Case Bets

Rock in Rio having been one-and-done for MGM Resorts International, word is that the latter is pursuing the Kaaboo music festival for its mostly vacant outdoor-concert space up on Sahara Avenue. For the moment, Kaboo says it has “no plans” to move but we’re not sure Kaboo’s fealty is any greater than that of the now-Los Angeles Chargers. If Kaboo ankles, expect it to reach Vegas in 2019. Hey, MGM, if you want to think really outside the box, bring Burning Man Festival to the Strip. Holy culture clash, Batman!

* As the major manufacturers jockey for position in the skill-based-slots tournament, it’s not clear what their target audience is. Gamblit‘s latest gambit is Pac-Man Battle Casino, a multi-player version of the familiar 1980s video game. If the aim is to lure Millennials, is leveraging an almost 40-year-old brand going to do the trick. Not to be outdone, Konami is countering with a trio of Frogger games, one of which is being field tested at MGM Grand‘s Level Up lounge. While these games are being peddled in hopes of creating a new generation of slot player, isn’t their cachet likelier to be with the younger end of the Baby Boomers? Just a thought.

Sheldon Adelson seems to have missed his calling in life, which is to be a James Bond villain. However, he can have some vicarious satisfaction by stuffing his slot floor with Scientific Games‘ new line of 007-themed machines. Casino Royale, Goldfinger and Diamonds Are Forever are the initial trio scheduled for deployment … come to think of it, we always thought Sheldon had a lot in common with Auric Goldfinger (our favorite Bond nemesis).

* Foxwoods Resort Casino CEO Felix Rapaport continues to diversify his product offerings. In addition to a Stratosphere-like high-shot ride and a zipline, he’s going to put in a go-kart track, one of the world’s longest and bumpiest. The thrill ride, announced at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway, should debut early next year. We don’t normally imagine Foxwoods when “family entertainment” comes to mind but it’s clear we’re going to have to change our thinking.