Now aren’t you glad that the Nevada Gaming Control Board and Gaming Commission were so quick to give James Packer the green light to own Cannery Casino Resorts? Not only is he facing an unfolding scandal in Australia, two casinos he co-owns in Macao have been tied into a high-profile bribery case. Whoops.
When asked for comment, Packer’s Crown Ltd. passed the buck ($1AU) to Melco Crown Entertainment, in effect dumping the matter in the lap of Packer partner Lawrence Ho. Considering that Packer/Ho’s City of Dreams was built on land earmarked for an institution of higher learning — without even waiting for formal rezoning approval — this could stir serious backlash in Macao. Foreign-born casino owners are the villain of choice this season, perceived to have their thumbs on the scales of justice.
Who knows? Maybe the younger Ho or one of his associates did grease somebody’s palm. However, the casino career of the Packer scion continues to be a catalogue of missteps and misfortunes. Vegas will make short work of him … if he’s still allowed to set up shop here.
