News

GMA quoted in the Las Vegas Review Journal

Caesars Entertainment unveils plans for multimillion-dollar renovation

by Colton Lochhead

The original front entrance to Caesars Palace will get a multimillion-dollar face-lift this year, bringing a revamped touch to the resort’s iconic ancient Roman aesthetic, Caesars Entertainment announced Tuesday.

The resort’s original main entrance, main casino and porte-cochère will undergo renovations starting this month that will feature “a dramatic and soaring dome and barreled ceiling over a stunning 15-foot-tall statue of Augustus Caesar,” two “state-of-the-art” gaming pits flanking the main entrance and a new lobby bar, the company said in its release.  Most of the renovations are scheduled to be complete by New Year’s Eve.

You can read the rest of the article here

Brendan Bussmann interviewed on ICE 365

Could Japan’s licensing saga conclude with two – not three- IRs?

The Japanese government, after multiple delays, remains set on opening the IR licensing process by April, with a view to selecting three licensees within a year.  But when the dust settles, will all three licenses have been issued?

With the ambiguity around how many prefectures will actually apply – especially considering the twists seen in Yokohama – other prefectures may make a late bid to snap up a license.  Or only two of three could be awarded.

You can watch the video here

Brendan Bussmann interviewed on ICE 365

Yokohama drama puts integrated resorts hopes in doubt

Four prefectures have been competing for one of Japan’s three integrated resorts licenses, but the long-running process appears to be facing more and more hurdles.

In recent weeks Yokohama’s hopes of hosting one of the three may have receded, with one of its mayoral candidates supporting the project.

You can watch the video here

GMA quoted in PlayUSA.com

Could offshore sites be benefitting from states legalizing sports betting?

by Brant James

Legal sports betting continues to be unfortunately good for business for illegal sports betting.  Just how good remains a source of debate.

The scenarios that set up the odd situation are fairly well agreed-upon through:

• Emboldened current offshore bettors feel vindicated in visiting the local bookie or their unregulated site of habit when their state moves to legalize wagering.
• Semi-informed current bettors assume that a bookie or Costa Rican outlet is suddenly legal in their state
• And the half-listening dabblers, who caught 10 seconds on the evening news about their state legalizing, Google themselves right into an offshore account by searching for sports betting options where they live

You can read the rest of the article here

GMA quoted on Casino.org

Newly Opened Resorts World Plans to Expand on Las Vegas Strip

by Larry Henry

The most expensive hotel-casino in Nevada history has bene open less than a week, and already is eyeing an expansion at its site on the Las Vegas Strip.

Without offering specifics, executives at the $4.3 billion Resorts World Las Vegas have noted they have room on the 88-acre site to expand. The resort opened Thursday at the northwest end of the Strip where the Mob-connected Stardust Casino once stood. Resorts World is just south of Circus Circus Hotel and Casino and the smaller Slots-A-Fun property.

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GMA quoted in the Las Vegas Review Journal

CEO says Resorts World expansion already in the planning stages

by Richard N. Velotta

Resort designers knew from the start that the Genting Group had more than enough room on its 88-acre north Strip site to complete the $4.3 billion Resorts World Las Vegas.

But it was still a little surprising that KT Lim, the chairman of Genting’s board, would choose to share on Thursday that work was already underway to expand the operation.

He made comments during his opening day speech, thanking who had contributed to getting the doors open.  Lim directed his remarks to Gov. Steve Sisolak, who acknowledged them with approval.

You can read the rest of the article here

Article by Brendan Bussmann published in Global Gaming Business Magazine

Mergers & Acquisitions – The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same

by Brendan Bussmann

As the gaming industry continues to evolve, so do the industry players, corporations, suppliers, and other stakeholders.  The only constant among this group is that change thrives in this environment.

While some of the players may still look the same since before the pandemic, the hats they wear can vary, as seen with such a high volume of mergers, acquisitions, and other corporate activities over the years.  Even through the pandemic, there was no stopping these continued efforts as companies either were slowed by the initial Great Shutdown or sought new opportunities to move forward.

You can read the rest of the article here

GMA quoted in the Nevada Independent

Resorts World unveiling ‘seems like an old-school Las Vegas resort opening’

by Howard Stutz

The comparisons between the opening of Resorts World Las Vegas and the launch of The Mirage almost 32 years ago can’t be ignored.

Like its predecessor, the $4.3 billion Resorts World ends a decade-long lull of new Las Vegas Strip hotel-casino development.  When it opened in 1989, The Mirage was the Strip’s first all-new casino resort in 15 years.

That’s where the similarities end, though.

You can read the rest of the article here

GMA quoted on Casino.org

Nevada Casinos Remain Shuttered More Than a Year After Pandemic Began

by Larry Henry

Some Nevada casinos have not reopened since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic last year.

In Southern Nevada, the casinos that have remained closed for more than a year include one in downtown Las Vegas and others across the Las Vegas Valley, according to a statewide analysis by the Las Vegas Review Journal.  No major resorts on the Strip are closed.

You can read the rest of the article here

GMA quoted in CDC Gaming Reports

Resorts World Las Vegas puts exclamation point on recovery of leisure travel

by Buck Wargo

The Strip’s weekend hotel-room occupancy has already recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic and the opening of Resorts World Las Vegas on June 24th is expected to put an exclamation point on it, according to a Wall Street analyst.

Excitement is growing about the debut of Malaysia-Based Genting Group’s $4.3 billion resort on the site of the former Stardust, which was demolished in 2007 by previous owner Boyd Gaming.  It’s expected to continue the transformation of the north end of the Strip and bring more visitors and development to the corridor.

You can read the rest of the article here