A California tribe is getting into Internet gambling in a somewhat roundabout way. The Pala Indians are beta-testing PalaCasino.com, which will be run off the online 
platform of … Borgata. (Casinos in Atlantic City can host as many as five ‘Net casinos per property.) Pala’s 90-game package will go live on Monday, pending approval by the Division of Gaming Enforcement. Of course, it can only take action from Garden State punters. Pala Interactive Chief Marketing Officer Jeremy Clemons told media, “Our launch in New Jersey is a huge step for the company, and we want to make sure we’re rolling out one of the best, most user-friendly casino experience on the market.”
* Faced with the imminent approval of four new casinos, Turning Stone Casino, in Oneida, New York, is differentiating itself with 250,000 square feet of upscale shopping and dining. The Oneida Nation‘s Ray Halbritter denies that it’s a reactive move, characterizing it as part of the evolution of the property and the industry as a whole. Developer Gordon Group has built retail malls at Caesars Palace, as well as at both Connecticut casinos. Although Sheldon Gordon characterized the retail sector as “overloaded,” he has confidence in the Oneida market.
* Thanks to casinos, Ohio is $2.2 billion richer. I wonder if, knowing that, Gov. John Kasich (R) would vote against them a second time. As Hollywood Casino Columbus General Manager Himbert Sinopoli says, “We see a lot of positives for people who were unemployed or underemployed and their families.”
Regionomics naysayer Bill Lafayette said, “you’re [only] diverting money from other places. Yes, casino employment has gone up, but employment in other businesses has gone down.” The Penn National Effect (exaggeration of casino revenues for electoral gain) has also been seen, with gaming revenues 44% below projections.
* If you’re staying at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas next month, be sure to pack your ice skates.
