Just as the clock was running out for Caesars Entertainment to name a new CEO, Carl Icahn‘s preferred candidate, Anthony Rodio, came 
across the transom, fresh from Affinity Gaming. Or so the Wall Street Journal says and the WSJ is rarely wrong. According to JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff, Caesars “will formally begin to evaluate takeover interest with the hiring of a named investment bank.” Icahn still gets a fourth seat on the Caesars board because Rodio takes that occupied by outgoing CEO Mark Frissora. Greff says the seat was difficult to fill given that it might be merely a caretaker job, discouraging one other “oft-discussed” candidate (Anthony Sanfilippo?). Rodio was Icahn’s go-to guy at Tropicana Entertainment, so it’s understandable that Uncle Carl would have an ‘affinity’ for Rodio at new-look Caesars.
However, Rodio “gives CZR the flexibility of guiding CZR through the process of potentially selling itself and if a change in control transaction doesn’t materialize, gives CZR a CEO with a long tenure in the industry as well as history with running CZR’s Atlantic City assets,” according to Greff. Speaking of the Boardwalk, some of those Atlantic City assets could be on the chopping block following a buyout, regardless of purchaser and whether Rodio survives the takeover.
* Wynn Resorts has been a hotbed of intrigue lately. But it soon may have 100% less Intrigue, as in the nightclub. VitalVegas‘ Scott Roeben reports that the Strip nightspot will soon be closing and Roeben’s information tends to be some of the best in Vegas.
* In a break with tradition, Las Vegas is making one of the “best” lists and the casino industry’s investment in solar energy is helping make it possible. According to the Environment America Research & Policy Center and the Frontier Group, Sin City is fifth in solar photovoltaic cells installed per capita and ninth in total PV installed. That makes Las Vegas a “solar star” (cities with 50 or more watts of solar PV capacity installed per capita) according to the report, up there with the likes of Phoenix and San Diego, and leader of the Mountain region. Sunlight is Las Vegas’ most abundant natural resource and here’s hoping that governmental policies continue to be promulgated to continue its march toward self-sufficiency.
* Is the government of Nevada being “arbitrary and capricious” in the awarding of licenses to sell marijuana? That’s the contention of several firms who are suing the state to halt further licensure until the process behind them is made transparent. Of the last 462 applicants, only 61 were chosen, moving attorney Vincent Savarese to remark, ‘‘I’m not saying anybody corruptly got a license. ‘But I’m saying that if they had, the process is opaque enough to provide cover for it.’’ Mary Jane has proven to be the new equivalent to the casino industry in the Silver State, generated $425 million in recreational sales in 2017, plus another $105 million in medicinal marijuana transactions. That meant $42.5 million in taxes, the bulk of which went to the school system.
* A Steve Perry-less Journey has been announced for a fortnight’s residency at the revamped Colosseum from Oct. 9 through Oct. 26. Even without Perry, this should be a great opportunity to check out the new-look Colosseum. And though we rarely announce residencies in this space, who are to pass up a chance to post some Journey footage?
* Congratulations to Tiger Woods on his fifth Masters win yesterday, all the sweeter for being so long deferred, and to the punters who wagered on him to nail it. Since Woods started play as an underdog, his bettors should be cleaning up nicely today.
