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Inside Gaming: Models Cry Foul in Hard Rock Ad Fallout31 May 2004LAS VEGAS -- Models are claiming to have been maligned by state charges that Hard Rock Hotels encouraged illegal activity in its ads. Sure, they say, they signed releases to appear in the hotel-casino's sexually suggestive ads. But many of the models say they never would have consented to having their images used to promote illegal activity, such as cheating in casinos, as the Gaming Control Board claims the ads do. Also, they say no one could miss the intended meaning of their poses or the ads. It'll be interesting to see if they follow through on the tough talk that they may sue the regulators. *** Stratosphere chief Richard Brown says American Entertainment Properties, which owns the landmark hotel and casino tower, is considering adding a convention and events center. The hotel-casino has already said it will add 80,000 square feet of retail space Brown calls "critically important" to the company. Industry insiders say the announced retail project and possible entertainment complex would help increase foot traffic. "There's nothing wrong with the Stratosphere except location, and anything they can do to drag visitors in the door will drop straight to their bottom line," one insider told us. *** Look for Station Casinos to roll out a bevy of new products under its "Jumbo" slots brand, and to promote them to the hilt. Company Chairman Frank Fertitta III says slots are the name of the game for Station -- they generate 85 percent of the company's total profits -- and that the reach of the company in the locals market gives it a strategic advantage over competitors "that are smaller and not as well located." Progressive Jumbo slots are the best and most cost-effective (read: cheap) way to skunk competitors, lure players and capture profits, he claims. *** Gaming regulators are looking into Internet sites that hold satellite tournaments to qualify winners for the World Series of Poker. Poker players and site operators say entrants are free to gamble online outside Nevada. Web site operators say they offer contests, not gambling. Gaming attorneys say there is no case law finding online gaming illegal. And Harrah's says it has nothing to do with any of the Web sites. Still, the Gaming Control Board is concerned the poker tournament is being used to promote online gaming, which is illegal in Nevada. *** QUOTE OF THE WEEK: "And it's been my view that I don't care how people do things. I only care that they get done. I am output oriented." Harrah's Entertainment chief Gary Loveman offered this insight on his management style in a column he wrote for The New York Times last week. The Inside Gaming column is compiled by Gaming Wire Editor Rod Smith. You can contact him by phone at (702) 477-3893, fax (702) 387-5243 or e-mail at rsmith@reviewjournal.com. Copyright GamingWire. All rights reserved. |