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Las Vegas Mayor Approved Slots for Entertainment Center

"Gaming currently is forbidden in the $100 million redevelopment project, which opened last year at Fourth and Fremont streets with the help of $32 million in public assistance.

"Goodman said executives at Jillian's, one of the mall's anchor tenants, approached him recently about adding slot machines to their 42,000-square-foot venue, which includes a restaurant, video arcade and bowling alley. The mayor said he'd be amenable to the idea provided other restaurants in the mall were given the same opportunity.

"…But the idea got a cool reception from Fremont Street Experience President Mark Paris, who represents a consortium of downtown casinos. Paris said Neonopolis was meant to complement, not compete with those casinos.

"…Neonopolis became the most expensive redevelopment project in Las Vegas history when the City Council agreed to pay $32 million for land-acquisition and a parking garage as incentive to bring retail stores and entertainment to an area long dominated by gaming and government.

"…Goodman said Thursday that the mall's marketing efforts must improve for the project to succeed.

"…Several tenants have left since the project opened in May, and those that remain have struggled to turn a profit…"

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