All too predictably, lawmakers in New Jersey slunk away from their previous commitment to close the smoking loophole that solely benefits Atlantic City casinos. State Sen. Joseph Vitale (D) claimed to be one vote short of advancing the bill out of committee. Colleague Fred Madden (D) took the coward’s way out, saying he was open to a bullshit “compromise” advanced by the Casino Association of New Jersey, no friend of the working stiff. The CANJ alternative would amend the bill currently before solons to allow an 18-month continuation of wide-open smoking. During that period of sanctioned secondhand smoke, operators would have the option of enhancing their HVAC systems (an ineffecutal remedy) and creating enclosed smoking areas—with games and sponsored by tobacco companies. Hack casino executive and CANJ boss Mark Giannantonio‘s group claims—not very credibly—that no employee would be compelled to work in a smoking area. And if everyone refuses? What then? Those questions went begging.
Asserting that he was “extremely confident” that a smoking ban would lead to job losses, Madden laughably pretended to be solicitous of employee welfare. “I didn’t sign up to this to start taking people’s livelihoods away. But it’s extremely important to put health first and that’s what I’m trying to do here.” How? By indulging smokers? Likewise, Giannantonio had the nerve to say that “for the first time, people are beginning to realize that the bill, as drafted, will have a significant adverse effect on Atlantic City’s economy.” Really? How does this former Columbia Sussex hatchet man explain the post-Covid prosperity that his casino and others enjoyed during the interim that smoking was totally banned? Or are they going to take a page from Rhode Island and argue that the casinos are disproportionately dependent on degenerate players who have a smoking comorbidity? Sounds like we’re headed that way.
More faux-solicitude came from Chamber of Commerce of Southern New Jersey President Christina Renna, who trilled, “We’re not here to debate whether cigarettes are healthy. We know they are not. We are here to debate whether casinos will have to lay off individuals or shutter altogether if a smoking ban goes into place.” So: Smoking = bad but layoffs = worse, evidently. If one follows Renna’s logic to its conclusion, being poisoned in the workplace is preferable to a defunct casino. If your gaming house is in such ropey financial condition that a smoking ban is going to push it over the edge, maybe you’re in the wrong line of business.
Health advocates and casino workers were hopping mad about Vitale’s chicken-out ploy. Americans for Nonsmokers Rights President Cynthia Hallett initially practiced restraint. “Casinos and their lobbyists waited until the last minute to engage in this discussion, and legislators clearly need more time to understand the repercussions of dangerous amendments they are unveiling at the 11th hour that would hurt the most vulnerable casino workers, she wrote, adding that “The scare tactics from casinos are tired and no longer apply in a post-Covid world.” “We are continuing to have conversations with legislators to make clear the dangers of the ideas casinos are suggesting,” read a statement from CEASE, which went on to say the CANJ response was baloney: “an absurd idea and every legislator should reject it.” We wholeheartedly agree.
Staying on the Boardwalk for a moment, two directly juxtaposed stories in The Press of Atlantic City unwittingly (?) spotlight the glaring dichotomy between wealth and poverty in the East Coast’s casino capital. John Schultz and Gary Hill, who made their fortune by running LGBT-friendly nightclubs in Atlantic City, are listing a building for almost $11 million. Writes our Boardwalk correspondent, “It’s a nine-floor high rise, with six floors of office space, topped with floors seven through nine as their personal mansion … Other details include a dining room for 30 people, catering kitchen, regular kitchen, private movie theater, indoor swimming pool, rooftop vegetable garden, etc.” Next to that Press piece, one can read that public housing units are bereft of heat, with a photo showing one family having to resort to running their stove for warmth. For shame, Atlantic City.
Casinos in the Buckeye State dipped somewhat in October, down 2% from 2022 … but floated 19% higher than 2019. Revenue totaled $188 million for the month in Ohio. Despite being devoid of table games, MGM Northfield Park easily led the state with $24.5 million (+5%). Except for second-place Jack Cleveland ($21.5 million, +1%), conventional casinos did not fare well. Hollywood Columbus plunged 10% to $21 million, Hard Rock Cincinnati slid 5.5% to $19 million and Hollywood Toledo dimmed 2% to $18 million. Excepting Scioto Downs ($17.5 million, -9%) racinos generally did much better. We’ve already mentioned MGM, but must also acknowledge Jack Thistledown ($14.5 million, flat), Belterra Park ($7 million, +4%) and Hollywood Dayton ($13 million, +2.5%). Miami Valley Gaming dipped 1% to $18.5 million while Hollywood Mahoning Valley suffered a rare adverse month, down 3.5% to $13.5 million.
Sports betting brought home $78 million in revenue on handle of $724 million. DraftKings led in handle but was second in win with $28.5 million. FanDuel made $31 million, followed by BetMGM ($6 million), Bet365 ($4 million), Fanatics ($2.5 million) and Caesars Sportsbook ($2 million). Barstool Sports ended its ignominious history an also-ran.
Hidden in a end-of-the-week news dump, MGM Resorts International reshuffled its pack of top property executives. Travis Lunn, the top man at Borgata, is being brought back to Las Vegas to helm both Mandalay Bay and Luxor. Presumably leadership is looking for Lunn to work some of the same reinvention magic on the Las Vegas Strip that he’s practiced on the Boardwalk. Ayesha Molino, a Harry Reid protégé makes a curious move from head of public affairs to COO of Aria and Vdara, effective immediately, a sudden infusion of fresh blood into those two CityCenter properties. She displaces Aria President Anton Nikodemus, who held the same role simultaneously at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. “Anton was with us for 18 years and demonstrated a commitment to quality and excellence that has left a meaningful imprint,” company COO Corey Sanders said by way of a lovely parting gift.
Also leaving, but not so precipitously, is Mandalay Bay/Luxor President Chuck Bowling, who retires June 1, 2024, leaving Lunn plenty of time to prepare. Bowling will stay with MGM as a consultant. Cosmo General Manager Nik Rytterstrom is rewarded with a promotion to the Borgata presidency, while Rick Limardo helps fill Molino’s pumps as the new vice prexy of governmental affairs. We don’t anticipate any other shakeups, although MGM Springfield President Chris Kelley is clearly being groomed for bigger things at the company.
Jottings: Workers represented by the Culinary Union overwhelmingly ratified new contracts with Caesars Entertainment, Wynn Resorts and MGM Resorts International. What we want to know is what did the 1% who voted ‘no’ not like about the George new pacts? … Inspire, the South Korea megaresort helmed by Mohegan Sun, indulged in a soft opening this week. The four-phase, mammoth complex remains unfinished … Penn Entertainment was busy this week, unveiling the look of a hotel at Hollywood Columbus (above) in Ohio, as well as that of a new tower for M Resort in Las Vegas. The Columbus tower, budgeted at $100 million, has an unspecified construction timeline. The M hotel, which will double the size of the resort, is a long-awaited vote of confidence from Penn CEO Jay Snowden … Despite being heavily committed to Chicago, the Las Vegas Strip and (possibly) in New York City, seemingly unfocused Bally’s Corp. is dicking around in the Ozarks. It has signed an agreement to develop a casino in Missouri‘s Lake of the Ozarks. It’s hardly a done deal, as voters must authorize a new gambling venue and the Missouri Gaming Commission would have to give Bally’s the nod. In an ominous indicator for oustate casinos, Mark Twain Casino recently pulled all its table games … DraftKings will open a terrestrial sports book in retail-only Mississippi. The lucky casino is Golden Nugget Biloxi. The rather austere (as depicted) book will debut on Jan. 1 … Table games are coming back to Tuscany Suites & Casino, just off the Las Vegas Strip, ending a two-year hiatus. Low table limits and 3:2 blackjack will also be returning. Bravo! … Yesterday Osage Casinos opened its newest facility in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Two years in construction, the casino boasts 521 slots and 102 hotel rooms … The Tulalip Tribes of Washington are planning a significant capex investment in their 20-year old, Washington State casino. Already the property sports 2,400 slots, 37 table games and a sports book.