Trump
29 Casino Opens
/ASSOCIATED
PRESS/ - COACHELLA, CA - Casino developer Donald Trump opened a
$60 million casino on an Indian reservation on April 2 after failed
attempts to work with other tribes.
The Trump 29
Casino (formerly Spotlight 29 Casino) opened on the Twenty-nine
Palms Reservation near Coachella, about 130 miles southeast of Los
Angeles. It marks the first time in Southern California a tribal
casino opened under a non-Indian name.
"When you open your doors, you really don't know if they will
come," Trump said. "When they really come, you know it's
going to be that way forever. We're going to have a beautiful love
fest."
Although the casino opened, Trump still needs to secure a five-year
management agreement to run the operation. The pact has not received
the required approval of the National Indian Gaming Commission.
Tribal attorney Gene Gambale said he expects Trump's contract to
clear any hurdles and be approved shortly.
Trump has tried to woo other tribes but has failed to finish a deal.
Tribal Chairman Dean Mike said that the Twenty-nine Palms tribe
selected Trump to manage the casino because of his name recognition
and expertise in running casinos.
"It was a giant step (for) the tribe to associate with Trump,"
Mike said. "We are going to be able to learn from him and grow
with him."
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Technifex
created the special effects which add drama and excitement to the
Trump 29 Casino.
The opening
of the 100,000-square-foot casino comes as Trump Hotels & Casino
Resorts Inc.'s year-end report revealed the company has financial
problems.
The company, which has four other casino ventures, began asking
bondholders five months ago to accept lower interest rates and to
extend maturity, but the bondholders have not agreed to any debt
restructuring.
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Ray
Charles Backs Blind Slot Machines
/ASSOCIATED
PRESS/ - LOS ANGELES, CA - Entertainer Ray Charles is coming
to a casino near you.
Charles, who is blind, is lending his name to the first series
of slot machines for the visually impaired. The Bally Gaming
Systems machines, which include audio cues and a Braille button
deck, are being shipped this month.
"This makes so much sense because you can do whatever
you want by yourself," the 71-year-old singer said in
a statement on April 3.
The slot machine models include an "America the Beautiful"-themed
machine featuring Charles and "The Paylettes." His
recording "America the Beautiful" is 30 years old.
Besides the slot machines, Charles has been featured in 16
state lottery campaigns. In May, he plans to reprise his version
of "Georgia on My Mind" for the Georgia state lottery.
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