Vol. 8 • No. 49 • December 20, 2010 - Print This Issue
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Vol. 8 • No. 49 • December 20, 2010, Featured Articles, GLOBAL GAMING BUSINESS PODCASTS
GLOBAL GAMING BUSINESS PODCAST: Robert Griffin, President & CEO, Trump Entertainment Resorts
This week, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features an interview with Robert Griffin, the president and CEO of Trump Entertainment Resorts, on his new job with the financially stable company.
Download this Podcast Episode or Click Below to Play it.
Robert Griffin has a long history in Atlantic City. Starting his career at Steve Wynn’s Golden Nugget, he worked for several Trump properties before leaving for stints at the Isle of Capri and MTR Gaming, where he was CEO most recently. Griffin returns to a Trump Entertainment that has just emerged from bankruptcy. His first task—cutting costs and making hundreds of layoffs—is over, and he’s now focused on growing the business and creating operational efficiencies that will return the company to profitability. He spoke with Global Gaming Business Publisher Roger Gros and Editor Frank Legato in his offices at Trump Taj Mahal in early December.
Roger Gros is publisher of Global Gaming Business, a the industry’s leading gaming trade publication, and all its related publications. Prior to joining Global Gaming Business, Gros was president of Inlet Communications, an independent consulting firm. He was vice president of Casino Journal Publishing Group from 1984-2000, and held virtually every editorial title during his tenure. Gros was editor of Casino Journal, the National Gaming Summary and the Atlantic City Insider, and was the founding editor of Casino Player magazine. He was a co-founder of the American Gaming Summit and the Southern Gaming Summit conferences and trade shows. He is the author of the best-selling book, How to Win at Casino Gambling (Carlton Books, 1995), now in its fourth edition. Gros was named “Businessman of the Year” for 1998 by the Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce.
More Featured Articles
WEEKLY FEATURE: Pennsylvania Revokes Foxwoods License
Pennsylvania regulators have revoked the gaming license of the troubled Foxwoods Philadelphia project (rendering, l.) before the project could be saved by Caesars Entertainment.
Peninsula Gaming Wins Kansas License
Kansas has chosen Iowa-based Peninsula Gaming LLC to build its third state-owned casino in the town of Mulvane, 14 miles from Wichita. The $260 million facility (rendering, l.) will be built no matter if a tribal gaming hall is approved in nearby Oklahoma.
Death in D.C.; Life in N.J.
Harry Reid’s internet poker bill fails to get a hearing and dies, ending the potential for online gaming legalization for the foreseeable future. In New Jersey, a bill that would legalize intrastate online gaming advances, but a vote is put off until after the new year.
Macau: Two Times No
SJM will not take over the sites currently designed as the Las Vegas Sands parcels 7 and 8, which the Macau government rejected last month. SJM had written that government asking to be awarded the sites where it wants to build a casino in the Cotai area. The disputed sites are adjacent to the Macau Dome sports arena (l.)
Tabcorp Plans A$625 Million Expansion in Queensland
After losing the future rights to a lucrative slot machine business, Australian gaming and betting operator Tabcorp decided to focus on its casino business. Following an A$860 million investment in Star City casino in Sydney, management has opted to spend another A$625 million on its three Queensland properties, including the flagship, Jupiters.
Ameristar Won’t Sell the Store
In August, the Las Vegas-based casino operator began reviewing opportunities to be sold. This week, it declared “a sale is not in the best interests of the company.”
Slovenia to Allow Greater Investor Participation
Economic hardship makes strange bedfellows. Finance Minister Franc Krizanic (l.) said the government of Slovenia is looking to reform its policy on casino ownership, allowing private companies to hold the majority stake in mega casinos and reducing taxes for investment in tourism. Just what one major U.S. firm was asking for five years ago.
Korea’s Casinos Watching Japan
South Korea’s casino operators want the government to relax laws that limit or deny access to their properties by locals. The threat that Japan will introduce a regulated casino industry is their prime concern. Kangwonland Casino (l.) is the only Korean casino open to locals and far outstrips the others in revenue.
Atlantic City Legislation Delayed
The New Jersey legislature goes home for the holidays as it comes tantalizingly close to reaching an agreement with Governor Chris Christie (l.) on measures that would benefit Atlantic City and its casino industry.
FANTINI’S FINANCE: Thoughts for the End of the Year
Preparing for the new year, here are some issues that are becoming clear as we end the difficult year of 2010.