Sands blitzes Texas; Las Vegas “swarming” with tourists; Oscars suck

Starting last week, Las Vegas Sands has been blanketing the Texas airwaves with a barrage of pro-casino ads. Faced with a loss of traction in the Lege, Sands is turning to the court of public opinion. Going in drag as the Texas Destination Resort Alliance, Sands is using the ads to tout the virtues of a bill currently before lawmakers that would (among other virtues) establish $1 billion-$2 billion ‘destination resorts.’ The TV and radio spots highlight the amount of Lone Star State money being siphoned off by Oklahoma and Louisiana, saying, “Let’s boost our economy, create tens of thousands of jobs and help fund vital services like schools and public safety.” Both the state House and Senate versions of the casino bill are stuck in committee, and Sands is obviously hoping to budge them with an ad blast. Responding to criticism that this was a made-in-Vegas legislative push, Sands lobbyist Andy Abboud responded that Golden Nugget CEO Tilman Fertitta was being consulted on the proposed law.

Unsurprisingly, the problem-gambling issue was raised in committee. To this, state Rep. Charlie Geren (R) replied, “We already have negative social impact. Go no further than our borders than those with an addiction can drive less than 20 minutes and then return home to our state with no resources in place for them. Go no further than your smartphone, where illegal bets are bing placed on illegal bookie apps every day.” Well put.

Less expectedly, opposition was heard from the Kickapoo Tribe, operators of Eagle Pass Casino, which would get Class III status in the bill. Gov. Greg Abbott (R) continues to hedge his anti-gaming stance, saying he wants to public to weigh in on the issue. Dr. Miriam Adelson jetted to Texas to meet with Abbott and gambling-averse Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) but claimed that any talk of casinos was just a big coinky-dink. Right. They were probably exchanging recipes. As for Abboud, he is less coy, saying, “We’re here for the long haul. We’re very committed to Texas, whether it is this session or future sessions.” That’s good for Sands because it doesn’t look like casinos are going to happen this year and maybe not next.

One of our correspondents just returned from a sojourn in Las Vegas and found recovery well underway, with Downtown more crowded than he’d ever seen it. Circa was “swarming” with people, both at the sports book (despite a dearth of compelling sports action) and at Stadium Swim. Golden Gate was similarly crowded and there even waiting lines to get into The D. Over at the Boyd Gaming properties it was “dead” at the California Hotel and “empty” at the Fremont Hotel. The absence of Hawaiian traffic is really hurting Boyd. A stay at The Cromwell was “disappointing”: The pool was advertised as being open but wasn’t. Still and overall, the pluses outweighed the minuses.

In good news for businesses but bad news for bargain hunters, industry execs anticipate demand outstripping supply for air flights, hotel rooms and resort stays, driving prices upward. Hoteliers find themselves happily caught between an anticipated post-June surge in tourism and health-related capacity restrictions. “If a market is open for travel we are seeing surges in leisure demand,” said Intercontinental Hotels CEO Keith Barr. “It will clearly be a leisure-led recovery underpinned by essential business travel.” Growth in bookings is tracking parallel to increases in the number of consumers who have been vaccinated. Barr told Marketwatch that “China is a very good example of when the virus is contained, because it’s effectively contained in China, and consumer behavior is back to normal. You see travel returning with an incredible surge. Planes are full, trains are full and meetings and events are happening.” Baby Boomers were the first to return to the domestic market, followed by Generation X, seeking “revenge travel” or “vaccinations.” Expect more hotel business to be done digitally and in a contact-less environment. Fortunately for the industry, we were already well down this road before Covid-19 hit.

In other sign of normality, Nevada brothels can go back into business on May 1. “The phones started ringing off the hook; e-mails coming through for reservations,” reported Madam Dena of Sheri’s Ranch in Pahrump, an account of pent-up demand corroborated by Mustang Ranch madam Jennifer Barnes, who says, “Oh yeah, we’re booked out.” Gov. Steve Sisolak (D) rationalized his low prioritization of the sex industry by telling reporters, We’re going to have to look at getting kids back into schools before we look at getting folks back into brothels.” However, when reopening priorities devolved upon county governments it was Katie, bar the door. Covid-conscious health precautions will be in place and sex workers who have been largely bereft of income for the past year will be back in the pink, financially, especially with gold rush of customers headed their way. Interestingly, some prostitutes are electing not to return rather than get vaccinated and/or agree to regular Coronavirus testing. We doubt the brothels will have difficulty filling those defections from the ranks.

Given a mostly underwhelming field of nominees (Nomadland? Seriously?), we’ve put off the depressing take of reporting Academy Awards betting odds. The aforementioned, amorphous Frances McDormand vehicle is the favorite for Best Picture and overwhelmingly for Best Director. Having played the trump card of dying prematurely (see Finch, Peter and Ledger, Heath), it’s a metaphysical certainty that Chadwick Boseman (Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom) will reach from the grave to take the Best Actor statuette, with only Sir Anthony Hopkins (+700 for The Father) having a prayer of pulling an upset. It’s a close race for Best Actress, with Promising Young Woman‘s Carey Mulligan the narrow favorite and only Vanessa Kirby (rightly) out of the running for Pieces of a Woman. Looking stoned for 127 minutes is not acting, Daniel Kaluuya is a lock—and justifiably so—for his electric turn in Judas and the Black Messiah, while Best Supporting Actress should see Youn Yuh-Jung (Minari) edge Maria Bakalova (Borat Subsequent Moviefilm). Promising Young Woman and Nomadland have modest leads in the screenplay honors, while Another Round is favored to win Best International Film. The only outright tossup is Best Film Editing, a dead heat between sleeper Sound of Metal and The Trial of the Chicago 7. Expect Terence Blanchard‘s epic score for Da Five Bloods to get the back of the Academy’s hand, completing a total Spike Lee snub. It’s a traveshamockery.

Jottings: Citing “extraordinary demand,” Usher has added six more dates to his Caesars Palace residency, with performances between Aug. 4-14. The press release straightfacedly describes the cavernous Coliseum as “intimate” and says tickets go on sale April 29. There will be a special presale from 10 a.m. on April 24 until 10 p.m. the following Wednesday. Seats start at $59 per … Congratulations to Ocean Casino Resort CEO Terry Glebocki (above), named the first female president of the Casino Association of New Jersey. If anybody knows how to solve what ails Atlantic City, it’s Glebocki … Delaware North is selling Jake’s 58 hotel/casino on Long Island to a Suffolk County OTB for $120 million … Bravo to The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas for paying bonuses to workers who get their Covid-19 vaccinations. As much as $1 million could eventually be disbursed. The Cosmo used to be Covid Central but has really stepped up to the plate lately. Workers who don’t get their shots face the weekly hassle of Coronavirus tests … In a show of desperation, Macao is offering government subsidies to residents if they book staycations at Macanese hotel/casinos. The offer isn’t very ‘george’: $25 per person. That doesn’t even cover an evening at a dump like Hotel Lisboa ($34/night). Tourist-oriented tours are also being steeply discounted for locals. Singapore is also offering hotel vouchers but its being thrice as generous: $75/adult … Roulette, pai gao and baccarat will soon be on the menu for Arizona‘s tribal casinos, thanks to a compact revision signed by Gov. Doug Ducey (R). Tribes will also get 6,300 more slot machines. More power to them.