Caesars Cincinnati? Invaders repulsed at Gettysburg (again)

Here at S&G, we think the Caesars brand is more than worthy of the Queen City. Others don’t share our enthusiasm. Using the Horseshoe hoofprint doesn’t make sense, given that Harrah’s Entertainment rather expensively deployed that just downriver in Evansville. However, the Cincinnati Enquirer rather snootily informs us that the Caesars moniker is “reserved for markets that specifically court international gamblers” — like Atlantic City (?!?) and … Windsor, Ontario. Like the kids say, “WTF?”

Potential minority partner Lyle Berman (not exactly Mr. Luxury Niche himself) opines, “You want something that appeals to a broad group of people.” That sentiment makes you wonder if he’s ever spent any quality time at Caesars Palace or Caesars Atlantic City. Last I heard, they do a pretty fair amount of business. I mean, for gosh sakes, yes, let’s keep the best brand name in the casino biz on the shelf, so it can accrue “value” the way the top of your fridge accumulates dust.

Luckily, Berman — who thinks Harrah’s owns a brand called “Binion’s Horseshoe” (if only!) won’t be making that call. One hopes that CEO Gary Loveman will stop being so chary with the Caesars name, even if he’s also contemplating rolling it out in Cleveland, too. (And if you won’t brand a casino “Caesars” in Cleveland, just where the heck is enough for it?) Whatever they call it, Harrah’s and owner Dan Gilbert will be putting the pedal to the metal on development, planning to go light on retail and concentrate on entertainment instead.

Given a choice of three casino operators, the Sumner County Commission chose to go with the least-experienced, Global Gaming KS. No, it wasn’t because they were afraid Harrah’s would leave them at the altar a second time but because Global was the only applicant to propose a casino for Wellington, which commissioners deemed more in need of economic stimulus and more shovel-ready overall. That, and they seem to think rival site Mulvane is jinxed. Unlike Harrah’s, Peninsula Gaming can at least claim a minor victory, having received the City of Mulvane’s blessing — meaning that the world’s largest gaming company now goes to the Kansas Lottery for final arbitration with two strikes against it.

Battle won? A tentative victory has been won by Penn National Gaming and its clients in Gettysburg. After the national American Legion blundered uninvited into the debate over whether to convert the Eisenhower Inn into Mason-Dixon Resort & Casino, a backlash ensued. Local preservationists threw their support to developer David LeVan. Lead casino opponent Susan Star Paddock spat poison at the Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association but the latter has a proud tradition of putting its money where its mouth is, acquiring 2,000 acres of “this hallowed ground” over the past half-century. So far Penn and LeVan are saying all the right things, which will hopefully also stand them in good stead amidst the juice-ridden Pennsylvania casino-selection process, where it’s not who you are but to whose campaign(s) you’ve donated.

Yeah, whatever. It doesn’t look as though Koman Properties has been following recent events in the St. Louis casino market — more specifically, the dilution that occurred when Pinnacle Entertainment opened River City. Koman assures Missouri authorities that its low-cost ($115 million) casino, to be floated near the Chain of Rocks Bridge won’t cannibalize any business within the Show-Me State. The company’s business plan hinges on siphoning revenue from Penn National’s Alton Belle. That’s a tough sell and it’d be a surprise if Cape Girardeau‘s status as favorite for the 13th and final license is seriously imperiled.