Issue 192
May 17 - 23, 2004
Volume 4
page 2
 

Prospect of dramatic casino growth emerges
As reported by The
San Diego Union-Tribune

SACRAMENTO - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has quietly made a series of decisions that could unleash Indian gambling and open the door to Nevada-style casinos almost anywhere in California.

In negotiations on new tribal gambling agreements, the governor has offered unlimited slot machines for a price. Perhaps more significant, Schwarzenegger recently disclosed that he is not averse to off-reservation casinos, even in urban settings.

"It's up to the local community," Schwarzenegger said in response to a question about urban Indian casinos in March in Sacramento. "Because it could very well be, like some cities that have asked us, 'We want casinos. It will help our economy, and we will figure out a way so it is not going to create more crime. ... '

"So if they invite that, I cannot say, 'Well we don't want to have it.' ... We don't want to be the ones that dictate down."

The emerging outline of Schwarzenegger's stance on Indian gambling is being followed closely by tribes and Nevada's gaming interests, some of which think it could touch off a breathtaking new round of expansion.

"Given that viewpoint, you could almost say the sky could be the limit," said Mike Sloan, a vice president with the Mandalay Resort Group, a leading Las Vegas gambling concern. "If, over time, Los Angeles or San Francisco or San Diego - circumstances ebb and flow - decide that if you can't beat them, join them. ... "

 

 

 


Colorado tribal casino backers
offer $1 billion
As reported by The United Press International

Denver, CO. -- Investors hoping to develop an Indian casino in Colorado have offered a deal to give the state $1 billion in the gaming center's first 10 years.

The Native American Land Group, acting on behalf of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma, offered the state 21 percent of the casino's gross revenue, the Colorado Rocky Mountain News reported.

"If I were a homeowner, a parent, a student or a senior citizen, I would be all over my elected officials to seriously consider this," said Steve Hillard, the venture capitalist who put together the proposal to parlay Indian land claims into a gambling center.

Hillard and the investors have filed land claims for 27 million acres in Colorado on behalf of the Cheyenne and Arapaho based on faulty treaties that exiled the tribes to Oklahoma.

"There would be no gaming at this site, unless the state wanted it," said Hillard.

None of the state officials who received the mailing had read the settlement proposal Thursday and were unable to comment.

Casino Windsor Back In Business
As reported by The Associated Press

Casino Windsor reopened on May 14, 2004 after union and company officials reached a deal to end a six-week strike that had shuttered the popular border resort.

Workers gave 93 percent approval to the new contract in Thursday's vote, said Gord Gray, a spokesman for Canadian Auto Workers Local 444.

The four-year deal includes across-the-board pay raises for workers of 50 cents an hour the first year and 40 cents an hour each of the following three years, as well as signing bonuses of $1,500 for full-time workers, $1,200 for part-time workers and $750 for students and probationary employees.

The casino opened its doors at 10 a.m. with some extra promotions.

"The last six weeks have been difficult for our customers, for our employees and for the City of Windsor," the casino's chief executive, Kevin Laforet, said in a statement. "I am pleased that in concert with the CAW, we were able to find a creative way to address a challenging situation."

According to calculations based on 2003 revenues, the 41-day shutdown cost the casino about $51.2 million.

However, casinos across the river in Detroit were reaping the benefits. Michigan reported Wednesday that April revenues at the city's three casinos rose $19.5 million from a year earlier. The MGM Grand, MotorCity and Greektown casinos took in $112.1 million last month, compared with $92.5 million in April 2003.

Jerry Seinfeld

Caesars Palace: Funnyman Jerry Seinfeld brings his unique brand of “observational comedy” to Las Vegas when he returns for a two-night engagement at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace.

Date: June 11-12, 2004

Price: $82.50 - $165.00

Time: Friday June 11th at 7:30 p.m.
& Saturday June 12th at 7:30 p.m. & 10:30 p.m
.

 

For more information please call: (888) 702-3544

 
Tell us what you think about our newsletter.
Copyright � 2000-2003 Casino City. All rights reserved
Casino City is a trademark of CasinoPromote.com. Please read our Disclaimer of Warranty