Inside Gaming Column: Harrah's, Boyd Land Swap Stalls, or Does It?

8 August 2006

Sources who seem to know say Boyd Gaming Corp. is in no hurry swap the Barbary Coast plus cash for the Westward Ho site. First, Boyd's Strip site in the middle of Harrah's Entertainment's two-block stretch of Strip hotel-casinos is plenty big enough for a Cosmopolitan-type development, and could piggy-back on Harrah's soon-to-be announced redevelopment plans. Second, Boyd does not need the Westward Ho land. If developed for condominiums, they'd benefit Echelon Place greatly. And if left fallow, Boyd could pick the land up without the middleman. That's probably why we hear negotiations between Boyd and Harrah's, which is said to have options on the Westward Ho property, aren't going well. Still, company officials say to watch for an announcement, maybe this week.

No joke. It'll take 28,000 added employees to screw in all the light bulbs and do the other work at all the new resorts MGM Mirage has planned, mostly here, but also in Atlantic City, Detroit, Biloxi, the U.K. and Macau. Human resources professionals say that to fill the jobs with qualified employees, MGM Mirage will have to generate at least 250,000 candidates.

So what do you suppose Joey Penn, the first Megabucks jackpot winner at Wynn Las Vegas, plans to do with his $12,317,717 nest egg? First and foremost, the 38-year-old Zachary, La.-native is buying his wife of 19 years a Bentley Continental GT. That'll turn heads in the Old South. Meanwhile, Wynn Resorts Chairman Steve Wynn was philosophical about having to shell out the jackpot -- and a string of others in June. "Lady Luck had fun with us, but you have to have days like that or you won't have any customers," he said.

Donald Trump, whose 1,282-unit condominium project is well under way adjacent to the New Frontier, is selling his 80,000-square-foot mega-mansion in Palm Beach, Fla. Trump's plan is not, we're told, to move into one of the Strip units, attractive as they may be. The asking price for his Florida place is a staggering $125 million, but that doesn't make it the priciest property in the United States. Saudi Arabia Prince Bandar bin Sultan is asking $135 million for his 56,000-square-foot shack in Aspen, Col.

While Pennsylvania slot operators could cannibalize Atlantic City, analysts say New Jersey casinos have time to mitigate any impact. Slot shacks won't open until 2007, so AC operators have time to grow nongaming amenities. AC may also be successful in attracting added convention business. Plus, New Jersey operators have an advantage with an effective tax rate that is only about 20 percent of that in Pennsylvania (9.25 percent vs. 52 percent).

Gaming Wire Editor Rod Smith can be reached by phone at 477-3893 or by e-mail at rsmith@reviewjournal.com.


Related Links
Boyd Gaming Gaming Vendor Information


Copyright GamingWire. All rights reserved.
Featured Vendors
Texas Slots & Gaming
Slot Machines Unlimited
Texas Slots & Gaming
Wholesale gaming reimagined. Texas Slots & Gaming is your sustainable gaming partner.
Slot Machines Unlimited
Exporter of IGT, Williams, AVP, Trimline, Aristocrat, Konami, Bally, & parts over 20 yrs experience
Rymax Marketing Services, Inc.
Casino City Press
Rymax Marketing Services, Inc.
Leader in creating award winning player & employee loyalty programs & events proven to increase ROI
Casino City Press
A leading publisher and distributor of casino and gaming business data and market research reports.
Casino Network
Concept 3, LLC
Casino Network
20+ years experience selling refurbished slot machines, parts & glass for all major brands
Concept 3, LLC
Custom Creations, Unmatched Value – Elevating Brands with Quality & Savings Since 2004
Casino Schedule Ease
Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA) Conference
Casino Schedule Ease
Full Featured & customizable for the complex scheduling needs of table games & other casino depts
Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA) Conference
The biggest little show in Indian gaming! Save the date: July 14-16, 2025 Oklahoma City
Betson Imperial Parts & Service
Sunkist Graphics, Inc.
Betson Imperial Parts & Service
Your one stop shop for all your gaming and OEM needs!
Sunkist Graphics, Inc.
Specializing in the creation of best-of-breed gaming graphics - slot glass, sign faces, and more
TribalHub
Imagine This
TribalHub
26th Annual TribalNet Conference Sept 15-18, 2025 at Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno, Nevada
Imagine This
Imagine This #1 Source for Player Gifts. Over $50 million in stock ready to ship! Let us serve you!
Regulatory Management Counselors, PC
Prezzee
Regulatory Management Counselors, PC
Over 45 years of experience serving the legal and regulatory needs of casino industry clients
Prezzee
Prezzee provides digital gift cards from top brands to reward loyal guests and employees.


Your Guide to 14,987 Gaming Industry Suppliers