Beginning tomorrow, travel to Macao becomes much easier, as the Zhuhai bridge connecting Hong Kong and Macao officially opens. The ribbon is cut at 9 a.m. and several bus services are at the ready 
to make the half-hour run, compared to the hour it takes to ferry to the gambling capitol from Hong Kong. Ironically, the ceremonial first bus will leave from Macao, specifically from Hotel Grand Lisboa, in a nod to former casino monopolist Sociedade de Jogos de Macau. Peninsula casinos to enjoy bus service include MGM Macau, StarWorld Hotel (Galaxy Entertainment) and Sands Macao. Primary stops on the Cotai Strip™ will be Venetian Macao, Galaxy Macau and MGM Cotai, which could use some extra business. Casino shuttles will not be allowed on the new bridge. Rather, city hall is trying to get the enclave’s six concessionaires to consolidate and cooperatively run shuttle serves. Good luck with that.
* Unlike some other regional markets, Louisiana eked out a gain last month, up 2%. This was done largely on the strength of the Lake Charles market (up 17%) and in spite of the continuing 
disintegration of the Baton Rouge one. Gaining 25%, Golden Nugget Lake Charles ($28 million) roared past traditional leader L’Auberge du Lac, which had $24.5 million for a 15% gain. Delta Downs was up almost 20%, to $15 million, while Isle Grand Palais slipped 6% to $8 million.
By contrast, in Baton Rouge, L’Auberge Baton Rouge did best by declining least: 16% to $11 million. Gaming & Leisure Properties‘ Casino Rouge plunged 21% to $4 million and Eldorado Resorts‘ Belle of Baton Rouge fell screaming 33% to a measly $3 million. The New Orleans market was comparatively stable, led by Harrah’s New Orleans, grossing $23.5 million despite a 5.5% dip. Next best was Boomtown New Orleans, up 4.5% to $10 million, while Treasure Chest parlayed a 6% decline into an $8.5 million gross. Boyd Gaming had a better month at Amelia Belle, up 3.5% to $3.5 million. Churchill Downs was not so lucky at Fair Grounds, down 4% to $3 million.
Horseshoe Bossier City ($16 million, -1%) and Margaritaville ($14 million, +9%) continue to fight it out for dominance of the 
Shreveport area. Caesars Entertainment did better at Horseshoe than at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs, down 6% to $3.5 million, while Sam’s Town Shreveport slid 5% to $6 million. Pinnacle Entertainment bowed out meekly at Boomtown Bossier City, falling 11% to $4.5 million. Eldorado Shreveport was up 5% to almost $10 million but customers fled Diamond Jack’s, which fell 11.5% to below $3 million. It doesn’t want to be there and the sentiment seems to be mutual with patrons.
* Given the relative paucity of Baltimore Ravens home games, proximity of Horseshoe Baltimore to the team’s stadium has been a mixed blessing. However, Caesars is putting the best possible face on the situation. It has inked a pact whereby — among other things — the Ravens logo will be spatchcocked all over the casino. In return, Horseshoe is promised “ample visibility” at M&T Bank Stadium. The move is seen as a much-needed boost for the struggling Horseshoe and harbinger of many such partnerships to come. After all, with Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh hard by Heinz Field, how long could it be before the Pittsburgh Steelers and Rush Street Gaming team up?
