{"id":17947,"date":"2016-03-18T11:53:39","date_gmt":"2016-03-18T19:53:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/?p=17947"},"modified":"2021-01-21T06:20:47","modified_gmt":"2021-01-21T14:20:47","slug":"that-impersonal-touch-big-day-for-mgm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/that-impersonal-touch-big-day-for-mgm\/","title":{"rendered":"That impersonal touch; Big day for MGM"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/7XtfdTavDPQ\" width=\"450\" height=\"253\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>What is almost completely missing from this commercial? <strong>Caesars Entertainment<\/strong> guests are lengthily shown drinking, dining, riding the <strong>High Roller<\/strong> (which could use the traffic) and &#8212; as a very brief afterthought &#8212; gambling. So the company&#8217;s definitely on the curve as regards the changing demands of the <strong>Las Vegas<\/strong> tourist. The purpose of the spot is to promote the company&#8217;s new mechanical-check-in system, currently being field-tested at the <strong>Flamingo Las Vegas<\/strong>, <strong>Linq<\/strong> and <strong>Caesars Palace<\/strong>. Once any kinks are worked out, expect the system to go wide at Caesars&#8217; Strip properties.<!--more--><\/p>\n<p>This innovation &#8212; conceived with convention traffic in mind &#8212; is described as &#8220;similar to what\u2019s seen at check-ins at airports <em>and rental car companies<\/em>.&#8221; (emphasis added) And guess where Caesars CEO <strong>Mark Frissora<\/strong> made his reputation? Considering how backed up check-in desks can get, especially on weekends, Frissora&#8217;s initiative is to be applauded. After all, one needs only add more kiosks if they get swamped by demand &#8212; and they never need coffee breaks and won&#8217;t (hopefully) call in sick. The check-in process can be further expedited by initiating it from your home computer or by a mobile application.<\/p>\n<p>While assuring the <em>Las Vegas Review-Journal<\/em> that check-in clerks&#8217; jobs were not in danger, President of Hospitality <strong>Bob Morse<\/strong> said,\u00a0\u201cOur goal is never have anybody wait more than 15 minutes, and we were far exceeding our goals by double during certain times of day and days of the week.\u201d A similar, handheld device may be introduced at Caesars pools this summer, to expedite food and beverage orders. While the new kiosks eliminate the personal element of the check-in desk, it also assures Caesars that customers aren&#8217;t getting room upgrades by slipping the clerk an extra $20 on the side. Another Vegas tradition bites the dust.<\/p>\n<p>Frissora&#8217;s checkered past at <strong>Hertz Global Holdings<\/strong>, while a subject of regulatory concern, ultimately didn&#8217;t stand in the way of <strong>Nevada<\/strong> casino license. While Frissora&#8217;s past was the main subject of discussion at his <strong>Nevada Gaming Control Board<\/strong> hearing, <img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-15500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Frissora-276x300.jpg\" alt=\"Frissora\" width=\"276\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Frissora-276x300.jpg 276w, https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Frissora-138x150.jpg 138w, https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Frissora.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 276px) 100vw, 276px\" \/>current events overtook his <strong>Nevada Gaming Commission<\/strong> appearance. One of these was a court-appointed examiner&#8217;s finding that Caesars could be on the hook for as much as $5.1 billion in controversial asset transfers that shielded prime casinos and intellectual property like <strong>Total Rewards<\/strong> from Chapter 11. Frissora sought to erect a &#8220;Chinese wall&#8221; between himself at the ongoing bankruptcy case, which is nominally the province of Chairman <strong>Gary Loveman<\/strong>, cleaning up his own mess.<\/p>\n<p>Like <strong>Banquo&#8217;s Ghost<\/strong> appearing at the feast, former <strong>Park Place Entertainment<\/strong> CEO <strong>Thomas Gallagher<\/strong> <a href=\"http:\/\/vegasinc.com\/business\/gaming\/2016\/mar\/17\/caesars-ceo-gets-licensed-by-nevada-gaming-commiss\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">testified at the hearing<\/a>, on his own behalf and that of other former company executives who are suffering from deferral of their pensions.\u00a0\u201cIt has not been a priority, and that\u2019s part of the problem. And the strategy has just been to keep putting it off,\u201d Gallagher said. Frissora was relatively noncommittal.\u00a0\u201cI\u2019ll do everything I can to help, but we\u2019ll see how it plays out,\u201d he said ominously.<\/p>\n<p>* Making official what was previously reported here and by <strong>Wall Street<\/strong> analysts, <strong>MGM Resorts International<\/strong> and <strong>Dubai World<\/strong> announced that they are are selling <img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-2017\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/01\/crystals-300x110.jpg\" alt=\"crystals\" width=\"300\" height=\"110\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/01\/crystals-300x110.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/01\/crystals-150x55.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/01\/crystals.jpg 760w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><strong>Crystals<\/strong> to <strong>Simon Property Group<\/strong>, which will give Simon control of four megamalls in <strong>Las Vegas<\/strong>. The price is the previously reported $1.1 billion, which gives MGM <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reviewjournal.com\/business\/shops-crystals-be-sold-11-billion\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">a handsome return on a non-core asset<\/a>, of which the company has shed a number of late. Initially an empty mausoleum\u00a0masquerading as a shopping mall, Crystals has recovered sufficiently to deliver some of the best ROI in the industry. \u201cWe view the transaction as consistent with MGM\u2019s stated intention to monetize assets, when attractive, and consider the multiple fair given the property is relatively new,\u201d commented <strong>JP Morgan<\/strong> analyst <strong>Joseph Greff<\/strong>. Remember, you read it here first.<\/p>\n<p>In other news, MGM got <strong>Nevada Gaming Commission<\/strong> <a href=\"http:\/\/vegasinc.com\/news\/2016\/mar\/17\/mgm-resorts-gets-final-ok-for-real-estate-reorgani\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">approval for conversion into a REIT<\/a>, <strong>MGM Growth Properties<\/strong>, which will own seven of MGM&#8217;s 10 <strong>Las Vegas Strip<\/strong> <img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-4478\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/08\/Circus-Circus-pic-300x193.jpg\" alt=\"Circus-Circus-pic\" width=\"300\" height=\"193\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/08\/Circus-Circus-pic-300x193.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/08\/Circus-Circus-pic-150x96.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/08\/Circus-Circus-pic.jpg 310w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>casinos, <strong>MGM Grand Detroit<\/strong> and the company&#8217;s two <strong>Mississippi<\/strong> properties. Among the MGM properties excluded from the sale-and-leaseback arrangement are <strong>Bellagio<\/strong> and <strong>The Mirage<\/strong>, which generate the highest MGM cash flow on the Strip, and <strong>Circus Circus<\/strong>, whose exclusion from the REIT should cause concern for fans the of the clown casino. It has a ton of underutilized acreage and, should the north Strip make a comeback, would be a prime site for a new megaresort, especially once the <strong>Las Vegas Convention Center<\/strong> expands to where the <strong>Riviera<\/strong> now stands.<\/p>\n<p>* Although <strong>Jamul Indian Village<\/strong> lacks a gaming-management agreement, the <strong>National Indian Gaming Commission<\/strong> ruled this week that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/articles\/2016\/03\/14\/2016-05604\/notice-of-availability-of-a-draft-supplemental-environmental-impact-statement-for-the-jamul-indian\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">it can open without one<\/a>. This could mean that <strong>Penn National Gaming<\/strong>, which has been bankrolling the project to <img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-17948\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/jamul-300x160.jpg\" alt=\"jamul\" width=\"300\" height=\"160\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/jamul-300x160.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/jamul-150x80.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/jamul.jpg 750w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>the tune of $360 million, could find itself cut off from the action. It also means the Jamul would have to forfeit the brand equity of the <strong>Hollywood Casino<\/strong> moniker. If the management agreement is approved by the NIGC, Penn <a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/articles\/2016\/03\/14\/2016-05604\/notice-of-availability-of-a-draft-supplemental-environmental-impact-statement-for-the-jamul-indian\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">will operate the casino for seven years<\/a>. The tribe has stated its intent to open and operate the casino on its own if no management agreement is in place. (You have to wonder why Penn didn&#8217;t have this nailed down sooner.) The project is expected to be low-return venture, with ROI estimated at 8%, maximum.<\/p>\n<p>Anti-gambling activists <a href=\"https:\/\/news.worldcasinodirectory.com\/opponents-incessant-in-legal-drive-to-stop-hollywood-casino-jamul-22735\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">continue to nip at the Jamul&#8217;s ankles<\/a>, claiming the casino isn&#8217;t being built on reservation land. The <strong>Jamul Action Committee<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/news.worldcasinodirectory.com\/judge-gives-approval-for-jamul-indians-to-continue-casino-construction-7703\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">has lost before<\/a>, with U.S. District Court Judge <strong>Kimberly Mueller<\/strong> ruling that &#8220;The court is aware of no statute or regulation, and the parties have cited none, that would require the NIGC or [<strong>Bureau of Indian Affairs<\/strong>] to review or approve a management contract before the subject casino is constructed or operated, or to approve construction at all. To the contrary, the [<strong>Indian Gaming Regulatory Act<\/strong>]\u00a0implies the Tribe may construct and operate a casino on its own land without a management contract.\u201d JAC is now trying to get the <strong>Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals<\/strong> to intervene on its behalf. If the defendants prevail, the casino is expected to open in a few months with 1,700 slots, 43 slots and a rooftop beer garden. Drink up!<\/p>\n<p>* High casino taxes are hardly an exclusively American phenomenon. <strong>Genting Highlands<\/strong> is subject to a 25% impost &#8212; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ggrasia.com\/another-warning-on-tax-hike-risk-for-gen-malaysia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">which is about to get higher<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is almost completely missing from this commercial? Caesars Entertainment guests are lengthily shown drinking, dining, riding the High Roller (which could use the traffic) and &#8212; as a very brief afterthought &#8212; gambling. So the company&#8217;s definitely on the &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/that-impersonal-touch-big-day-for-mgm\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[34,56,44,134,120,7,22,75,11,35,69,25,55,31,8,9,19,20,38],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17947"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17947"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17947\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29126,"href":"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17947\/revisions\/29126"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17947"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17947"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/stiffs-and-georges\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17947"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}