The much-anticipated opening of Hard Rock International‘s guitar-shaped hotel-casino in Hollywood, Florida, drew celebrities from Hollywood, California (Johnny Depp), as well as ones who would
attend the opening of an eyelid (Kim Kardashian). Hard Rock hopes to recreate the iconic architecture in Hokkaido, should it land a Japan casino concession. Said Hard Rock CEO Jim Allen, “My analogy has always been, everyone who trains for the Olympics wants to win the gold medal. But there’s nothing wrong with a silver or a bronze. We felt we has a better chance to plant our flag in Hokkaido than either Osaka or Tokyo, so we’ve spent a lot of time working with local government, vendors and communities.”
Allen’s Las Vegas Strip wish list has also expanded to include Paris-Las Vegas. As for The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, which he jilted in high-profile fashion, he says the asking price is too high. Hard Rock has so many irons in the fire—from Mexico City to Catalonia to Greece—that the Hollywood casino could be upstaged by what’s next.
* In a lengthy (and lengthily self-congratulatory) screed, former regulator Richard Schuetz urges clemency for Steve Wynn, arguing “The [Nevada Gaming Control Board] absolutely needs to accept that a 
reporter for a financial publication in New York turned up one of the biggest stories in a generation about Nevada’s largest industry that was happening right under the NGCB’s nose.” Schuetz and I would agree that regulators fell down on the job, but that doesn’t entitle Wynn to a free pass. He has admitted to many of the allegations, claiming they were “consensual” (as if this excused them). Schuetz takes an ‘if they’re true,’ approach. Oh, they’re true all right and it’s time for a reckoning.
Wynn Resorts is in talks with Boston Red Sox owner John Henry about developing 11 acres of vacant land near Encore Boston Harbor. It will be interesting to see where MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred comes down on a team owner going into business with a casino. Then again, you can’t watch a Red Sox game without seeing MGM Springfield advertised on the Green Monster, so it could be argued that the change that Henry would make is merely cosmetic.
* Opening weekend of the Oregon Lottery‘s sports betting was dominated by the NFL, no surprise, commanding 62% of wagers. 
Roughly $1 million was bet, the largest wager being $1,400. Soccer (10%) and basketball (9%) outdrew the national pastime (8%) in popularity of betting. “For the first few days it was Black Friday at Best Buy. You had so many people logging in, it slowed the app down and people weren’t able to get on as fast as they wanted. It’s not a fun or a great customer experience,” said Lottery spokesman Matt Shelby.
* Jottings: Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is threatening to raise Second City property taxes unless something is done about the 72% tax rate on a 
Windy City casino … Star Entertainment is trying to shake down an Australian provincial government. It says it will expand a casino if it is given exclusivity in Queensland, a tactic worthy of Sheldon Adelson … Is the Cannery hexed? Last week an RV was rammed into one of the entrances. Then, on Friday, a fire broke out. That wasn’t Boyd Gaming‘s week … Sports-betting handle at Resorts World Catskills is a badly needed $5 million to date … Waukegan is being sued by the Forest County Potawatomi for not accepting its casino bid. Bad Waukegan! No dessert for you! The Potawatomi accuse Waukegan of using a “flawed process” and violating the Illinois Open Meetings Act. Besides, “waukegan” is Potawatomi for “trading post.” So there! The winning bid went to Churchill Downs and Rush Street Gaming … The latest “MGM Minute” features a very blotchy and sickly looking Scott “Woody” Butera. Does he have allergies? We’re worried about him … Oyo casino-hotel will always be Hooters to us. Rest assured the titular restaurant isn’t going anywhere.
* Who foresaw the imminent collapse of the Washington Nationals? Mattress mogul John McIngvale, that’s who. The Houston tycoon put another $1 million on the Houston Astros after they lost Game One of the World Series. The best was evidently so risky that only Scarlet Pearl Casino in Biloxi would take it. Will Scarlet Pearl have the last laugh? Tune in Tuesday night.
* On the subject of sports, I got gently reproved earlier this fall for calling the Cleveland Browns and Washington Redskins “two teams going nowhere fast.” Well, Cleveland is 2-5 and Washington 1-7. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Admittedly, Cleveland has a creampuff schedule the rest of the way, including two (yes, two) games with the winless Cincinnati Bengals, so it still has a chance at mediocrity. As for the Bengals, at 0-8 they’re flirting with 0-16 perfection. Go Bengals! You can do it! Visualize that first-round draft pick. We know you’ve got it in you.
Poor Woody!