dogs, who include former New York State Gov. George Pataki. “We have no interest at MGM in pursing an Internet gaming strategy that goes after men and women in small towns in America,” said Murren, leaving one to wonder if big cities are fair game. Just because MGM lacks a viable Internet strategy, that’s no reason for Murren to muzzle his colleagues and Freeman’s lobbyists. Adelson threw the first punch in this fight, after all, and is unlikely to ratchet down his rhetoric anytime soon. Practically conceding the war to Sands’ ancient vizier, Murren pleaded, “I have no interest in engaging in a fight we can not win financially. I’d rather sit down with Mr. Adelson and discuss our differences.” (Contrast this with Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval [R], who practically blew Adelson off.)

Has Murren been sleeping through Adelson’s tenure in Vegas? Even when he loses, Sheldon favors war to the knife and knife to the hilt. He’s not going to pack it in just because Murren called for a cease fire. And Murren’s priorities for the AGA? They are “to become more involved in promoting women in the work force, improving healthcare for gaming employees, and establishing new standards for probity and regulatory compliance.” Admirable goals, all of them. It remains to be seen how Freeman takes Murren’s implicit rebuke and how long we have to wait for Adelson to crow victoriously.

Money needs to be found to finish the I-93 highway in New Hampshire and casinos might be the ticket. However, the state House of Representatives have voted them down. Longtime advocate state Sen. Lou D’Allesandro (D) is at work on a bipartisan plan to revive the legislation this session. One potential hitch: D’Allesandro wants two casinos that would split 5,000 slots and 240 table games between them. House supporters and Gov. Maggie Hassan (D) want one, 5,000-slot casino, period. Salem’s Rockingham Park horse track remains the favored site for expanded gambling, if it happens.

As though casinos in the Philadelphia area didn’t have enough cannibalization to worry about, here comes the City Council, debating whether to put slots at Philadelphia International Airport. Impressed by the $37 million in taxes McCarran International Airport slots generated for Nevada, Councilman Jim Kenney said, “Years ago, when we were having the whole casino debate, it was suggested that one of the ways to keep [casinos] out of the neighborhood was to take it to the airport. There, you have a captive audience of ticketed players waiting for planes, or waiting for connections, with nothing to do. Maybe they put their money in a slot machine.” It’s ultimately a matter for the Legislature but we’re just hearing the beginning of this. I’m sure all Philly-area casinos appreciate Mr. Kenney’s suggestion. (Not!)

The transformation continues in Macao, where a Botticelli exhibit was held over for a month and drew 42,000 spectators to MGM Grand Paradise. It’s one more sign that Macao is becoming something other than a place to have a tea-and-nicotine-fueled gambling rush.