How’s that for flair? Vegas casino openings are going to have raise their — pardon the pun — game.
Last night, Horseshoe Casino Cleveland opened with a hella big splash, packing all the nearby hotels and generating heavy media coverage. Gov. John Kasich (R) never wanted casinos in Ohio, so his absence from the festivities wasn’t a snub but showed unusual tact: Why take a victory lap for something you voted against? Although the Rock Gaming/Caesars Entertainment joint venture can accommodate 12,000 players at a time — or so management claims — the opening-night crowd was sensibly held to 5,000, staggered in two waves. If you’ve ever beheld the terrifying spectacle of hundreds of first-time gamblers charging full-tilt towards you across a virgin casino floor, you’ll appreciate Caesars’ restraint. I’m sure nervous dealers and slot attendants did.
Really neat opening!