Etess, Wynn cross swords & other Case Bets

Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority CEO Mitchell Etess is A-OK with Massachusetts casino regulation, as he made clear in a recent interview. (Mohegan Sun is vying for a casino license at Suffolk Downs.) “I think everybody who got into this process had the opportunity to review the law before we began doing anything, and so I don’t know why all of a sudden you would feel that there’s things that you don’t like,” said Etess, taking a not-so-muffled pot shot at Steve Wynn. Among Wynn’s complaints had been that the Bay State’s regime didn’t square with the “arithmetic of gaming establishments,” Whatever that means. (Wynn isn’t saying.)

If he wants lower taxes, he should have thought of that sooner. Besides, he pays more in Macao and would have paid yet more in Pennsylvania, so it’s tough to understand his beef. Perhaps his choler is motivated by financial-disclosure rules but that’s just a guess. Etess noted that Massachusetts’ gaming-tax rate (25%) is the lowest on the East Coast. Wynn has an ally in state Rep. Wayne Watewsky (D), who says that — in light of special consideration given to Suffolk Downs — El Steve’s considerations should be heard out … and he’s definitely got a point there. Massachusetts’ regulatory policy should be consistent but so far it’s been consistently pliant.

Melco Crown Entertainment is sprinkling magic fairy dust on Japan, in the form of a $10 million donation to the Tokyo University of the Arts. “Melco really wants to do something to help contribute to cultural development,” said company spokeswoman Maggie Ma, managing to keep a straight face. Yes, and it would also like to do something to contribute to casino development in the Land of the Rising Sun. I’m sure Melco Crown’s generosity will not go unnoticed.

Could near-record table game performance in Pennsylvania be a harbinger of new growth? Let’s hope so.

Seneca Niagara Casino may have found a way to make slot machines cool with 18-to-20 year olds: exclusivity. Seneca Niagara is aggressively making itself over in anticipation of new competition in the Empire State.

The shark tank wasn’t stocked but that didn’t keep punters away from the third and newest Poarch Band of Creek Indians electronic-bingo hall. “It’s Las Vegas,” chirped one VLT player. I doubt I’d go that far but photos of Wind Creek Wetumpka suggest that it would make a handsome locals property in Sin City. Plus it has the virtue of making virtuecrats in the Cotton State writhe in snooty anguish.