Sanguine at Penn; Serrano goes Italian

Penn logoExecutives from Penn National Gaming were hosted by J.P. Morgan analysts this week at Global Gaming Expo and gave a fairly mellow outlook on business. Nationally, commerce is seen as stabilizing but not having bottomed out yet, although Penn is “holding up very well.” Horseshoe Baltimore is having little impact to date on Penn’s Charles Town Races & Slots. The company’s two new racinos in OhioHollywood Dayton and Hollywood Mahoning Valley — are meeting expectations, although there are only four days of data on the former from which to prognosticate.

Penn seemed impressed with the speed of the New York State casino-licensing process, which could come to a head by Halloween (though probably later). As for eternally slow-moving Massachusetts, Penn figures on having Plainridge Park open by June 15, 2015 and believes it will have three years to build up a customer base before Wynn Boston opens. As for that pesky, little referendum, Penn noted that polling shows the “no” (i.e., keep casinos) vote consistently running eight to 10 points ahead.

* Rampart Casino, once that folie de grandeur of Swiss Casinos known as The Resort at Summerlin, marks its 15th anniversary on Oct. 10. Mind you, it only seems like Rampart has been through 16 business plans and management teams since then. It has finally found a steady helmsman in Michael Gaughan Jr., which is probably the real reason to celebrate.

* Lost in the G2E hustle and bustle was the announcement of a new Julian Serrano restaurant (his first Italian one) at Bellagio. Replacing Circo and Bellagio-300-02aptly named Lago, it will look out upon the iconic fountains through curtain-wall windows. Servings of food will be of the small plates (Share, doggone you!) variety, with everything hinging upon what spin Serrano puts on standard fare. Architecturally, Lago adheres to Italian Futurismo: “Its entrance will be wrapped in a colorful mosaic measuring 15 feet tall and spanning 100 feet wide, comprised of Italian glass portraying an aerial map of Milan. The abstract map will include colored backlit glass panels with a color gradient and bright metal accents symbolizing Milan’s roadways … The bar’s focal point will be a geometric back bar reminiscent of Emilio Pucci designs, a nod to Italy’s rich history of style and fashion. Along the top of the bar, Venini-inspired hand-blown glass vases will hold large up-lit flower displays.”

I don’t think I can afford to eat there but I definitely want to see it.

And now for a word from our sponsor: The new edition of Las Vegas Advisor is available online. Football parties are the subject of our main feature but cover girl Delano also comes under Anthony Curtis‘ scrutiny. I could give you his verdict but that would be telling.

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