Mini-casinos are as popular in Pennsylvania as an outbreak of typhus. Some 936 towns have ixnayed the idea of hosting slot parlors in their back yards. Extant casino operators will have to bid at least $7.5 million (and have a site in mind) to enter contention for the 10 licenses. But, reports Casino.org, “With those 936 towns accounting for nearly 37 percent of Pennsylvania’s 2,560 municipalities, and a stipulation that the satellites cannot be built within 25 linear miles of an existing gambling venue, the potential host location pool is now more of a puddle.” Philadelphia is ineligible, as are potentially lucrative Lancaster County, Gettysburg and State College. The current frontrunner is Reading, though we won’t know for another week who has bid upon it. Altoona, Williamsport, York and Lawrence County are close behind. One thing that might cool the ardor of potential bidders is the confiscatory 54% tax rate on slot revenues (table win is taxed at a more reasonable 14%). But, since they’re already paying that at their existing casinos, we don’t see why this should change their minds.
* “The involvement of triad societies and organised crime in the gaming sector shows no sign of diminishing – rather, it is institutionalised.” That’s the sobering conclusion of a Steve Vickers & Associates report on casino security in Macao. The document also found the enclave’s gambling dens to be “vulnerable to terrorist attack despite recent efforts to improve readiness.” Triad infiltration is made possible by the failure of Macao authorities to vet sub-agents for junket operators. Thus, notorious triad figure “Broken Tooth” Koi has been able to get into the junket business. The government’s response to such developments has been to stick its head in the sand, Wrote Vickers, a former commander in the Royal Hong Kong Police‘s criminal intelligence bureau, “We were well and truly pilloried for raising the terror issue. I don’t really understand why, especially given that Macau doesn’t operate in a vacuum and is open to the world. External threats are always possible.” At least he finds some slim comfort in a simulated terrorism drill that will be held early next year.
* While the October 1 terrorism attack at Mandalay Bay didn’t help, visitation to Las Vegas has actually been declining for six months. This would partly explain why the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority has brought the “What Happens Here, Stays Here” ad campaign out of mothballs. Some Strip casinos are even rolling out locals-oriented promotions. Room rates were depressed 4% last month (good news for the bargain hunters out there) Applied Analysis‘ Brian Gordon assured a local paper that “the fundamentals appear stable.” No diagnosis of the problem is offered and, in response, we get optimistic pablum predicated upon the openings of Resorts World Las Vegas, Wynn Paradise Park and Raiders Stadium. Mind you, except for the conversion of Monte Carlo into Park MGM, none of these developments will bear fruit for years, so that’s a slender thread upon which to hang hope. In the meantime, you’ll be able to enjoy Mirror Mirage in the MGM Grand lobby, a compelling reason to check out the Green Monster.
* Foxwoods Resort Casino is getting into the Internet-gambling business. It is joining forces with Authentic Gaming to stream live roulette play online. A single-zero wheel in the casino’s Club Newport room will have the honor of being transmitted around the globe. Says Authentic Gaming CEO Jonas Delin, “It marks the very first time any live casino game has been streamed from the floor of a US casino to European players.”
* South Korea really doesn’t want its citizens gambling. It’s ordered government-owned Kangwon Land casino to shorten its hours and remove 20 mass-market tables. This should be sobering news for U.S. operator who naively thinks South Korea’s government is going to go all soft on allowing locals to gamble at new megaresorts.
* The SoCal casino arms race continues at a blistering rate. If you’ve always wanted to work at Pechanga Resort & Casino, now’s your chance.
* Ocean Downs, bowing to popular demand, has added table games — 10 in number — to its repertory. It will also increase its slot inventory by 270. The new offerings include craps, roulette, blackjack, three-card poker and Texas Hold ’em. “The volume of calls we’ve gotten on a daily basis since table games were allowed in Maryland has been huge,” said General Manager Bobbi Sample. The first night’s winnings were donated to charity, which we applaud.
