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In March of this year Dubai World filed a lawsuit against MGM Mirage alleging that City Center’s construction was mismanaged from the start. The lawsuit almost sent the entire project into bankruptcy, but both parties were able to come together to solve the problem just one month later. That settlement kept City Center funded and development on schedule.  Murren stated, “We were able to resolve our differences once we were able to sit down and discuss the matter.” Many industry insiders believed that they would not be able to iron out differences and predicted that The City Center would be caught in limbo, sending the city into turmoil. Fortunately, that was not the case and plans are moving forward once again. Murren added, “It was like we were driving down a bumpy road in the dark with no streetlights. But we were able to work through any issues.”

Murren is calling the Aria one of the “most luxurious and technologically advanced hotels in the world” and said the resort will “set the bar for room rates in Las Vegas.” Closing sales on the high-rise luxury condominium suites won’t begin until early 2010.  Also, Murren said company officials will evaluate plans for CityCenter’s Harmon Hotel next year. Work on the Harmon was halted after it ran into construction issues. The building, which had been planned for 47 stories, was topped off at 26 stories and the project’s condominium component was canceled. Murren said the building has been sealed, but it will cost at least $170 million to complete.

Gaming Commissioner Dr. Tony Alamo Jr. said “This is a 12-round fight and you’ve been beat up for six rounds. City Center is the seventh round and you’re staging a comeback.” Most officials are hopeful about the City Center and putting a lot of faith into its power when it opens early next year. They are hoping it truly is the big project needed to bring people into its doors and visiting Las Vegas again. Hopefully the casino, retail stores and high-end luxury condominiums will bring more customers in to help turn around the economy.

If you’ve been watching Las Vegas news, undoubtedly you have heard about The City Center. It’s a huge $8.5 billion construction that is going to be on the Strip. This past week Nevada gaming regulators gave operators their license to complete the development. Many expected the continued construction to go ahead without a hitch, but the gaming board still warned the building company that they were going to be doing “extensive research and background checking” for the approval to move forward with the plan. The gaming board did do their homework. They did a comprehensive study of the facility’s background information as prepared by the state’s gaming agents as well as reading a transcript from the previous week’s Gaming Control Board hearing.  The vote was unanimous, but thoroughly reviewed prior to making a decision to give the Aria resort the gaming license. The license allows the hotel-casino to open on December 16^th of this year.

One commission member, John Moran Jr. said, “A project like this couldn’t come at any better time for our community.”  Moran is referring to the state of the Law Vegas economy. Though the rest of the world has declared the recession officially over, Las Vegas still hasn’t returned to its former revenue standing. The city has suffered greatly throughout the past year and analysts are even saying that it’s now operating at about a 60% decline in revenues. That’s making things almost unmanageable for some casinos and others are having to file bankruptcy to maintain their operations.  It’s a difficult time in the city and no sight of reinvigoration is in sight.

Despite the state of the economy there are high hopes for the City Center and its success.  MGM Mirage Chairman and CEO Jim Murren discussed how much hope officials have for the project. He said, “Failure is not an option for us.” Murren knows full well that without something to spur the economy back into growth, Las Vegas could be in serious peril.

The Aria hotel is the only casino in the City Center and the facility includes boutique hotels, high-rise residential units and a 500,000-square-foot retail, dining and entertainment district. Other grand openings include Vdara, which is a 1,500-room hotel, The Crystals retail center and the Mandarin oriental Hotel. City Center is owned under a 50-50 joint venture agreement between MGM Mirage and Dubai World, the investment arm of the Persian Gulf. The joint venture may come as a surprise to some though due to the problems between the two parties. The MGM Mirage and Dubai World have had issues in the past but managed to resolve them to move forward in the City Center development.

Part two coming next.

The world of online gaming is getting easier. More and more development companies are realizing that to bring in new customers, they have to make the user-interface simple, bold and fun.  Royal Vegas Online Casino knows this and is bringing a new “Getting Started” page to the new player. It’s a great way for people new to the world of online gaming to jump in and still have plenty of instructions on how to have a great gaming experience.

There are five simple steps that the Royal Vegas Online Casino helps players with and each one can help to maximize jackpot rewards. The casino first allows players to pick the type of platform they would like to play in, namely, the Free Download or Instant Play options. Instant Play allows for almost instantaneous play but with a more limited game selection, than what is found within the Download version. If you have any qualms about downloading or installing programs, then use the instant-play option. Remember that your gaming will be limited, but it’s the safest way to save yourself from dangerous downloads.  The instant-play option still brings you a lot of fun gaming.

Once you get to the downloaded casino game, you are offered a 100%-safe virus-free certification of installation.  You can then choose to either play with a “real money” account or a practice account. Remember that if you start a “real” account right away, you can start winning right away if you get lucky. On the other hand, the practice account is just that. You can practice, but if you do win, it’s only “for play.” It’s a great way to get used to a game without risking your own money though so if you want some time to just play without the risk of losing, this is a great option to take advantage of.

The list of banking methods available makes the transaction process both safe and secure, while protecting personal information at the highest possible levels. Certain methods also offer a 10% bonus just for choosing to bank with them. From depositing to registering, getting started at Royal Vegas Online Casino is simple. The casino has worked to create an outstanding gaming experience from the minute you sign up to the time you end your game. It’s worth while to visit the casino and see for yourself how much it has to offer.

December 2009 will be lots of fun at the Resorts Casino Hotel and Boyz II Men will be headlining. The group is a blast from the past and first began their career back in 1992.  They originally formed in 1988 in Philadelphia and had a very clean-cut “retro nouveau” image. Their dance moves and choreography, along with their smooth rhythmic vocals, made them a popular rising boy-band in the industry. From 1992 through 1997 the band recorded five number one pop hits and 12 Top-10 R&B singles. They also sole more than 60 million records globally and earned numerous Grammy Awards for their work.

Boyz II Men signed to Motown Records in 1991, and released their debut album, Cooleyhighharmony. Cooleyhighharmony is considered a classic of 90s and developed the “hip-hop doo-wop” sound they were known for. It distinguished the group from others easily and not only was made up of catchy rhythms, but also spot-on harmonies. Their first album brought three crossover hits to the music world, including “Motown-Philly, “Uh Ahh” and “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday.” They earned their first Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.

In 1992, Boyz II Men returned to the studio to record a new song, “End of the Road,” for the sound­track of the Eddie Murphy movie Boomerang . Released as a single, “End of the Road” became Boyz II Men’s all-time biggest hit. For the song they won a 1992 Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group with Vocal. In 1994, Boyz II Men’s released its second album, simply titled II. The album topped the Billboard chart for five weeks, won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Album, and sold over 12 million copies thanks to its two Number One Pop singles, “I’ll Make Love to You” and “On Bended Knee,” both certified platinum. A third single, “Water Runs Dry,” went to No. 2 Pop and was certified gold. In 2007 the group worked with American Idol judge and noted musician and producer Randy Jackson.  They worked on some hits like Marvin Gaye’s “Mercy Mercy Me” and Smokey Robinson’s “The Tracks of My Tears.”  Don’t miss the new performance by the group on December 5^th at the Resorts Casino Hotel’s Superstar Theater. Tickets are $35 to $45 and can be bought at the box office.

PokerStars.com just announced its online qualifying tournaments for the PCA Ladies Weekend, which is the highlight of the Ladies Poker circuit.  It is going to be held at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure at the Atlantis Resort and Casino in the Bahamas in January of 2010. The PCA Ladies Weekend is a chance for female poker players everywhere to be part of one of the greatest poker festivals on earth – the PCA – played in one of the most beautiful Caribbean locations, Paradise Island. The Ladies Weekend combines an amazing outside atmosphere of sunshine and beaches, along with spa treatments and, of course, good old cut-throat poker play!

Currently satellite tournaments are running on PokerStars and you can join for as little as $2.20, with packages worth $3,500. These packages include a three-night stay at The Atlantis, $250 spa voucher, $900 in travel expenses and other amenities the resort offers.  Winners also get entry to the Ladies Poker Boot Camp Workshop, worth $250. This is where professional players like Vanessa Rousso, Victoria Coren and Katia Thater will all come together and offer their words of wisdom and gaming to newer players. Winners, of course, also get their buy-in to the PokerStars No Limit Hold’em $1,000 final game that marks the main event of the PokerStars night. It is aptly called the High Heels Poker Tour Grand Final and will be held on January 9^th 1020.  The High Heels Poker Tour is one of the world’s premier ladies poker organizations. It strives to allow all ladies the opportunity to work on their poker playing skills at an actual table and provide a venue for nurturing the next top-playing female poker player.

All female players are welcome at the PCA Ladies Weekend, whether you are a member of the High Heels Poker Tour, from another ladies poker organization, or just playing for fun. Online qualifiers are now being held daily on PokerStars.com. You can find satellites in the tournament lobby under “Events” and “PCA”, or by typing “PCA Ladies Weekend” into the event filter. You can also buy-in directly to the grand final for $1,250 + $100.  All women are welcome and the website PokerStars.com offers tons of aids like tutorials and instructions for newer players. So join in on the fun at PokerStars and enjoy a great tournament of poker for the ladies!

Penn National Gaming requested that the federal bankruptcy court in Florida allow it to bid on the Fontainebleau project. Penn is hoping to start bidding at $50 million although the Strip-based casino had a construction budget of almost $3 billion. Executives for the Fontainebleau stated that its value has significantly declined since construction had to be stopped on the almost-3900 room project. The facility was almost 70% complete when lenders ended their $800 million in additional financing needed.  Penn National Chairman and CEO Peter Carlino said, “Obviously this is an asset that we believe has some value. From what has happened in the marketplace, the value is not what it was once reported.” 

Carlino and other Penn National executives were at the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas to discuss details on the Fontainebleau with gaming investors and insiders. The company presented the project to an investment forum sponsored by Deutsche Bank when its filing with the Federal Securities and Exchange Commission stepped into the picture. Carlino said, “We decided that day would be a good day for us!”  Penn National has been looking for a Nevada gaming license since July and also wants the opportunity to move into the Las Vegas market. The company owns 19 casinos and racetracks in regional markets and has more than $1.5 billion in cash available for a transaction, the proceeds from an aborted private equity buyout attempt.

Industry analysts have said it would cost at least $1.5 billion to $2 billion to complete the Fontainebleau. Carlino added, “If we’re successful, we’re probably looking at opening at the end of 2011.” Macquarie Securities gaming analyst Joel Simkins said “Fontainebleau may seem like an out-of-character purchase for the conservative and disciplined management team at Penn, which typically does not chase after ego-driven assets with inflated multiples. However, we believe the cash offer of $50 million could allow Penn to get a toehold on the Las Vegas Strip for a relatively attractive price.” Carlino and other Penn National executives were not at liberty to discuss plans for the Fontainebleau. The company has been exploring the possibility of an equity partner, but said those talks are confidential. Penn may also change the Fontainebleau name.

About two weeks ago Joe Cada became the youngest WSOP Main Event winner ever and walked away with over $8 million in winnings. Not only was it his 22^nd birthday celebration, but it also marked his historic entry into the world of professional poker play.  Cada has already appeared on Fox, CNBC, the CBS Early Show, Bloomberg, WPIX-TV and almost every Detroit-area radio and TV show available. In a recent interview Cada was asked if he has officially celebrated his 22^nd birthday and he happily said he had not. He added, “After going on CNN [the morning after his win], I think I’ve done about eight other interviews, so it’s been a pretty busy day. But I’m not complaining. It’s been a lot of fun. We’ve got ESPN [on Thursday] and then I’m flying to Michigan and we’re going to the Michigan-Ohio State football game, which will be a blast. So, I’m busy, but I’m having fun.

He was also asked about his sudden celebrity and how he is dealing with it. Cada assured listeners that he is being pulled in many directions, but it is still strange to sign autographs for people. He added that everyone has been nice and have had many good things to say to him. When asked if he’s afraid if the media will infringe on his personal life too much, he said, “No, I’m not too worried about it. I’m pretty laid back. I like to have fun, but I’m smart about it and I’m going to be even smarter about it now. It just comes with the territory and I have no choice but to get used to it.”

 The big question for Cada was whether or not the $8.5 million will truly change him. He assured his fans that it won’t, saying “No, I’m not. And that’s real important to me. Money will never change me and it shouldn’t change people. It gives me more freedom and opportunities, but it’s not going to change me as a person. I have a lot of close friends. They’ve been my friends when I’ve lost and they’ve been my friends when I won. That won’t change now. My friends and family are important to me.”  He was also asked if he plans on continuing on the poker circuit and Cada was firm with a resounding “Yes!”  He plans on focusing on the bigger cash tournaments, though he admits he may opt out of smaller ones and non-main event plays.

“I’ll tell you what my dad always said when they honored him,” Michael Gaughan said. “Nice to see you all here and thanks for coming.” Gaughan is a long time casino owner and was just inducted into the American Gaming Association’s Hall of Fame. He is being heralded for “over four decades of leadership in the gaming industry.”  Gaughan joins his father, founder of El Cortez Jackie Gaughan, on the Hall of Fame wall.  The two make up the third father/son team to be inducted and are third to Sam and Bill Boyd and Benny and Jack Binion.

Gaughan’s speech was only about 2 minutes, but he thoughtfully directed his thanks to his family, friends and business associates “without whom I would not be here,” he said.  He helped his father run the El Cortez from 1965-1972, before leaving to open the Royal Inn Casino, which is now the Greek Isles on Convention Center Drive. He later built and opened the Barbary Coast, Gold Coast, Orleans and Suncoast. He was an executive with Boyd Gaming Corp. after Boyd acquired his company, but he resigned and bought the South Coast, which he had built, from Boyd in 2006. He renamed the property South Point.

Frank Fahrenkopf Jr., president and chief executive officer of the American Gaming Association, said Gaughan is one of the most beloved employers in the industry. “Michael’s casinos have helped shape the city, making it what it is today,” Fahrenkopf said. “He created friendly, nurturing working environments. As a result, his casinos have boasted more long-term employees than many in our transient industry,” Fahrenkopf added. A major portion of Gaughan’s success has been focusing on his employee’s happiness and satisfaction with the company. He created outstanding benefit plans and payment scales for all workers and developed a sense of camaraderie within the business structure that is notable.

Gaughan joins some impressive names in the world of gaming as the newest entrant to the American Gaming Association’s Hall of Fame.  His reputation and history of casino development is top-notch and shows his dedication over the years to outstanding gaming. With his father starting the legacy, Michael Gaughan is moving it into the 21^st century with ease, dignity and poise.

“We are very pleased to extend our relations with 888, one of the world’s most popular online gaming companies. We believe that innovative features and enhanced gameplay will enrich 888′s offering and will strengthen our relationship,” said Udy Yosha, CEO of CTXM. The company is one of the leading online gaming software developers and known for its outstanding graphics capabilities and overall excellent gaming.  CTXM’s new 3D slots from “The Freaky Slots Family” will be launched on the 888 family of casino websites.  As a result, the 888 casinos will feature a total of seven games developed by CTXM, including Freaky Wild West and Freaky Gym 3D slots. The games will be integrated into 888′s award winning gaming environment, combining popular gaming designs with 888′s gaming arena, gaming history and shared wallet.

CTXM launched new 3D slots Freaky Wild West and Freaky Gym this September at the EIG Expo. Freaky 3D Slots support all standard and high end slot features and offers unique gameplay, with multilevel and multidimensional play, humorous story-lines, advanced bonus games and thrilling 3D effects.  “During EIG our new slots received special attention from our existing and potential partners. We did our best to increase excitement in our games bringing an extraordinary gaming atmosphere to players. We believe that our new gameplay will increase player immersion and will maximize revenues of our partners,” added Udy Yosha.

Itai Frieberger, senior VP of the Offering Division at 888 said, “We constantly look to deliver a superior gaming experience to our players. CTXM games have provided such an experience and we are confident that these new games will also be well received by our players.” CTXM is well aware of how important their games are to the new generation of technological advances in gaming. The company is constantly striving to move forward and bring their games to the highest level of gaming excellence. By using the popular 888 casino brand, the games are surely to be exposed to a new audience and enjoyed by many.  Check out the 888 casino network and see for yourself how well the Freaky Wild West and Freaky Gym 3D slots are put together.

Las Vegas casino company Pinnacle Entertainment is in the market for a new CEO to be hired “within the next 90 days.”  The company is looking for a new CEO after their old one stepped down after a public incident at a St. Louis Council meeting that is being investigated by Missouri Gaming regulators.  Currently Justin Sabastiano is acting as interim CEO of the company but he has made it clear that his position is “very temporary.” Sebastiano said that the company, in a research note to investors, is hiring an executive search firm to help with the process of hiring the right person as the next Pinnacle Entertainment CEO.

Sebastiano told investors, “Management stated that the talent pool is very deep and that they are looking internally as well as externally for the right person.” He said management hinted that it might be reassessing the company’s development options in Louisiana, where Pinnacle has casino projects planned for Lake Charles and Baton Rouge. “We got the sense that Pinnacle is taking a hard look at the [capital expenditures] involved with the projects and whether or not the associated returns are adequate.”

Pinnacle Entertainment is just one more company that is in the midst of restructuring. Most companies are experiencing the same thing—whether internal positions or financial. The economy has pushed many casino companies to rework their business models, even if it is merely for the purpose of remaining competitive in the market. Industry analysts Farah Mileson said, “The recession brought about a new voraciousness with customers… though they may be spending again, they are demanding a much more value-based product and service from vendors. That is going to be the main change in the market since the economy’s downturn.”  Mileson believes that now people are going to want outstanding value at a reasonable price and are not afraid of turning down a purchase if they don’t perceive they are getting it. This could mean difficult times for businesses, including the casino market, where they have to continuously evolve their market offering. Mileson added, “Companies unable to keep up with the competition are going to fall away much faster than they did in the past. Now, instead of being able to hang on for a few years, companies will only have a few months to get it together.”