Math was always my worst subject, so it's a good thing I've got sharp-eyed readers who keep me honest. One of them asks how MGM Mirage is going to save $75 million (later restated by the company as $200 million) by showing 400-plus managerial employees the heave-ho. "What," the reader asks, "is the annual salary of the 400 managers? [$]75,000,000/40 = $187,500 [...] pretty good gig for middle management!" (Can't argue with that last point, for sure.)

To be fair, let's re-divide by 440 (the precise number of mid-level people MGM has said it let go), which gives us $170,454.54. But I'm still foxed for an answer -- unless the value of employee benefits, like health insurance (possibly including dependents) is being factored into MGM's equation. Asks the reader, "is somebody fudging some numbers?"

Well, considering that those numbers increased by $125 million in the space of a day, I'd conjecture that despite "months of research" MGM is itself unsure as to what they are. Maybe it just threw a ballpark figure out there and then, when Wall Street reacted with a sell-off, tossed out a bigger one. But that's 101% speculation.

Speaking of MGM Mirage, it must be feeling pretty confident that server-based gambling in Nevada is a "go" because it's inked a memo of understanding with IGT for the latter to set up a all-server-based casino at CityCenter. (Yes, even table games)

Although, as the Las Vegas Review-Journal's Howard Stutz once observed, server-based gaming is forever 'a year away,' it makes more sense to put the infrastructure in beforehand than to retrofit. Plus, with CityCenter's opening night a year and two-thirds away, Nevada has plenty of time to sign off on the technology. It also provides a distinctive selling point for a casino that's been overshadowed by all other aspects of CityCenter so far.

Unfortunately for IGT, the good news was upstaged by 2Q08 results that came in 35% lower than expected. The recession also cast a pall over the outlook for the rest of the year. Here's the full report.

There's got to be some good news, right? Indeed. Tourists visiting Macao are spending 15% more than last year. I wish they were spending it in the good old U.S. of A. But at least they're still spending.

Oh, and CotaiNews.com has launched an offshoot, devoted to worldwide casino developments. The lead story? Myriad Botanical Resort (above) -- what else? According to the blog, Myriad's snow park is still part of the plan. Wacky! Like I said, it's the Dixie Dubai.

Is Eisenhower still president? That's how I felt last night after a BoSox/Yankees game that ran a mind-numbing 4.25 hours and ended with a football score (9-15) ... which didn't preclude Joe Girardi from having Mariano Rivera warm up to protect a six-run lead (had it been a mere five runs, I'm sure panic would have run rampant). The Yankees are aging better than the BoSox, who look ancient and cement-footed, but it took them a week to steal their first base, so don't expect much excitement out of either team. Just mediocre pitching vs. worse pitching, while they take turns clubbing each other into submission.

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