Poll - 2019-07-24 | Las Vegas Advisor

Reader Poll: Which Las Vegas property or properties do you think the new Eldorado-Caesars Entertainment merger should sell?

Surprise. This poll wasn't previewed last week. The nine choices are set in stone and didn't require any suggestions for improvement. Also, we like to pull a rabbit out of the hat every once in a while to keep you on your toes (how did they DO that?).

So here you go.

The CEO of Eldorado Resorts, which is acquiring Caesars Entertainment, has said that he expects the new merged company will divest of some "assets" in Las Vegas. This is an informal and hopefully fun poll on which of the properties you think should be sold.

Caesars owns nine hotel-casinos in Las Vegas. Caesars Palace is, of course, the flagship. Harrah's, likewise, bears the name of the original company, before it was changed to Caesars Entertainment and it still has major brand value. Bally's could be an attractive brand, but it shares a gambling license with Paris (and is physically connected); Paris by itself would probably make the new company a lot of money, due to its relative newness and upscale market. The Flamingo is mostly big. The Cromwell is mostly small; it has a great location and Drai's and Giada, but that's about it. Caesars has recently invested a lot of money and energy turning the LINQ into a high-tech casino of the future and the Promenade and High Roller observation wheel come with it; it's also the gateway to the big new Caesars convention center opening next year. Planet Hollywood seems like a one-off and Caesars has been trying to sell the Rio for years.

So what say youse? Vote for as many as you like and take a minute or two to let us and everyone know the reasons behind your selections.

1580 Total Votes

Rio

37% (585)

Planet Hollywood

25% (388)

Harrah's

10% (156)

Bally's

9% (139)

The Cromwell

6% (97)

Paris

5% (76)

Flamingo

5% (74)

The LINQ

3% (43)

Caesars Palace

1% (22)

Analysis

This poll stacked up almost exactly as we'd have expected it to.

Practically everyone believes the new Caesars should offload the Rio, including us (our office faces the back parking lot and we'd love to see what happened to the Palms happen to the Rio). And including the old Caesars, which has been trying to dump the Rio for years (obviously, the price is too high).

Planet Hollywood is an obvious second choice, for plenty of reasons, not the least of which is that, unlike the Rio, it could fetch a tidy sum.

Choices 3-8 are bunched up pretty good, though we also agree that pack-leader Harrah's is eminently dispensable, being so non-descript; Harrah's Reno, though it's the original hotel-casino in the portfolio, would make a good pair to go.

The Cromwell and Flamingo both might have placed higher in our opinion, but clearly Caesars is betting on the LINQ to lead the way into the future of brick-and-mortar gambling.

Finally, we don't know why 22 voters believe that Caesars Entertainment should sell Caesars Palace; it's the namesake casino of the company old and new, it's one of the most iconic casinos in the world, and with its size and history is pretty much the center of the Las Vegas Strip universe. One reason might be if Eldorado Resorts has a longer-range game plan than it's letting on; perhaps sometime in the future it plans to change the company name? Time will tell.

No part of this answer may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the publisher.

Comments

Kevin C Jul-24-2019

Contiguous bloc

The most logical deal for both buyer and seller would be Bally's,  Paris, and PH all together - assuming a price agreeable to both parties.

Dave Jul-24-2019

Cluster

Harrah’s, Linq, Cromwell, Bally’s and Paris are something of a cluster. I can’t see selling any in the middle. Can’t sell Paris without selling Bally’s. And I can’t see selling it’s former namesake Harrah’s, when so many people still use that name as the corporate name. Similarly, can’t sell Caesars. 

Although Planet Hollywood is part of the cluster, it has its own identity and personality, and could easily be severed. And bring in a price making it worth it. 

Rio? Doubtful that it could bring in much money, but if Eldorado’s primary goal is to divest something, I’ll give them ten bucks for it...

Frank Romano Jul-24-2019

Cluster

So I would think Flamingo, Linq & Cromwell are off limits. The Cluster that should be sold is Bally's, Paris & Planet Hollywood. Harrah's is questionable but I think could be stay profitable in its location. Clearly  Rio will be put up for sale as soon as possible.

Ray Jul-24-2019

Harrah's, Rio

Harrah and Rio seem the most logical. Although they would bring in the least amounts, if your comments in the question about "trimming around the edges" is valid, these would make sense both for profitability and logistically.

Birdie Jul-24-2019

Methinks Bally’s?

I think Bally’s. Selling PH would remove the Caesars brand from that busy part of the strip ~ especially with the Miracle Mile, T-Mobile, The Park Theatre and the new stadium in close proximity. That’s a whole lotta moolah flowing in that area.

O2bnVegas Jul-24-2019

Bookends

Might as well sell off the bookends, Planet Hollywood and Harrah's.  

Harrah's has lost its luster.  A buyer could then (in somebody's dreams) buy Casino Royale next door as well, and start something there.  Monorail stop might add appeal...or not.

Planet Hollywood is a brand all over the place, not as identifiable with Harrah's/Caesars as the others. 

I also voted for poor Rio.  Somebody should take pity.

Pamela Jul-27-2019

The Cromwell

I know it's not likely to happen, but I would love to see the Cromwell go back to an independent boutique hotel (ala Barbary Coast). What do you say, Michael Gaughan?

Gary Aug-04-2019

garyv711

All need a lot of work.

O2bnVegas Aug-06-2019

Off topic!

Way, way off topic, but must express shock after reading Today's News:  

Was Allegiant even in the running in the LVA poll for who would get to name the Raider's stadium?  Allegiant?  Really?  For 30 years?  Granted, my experience being some 20 years ago, I thought of Allegiant as the bottom feeder of airlines.  Perhaps their planes no longer break down routinely.  My apologies to Allegiant fans.

Poll : 24 July - 13 August 2019

Analysis

Comments