Wynn gets one step closer; Those insidious resort fees

“At moments like this, there is certainly a feeling of gratification and forward movement. It lifts our spirits and energizes us.” Thus spake Steve Wynn after Wynn Everett cleared another hurdle on its way to completion. A 27-page memo from Massachusetts Energy & Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton found Wynn’s traffic plans to be in compliance with codified state environmental policy — meaning Wynn’s done all he can to mitigate the effect of his eponymous resort on traffic in the Everett area. Wynn’s allies at this point also include Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack, who has turned a deaf ear to the ‘go slow’ plaints of Attorney General Maura Healey. Wynn, who will also be investing $7 million into subway improvements, is still beset by litigation and the vexing problem of improving pedestrian access. But it’s refreshing to report progress, not frustration, on Wynn’s Eastern front.

* Las Vegas resorts are getting more creative with the price-gouging, as this plague of new resort fees shows. It really takes some nerve to upcharge for a non-smoking room.

* “These measures will not affect spending related to social welfare or to the government’s investment plan,” the Macao government announced soothingly as it unleashed a bevy of spending cuts, pursuant to the latest decline (-35.5%) in casino revenue. While this latest twist of fate illustrates the dangers of predicating over 80% of Macao’s economy on cost-intensive casinos, it should be noted that spending on Hong Kong retail and on China‘s lottery were also down. Macanese bureaucrats can rest easy: No one at City Hall is going to get pink-slipped. Also, the enclave is sitting atop a $44 billion surplus, so leadership is hardly pushing the panic button, even if it is cutting spending on its own office supplies, among other things.

* Former Cosmopolitan and Fontainebleau exec Audrey Oswell has turned up as COO of Seneca Gaming Corp. Suffice it to say that the Buffalo casino market has proven more conducive to her talents than the Las Vegas Strip did. In fact, the Senecas are doing so well they’re upgrading Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino to the tune of $40 million.