Second-quarter operating profits in Atlantic City were up everywhere except for — you guessed it — Trump Taj Mahal. The 
Taj swung from a $2 million profit in 2Q14 to a $900,000 loss, another testament to CEO Bob Griffin‘s inspiring leadership. Despite the drag exerted by the Taj, cash flow was up 28% in the market. The increased profitability is actually greater if defunct turkeys like Revel, the Atlantic Club, Trump Plaza and the martyred Showboat are added to the year/year splits. The Golden Nugget‘s ability to draw in refugee players from the closed casinos was reflected in a 902% increase (that’s not a typo) in profitability, nearly $8 million.
Resorts Atlantic City also continues to climb the ladder, up 153%. (Having the lowest ADRs in town can’t hurt.) High ADRs at market-leader Borgata may have shooed some players over to 
Caesars Atlantic City, which reported 94% occupancy. The Taj was the emptiest, at 68%. Borgata had the lowest percentage increase in profit (5%) but the greatest dollar volume, at $45 million, while Resorts’ $5 million was the smallest dollar volume. Instead of fighting with Trump Taj workers, owner-to-be Carl Icahn should ask the inept management team why it deserves not to be sacked en masse when he takes charge.
* If you think the Baha Mar morass is deep, think how much worse it would be if then-Harrah’s Entertainment CEO Gary Loveman 
hadn’t pulled his company out of the megaresort. You’d have a bankrupt Caesars Entertainment, a wannabe-bankrupt Baha Mar Ltd. and an inept China Construction America all pointing fingers, instead of only two out of three. The smart money’s on the Bahamanian government steering the project away from current ownership and into Genting Group‘s money-laden arms.
* Caesars has reached a settlement with FinCEN over money-laundering “lapses” at Caesars Palace. These included taking sportsbook action from betting rings, among other instances of being asleep at the switch. Compared to the $47 million fine levied on Las Vegas Sands, Caesars got off lightly, dunned to the tune of $20 million.
* Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino is obviously betting on the controversial Tohono O’odham Nation to open its nearby casino project. As a pushback measure, it’s adding 200 hotel rooms, at $500,000 apiece.
* Gaming is quickly gaining traction in Georgia. Gov. Nathan Deal‘s opposition notwithstanding, the Legislature will be holding hearings on casino gambling and parimutuel horse racing next month. Meanwhile, Caesars and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians are creeping up on Georgia’s flank with $110 million 
Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino, less than two hours’ drive from Chattanooga. It’s a smaller version of Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, with 1,050 slots and 70 tables, but no spa or concert hall and only a food court. Endearingly named General Manager Lumpy Lambert characterizes the property as a “day-trip destination” rather than a resort. The 900 jobs it brings should be quite a boost to Murphy, North Carolina (population 1,627), although the casino’s location outside of town will make it difficult for Murphy to draw foot traffic to its downtown tourist attractions. With one more casino license in their pocket, Caesars and the Cherokee aren’t done yet, either.
