Could Herbst Gaming President Ferenc Szony be headed to the Cosmopolitan? That was one of the rumors bruited about at G2E last week. It would make sense. Szony, one of S&G's favorite gaming executives, is no stranger to operating in difficult markets. Right now he's got the unenviable task of pulling the Herbst Gaming jalopy out of the deep ditch into which the Herbst brothers piled it.
Also, the Cosmo still has no gambling expertise on board, a glaring omission for a casino-based property that's already got more than a couple of strikes against it. In Reno, Szony's had to keep the Sands Regent afloat in an out-of-the-corridor location and a declining market … and by all accounts, he's succeeded. He's got the right stuff, casino-wise, and should have been running a Strip property years ago. If the Szony-to-Cosmo rumor isn't true, it should be.
Fontaine-blown? While over at the Convention Center, I heard a dire forecast regarding the future of Fontainebleau Las Vegas. Namely, its splendid isolation, surrounded by various 'failsinos' like Crown Las Vegas and Echelon, may result in very attenuated business. One greatly hopes otherwise, but don't discount the James Packer Factor: The Aussie heir has displayed a reverse Midas Touch of late and he's a key Fontainebleau investor.
Not a Harrah's property.
The 11% Solution. More grim news from G2E — Harrah's Entertainment is contemplating cutting its maintenance budget by as much as 89%. Considering the disgustingly filthy condition of the Harrah's Las Vegas parking garage last Thursday night, I believe it. That place looked like it hadn't been swept up in weeks, if not months (though the casino itself was quite spic-n-span). The hobo encampment near LVA HQ is quite tidy and well-policed by comparison.
So Frank P. in Negaunee, if you're reading this … beware!
