Heard it on the river: Still a long road to recovery

Some national gurus say the recession is over and the economic recovery is underway but gaming revenues don't reflect that optimism as they remain in continuing decline. It was nice to see casinos jammed during the recent Thanksgiving holiday but increasing revenue is still a stiff challenge and a long road to recovery seems to be out in front of the industry.

But maybe there is a light at the end of the dark tunnel…legalized Internet gaming. The industry seems split on this subject but if it is legalized one would expect a rush to get in on the new revenue stream. Massachusetts Democrat, BARNEY FRANK, has scheduled a hearing Dec. 3 to hear testimony on repealing the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act and create a regulated online gaming industry. Frank, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, will lead the questioning of witnesses for and against Internet Gaming Regulation. If Uncle Sam can figure out a way to tax this business, it would be a windfall in new revenue.

You can keep up on the news of this development and others if you go online and read casinocitytimes.com where the world of gaming is covered each day. It is a great source for not only gaming biz execs but players who can check out the GURU section for top advice on games and such.

What have you HEARD about a Canadian investor buying the casino/hotel property that was formerly the ISLE OF CAPRI, adjacent to SAM'S TOWN? Might it be renamed "THE WINCHESTER?"

Don't put all your chips in one pocket is something the MISSISSIPPI BAND of CHOCTAWS has practiced even before they opened the SILVER STAR and GOLDEN MOON casinos. The tribe established industrial and hospitality ventures and just recently introduced a new one with the Choctaw Construction Group, Inc., which allows it to serve as the parent holding company for construction operations at three subsidiary companies. The track record is impressive and projects include the B.B.KING Museum and DELTA INTERPRETIVE CENTER, the A-3 ROCKET TEST STAND at NASA STENNIS SPACE CENTER ,and the New Orleans EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER . More jobs and more income outside of gaming. Not a bad idea. In the meantime CHOCTAW-KAUL Distribution Company, a NATIVE AMERICAN owned manufacturer of personal protective equipment and gl oves, was recently named the recipient of the OUTSTANDING MINORITY BUSINESS AWARD by the Mississippi Minority Business Alliance.

While RIVERBEND LI NKS is closed for the winter and will re-open next March, TUNICA NATIONAL and COTTONWOODS remain open. And with more moderate winter weather expected, keep those clubs ready. By the way, the greens at Riverbend made a remarkable recovery the past month and should be in top shape come March. The pro shop remains open with sales on most items.

This Friday (Dec. 4), FITZ will hold a grand opening for its new VIP Lounge and High Limit table games and slot area. The new ROADHOUSE (formerly Sheraton) will become a reality Dec. 14-18 when the building is closed and converted over to the new theme. It will be a bluesy, Southern rock roadhouse but you won't get me on the mechanical bull. Still plenty of time to round up $1,000 buy-in fee for HORSESHOE'S LEGENDARY $250,000 blackjack tournament Dec. 10-13. First place pays a whopping $100,000. Check out the new NOODLES restaurant while there. SAM'S TOWN has an attractive open slot tournament coming up Dec. 11-12 with $50,000 on the table. First place pays $25,000. For a $200buy-in you not only get to play but you get 2 comp room nights and 4 buffet coupons. CHARLEY PRIDE appears at SILVER STAR Dec. 5.

FROM THE QUOTABLY GAMBLER, Lyons Press

When I told Canada Bill the game he was playing in was crooked, he said, "I know it is, but it's the only game in town."

GEORGE DEVOL (Forty Years a Gambler on the Mississippi (1892)