Should we ban Steve Wynn?; Caesars vote set

Perhaps anticipating the expiration of Steve Wynn‘s noncompete agreement with Wynn Resorts, the Nevada Gaming Control Board has filed a complaint against El Steve in court, saying he brought “discredit” upon the state of Nevada, reports KTNV-TV. Could this be first step toward banning him? Should Steve Wynn ever be allowed to own a casino again? The precedent is an unflattering one: Ralph Engelstad and his Adolf Hitler birthday parties at the Imperial Palace (now Linq). Engelstad was fined up the wazoo and made to eat crow. But he kept his casino. Wynn will show no such contrite inclination. He has been not only unrepentant but defiant. His definitive statement on his sexual misconduct has been one word: “preposterous.” Can we expect him to bow to state gaming authorities, let alone the monumental fine that is inevitably predestined for him? In the past year and a half we have learned that Las Vegas will get along just fine without Steve Wynn, We should consider making the arrangement permanent.

Meanwhile, Wynn Resorts must contend with ongoing irritation in Massachusetts, where Mohegan Sun wants the courts to confiscate Encore Boston Harbor‘s license. The tribal casino

contends that “the fix was in” between Wynn and the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, having amended its complaint to reflect the MGC’s handling of Steve Wynn’s paternity suit, CEO Matt Maddox‘s conduct of the sex scandal and the $35.5 million fine imposed on the company. Wynn Resorts rejoins that Mohegan Sun is late to the party, having filed a lawsuit on August 2 that should have been in no later than the beginning of June.

Judge Janet Sanders seems content to let the suit proceed rather than make waves with the Mohegans. However, she has noted that the consequence of a pro-tribal verdict could be the closure of Encore and the loss of thousands of jobs. Also, Suffolk Downs having closed and being scheduled for redevelopment, Mohegan Sun is the proverbial sailor without a ship in the Bay State. However, as the Boston Globe puts it, “It’s not easy to forgive and forget—especially when there’s this much money at stake.”

* Horseshoe Baltimore is making headlines in a way it would rather not. It just recorded the second-lowest revenues in its history, hardly good for a casino that has had five years to become a Charm City institution and evidently failed. BaltimoreBrew pronounces it a “has been.” S&G readers have repeatedly pointed to a poor choice of location as the primary “nail into the financial coffin that presently surrounds Horseshoe Casino Baltimore.” The casino bottomed out in August, the weakest month since its debut one. September was 31% off the casino’s 2016 pace. While Horseshoe grossed $18.5 million, Maryland Live took in nearly $48 million.

Former Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake has some explaining to do. How did an “anchor institution” become a millstone around Baltimore‘s neck. And where’s the game-change she promised. Horseshoe isn’t going out of business anytime soon: It will surely limp forward. But it’s turning out to be one of Caesars Entertainment‘s many miscalculations from the error-prone Gary Loveman era.

* Nonsmokers are catching a break from Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, which stands in splendid isolation in the Palm Springs area. The casino’s 65,000-square-foot expansion of its gaming floor (nearly a third bigger) will include a smoke-free area, along with 800 more slot machines. Reports the Desert Sun, “The tribe expects the expansion will add to the $3 billion in regional economic activity that the Morongo casino already generates.” (We like a tribal success story.)

Morongo Casino may no longer stand alone when the tribe’s plans come to fruition: Long-term, a hotel may be on the way, along with restaurants and offices. Casino executives report that business is benefiting from a robust economy and the joint is “packed” on weekends. Meanwhile, small and original Casino Morongo—the bingo hall that got it all started—remains open and popular with customers. It must be that 24-hour Pit Stop Diner.

* The soon-to-be Las Vegas Raiders and Allegiant Stadium have a new gaming partner and it’s not from Sin City. It’s California‘s San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. “The popularity of the Raiders in Southern California is unmatched,” said Loren Gill, San Manuel CEO, a remarkable statement if you consider that the Raiders evacuated SoCal decades ago. San Manuel Casino, as a part of their duties, is the stadium’s official premium ticketing and sponsorships agency. A befits an arrangement that was announced at a private event, no details are available.

* Nov. 15 is the date appointed for shareholders of Eldorado Resorts and Caesars Entertainment to vote on the former’s $17.3 billion takeover of the latter. Caesars shareholders will convene in the Tuscana Chapel of Caesars Palace, a piquant touch (including prayers of thanksgiving for the coming $8.40/share payday?). Eldorado has until next March 25 to finalize the transaction,  or incur penalties. Enthused 26% Caesars shareholder and big man on campus Carl Icahn, “As a combined company, Caesars and Eldorado will be America’s preeminent gaming company. It is rare that you see a merger where, because of the great synergies, ‘one plus one equals five.’”

* It appears Hard Rock International is getting a bum rap (including from us) in that New Orleans hotel collapse. Says the company, “Citadel Builders LLC was contracted by Kailas Companies, owner of the project, to build the Hard Rock Hotel based on a brand licensing agreement with Hard Rock International, the future manager of the hotel. Hard Rock has had no involvement in the construction of the project. We want to extend our deepest sympathies to victims of this tragic accident and to their loved ones and friends.”