Issue 258
August 22 - August 28, 2005
Volume 5
page 2
 

Harrah's New Horseshoes
As Reported by Motley Fool

With its recent acquisitions of Caesars Entertainment and Horseshoe Gaming complete, casino behemoth Harrah's Entertainment (NYSE: HET - News) is expected to move forward predominantly with three brands: Harrah's for retail, the Horseshoe for high-end local casinos, and Caesars for premium resorts. The company just completed the Caesars acquisition in June but is already taking steps in its new brand scheme.

On Thursday, Harrah's announced that it would rebrand the newly acquired Caesars Indiana property in Elizabeth, Ind. -- just across the river from Louisville, Ky. -- using the "legendary" Horseshoe brand. Caesars' Grand Casino Biloxi along the Mississippi Gulf Coast will get the same treatment, making the two casinos the fifth and sixth Horseshoe-branded properties under Harrah's control.

Harrah's expects the conversion process to take "a year or more" as the company moves to make upgrades to customer service, dining, and entertainment at the properties.

I'm actually a little surprised that the company chose the Caesars Indiana property for rebranding; after all, Caesars is one of its three core brands. In addition, the resort-style property is a bit more comprehensive than any of the Horseshoe properties acquired, with an 18-hole golf course and 24,000 square feet of convention space.

But the casino and hotel fit the bill perfectly. The casino is a relatively spacious four-level riverboat with a recently expanded 21-table poker room. It has virtually no competition, and the 141 overall table games (including poker) also make it the biggest game across the riverboat states. As for the lodgings, just change the wreaths into horseshoes (they're about the same shape anyway), and the 503-room Caesars hotel could easily be a Horseshoe.

The conversion of the Grand Casino Biloxi in Mississippi will further extend the reach of the Horseshoe brand, and it makes sense -- the company also has the Grand Casino Gulfport on the Gulf Coast. Other players operating in that market include MGM Mirage (NYSE: MGM - News), Penn National (Nasdaq: PENN - News), and Isle of Capri (Nasdaq: ISLE - News).

Back in September 2003, Harrah's announced the $1.45 billion acquisition of Horseshoe Gaming, giving the company the three Horseshoe-branded riverboat properties the company now owns. In November 2004, the company also announced that it would convert the Bluffs Run racino (race track and slot machine operation) in the Council Bluffs, Iowa market -- where the company competes head-to-head with Ameristar Casinos (Nasdaq: ASCA - News) -- into the company's fourth Horseshoe-branded property following an expansion. It's expected to be complete during the first quarter of 2006.

 

 

 


Las Vegas: Venerable Strip casino nearing completion of upgrade

As Reported by the Reno Gazette-Journal

LAS VEGASThe Imperial Palace Hotel & Casino is in the middle of a multi-million dollar renovation aimed at giving the venerable center-Strip property a new look..

From guest rooms to restaurants to the casino floor, the 26-year-old property is undergoing a nearly complete overhaul. During the past year, the hotel has added an access area for the Las Vegas Monorail, opened a wedding chapel and completely remodeled the main casino floor.

The hotel is renovating all of its 2,700 guest rooms, the majority of its public areas, some of its restaurants and other public areas. The Imperial Palace has also redesigned its signage, promotional materials and logo. Renovations are scheduled to be completed by Sept. 15.

“We’re so happy with the progress, and the property really looks great,” said General Manager Ed Crispell. “We really look forward to the completion of the renovations so we can provide our guests with the full experience we have envisioned.”


poserFish.com SA Announces the World's First True Online Peer-to-Peer Betting Network
Press Release

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, Aug. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- On August 13th, 2005, poserFish.com, the world's first true peer-to-peer network, started taking live bets. This marks the official opening of a network that will change the way peer-to-peer betting is defined. poserFish.com offers a new way for its members to wager on any topic imaginable. That's right, bet on anything. There is no house, no bookie and the members have complete control over the details of their bets. poserFish.com is poised to become the eBay of online wagering. poserFish.com, located on the web athttp://www.poserFish.com, launched with an impressive list of features and incentives:


- Bet on Anything - You control every aspect of a bet.
- Funding Options - Multiple ways of adding funds to your account.
- First Three Bets Free - All commissions are waived on your first three
bets.
- Karma Ratings - A feedback rating of a member's betting past.
- Fully Secure Transactions - All data and transactions are safe and
secure.
- Private Bets - Post bets that only users you choose can view.
- Bet Alerts - Let the Network e-mail you when bets matching your
interests are posted.
- Low 5% commission on WINNINGS ONLY - Never pay fees on losing bets.
- And many others ...

Other betting sites are controlled by bookies and the ubiquitous "house" which leads to the unbeatable odds that bookies and casinos rely on to flourish. poserFish.com provides the only real way to beat the "juice," individuals betting individuals. poserFish.com acts as a disinterested third party holding the funds for a bet, paying the winner once the outcome is decided. Every other bet detail is controlled by the members involved, who remain anonymous, known only by their poserFish.com username.

 

The Eagles

MGM: Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, The Eagles, are appearing for one night only at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas.

Date: October 15

Time: 8:30 pm

Ticket Price: from $125.00+ tax

For more information please call: 1-877-880-0880
 
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