In case you’re wondering, “Whatever happened to Glenn Straub?”, the answer is that he’s finally been dragged, kicking and screaming, into applying for a New Jersey gaming license for Revel and is finalizing the paperwork. Huffington Post also reveals than an 
unnamed New England tribe is the frontrunner to operate Revel when it reopens. Would Mohegan Sun really want to compete with their own operation at Resorts Atlantic City, which normally trails the pack in gaming revenue? Or would Foxwoods Resort Casino be unable to resist the lure of running a(nother) trophy property and one-upping the Mohegans in a proxy war? Another component of Straub’s solution for the property is timeshare conversion. “Straub is resistant, downright allergic, to running operating businesses,” HuffPo reports, and is looking to timeshare operator FantaSea Resorts to handle the condo angle. “Typical timeshare owners, many of whom are retired, are exactly the type of people Atlantic City needs to attract if it is going to thrive. Most are eager to explore the area and have disposable income to spend. While timeshares have traditionally had a bad reputation, this reporter found most of the timeshare owners at the Atlantic City location were satisfied customers that would recommend the timeshare to others,” adds reporter Laura Goldman.
But the main thrust of Goldman’s piece is how Borgata has survived and thrived in a non-Boardwalk location, to the point where it outgrosses Wynncore. According to resort 
Senior Vice President of Operations Joe Lupo, the key is self-sufficiency, including owning all restaurants on-property, as well as providing entertainment options that hit as many demographics as possible. And constant reinvestment in the product. Lupo stresses the importance of finding the right balance of non-gaming and gambling entertainment: “We understand the balance. Revel’s downfall early on was focused on non-gaming and it simply did not generate the revenues.” It will get another chance but I think history’s verdict has been written by this point and Borgata will reign supreme in Atlantic City regardless of what challenges are thrown up against it, whatever their provenance.
* Oklahoma casinos might have something to worry about if a ballot question, newly approved for a November vote, goes the way of Arkansas casino proponents. It would legalize casino gambling in Washington County, which borders Oklahoma. Other casinos would be approved for Boone County, which would draw players from the Branson, Missouri, area and for Miller County, along the state line of gambling-starved Texas and near the megalopolis of Clarksville. The object is clearly more to siphon dollars from other states more than to cater to Arkansas residents. Given the recent trend in Arkansas, where “instant racing” is already legal, the prospects for electoral success look good.
* No surprise here: California Assemblyman Adam Gray (D, right) has seen his latest attempt to legalize Internet poker in the Golden State die an ignominious death, not even being brought up for a vote by the full Assembly. As long as ‘bad actor’ clauses are a bone of contention, the pro- and anti-PokerStars coalitions are doomed to be at a stalemate over i-poker for as far as the eye can see.
* Are VIP rooms in Macao casinos masquerading as “smoking lounges”? The Federation of Trade Unions says they are and is petitioning the government to put an end to the alleged subterfuge. And we know the Macanese government can take a hard line with casino operators when it is so inclined.
* Now that Global Gaming Expo is just over the horizon, one of the products to look for on the exhibit floor will be 21+3 Blackjack from Playtech. S&G doesn’t normally comment on specific games but this one appears to have a catchy hook: a side bet predicated on your first two cards and the dealer’s up-card. Reports GamingIntelligence.com, “If the three combined cards form a straight, flush, three-of-a-kind, straight flush or suited three-of-a-kind, the player wins the side bet pay-out with enhanced odds.” That seems like a lure too strong for players to resist.
I still think it was a mistake for BYD to sell their interest in the big B; unless they think MGM National Harbor is going to take a bite out of it.
On Revel, for a timeshare operator to come in and take over the unfinished floors of Revel is probably a good one. The resort is beautiful and has a ton of amenities that a typical time share customer would look for.