Believe it or not, there is “a lot of interest in the property at this time” according to Lucky Dragon Casino owner Andrew Fonfa, a contention independently verified by the Las Vegas Review-Journal. That being said, a Lucky Dragon sale is far from imminent, given the vast difference 
between Fonfa and his creditors as to what the boutique casino is worth. He says $143 million, they say $60 million or thereabouts. Fonfa hopes to sell the Lucky Dragon via a foreclosure court auction, although such a turnover has been postponed at least once. Fonfa’s explanation of the widely varying valuations was a cryptic, “It doesn’t take a genius to figure that out.” Snow Covered Capital is exposed to the extent of $50 million in loans to Lucky Dragon and a $60 million sale price would cover its nakedness nicely.
Contradicting Fonfa’s narrative, Snow says it has been shopping the Lucky Dragon around and should “consider abandoning the property.” That’d pretty up Sahara Avenue nicely, one more failsino in an already blighted area. Other creditors range from International Game Technology to Clark County, which has a looming 
property-tax tab. In danger of being left out in the cold are the Lucky Dragon’s EB-5 investors, who are at the back of the payment queue. Their attorney would like to see Fonfa retain control and, with an infusion of new capital — a real long shot — make the EB-5ers whole. Otherwise they’ll lose their nut and their hopes of U.S. citizenship. As risky as it is for the EB-5 bunch, neither new investors nor prospective owners are likely to show their cards unless the foreclosure auction proceeds — a prospect rife with risk for the parties involved but seemingly a necessary hazard.
* Ho-Chunk Gaming Dells in Baraboo, Wisconsin, gets it where customer comfort is concerned. As part of a $50 million remodel, it has doubled the amount of gaming floor that is smoke-free. But this isn’t the kind of empty gesture of the sort made by, for one, Sheldon Adelson. The smoke-free section has its own discrete air-filtration, so guests can breathe clean oxygen. Ho-Chunk Gaming is to be commended and you can read about its other upgrades here.
* Indiana gambling revenues inched upward last month, rising 2.5% to $190.5 million. Foot traffic was 12% down but players wagered freely — 16% more. Four Winds Casino (Class II) didn’t blow too hard on 
Blue Chip Casino, which was 4% off, for $13 million. Racinos in the southern part of the state (it is racing season, after all) seem to have pulled business away from Horseshoe Southern Indiana, minus 2% for $21 million grossed, and Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg, down 2% to $14 million. Hoosier Downs was up 1.5% to $16 million while Indiana Downs rose 2% to $21 million. Belterra struggled, declining 7% to $9.5 million, while Tropicana Evansville had another blockbuster month, up 13.5% to $13 million. French Lick Resort slid 4% to $8 million and Rising Sun survived a 1% nip to bring in $4.5 million.
Up in the northern tier, Horseshoe Hammond did about as one expects, rising 3.5% to $36 million, while Ameristar East Chicago leapt 18% to $21.5 million. Majestic Star I was up 2% to $9 million while the ghost of Donald Trump continues to haunt Majestic Star II, down 1.5% and bringing in $5 million.
* At the very least, Indiana was revenue-positive last month. Missouri casinos were flat, as visitation declined 4.5%. Star performer was Tropicana Entertainment‘s Lumiere Place, up 7.5% to $14.5 
million. Pinnacle Entertainment‘s properties generally underperformed analyst expectations, even when they posted gains. River City was down 5% to $19 million, Ameristar St. Charles raked in $22.5 million, up 2% while Ameristar Kansas City‘s $16.5 million represented a 1.5% improvement. Rival Penn National Gaming made small gains: 1% at Argosy Riverside ($14 million) and 2% at Hollywood St. Louis ($21 million).
Eldorado Resorts had modest gains at its outlying Isle of Capri– and Lady Luck-branded resorts, offset by an 11% tumble at Isle Kansas City ($6 million). Affinity Gaming‘s Mark Twain resort was down 3% to $3 million, closing the month with a note of symmetry.
