Although the Boston Globe gets a bit overheated about Tom O’Connell aspirations for a Region C casino they don’t get it wrong when they say 
O’Connell and associates “want to rewrite the rule book to suit their needs.” That means, among other things, investing far less than the statutory $500 million minimum—more like $300 million. The polyglot project would also incorporate a thoroughbred racetrack and minor-league baseball park. With a handwave, O’Connell declares the enabling legislation null and void, seeking something “that reflects current market realities.” That’s a nice way of saying he can’t compete with Encore Boston Harbor and Plainridge Park. Since the commonwealth has Neil Bluhm ready, willing and able to put $500 million into a Region C, O’Connell does not present a compelling alternative.
“We think that is the right size in Wareham,” argued O’Connell. “It’s far enough away from the existing license holders in Massachusetts so that there will be no significant destabilization … of the existing license holders.” Sen. Marc Pacheco is not impressed with O’Connell’s rationale. “We don’t have to change the statute for one person or one development team. I think that would be seen as quite frankly a corrupt process,” he informed WGHB News. O’Connell responds that he’s not seeking a sweetheart deal for himself but rather a revision of Region C that would boost competition, “We think it’s an outstanding project. We think we’re in the right region, in the right town, on the exact right parcel with a really, really great idea. But until the gaming commission is given the authority and the discretion to open up the entire region for a competition we’ll never know,” he remarked. Of course, once the commonwealth rewrites the enabling legislation to favor one developer, God knows what will come out of the woodwork.
* What were executives of Monarch Casino Resort Spa doing at Palace Station last week? Recruiting employees for their Black Hawk, Colorado, casino in Las Vegas, surprisingly enough. It’s deepest talent pool in which to dip but what does that say about the resident Colorado workforce? The job market must be pretty thin if Monarch needs to come to Sin City to staff 1,000 new positions, covering both the 500 new hotel rooms and expanded casino floor. In Vegas, they can be assured of sifting through the creme de la creme. We’d love to know how Station Casinos will feel if any of its employees jump ship to Monarch.
* In marking the first anniversary of MGM Springfield, the company chose to emphasize philanthropy. Congratulations also to MGM’s Gold Strike Tunica, which just marked 25th years in business—a signal achievement in that challenged market. Also, Saturday brings the 65th annual Yonkers Trot at Empire City Casino, if anybody cares.
* When Hooters Hotel Casino becomes Oyo, it will be at least the eighth moniker the property has had. The bargain-basement $135 million for which the hotel changed hands to Oyo renders commentary on the transaction superfluous. In case you were wondering, Paragon Gaming’s managerial sinecure remains in place.
* Sports betting, at least in Pennsylvania, is the tide that lifts all boats. An article on new sports books at The Meadows and Rivers Casino Pittsburgh makes this observation: “Casinos that have opened sportsbooks have seen increased food and beverage revenues as well as upticks in slot and table game wagering.” Bring it on!
While on the subject of sports betting, it has reached the West Coast just in time for football season. True, you’ll have to make a pilgrimage to Chinook Winds Casino Resort, owned by the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians. The Siletz will beat the state lottery to market with sports wagering by several weeks. If you set store by the fable of the tortoise and the hare, the lottery will be the eventual winner because (unlike Chinook Winds) it has mobile wagering, except on tribal lands. Since the lottery was already empowered to take sports bets, that opened the door for Chinook Winds to do the same.
* At least one Macao casino company is refraining from installing biometric facial-recognition technology until regulators have given it their approval. MGM China CEO Grant Bowie says he’s waiting for government guidelines 
before moving. (Two, maybe three companies are already in the testing phase.) “Technologies change and evolve, but particularly for facial recognition we need clear guidelines from the government,” said Bowie. He described the tech on standby at MGM Macau and MGM Cotai as “designed to ensure the probity, integrity and safety” of the gambling floor. “For us, at this point in time, it seems to be sufficient.” Sociedade de Jogos de Macau is also taking a wait-and-see attitude while Melco Resorts & Entertainment, going where angels fear to tread, is already running tests.
