… is Texas. With the presidential aspirations of Gov. Rick Perry (R) tottering on their penultimate leg, that’s very bad news for Lone Star State lawmakers who’d like to pass casinos — or at least racinos — into law. It’s not such glad tidings either for Texans who’d like to gamble without having to travel to adjoining states. By the same token, there’ll be a collective sigh of relief passing through casinos in Oklahoma and Louisiana today, since they count on Texans for so much of their business. As long as Perry is sitting in the governor’s mansion, there won’t be any casino gambling in Texas, you can count on it. That means a collateral loser is Penn National Gaming, which put its money on a pair of Texas racetracks, an investment that shows no sign of paying off anytime soon.
How ’bout them Cowboys? Yesterday, ESPN‘s Michael Wilbon floated an interesting theory regarding the network-TV ubiquity of the Dallas Cowboys, despite years of arguable underachievement (only one playoff victory since 1996). Wilbon blamed Las Vegas oddsmakers for perennially overrating the Cowboys, thereby exaggerating perceptions of the team’s actual power within the NFC. Dunno what to think about that. Any takers?
Run and Hyde. Two days of media previews were held for Sam Nazarian‘s new Hyde nightclub at Bellagio. Judging by eyewitness reports, it was a real fustercluck, including ditzy PR reps, speakers who didn’t prepare adequately (or at all) and exceptionally stingy treatment of the ink-stained wretches who attended. On the first day, reportedly, so few cocktails were mixed that media attendees were asked to share them. (Ewwwww!) Friday’s preview was said to be more salubrious, but it still involved dipping tasting spoons into the fountain that dispensed a liquid-nitrogen beverage. The Naz’s penny-pinching ways and MGM Resorts International are going to make an odd fit. Glitterati at the subsequent grand opening were presumably better treated. They ranged from the sublime (Leona Lewis) to the ridiculous (Wilmer Valderrama), and Sahara Sam was present, naturally. Now only if he could persuade some of his Hollywood pals to buy an old casino further up the Strip …
Wilbon must be on something. The oddsmakers having nothing to do with this circus. Jerry Jones is a great owner but a lousy GM.The Cowboys will never go to another Super Bowl as long as he is running the show.
I’m inclined to agree, although — to be clearer — Wilbon’s beef was more with the constant showcasing of the Cowboys as “America’s Game of the Week” or whatever than with the dearth of playoff wins *per se.* My inelegant phrasing may have muddled Mr. Wilbon’s (debatable) point. But he sure got my attention by pointing the finger of blame towards Las Vegas’ sports books.