Just say “No.” That’s what Nevada gaming regulators are advising casinos who might be tempted to take advantage of the new legality of recreational marijuana in the Silver State. Bowing to federal law, the Nevada Gaming Control Board and Nevada Gaming Commission are hewing to the stand they staked out when medicinal marijuana was legalized two years ago: that participation “reflects discredit” upon the gaming industry and is inconsistent with effective regulation. The state’s stance is “a work in progress,” said NGC Chairman Tony Alamo. But, he added, “The tilt was that there’s a federal law and we expect people to follow the federal law.” (Now if they could only get casinos to be as diligent about money laundering.)
However, policy is easier set than enforced. How do casinos prevent guests from lighting up or otherwise consuming loco weed in their hotel rooms? Aside from following one’s nose, there’s no effective mechanism and often the only proof is the lingering smell of stale pot smoke after guests have checked out. Also, noting a trend in Colorado, how do you police against people renting out parked cars and vans to others who want to light up? And, finally, why should Nevada get exercised to enforce a federal law that Uncle Sam himself can’t be bothered to police. In all, the regulatory session left casinos with more questions than answers, although we don’t expect to see Sheldon Adelson opening a pot-smoking lounge at Lavo anytime soon.
* Las Vegans got to “ooh” and “aah” at the 2,250-pound, glass, dragon sculpture that is the centerpiece of eponymous Lucky Dragon Casino when it opened last weekend, a fortnight ahead of schedule. A Las Vegas casino hasn’t been finished in advance of opening day (often quite the contrary) since Paris-Las Vegas back in 1999. The early opening may be something of an enticement to much-desired locals players, who are expected to provide the backbone of business. International players, while coveted, are expected to provide a relatively small share of business. The trick will be to wean the locals from their favored off-Strip haunts and into a high-end Strip joint.
* Although ESPN and Yahoo will continue to offer daily fantasy sports, most of the small DFS operators can pack up and go home now that DraftKings and FanDuel have agreed to merge. After all, in addition to having the largest tranche of market share, the two companies are in cahoots with various major league sports and broadcasting networks, embedding them deeply in the sports-media complex. The American Gaming Association was quick to hail the new alliance, seeing in it an opportunity to lobby for legalized sports betting. FanDuel and DraftKings might not like that sort of endorsement, as they’ve been making the argument that even if DFS walks like sports betting and quacks like sports betting, it really isn’t.
* Congratulations to the Downtown Grand on becoming the first casino in the United States to offer betting on e-sports. It’s not your father’s sports betting, maybe not even ours but it’s the coming thing and the Grand is once again ahead of the curve in catering to the e-sports crowd seven days a week, not just on special occasions. Nevada regulators had been wrestling with the rules for e-sports wagering but expedited the process, enabling the Grand to bring it to Glitter Gulch.
* Not even the Washington Post could avoid being dazzled by the cachet — and the economic impact (3,800 new jobs) — of MGM National Harbor. Neither can workers at Maryland Live, who are deserting the Cordish Gaming casino for the newcomer. The effect upon Maryland Live is expected to be substantial — 16% less revenue by 2019 — but not catastrophic. MGM should, however, draw off all those Virginia and Washington, D.C., players who don’t want to drive to Baltimore whenever they need a gaming fix.
* A former Nevada casino executive argues — and with good reason — that women and African Americans remain second-class citizens both in Silver State casinos and in its oversight boards. There’s been more talk about this issue of late, which we hope will translate into action.
