So far, Donald Trump‘s proposal to zero out the Brand USA program is going over like a lead balloon with the gaming industry. Already American Gaming Association President Geoff Freeman has dissed the 
decision. Now, in a CNN op-ed, MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren has piled on. “Brand USA is an unlikely target for the budget ax for several reasons. First, the program doesn’t receive a dime of taxpayer money; it’s funded entirely through a fee on foreign travelers and matching contributions by the private sector,” Murren writes, adding, “by boosting international travel to the US, Brand USA is critical to reducing America’s trade deficit.” That translates, in Murren’s math, to higher GDP and middle-class employment.
“By 2025, the number of international travelers is expected to grow roughly 50% to more than 1.8 billion,” Murren continues. “America cannot afford to lose our rightful share of that market to our competitors. Ironically, MGM is not a donor to Brand USA. In a separate appearance, Murren reiterated opposition to Trump’s ban on Muslims from select countries from entering the U.S., which he also feels could damage tourism revenue.
In other MGM news, the Connecticut House of Representatives approved a Mohegan Sun/Foxwoods Resort satellite casino for East Windsor. The Schaghticoke Tribal Nation is promising a lawsuit if Gov. 
Dannel Malloy (D, right) signs the bill into law, as expected. (The Bureau of Indian Affairs must also sign off on the casino, but it has been supportive to date.) The Schaghticoke’s legal bills will probably be picked up by MGM, which has its own reasons for wanting to thwart the satellite casino. Once Malloy signs the bill, the Mashantucket Pequots and Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority can proceed with construction, albeit risking a preliminary injunction. “They do take the risk of an adverse ruling at the end of the day. You’re betting a lot of money, but they are big boys,” said lawyer Walter E. Paulekas. MGM General Counsel Uri Clinton promised further legal action, saying, “that, ultimately, is what our goal has always been: we’d like the chance to compete to do business in Connecticut.”
* LVA readers are always keen to know when and where the next “Trailer Station” will be. Well, the Las Vegas Club will hold one for eight hours on June 27 and do the same at Mermaids on June 28. Co-owner Derek Stevens will be farming out the slot operations to 
United Coin Machine, per usual Nevada practice. In the meantime, he’s keeping his own counsel about what he wants to do with the Vegas Club/Glitter Gulch/Mermaids block, in part of the sheer mass of real estate he has accumulated. “Now that we’ve done this transaction, it completely changes the scope of what the project could become. I’m going to need a little time with my team to start thinking through what this project will look like,” Stevens told the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Whatever Stevens’ plans are, iconic neon sign Vegas Vickie plays no part in them. He is removing the boot-swinging cowgirl on June 12, along with the Las Vegas Club marquee, but has has not designated a 
new home for them. It would be nice (but unlikely) if some Strip casino stepped forward to adopt Vegas Vickie — formerly Sassy Sally. “I have always been a big fan of Vickie’s, but we know she’s ready for some much need rest and relaxation,” deadpanned Stevens, adding that he would seek “to find the best home possible for our girl, as she is truly a key part of the Las Vegas story.” Normally, a sign of this magnitude would make a beeline for the Neon Museum, so we’d love to know why Stevens is choosing to shop Vegas Vickie around instead. And if Vegas Vickie isn’t safe, what does the future hold for the Tree Troll at Bellagio?
* Twin Rivers Casino‘s decision to raise insurance premiums on its workers’ health care is going to prove costly for the casino as well. Employees voted 327-5 to go on strike if their demands are not met, deadline today. The workers, who are now forking over higher co-pays, etc., say the switcheroo violated federal workplace laws. Twin Rivers says it is prepared for a strike, which sounds like code for “scabs.” That’s risky in a skill-intensive industry like gaming.
* On the subject of skill, there’s a new slot machine out there that automatically converts currency. The JCM Fuzion can also place sports bets, handle DFS wagering and perform sundry other functions, almost including cooking your breakfast. The machine is expected to go over particularly well with sports bettors, who will be able to make a wager without leaving their slot stool to go to the sports book.
