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Latest In A String Of Themed Strip Megaresorts Prepares For Opening

”When it opens, after construction cost overruns, amid infighting and possible labor strife, the much anticipated resort with the name that has been synonymous with Las Vegas since its original opening in 1966 will be the latest in a series of scheduled openings to remake The Strip.

”The Rat Pack and the Mob are gone, along with the Dunes, Hacienda and the Sands, replaced by new icons like MGM MIRAGE, Park Place Entertainment and Mandalay Resort Group

”…The Aladdin is the first and only megaresort to open here this year, the latest in a string of glitzy mega openings that include most recently next-door-neighbor Paris Las Vegas, which opened in December 1999, and was preceded by the Venetian, Mandalay Bay and Bellagio.

”…When the Aladdin opens its doors, this is the hand Las Vegas will play for a while as it competes with Indian casinos and others to keep its place as the pre-eminent gambling destination.

”Aladdin executives hope to show everyone from guests with room reservations to their competitors to Wall Street gaming analysts that the newest theme megaresort is a winner.

”…Like the other megaresorts, the Aladdin wants to lull visitors into believing they have entered another world. It is surrounded by a mile-long Desert Passage themed shopping mall that leads shoppers from Morocco to North Africa, Arabia and India. Unlike its neighbors, however, the Aladdin's theme is centered around the mythical tales in "1,001 Arabian Nights," rather than real-life cities.

”…[ Wall Street gaming analyst Jason] Ader, however, compared Aladdin's opening to the Venetian, which not only battled delays but labor unions.

”…Ader said one indication that Aladdin is struggling financially is that it will have 1,000 used slot machines in the new casino.

”…Aladdin Gaming, LLC, owned by the Sommer Family Trust and British casino operator London Clubs International, endured financial challenges.

”…Representatives of the London-based company have said they were disappointed that the company had to increase its ownership stake in the project - to 40 percent from 25 percent - after contributing $30 million last year to eliminate Aladdin's construction cost overruns. The two sides took swipes at each as recently as a July meeting of state gaming regulators.

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