Featured Articles Archive - Page 134

Scientific Games not worried about quarterly loss

Scientific Games Corp. CEO Gavin Isaacs said Monday the Las Vegas-based company is in a stronger place within the gaming equipment sector than it was a year ago despite a third-quarter loss.The slot machine and lottery giant said its net loss for the quarter that ended Sept...read more

Caesars execs remain upbeat despite net loss

Caesars Entertainment Corp. took a net loss in the third quarter due to accumulation of nearly $1 billion in commitments from bond holders concerning its bankrupt operating division, but said overall revenue increased over the three month period.Caesars CEO Mark Frissora was upbeat Monday during a conference call with the investment community, saying marketing changes and a better operation efficiency have improved the bottom line for the casino giant, which operates nine resorts on or near the Strip and some 50 properties nationwide.The company's quarterly results are somewhat convoluted due to the bankruptcy restructuring of Caesars Entertainment Operating Co., Caesars largest division, which includes Caesars Palace, Caesars Atlantic City, Harrah's Reno and nearly two dozen regional properties.Caesars said its net revenue for the quarter that ended Sept...read more

Cannuli suffers tough-luck early departure at WSOP Main Event final table

LAS VEGAS -- Front row seats were suddenly empty. The beer line vanished. The energy inside the Penn & Teller Theater evaporated. And all it took was 11 minutes.Two hands into Day 2 of the 2015 November Nine, Tom Cannuli — the popular 23-year-old pro from New Jersey, who brought the most raucous rail to the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino — was unceremoniously ousted from the World Series of Poker Main Event final table when his aces were cracked by Max Steinberg's pocket 10s.As Cannuli walked off the set and exited the building, so did his large throng of vocal followers...read more

WSOP November Nine Notebook: The story behind 'Joey Ice Cube'

LAS VEGAS -- At first it was an annoyance. Every time World Series of Poker Main Event chip leader Joe McKeehen won a pot on Sunday night, a large man in the eighth row would stand up and start the solo chant, “JO-EEEY ICE CUBE! . . . JO-EEEY ICE CUBE!”, much to the chagrin of opposing fans.While every other player at the final table had a decent-size rail with creative props and wardrobes, McKeehen had a band of one...read more

WSOP November Nine Notebook: Slow play and snappy dressers

LAS VEGAS -- Pace of play was a problem on Sunday night at the World Series of Poker Main Event final table, to the point that some of the biggest stars in the game were pining for a remedy as the action slowly unfolded at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino.Yes, the delayed ESPN coverage was part of the problem, as there were many “mini-breaks” throughout the action...read more

Joe McKeehen plays the bad guy at WSOP Main Event final table

LAS VEGAS -- Every suspenseful drama needs a worthy villain. For the World Series of Poker Main Event final table, Joe McKeehen is, without a doubt, that guy. And, believe me, the kid with the scraggly beard wearing the Philadelphia Eagles jersey is playing the role to perfection.In McKeehen’s defense, even if he didn’t have that steely glare and massive chip stack entering Sunday night, he probably would have been the “bad guy” by process of elimination.Max Steinberg has movie-star looks to go along with his made-to-order expensive suits...read more

SLS partners with Starwood to remake hotel tower as W Las Vegas

Lodging giant Starwood Resorts Worldwide has a deal with the SLS Las Vegas Hotel & Casino to land its first W branded hotel on the Strip, a move that could help lift the financial profile of both the resort and its North Strip neighborhood.The hotel company will take over the Lux tower, one of three hotel towers at the SLS, and convert the building's 289 rooms into the W Las Vegas, which will open by September.Under the agreement, the W Las Vegas will have a separate hotel lobby — branded as the W Living Room — a dedicated entry and reception area for W Hotel guests, and a W-branded spa, outdoor pool and bar area.A price wasn't given for the renovation, which will be funded by Starwood Resorts and San Francisco-based Stockbridge Capital Partners, which owns the SLS Las Vegas.SLS Las Vegas will become part of Starwood's Tribute Portfolio, which places independently-owned hotels into the company's global distribution system, allowing customers to use Starwood Preferred Guest loyalty program services.SLS President Scott Kreeger said the move will help boost business at the 15-month-old North Strip resort that has struggled financially, losing more than $89.3 million in the first six months of 2015, according to securities filings.Kreeger, who took over as the property's president a year ago, said the creation of a partnership with Starwood was a good step in improving revenue by bringing in a more upscale customer base."One of our centerpiece goals was getting higher hotel occupancy and a higher (average daily room rate)," Kreeger said...read more

Inside Gaming: MGM's REIT won't send the industry into a frenzy

Don't look for the floodgates to open now that MGM Resorts International has unveiled its plans for a real estate investment trust.Two years ago, Penn National Gaming spun off Gaming and Leisure Partners as the first — and only — casino industry REIT...read more

Top 10 reasons the Poker Hall of Fame ceremony was a smashing success

LAS VEGAS -- The Poker Hall of Fame inducted its 49th and 50th members on Friday night at Binion's Gambling Hall & Hotel, providing an evening full of shining moments.One of the honorees — John Juanda — was unable to attend because he lives in Japan with a young family, and while his absence was felt, it most certainly did not take anything away from the overall quality of the ceremony.The night more than survived having just one of the two inductees in the house, and Casino City spells out why:10...read more

Nevada Gold's purchase of Club Fortune passes first step

The Nevada Gaming Control Board granted a preliminary approval to Nevada Gold's purchase of the Club Fortune Casino in Henderson.The deal was announced in May in which Nevada Gold bought the small casino for $14.2 million in cash and 1.2 million shares of Nevada Gold's company stock...read more