LVS Ramps Up Texas Lobbying Efforts with Recent Meeting
According to the Dallas Morning News, Las Vegas Sands (LVS) organized a meeting July 30 with local officials from several Texas cities and agencies, including Dallas, Arlington, Fort Worth, Farmers Branch and Visit Dallas. The meeting was reportedly scheduled with the help of the Texas Association for Business and the North Texas Commission (NTC).
The NTC is also reportedly interested in establishing a committee this fall to explore the impact that legalized casino gambling would have on the region. LVS lobbyist Andy Abboud told the Morning News that the company would be interested in opening at least five resorts in the state, two being in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
“It doesn’t need to be everywhere,” Abboud said. “It’s like NFL teams or MLB teams…It doesn’t need to be on every corner. If you diminish the market, you diminish the investment and you’re just diminishing the economic impact that it can have.”
Theater Union Opposes Caesars NY Plan
Caesars Palace Times Square, the casino proposed for New York City by Caesar Entertainment, developer SL Green and rapper Jay-Z, has run into new union opposition.
“A casino in New York would add a new dimension to New York City’s vibrant entertainment industry, but placing it amidst our theater district would be a mistake,” the Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees told the New York Post in a statement. “Casinos are self-contained and are designed to keep patrons inside for as long as possible. Meanwhile, our iconic theater district and Broadway are still recovering from the financial hardship brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The Caesars plan, under which the partners have pledged to invest $250 million for improvements to the Midtown and Hell’s Kitchen neighborhoods, was originally opposed by theater owners. However, the plan also has gained significant support from several Times Square tenants.
Nevada Gaming Logs Best Year Ever in FY24
The Nevada gaming industry logged its third consecutive record-setting year in FY24, according to figures published by the Nevada Gaming Control Board Wednesday. State operators took in $15.76 billion in gross gaming revenue, edging out FY23’s record of $15.1 billion.
A litany of all-time records were set in FY24, such as statewide slot win ($10.3 billion),statewide slot coin-in ($144.5 billion), statewide table games win ($5.4 billion), statewide games drop ($36 billion), statewide sports pool win ($512.8 million), Las Vegas Strip revenue ($9.1 billion) and Las Vegas locals market revenue ($3.1 billion).
In June, operators posted GGR of $1.28 billion, a 3.26 percent year-over-year increase. Most southern markets, such as the Strip (+4.3 percent) and Las Vegas locals segment (+10 percent) did very well, but most northern markets like Sparks (-12.8 percent) and Reno (-7 percent) saw lackluster results year-over-year.
Red Rock-Culinary Feud Returns to Court
Red Rock Resorts and the Culinary Union are back in court, as proceedings related to an April 2021 complaint from the union began Tuesday. The complaint alleged that Red Rock leveraged Covid-related business impacts to undermine union-affiliated workers, which the company has denied.
Speaking to media outside the federal courthouse, Culinary Secretary-Treasurer Ted Pappageorge said that the company will “face the consequences” of its alleged conduct. In a statement to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Red Rock said the union should cease its “continuing, unsuccessful, and multi-decade harassment program targeting Station Casinos.”
Earlier this year in a separate case, the National Labor Relations Board ordered Red Rock to bargain in good faith with the union after it ruled that the operator engaged in union-busting activities leading up to an election that was ultimately unsuccessful. Red Rock has appealed the decision.
Bally’s Brass Touts Chicago Progress, Online Potential in Q2 Call
In its much-anticipated Q2 earnings call Wednesday, Bally’s executives did not comment on its recent takeover from hedge fund Standard General. Rather, much of the conversation centered around the company’s permanent Chicago casino, which is now on track for completion after Gaming and Leisure Properties extended $940 million in funding for the project. Bally’s online growth potential was also a theme of the call.
President George Papanier said there is “now no doubt” the Chicago project will come to fruition–September 2026 was mentioned as a possible opening target. Executives were also optimistic about its possibilities for the Tropicana site in Las Vegas and its bid for a New York casino in the Bronx. The Tropicana will be imploded in October to make way for the Oakland A’s new $1.5 billion stadium.
On the digital side, the company’s March launch of iGaming in Rhode Island was its most positive development. Its performance in the UK was also touted, and CEO Robeson Reeves noted that there are four more launches planned for its Bally Bet sportsbook by year’s end. Overall, the company posted $622 million in Q2 revenue, a year-over-year increase of 3 percent.
Iowa Could Enact New Moratorium as Cedar Rapids Push Continues
Proponents of a casino proposal in Cedar Rapids, Iowa are hopeful that state lawmakers will not pass a new moratorium on casino licenses before state regulators consider the matter in early February. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission has already rejected proposals in 2014 and 2017, but there is optimism that the third time could be the charm, if it makes it before the commission.
Rep. Bobby Kaufmann told the Iowa Capital Dispatch that he “certainly plans to reintroduce” the moratorium as soon as he is able. It is unknown whether Kaufmann will propose a two-year, five-year or indefinite moratorium.
Peninsula Pacific Entertainment, the would-be operators of the Cedar Rapids casino, told The Gazette that the company is “thankful for the opportunity to submit our application for a world-class gaming facility that Linn County has long deserved.”
RSA’s Bronner Calls for AL Special Session to Legalize Gaming
In a recent op-ed, Retirement Systems of Alabama (RSA) CEO David Bronner urged Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey to call a special session to reconsider legislation that would expand gambling in the state. Legalization efforts came up short by one vote earlier this year, and Bronner noted that when Covid funding ends in 2026 the state will need another revenue source. .
“One source of revenue to replace the tax cuts could be gaming,” Bronner wrote. “There have been no meaningful COLAs for RSA retirees in 18 years! There is no affordable health care coverage for nearly 200,000 Alabamians, many of whom are employed in low-paying positions. Rural hospitals are dropping like flies! Even great new programs like ‘Working for Alabama’ by Governor Ivey require additional funding for childcare and housing to make an impact.”
Legionnaires’ Disease Tests Conducted at Caesars Palace
FOX5 Vegas reported July 26 that the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) had conducted water sample tests at Caesars Palace after two guests had been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease shortly after staying at the casino. One guest visited last December and the other was from June.
After the most recent case was reported, one out 19 samples taken by the SNHD came back positive for Legionella. The property remediated the issue and subsequent tests were negative.
“Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease will usually begin within two to 10 days after exposure to the bacteriam” SNHD told FOX5. “However, people should watch for symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, fever, muscle aches and headaches for up to two weeks after exposure. Guests who stayed at Caesars Palace prior to July 11, 2024, and have not developed symptoms are not at risk for disease.”
Wind Creek Bethlehem License to be Renewed
Members of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board recommended a renewal of Wind Creek Bethlehem’s casino license for five years, after
a relicensing hearing in Bethlehem’s Town Hall meeting room.
During the hearing, the casino detailed the more than $2 billion in state and local funding it has provided, and the employment of 1,667 with compensation totaling $1.2 billion since Las Vegas Sands Corp. opened the facility as Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem in May 2009.
Alabama’s Poarch Band of Creek Indians purchased the casino atop a former Bethlehem Steel Corp. brownfield site for $1.3 billion in 2019 and has invested $242.8 million in capital spending, officials said Wednesday, according to a report by Lehigh Valley Live.
Bally’s Dover Returns to Round-the-Clock Operations
Bally’s Dover Casino Resort has become the second of Delaware’s three casinos to return to 24/7 operations since reopening after the pandemic shutdown. The casino announced it will return slots and select table games to round-the-clock operation. Delaware Park Casino restarted round-the-clock gaming in January.
Previous hours at Bally’s Dover included 24-hour operations from Thursday at 8 a.m. through Monday at 4 a.m., and then four hours off each Monday through Thursday morning from 4-8 a.m.
“We are thrilled to bring back the convenience and flexibility with our 24/7 table game operating hours,” said Nicholas Polcino, vice president and general manager of Bally’s Dover. “This change reflects our dedication to enhancing the guest experience and meeting the needs of our diverse and vibrant community.”
Parx Owner Buys Hotel
Greenwood Racing Inc., the parent company of Parx Casino, has announced that its subsidiary has purchased The Inn at Fox Chase three minutes from the casino on Street Road. The 167-room hotel will be upgraded through an extensive renovation project over the next five to 11 months that will include updates to guest rooms and public areas as well as the transformation of the top floor of the hotel into 16 all-new suites.
The six-story hotel was built in 1988, and includes an outdoor pool, fitness center, more than 2,000 square feet of meeting space and a restaurant. Upon completion of the renovations, the hotel will be rebranded.
“For several years, we have been exploring adding a hotel to the Parx complex as we continue to broaden the appeal and geographic reach of the Parx Casino brand. We welcome the Inn at Fox Chase employees to the Parx family and look forward to creating a first-class leisure experience for our guests over the coming months,” Eric Hausler, CEO of Greenwood Racing Inc., said in a news release.
