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Inside Gaming Column: Californians Cooling to Leisure Travel

New research shows California consumers aren't going to give up their Hummers, and that they'll cut back on discretionary leisure travel far faster than they'll pick up a Prius. SUVs and the like are lifestyle choices that affect Californians' everyday life, the survey showed, just like home ownership. Las Vegas vacations just aren't, most of those polled said. Admittedly, however, there are exceptions. Ten percent of respondents said they'll keep coming even if gasoline prices hit $10 a gallon.

Colony Capital, owner of the Las Vegas Hilton, is working on a startling development plan for the 20 acres on the Paradise Road frontage of the property. Executives from subsidiary Resorts International Entertainment, which is moving its corporate headquarters to Las Vegas, say the project will include a major hotel, with an announcement expected early next year. The company owned Harvey's Lake Tahoe and it now owns the Atlantic City Hilton, Harrah's Tunica and Bally's Tunica, making it a major player in the gaming industry.

Despite rumors to the contrary, the fate of the former Castaways hotel-casino on Boulder Highway lies in gaming. Honchos at Station Casinos, which bought the property last year, recently told Nevada gaming regulators they are wrapping up a long-term feasibility study on its best use. The plan is still to implode the tower early next year. After that, Station Casinos likely will develop a smaller project that includes gaming, retail and a pile of amenities.

Reports that the art gallery at Wynn Las Vegas will close are wrong, or at least premature. There have been conversations about moving it to a better site, but no decision has been made. And that shouldn't be surprising. Anyone who's heard developer Steve Wynn discuss his art knows it is near and dear to his heart. Plus, with arguably the greatest painting of the 20th century, there's no reason to believe he'd hide it from the public rather than use it as a lure.

What is all the fuss about? The legal skirmish between Golden Nugget owner Tilman Fertitta and Wynn Las Vegas owner Steve Wynn seems to be over nothing more than a single phrase. When Frank Toddre signed on at Wynn as table-game shift manager, he signed a noncompete contract not to work with another operator in any market in which Wynn competes. Then he took a job with Golden Nugget Laughlin and Wynn went to court. But who seriously thinks Wynn Las Vegas is struggling to lure customers out of Laughlin? Or is constrained in the rates it charges by what happens in Laughlin? What happens in Laughlin stays in Laughlin.

Gaming Wire Editor Rod Smith can be reached by e-mail at rsmith@reviewjournal. com or by phone at 477-3893.

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