Inside Gaming Column: Grins and Giggles Amid the Gadgets

This year's Global Gaming Expo was mostly about business, but it had its lighter moments. For one, Harrah's Entertainment President Gary Loveman conceded at the signature keynote session that he and MGM Mirage Chairman Terry Lanni were probably "barking up the wrong tree." He said that all either of them really needs to do is announce new casino projects, and their companies' stock prices will be sent soaring every time they do.

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CNN talk show host Larry King, who moderated the keynote session, tried exploring the issue of taxing tribal casinos, to which National Indian Gaming Association Chairman Ernie Stevens said tribal casinos contributed $7.6 billion to local, state and federal coffers in 2003. King laconically said: "That means you made a lot of money," drawing laughter from the crowd of 1,500. To which he added: "That's OK. We stole it all from you fair and square anyhow."

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King asked the honchos on his panel whether horse racing has become a form of gambling or if it's still a sport. Lanni, well known for owning thoroughbreds, laughed loudly. "Well, for me, it's still a sport," leaving the man known as "the master of the mike" for once at a loss for words. Lanni's peers, while explaining his interests for him, admitted that, for the rest of them, horse racing has become part of the gaming business.

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King also asked the industry leaders what they thought of Donald Trump's recent bankruptcy filing, and Lanni brought the house down with laughter when he asked drolly: "Which one?" King just shook his head and told Lanni he'd never be an apprentice. To which Lanni laughed and said he never wanted to be one anyhow.

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And King asked Lanni and Loveman about the likely impact of all the television programs set in Las Vegas on visitor interest in the destination. "I hardly ever watch it," Lanni said. "Except your program." Oh, sure! Loveman also said he rarely watches TV. Loveman and Lanni said they both thought the coverage was largely negative, althought they also agreed it's unlikely to have a negative impact on visitor interest. "It's just a challenge in our personal lives," Loveman said, "because we're all so dull." Loveman said he's yet to find the likes of James Caan amid his peers.

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At the top of the humor scale, rapid oyster shuckers competed for top prizes at the G2E Mohegan Sun Oyster Open Finals, right here in the middle of the Mojave Desert. An elimination round ran Aug. 13 at Nine Fine Irishmen at New York-New York.

The Inside Gaming column is compiled by Gaming Wire Editor Rod Smith. You can contact him by phone at (702) 477-3893, fax (702) 387-5243 or e-mail at rsmith@reviewjournal.com.