STATESIDE
Current Emerald Island General Manager Tim Brooks, who actually owned both properties for two decades, claims, “There is a critical mass of people that have moved to the Henderson area… Water Street used to be pretty much done after sundown. Now there is a vibrant nightlife here with people walking around.”
Development is on its way. Look for a new Red Rock resort, and Boyd Gaming will capitalize on the proposed 12,000-home community in nearby Cadence. Boyd’s planned 10,000-square-foot Cadence Crossing casino will open in 2026. More than 2,000 miles away, Atlantic City legislators and operators must follow that model and modify their antiquated, restrictive land-based gaming boundaries. Internet sports and online betting income has now overtaken revenues during recent reporting periods. Fortunately, legislation mandated that Atlantic City casinos receive income from their online partnerships. To complete the picture, Atlantic City officials should extend the Boardwalk gaming district by several streets. Creating a larger, safe, accessible casino entertainment zone would also improve the neighborhoods.
Not developing the largest gaming area possible was a mistake from the original legislation 50 years ago. It has never been rectified. The lawmakers of that era neglected to understand that despite being the only game around nationwide, they should continually plan for a competitive future.
It is no surprise it didn’t happen. Atlantic City has been plagued with numerous incompetent, corrupt lawmakers. In their fervor to keep the mob out, overbearing rules and regulations chased several operators, like Steve Wynn, out of Atlantic City. He chastised the New Jersey Casino Control Commission for its onerous and unrealistic expectations. Wynn and others migrated to greener pastures in
other states when the industry expanded in the 1990s.
Wynn will forever be remembered for transforming Las Vegas in the 1980s and 1990s. One after another, his signature Y-shaped themed hotel buildings set an architectural trend. The portfolio began with The Mirage and also included Treasure Island, Paris, Bellagio and Monte Carlo. Las Vegas has never been the same. He didn’t do it alone. His ex-wife Elaine, co-founder of Mirage Resorts and Wynn Resorts, billionaire art collector and philanthropist, made enormous contributions to the company’s success. The power couple turned Mirage Resorts into a superstar operation. After selling to MGM in a 2000 acquisition, they established Wynn Resorts Ltd. The Wynn Las Vegas opened in 2005; its sister location, Encore Las Vegas, in 2008. She remained the largest individual shareholder when she passed away last month at 82.
Suburban growth and regional population shifts have impacted major cities. Gaming meccas in these regions realize that a beautiful resort building is no longer enough. Competition from surrounding jurisdictions and the online world compel them to rethink their products. To enjoy a gaming experience, customers need not enter the facility. In Illinois, downtown Chicago is one among 17 diverse properties. Missouri’s 13 riverboat casinos are scattered along the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, with only a few in the St. Louis and Kansas City downtown areas. Pennsylvania’s casinos in less populated areas all fill a niche for a special demographic. Similar examples dot the map in other states.
Forty years ago, Nevada and Atlantic City were the only legal gaming locations. Now, only four states do not offer gaming. It’s time that smaller locations get their due and enjoy the benefits of profitability.
Sharon Harris
Sharon has worked in the casino and coin- operated amusement industries since the 1980s. In the early 1990s, Sharon transferred her public relations and journalism skills to the gaming industry. She wrote her fi rst feature for Casino International predecessor EUROSLOT magazine in 1994.
As Associate Editor, North America for Casino International, Sharon has chronicled the explosive growth of U.S. gaming and reported on its most signifi cant changes. She has traveled across America to participate in dozens of industry events and has interviewed
hundreds of gaming operators,
executives and suppliers.
BMM qp strip CI
Apr25.indd 1
2/4/25 10:09
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60
