Las Vegas Hard Rock Hotel considers addition of 2,000 rooms
As reported by The Knight Ridder

Las Vegas, Nevada -- Times weren't so hard for the Hard Rock Hotel during this year's second quarter, a period when business bounced back with such vigor executives there are reportedly eyeing significant growth opportunities both new and old.

The parent company of the trendy Las Vegas boutique hotel-casino reported solid earnings late Tuesday, and a source said Wednesday that Hard Rock might soon move to add more than 2,000 hotel rooms and amenities to its resort at the northwest corner of Paradise Road and Harmon Avenue.

In addition, Hard Rock executives hope Harrah's Entertainment's proposed acquisition of Caesars Entertainment could reopen last year's missed opportunity to develop a rock 'n' roll-themed casino on tribal land near San Diego.

Hard Rock late Tuesday reported quarterly earnings of $650,000 during the three-month period ended June 30. That figure was substantially better than a year ago, when a $4.2 million refinancing charge pushed the company to lose more than $2.9 million, Hard Rock Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Jim Bowen said.

Quarterly revenue improved to $41.2 million, up 18 percent from last year's $34.9 million. Cash flow jumped to more than $11 million compared with $8.9 million a year ago.

"It was just overall a great quarter, very busy," Bowen said.

Mikohn Launches New
Poker Table Game

Las Vegas, Nevada - Mikohn Gaming Corporation, a leading provider of diversified products and services used in the gaming industry worldwide, has launched a new proprietary table game -- Texas Hold 'Em Bonus(TM) Poker.

Based on the "live" poker game Texas Hold 'Em, Mikohn's newest table game with patented side bets will bring a new level of excitement to the table game pit or poker room.

Mikohn's Executive Vice President of Sales Bob Parente stated: "The resurgence of interest in the game of poker as a result of the multitude of tournaments and televised events makes the introduction of Texas Hold 'Em Bonus(TM) Poker a natural. With its similarities to regular Hold 'Em, we expect Texas Hold 'Em Bonus(TM) Poker to attract both poker and table game newcomers, as well as cater to regular poker players waiting for a seat in the poker room."

An enticing "kicker" to the game is that Texas Hold 'Em Bonus(TM) Poker permits the player to make a Bonus Jackpot side bet, that will add a new dimension of excitement for the players.