Wynn Boston Harbor a ‘go’; Caesars’ big score

Depending on how peevish Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone is feeling, groundbreaking on Wynn Boston Harbor could be a week away. Wynn Resortswynn_night-fullacknowledgement of its latest victory contained just a hint of battle fatigue, saying the rejection of Curtatone’s arguments “hopefully concludes” one of the most protracted construction debates in Massachusetts history. For his part, dese-dem-dose palooka Curtatone is saying maybe he won’t appeal further — but maybe he might. (My money’s on the latter; surely Curtatone hasn’t enjoyed this much press in years.)

For his part, Wynn Boston Harbor President Robert DeSalvio isn’t waiting to find out. “Crews and resources are being readied and mobilized,” he told the Boston Herald. Curtatone could ask the Department of Environmental Protection to reconsider its ruling or even take the whole matter to court — and never mind that  Curtatone is sticking it to his own constituents every time he delays Wynn Boston Harbor and the jobs it will bring. Wynn did have to give a little to please the DEP, reducing the life of the permit by 35 years and conceding two more acres of green space. The need for ferry service was also set down in black and white. “This was never about trying to stop the casino,” Curtatone said disingenuously, “but to mitigate the impact on our community, on our environment, on our public health and our quality of life.” Curtatone has wasted $400,000 in taxpayer money on his little crusade. I hope he thinks it was worth it.

* Word out of China is that there’s a $4.2 billion offer on the table for Caesars Interactive Entertainment. Aptly named Giant Interactive Group is being credited CAESARS-ENTERTAINMENT-LOGOwith outbidding Hasbro and Netmarble Games for the Caesars division, with includes social-gaming outfit Playtika. If accurate, the purchase would land Giant an asset that grew revenues 23% last year. Excluded from the transaction would be any for-money games, as well as the Web aspects of the World Series of Poker. The good news for junior bondholders in the Caesars Entertainment Operating Co. bankruptcy is that, according to Reuters, “proceeds from a Caesars Interactive online games unit sale would help the bankruptcy estate.” The bad news is that they still have to stand in line behind senior bondholders to get their piece of the Giant sale, should it go through.

* Gardena, California, quickly folded its hand, outplayed by Larry Flynt and his threat to close the Normandie Casino (soon to be the Lucky Lady). City officials had been demanding huge upfront payments in return for tax incentives. Flynt called it “a proposal only a fool could sign and I’m no fool.” No, indeed. City councilmen promptly backpedaled. According to the Daily Breeze, they “agreed to remove the monthly payments in return for a contractual provision allowing them to renegotiate the deal if revenues drop significantly at the two casinos. The city, in exchange, will reimburse Flynt half of his tax payments on revenue over $2 million a month.” Gardena is extremely hard up for money but, in cracking down on a major revenue generator like Flynt, it risked killing the goose that laid what few golden eggs there are to be had.

* The Michelin Man paid a visit to Singapore and liked the food at Resorts World Sentosa. In particular, the premiere Michelin Guide for Singapore bestowed a coveted three-star rating on Joel Robuchon Restaurant. Resorts World also has two-star L’Atelier du Joel Robuchon. For once, Marina Bay Sands was bested, having to settle for one-star mojo for Wolfgang Puck‘s Cut steakhouse and Waku Ghin, by Tetsuya Wakuda. Robuchon can’t power Resorts World past Marina Bay Sands for first place in revenues but he gives it some prestigious bragging rights.

* In an all-too-apt metaphor for the cruises-to-nowhere casino industry, the rusty Lady Luck gaming vessel was towed to a spot off the coast of Pompano Beach and then sent to Davy Jones’ Locker, in an event that attracted hundreds of boats filled with sightseers curious to take in the spectacle. “I think it went down just the way that we wanted,” said one official connected to the event. The overarching idea is to create an underwater attraction. Divers will be able so swim amongst phony casino tables and slot machines, and doubtless take selfies with shark statues. The whole thing sounds a bit risky for my taste but if scuba-diving is your thing, add Lady Luck to your to-do list. Besides, Steve Wynn is probably to going to read about this and decide to build an undersea casino, so won’t you want to say you were there first?

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