Wynn sued … twice

Steve Wynn is the gift you wish wouldn’t keep on giving. Wynn Resorts has been slammed with two lawsuits in a week, thanks to Wynn’s libidinous proclivities. According to Casino.org, “Steve Wynn, pressured [women] to not talk with the media, only to later joke about kissing female employees.” Former company president Maurice Wooden is quoted in the lawsuit as having told nine Jane Does not to speak with the press, which was taken as a threat. As for the anonymity of the plaintiffs—each of whom seeks $50,000—“Plaintiffs belief that public disclosure of their identities will subject them to further retaliation, humiliation and scorn, will invade their solitude and privacy and that of their families if it becomes known what lurid and abusive conduct was directed at them by Steve Wynn.”

No such trepidation for massage therapist Brenna Schrader, who is suing both the company and Wynn himself for fostering a hostile work environment. (It’s a class-action lawsuit, so more plaintiffs could be forthcoming.) That would certainly describe a high-pressure meeting convened by El Steve, with a heavy security detail surrounding the room. “Steve Wynn asked the 40+ Salon employees assembled to raise their hands if they ever felt assaulted or abused by him, pressuring the Salon employees to ‘out’ themselves and subject themselves to further humiliation and possible retaliation.” The mogul allegedly followed that up by visiting the salon along with a camera crew. “He asked staffers to say on camera that they had never been sexually abused.”

“Wynn was accused of sexual misconduct and mistreating female subordinates, but he has not been found guilty in a criminal court,” says Casino.org, weakly. After all, it’s a neat trick not to have been found guilty when no criminal charges have been filed. Adds the company, “Wynn Resorts is deeply committed to a fair, supportive, and open work environment. The company takes prompt action and addresses each and every harassment complaint it receives.” That would be hilarious if it weren’t so sad.

On a happier note for Wynn Resorts, anticipated traffic problems at Encore Boston Harbor have failed to materialize. One Massachusetts gaming commissioner, James McHugh, actually voted for a rival project because he feared Encore would snarl traffic. (Ditto Boston Mayor Martin Walsh and state Attorney General Maura Healey.) Casino patrons, it seems, avoid morning and evening rush hours, ameliorating anticipated traffic problems. “The morning commute is the morning commute, it’s always been there. But it seems like it flows better,” said Everett Police Chief Steven Mazzie, giving Wynn Resorts’ roadwork the nod for the increased fluidity. His views were echoed by the Charlestown Patriot-Bridge: “Few could have predicted that Encore would open and there would barely be a blip on the screen of the traffic situation in Charlestown, but it has been the case.” Chalk up another win for Encore.

* Casino security continues to be a hot-button issue. Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs has been fined $152,500 for going 91 days without a mandated level of security personnel. For its part, Mohegan Sun casts itself as being between a rock and a hard place, unable to compete with new area employers, with the graveyard security detail being particularly difficult to fill. (Of 20 job offers only six were accepted.)

Understated General Manager Tony Carlucci, “We got ourselves into a bad mess, frankly.” The casino’s response to the problem has been to bump salaries 21% and add retention bonuses. “We’re losing people already,” said Carlucci. “If I start forcing people to do overtime, it’s just going to make matters worse.” He chose to skimp on casino-floor security, rather than at property entrances. State regulators did what they could to expedite hiring but their disciplinary hand was ultimately forced. Staffing is now at the prescribed levels but Carlucci is understandably regretful.

* Ohio lost one Hard Rock casino but, thanks to the dismantling of Jack Entertainment, will get another, in Cincinnati. The former Jack Cincinnati will rebranded as a Hard Rock, complete with namesake café and concert hall. The new owners are not expanding the $745 million acquisition but are shrewdly converting space, making the concert venue out of a ballroom and putting the café on the casino floor (adios, Margaritaville).

COO Jon Lucas predicted the showroom would attract “B-level or A-minus” talent of almost all genres. Harping on a familiar Hard Rock refrain he said, “We’re all about entertainment. That’s not just gaming, but great restaurants, great bars and great live entertainment. What will drive people to our property rather than someone else’s?” (A winning formula, ’tis true.) While not ruling an eventual Hard Rock Hotel, Lucas focused on the here and now, including an expanded smoking patio. Gotta keep the nicotine puffers happy.

* Parx Casino‘s marketing alliance with the Philadelphia 76ers provides a road map for other such casino-team partnerships.