In keeping with the aphorism that history repeats itself, first as tragedy, then as farce, Glenn Straub‘s fire-aim-ready attempt to reopen Revel continues to drag on, providing 
an object lesson in how not to open a casino. As though to shame Straub by example, the Tropicana is officially debuting $40 million worth of upgrades. The Press of Atlantic City enumerates these as “redesigned Havana Tower hotel rooms, a new high-limit slot area, the addition of a property entrance on Pacific Ave, a Luxe Hair Salon, a Corner Market, Ivan Kane’s Kiss Kiss a Go-Go, a Trop Advantage Rewards Center and five all-new multimedia light and sound shows on the Boardwalk.”
Owner Carl Icahn and CEO Anthony Rodio are doubling down on last year’s $50 makeover, refusing to rest on their laurels — which may be why the Trop is regarded as one of the casino least likely to close if competition opens up in north New Jersey. Instead of taking business advice from Donald Trump (who at least knew how to open a casino — even if what followed was invariably devil take the hindmost), stroll down to the Trop and see how the pros do it. If he chats up Kane, he’d better pack some earplugs: The nightlife impresario has clearly spent too much time in nightclubs and converses in a mild bellow.
* In a move you’d never see from the Culinary Union, a pair of Macao labor associations — it would be a stretch to call them “unions” — are voicing their support for a 
proposed ban of casino employees from gaming floors when they are not working. “We have witnessed many cases of dealers that entered a cycle of accumulating big gaming debt, borrowing heavily to gamble and losing all the money,” said Power of the Macao Gaming Association Director Lei Iok Po, a pit boss by profession. “Casino dealers are much more prone to this condition because they are very exposed to casino table gambling; many of them believe they can win just as their clients do, but later they eventually turn into problem gamblers.”
Implementing such a policy would require a change in Macanese law. At present, casino patrons don’t have to produce I.D. when entering a casino and it’s hard to wrap one’s head around the idea in a less authoritarian society. The closest American equivalent I can think of is Atlantic City‘s ban on casino executives gambling at rival properties. One can certainly imagine the untoward pressures that might ensue if, say, a Borgata executive got himself heavily at a competing casino. Macao’s Gaming Inspection & Coordination Bureau is taking a study-and-see stance on the suggested ban. And, in another instance of Stanley Ho‘s fading power, his license to run the city’s canidrome is up for an uncertain renewal. You might say old Stanley is going to the dogs.
* Assemblyman Gary Pretlow (D) having abandoned his own online-poker bill like an orphan on the church steps, i-gambling is dead in New York State this year (unless you count daily fantasy sports). Although a companion bill sailed through the state Senate, Pretlow’s faintheartedness “flummoxed” supporters and led one to say “It makes no sense.” Agreed.
On the Trop, Tony Rodio is an excellent gaming executive and as long as he produces, Icahn seems willing to fund calculated investments. They make a good combo. Hopefully they can revive the once mighty Taj. They have taken a few baby steps already in that direction.
The closest American equivalent I can think of is Atlantic City‘s ban on casino executives gambling at rival properties. Interestingly enough, there was a high-profile case where this happened. Gary “DeBart” who at the time was a highly respected President of Caesars AC, got himself into quite a bit of financial trouble and in turn with the NJ CCC. He lost his license and was forced to pay fines (if I recall).