Kansas Crossing struggles; Their indecision is final

Here’s a man-bites-dog story to start your day. Kansas Crossing casino is shortening hours and reducing payroll. Apparently four casinos is one too many for the Sunflower State. Although expected to rake in $3 million a month, the casino has averaged $2 million-$2.5 million. The Kansas Lottery, which owns the casino, somewhat defensively says Oh well, there’s less gambling during the summer months. But they’ll need a better spin than that to make the case that Kansas Crossing isn’t a disappointment.

* With a Sept. 11 resumption of the Lege looming, Pennsylvania solons are doing a dismal job of addressing the gap between the budget they’ve passed and the revenue needed to pay for it. One of the constituencies expecting higher state funding is victims of autism and the mentally retarded. Now that money hangs in jeopardy. “When they call me, they go, ‘Is this going to be another nine months?‘” asks Arc of Pennsylvania‘s Maureen Cronin. “It’s unnerving to watch. Every day, we’re like ‘What else is going to happen?‘ We appreciate how legislators are looking under every rock to try to find funds. But, at this point, we need a budget.”

Turn over a rock, however, and you’re likelier to find a cowering legislator. An Associated Press story depicts the House GOP caucus as the main obstacle, in part because of a refusal to abandon its commitment to slot routes in the Keystone State. Communication between the upper and lower houses appears to be all but nonexistent. House leadership has apparently abdicated responsibility for solving the impasse, putting more pressure on its foot soldiers. “The governor’s sitting around waiting, the Senate’s sitting around waiting and our leadership is sitting around waiting to see if there’s an organic solution. But I would predict there’s not,” says Rep. John Taylor (R).

If the Legislature can’t pass Internet gaming, tablets in airport lounges, mini-casinos or other gambling-based revenue enhancements a second, more dire possibility looms: tax increases. Republicans are ostensibly opposed to one and Gov. Tom Wolf (D) has kept quiet on the subject but already higher utility taxes are coming down the pike. The Lege figures it can squeeze out $300 million from gaming expansion but its indecision, its failure to pull the trigger on anything is setting the state for a degradation of Pennsylvania’s credit rating and defaults on payments to vendors.

* While we’re on the subject of disappointments, Genting Group is throwing $1.2 billion into the underperforming upstate New York market, at Resorts World Catskills. It’s hoping to make a difference both with luxury-oriented hotel rooms and an Italian steakhouse from celebrity chef Scott Conant. “[Lim Kok Thay‘s] vision is to cater to both the high-end, ultra exclusive market and the general market,” said Empire Resorts Executive Vice President Charlie Degliomini. Is there such a thing as a high-end, ultra-exclusive Catskills audience? It may be worth Genting’s Hail Mary pass to find out. Most of Gov. Andrew Cuomo‘s latest wave of casinos have focused on bread-and-butter play and come up short.

Expecting 4 million guests a year, Genting is going all in with the high-end end amenities, including a golf course, and suites that not only have private balconies — some have private pools. The casino-resort will boast no fewer than nine restaurants and bars. The glass curtain wall of the 18-story hotel tower will “display a photo-realistic reflection of its surroundings.”

“They’ve done their homework, and they’re going to go over and beyond the quality of the other casinos in New York State to try to make their money,” says Laborers’ Local 17 business manager L. Todd Diorio and one hopes he’s right. For instance, the casino staff will include a Mandarin-speaking wing (and expect some sic bo on the gaming floor). Also, more than two-thirds of 332 suites will comped to hoped-for high rollers. There’s plenty of capacity for them, as the casino will deploy 2,150 slots and 130 tables. Genting really is gambling on Resorts World Catskills and is either onto some hitherto hidden wisdom or spitting into the wind.