Kazuo Okada‘s Universal Entertainment Corp. has pulled out of a deal to develop a $2 billion casino megaresort in the Philippines. Universal isn’t talking but jilted partner Century Properties Group is less reticent. Planning to contest the divorce, it says Universal wanted to infringe upon Century’s exclusive rights to develop the luxury retail and residential property at Manila Bay Resorts. Century had been acting as a sort of “beard” for Universal and Okada-owned Aruze USA, which held over 40% of the land for the project — in contravention of Philippine law. Universal sold 36% of its Eagle I Landholdings to Universal and another 24% was sold to First Paramount Holdings 888 to ameliorate Okada’s ownership issues.
This latest development may get Okada out of the Philippines, which has given him nothing but trouble. However, he’s still got an FBI investigation hanging over his head, regardless of his next move.
Although casino expansion in New Hampshire died by a daunting 29-vote margin in the state House, state Sen. Lou D’Allesandro is going to try again with a Senate-approved version. Flouting Gov. Maggie Hassan‘s oft-stated preference for one casino, period, D’Allesandro is pushing for two: one with 3,500 slots and 160 tables, the other with 1,500 slots and 80 tables. They’d have to pay a combined $120 million in licensing fees, $25 million in revenue sharing, to reduce property tax, and a variety of other levies, including a tax to help problem gamblers. D’Allesandro has also been careful to hew to the framework set out by the Hassan-convened Gaming Regulatory Oversight Authority.
Going further, new casinos would be barred for 10 years and then allowed only by a supermajority of the Lege. Critics say revenue will be outsourced to other states by corporate owners. Others point to Delaware‘s problems with an ailing casino industry and warn against the same phenomenon in New Hampshire. If D’Allesandro’s bill survives long odds in the House, does Hassan save more face by signing or vetoing it?
Congratulations to Nobu Hotel Caesars Palace, newly designated as Top North America Hotel Opening in 2013 by Luxury Travel Advisor. Job well done, Caesars.
