… you’ll lurve the “ghost cities” of China. Actually, they look more like something Sheldon Adelson would design — if Adelson were doing mile-long lines of cocaine, that is. He and others like him who own casinos in Macao better make all the money they can (and the pickings have never been riper) because the basic laws of economics and physics are remarkably similar, and you can’t have a bubble without a burst. (See also, Dubai.)
Remember Legionnaire’s Disease? I know what you’re thinking: It’s so 1976. Well, it’s baaaaaaack and was staying for a fortnight at Aria. (I guess it can afford the vertiginous room rates there.) Six cases that may be Aria-related have been reported since the mega-hotel opened. Although I’m beginning to wonder if CityCenter CEO Bobby Baldwin disturbed an Anasazi burial ground or something, kudos to MGM Resorts International for responding proactively and not hiding under the cone of silence.
Stupakular. The Las Vegas Sun takes a stroll down memory lane with this portfolio of failsinos, like Bob Stupak‘s Titanic casino — in a really skeevy part of Las Vegas Boulevard — and other busted projects. Some of them (like ITT‘s “Desert Kingdom”) sound even loopier than the ditzy concepts spawned by the mid-decade real estate bubble. The subway-cum-floodwater-conduit notion probably wins the palm for sheer insanity. As for the Steve Wynn/John Jerde “Las Venice” concept, Golden Gate co-owner Mark Brandenburg once shared with me Jack Binion’s reaction: “Steve, you’ve got a bunch of guys here who couldn’t come up with 20 bucks for the Second Coming of Christ. I’m just saying … slow down a little.”
[Sigh] I miss Jack Binion.
$25,000. That’s the price of a human life on the Las Vegas Strip. It’s also comforting to know that, in Florida, you can kill somebody at O’Shea’s and go right back to work. Granted, it sounds like the “victim” deserved a (non-lethal) punch in the face but isn’t everyone taking this a bit casually?
In other news, popinjay casino owner Randy Black is officially demoted to COO of three Mesquite casinos now under the control of South Point owner Michael Gaughan and longtime associate Anthony Toti. Except for allowing Black to continue appearing in TV commercials, feeding his Godzilla-sized ego, the new arrangement looks all to the good. (Mr. Black, I was here 10 years ago and, no, you were not “considered a genius.”)
Nevada Gaming Control Board member A.G. Burnett sounds a bit naive in conveniently attributing all of what is now Mequite Gaming‘s problems to the recession. Oligopolistic control of the marketplace and a seedy product had something to do with it, too. (See also: Primm.) Nearby Eureka Casino Hotel has experienced none of the problems that have made Randy Black synonymous with “disaster area.”
Can this nightclub be saved? It took less than a day for stakeholders in Eve/Beso to throw a monkey wrench into the reorganization of Eva Longoria‘s CityCenter venture. The balking investors are query a 28% post-bankruptcy drop in Eve/Beso’s grosses, among other things. (Maybe patrons don’t like the club and word’s gotten around.) They also doubt whether Beso solamente will be able to generate enough revenue to both stay afloat and pay down a whopping amount of arrears. For better or worse, Longoria’s and Crystals‘ plan of action is to throw another $2 million down a $3 million rabbit hole. At that rate, the break-even point on Eve/Beso must be off somewhere in the 22nd century.
I miss Binion too! I am very surprised he has not purchased something. He went after a Kansas license (and lost) but really nothing else that I know of. Jack…..now is the time to bring back the International!
A lot of people miss Jack Binion. I bumped into him at an airport located near of of his former riverboats recently. Without going into speculation why he would be there, I introduced myself, chatted amiably for a few moments, and went on my way.
Vegas could use him again, but he’s having too much fun in Macau, I think, and at 78, what’s left for him to conquer?
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Regarding the criminal case, the facts do indicate the DA’s office overcharged the defendant. You might want to consider what the DA’s office might have done if the defendant were white. IIRC, the defendant is a high school football coach in Florida, and has no priors. I would focus on the DA’s conduct rather than the judge’s. At very worst this is a murder 2 charge, and more likely voluntary manslaughter. Facts indicate no intent, and negligence on the part of the defendant (for hitting him).
I’ve never really been a big fan of David Roger. He’s a marginally competent DA at best, and it kind of shows here.
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Regarding Randy Black, it might have been a little of both. I remember real estate values in the Mesquite area going sky high…I remember houses selling for $1M and thinking, Mesquite?
St. George, the market Mesquite serves, it isn’t. But I can’t say too much bad about Black, the video poker at his properties was always pretty good-as was Eureka-maybe a little too good.