Reversal in Jersey City; Tables buoy Pennsylvania grosses

Shoe mogul Paul Fireman‘s plan to build a $4.6 billion megaresort in Jersey City is losing the support of Mayor Steve Fulop (D). New Jersey State Building & Construction Jersey City casinoTrades Council President William T. Mullen was sent into a howl of outrage, saying, “I am extremely disturbed by Mayor Fulop’s stated willingness to ‘kill’ the plan to expand the state’s casino industry to North Jersey if he decides he doesn’t want it located in Jersey City.” Mullen added that the cities of Elizabeth and Newark might want what Fulop doesn’t. But is Fireman’s plan contingent upon its being in Jersey City? As for Fulop, he has gubernatorial aspirations and may not want to piss off voters in southern New Jersey. “I’m not reluctant to say that sometimes I make a mistake and my position can change based on new information,” he said, by way of explanation. “I have faith that whatever Mayor Fulop decides will be best for our city,” added casino supporter Assemblyman Raj Mukherji (D).

* Pennsylvania casinos cleaned up at the tables last month, their revenue up 12%. Once slots are factored in, the statewide increase drops to 4%. Tables leader Sands Bethlehem grossed $47 million over (+8%), good enough for second place. Parx Casino rode a 27% increase in slot winnings to a state-leading $50 million gross, up 12% from last year. Rivers Casino ($30 sugarhouse-casinomillion) was flat, while Neil Bluhm‘s other casino, SugarHouse, grossed $26.5 million, up 4%. Even Harrah’s Philadelphia was up (2%, $26 million), boosted by 20% better table luck. Mohegan Sun Pocono ($23.5 million) was flat but The Meadows Casino ($22 million) was up 6%.

Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course ($22 million) was down 2.5%, reeling from a -12% hit at the tables. Mount Airy Casino Resort ($16 million) nudged up 2% while Presque Isle Downs & Casino ($11.5 million) dipped 2.5%. Valley Forge Casino Resort had a spectacular month at the tables, vaulting 27%, good for a 6% overall increase and $10 million gross. Bringing up the distant rear was Lady Luck Casino Nemacolin, grossing $3 million, flat with last year. Operator Isle of Capri Casinos appears to be having trouble making traction in that market.

* California card room Gardens Casino is sneaking a $90 million renovation, two years in the making, onto the market via a soft opening. (Here at S&G we don’t hold with the idea of subjecting customers to a work in progress, but the industry obviously disagrees.) The centerpiece of the makeover is a threefold increase in the number of table games, to 300, augmented by new amenities in the form of 200 flat-screen televisions and 24 made-in-California craft beers. With 400 new hires, Gardens Casino becomes the largest employer in Hawaiian Gardens. Its new incarnation will also include two VIP rooms for card play and a restaurant that aims to present cuisines from around the world. Beyond its philanthropic efforts, Gardens Casino is the main prop for the city’s tax base. Let’s hope civic leaders are suitably grateful for this bigger, better card room. (“Room” seems a pitifully adequate term, doesn’t it?)

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