Vol. 5, No. 7, July 2008
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Roger Gros
BOOK REVIEW
Winners Take All: Steve Wynn, Kirk Kerkorian, Gary Loveman, and the Race to Own Las Vegas • Christina Binkley
SPECIAL EDITION: 30 YEARS OF GAMING IN ATLANTIC CITY, Part 3
This week, in a special edition of the Global Gaming Business Podcast the third in a series of four podcasts is presented, featuring people who played roles in the city over those three decades. In this edition of 30 Years of Gaming, we focus on Atlantic City itself and the impact casino gaming has had on it. Steve Batzer, now one of the leading authorities on insurance in the gaming industry and a former chairman of the Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce, explains why it was so difficult for city businesses to capitalize on casinos. Next, Mac Seelig, the president of AC Coin and Slot, discusses the early years and how his company was positioned perfectly to take advantage, despite the onerous regulatory process. And finally, former state Senator Bill Gormley talks about how the legislative leaders adjusted their strategies through the years to encourage development in Atlantic City.
SPECIAL EDITION: 30 YEARS OF GAMING IN ATLANTIC CITY, Part 2
This week, in a special edition of the Global Gaming Business Podcast the second in a series of four podcasts is presented, featuring people who played roles in the city over those three decades. In this edition of 30 Years of Gaming, we talk with Dennis Gomes, now head of Gomes-Cordish Gaming, but in those days he was an investigator for New Jersey’s Division of Gaming Enforcement. Gomes tells a tale of intrigue during the probe of Resorts International in 1977. Next up is Frank J. “Pat” Dodd, a former state senator who was appointed to the Casino Control Commission in 1989. He explains how difficult it was to institute the reform of the agency. And finally, we speak with CCC Chairwoman Linda Kassekert about the debt she owes to her predecessors and why the New Jersey regulatory system is considered the best in the world.
Atlantic City: 30 Years of Gaming Program #1
This week, in a special edition of Casino Connection's Boardwalk Podcast, the first in a series of four podcasts is presented, featuring people who played roles in the city over those three decades. In this edition of 30 Years of Gaming, we talk with Governor Brendan Byrne, who supported and encouraged the gaming industry to redevelop Atlantic City in the 1970s. Former mayor and now state Senator James Whelan explains his role in moving Atlantic City to the next level during the 1990s. Legendary gaming attorney Joel Sterns talks about the Resorts International licensing hearings and how he got it approved despite opposition from state agencies. And Dan Heneghan, now public information officer for the Casino Control Commission, but then the lead gaming reporter for the Atlantic City Press discusses the campaign to legalize gaming in 1976.
interview with Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R. New Jersey)
This week, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features an interview with Rep. Frank LoBiondo, who represents New Jersey’s District 2, which contains Atlantic City. LoBiondo was first elected to Congress in 1994. A resident and businessman in Vineland, New Jersey, LoBiondo represented the First Legislative District in the New Jersey Assembly from 1988-1994. LoBiondo has been a tireless champion of the gaming industry and Atlantic City in his time in Congress. His ability to work with politicians from both parties on issues crucial to his district has been one of his hallmarks. He spoke with Global Gaming Business Publisher Roger Gros in his offices in Washington D.C. in early February.
Interview: Jay Snowden
Jay Snowden, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Showboat Casino-Hotel
Interview with Jay Snowden, General Manager, Showboat Atlantic City
This week, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features an interview with Jay Snowden, senior vice president and general manager with Showboat Casino-Hotel, on the developments at his casino in Atlantic City. Three years ago, the Showboat opened a House of Blues outlet, with all the amenities associated with that brand in other locations. While the HOB has distinguished Showboat from other casinos, it has only recently begun to work the way Harrah’s executives though it should. Snowden, the general manager of the Showboat, came to the property with one mandate: make it work! His role cannot be understated as the HOB begins its first full year under Showboat management. He spoke with Global Gaming Business Publisher Roger Gros at his office in the Showboat in December.
Q&A with Mark Giannantonio
Mark Giannantonio, President and COO, Tropicana Casino Resort, Atlantic City
Interview With Joe Corbo
This month, the Casino Connection Podcast features an interview with Joe Corbo, senior vice president and general counsel for the Borgata Hotel, Casino and Spa in Atlantic City and president of the Casino Association of New Jersey. Corbo has been president of the Casino Association of New Jersey for the past two years. During that time, he dealt with the state shutdown of the Atlantic City casinos in July 2006. He addresses how the association dealt with that issue and others coming up, including a subsidy for state racetracks, increasing regional competition and employee participation in an upcoming election. He spoke with Casino Connection Publisher Roger Gros from his offices in Atlantic City in late September.
Politics 101
November elections are important for Atlantic City, and the casino industry, as newcomers make an impact
Q&A with Linda Kassekert, New Jersey Casino Control Commission
Linda Kassekert, chairwoman of the New Jersey Casino Control Commission, was recently reappointed by New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine. Kassekert has had a tumultuous first term, culminating last summer in the state budget crisis, during which Atlantic City casinos were shut down for three days. She received kudos for her handling of the casino closings from all parties. In her second term, she faces a variety of issues from the licensing of Harrah’s Entertainment to the consideration of the MGM Mirage Macau deal with Pansy Ho, the daughter of casino magnate Stanley Ho. She spoke at her office in Atlantic City in June with Casino Connection Publisher Roger Gros. To hear the full version of this interview, visit www.casinoconnectionac.com and click on the podcast button.
Q&A Paul Rubeli, former chairman, Aztar Corp.
In the early 1990s, Paul Rubeli, then chairman of the Aztar Corporation, which owned and operated the Tropicana casino in Atlantic City, was dealing with a stagnant market. With others sounding the death-knell for Atlantic City, Rubeli was the first to champion new rooms and non-gaming amenities to jump-start the local market. Wall Street listened and the rest is history. He spent more than two decades with Aztar, leaving a little more than a year before the company was sold to Columbia Sussex. Casino Connection Editor Roger Gros caught up to Rubeli in Atlantic City in May at the East Coast Gaming Congress, where he was lauded as the man who woke up the investment community to the possibilities of Atlantic City.
Interview with Paul Rubeli
An interview with Paul Rubeli, the former chairman of the Aztar Corp., which owned and operated the Tropicana casinos in Atlantic City and Las Vegas. Rubeli spent more than two decades with Aztar, leaving a little more than a year before the company was sold to Columbia Sussex. Casino Connection Editor Roger Gros caught up to Rubeli in Atlantic City in May at the East Coast Gaming Congress, where he was lauded as the man who woke up the investment community to the possibilities of Atlantic City.
Interview with Carlos Tolosa
An interview with Carlos Tolosa, President Eastern Region, Harrah’s Entertainment A longtime Harrah’s executive—Tolosa started with Holiday Inns in 1971—Tolosa has held several important posts, including president of the company’s western region. He spoke with Casino Connection Editor Roger Gros in his office at Caesars Atlantic City in late March (before the smoking ban went into effect).
Interview with Mark Juliano
An interview with Mark Juliano, Chief Operating Officer, Trump Entertainment Resorts. From his start as a captain in the showroom at Resorts International until he became president of Caesars Atlantic City, Mark Juliano’s Atlantic City pedigree has been golden. He spoke with Casino Connection Editor Roger Gros and Associate Editor Beth Joseph at his office in Trump Taj Mahal in late March, prior to the vote of Trump Plaza casino floor personnel to allow the UAW union to organize them.
Carlos Tolosa
Carlos Tolosa, President Eastern Region, Harrah’s Entertainment The eastern region of Harrah’s Entertainment is one of the most important for the company. The four Atlantic City casinos produce a large portion of the company’s revenue. When you add the Illinois and Indiana riverboats, the eastern region gains even more importance. Carlos Tolosa is charged with leading this region and examining other opportunities in this area. A longtime Harrah’s executive—he started with Holiday Inns in 1971—Tolosa has held several important posts, including president of the company’s western region. He spoke with Casino Connection Editor Roger Gros in his office at Caesars Atlantic City in late March (before the smoking ban went into effect). The podcast of this interview can be accessed on the Casino Connection website (www.casinoconnectionac.com) by clicking on the Boardwalk Podcast button.
Q & A Mark Juliano, Chief Operating Officer, Trump Entertainment Resorts
Experience is king in Atlantic City, and few casino executives have more than Mark Juliano. From his start as a captain in the showroom at Resorts International until he became president of Caesars Atlantic City, Juliano’s Atlantic City pedigree had been golden. When he was appointed president of Caesars Palace in Las Vegas in 2003, he seemingly had reached the pinnacle of his profession. Yet, when a reorganized Trump Entertainment Resorts came looking for an operational expert with Atlantic City experience, he jumped at the chance to return to the Boardwalk. As COO of Trump Entertainment Resorts, Juliano has been able to refocus the company on profitable market segments, improve operations and give employees confidence that the new company would indeed creep back to the top of the Atlantic City market. He spoke with Casino Connection Editor Roger Gros and Associate Editor Beth Joseph at his office in Trump Taj Mahal in late March, prior to the vote of Trump Plaza casino floor personnel to allow the UAW union to organize them.
Positive Poster
Gaming employees are encouraged to get involved in the creation of Responsible Gaming Education Week
Up in Smoke
Why a city council proposal to ban smoking would truly kill… the Atlantic City gaming economy
Fred Buro, President
The sale of the Aztar Corp. to Columbia Entertainment was completed last month, clearing the way for the company to begin operating the Tropicana and its non-gaming entertainment complex, the Quarter. Taking the helm in Atlantic City is Fred Buro, who previously had served as chief marketing officer for Columbia Sussex, the parent company of Columbia Entertainment. Buro has a long history with Atlantic City gaming, spending many years in the Trump organization, rising to become general manager of Trump Plaza in 1998. At Columbia, Buro helped a non-gaming company understand the gaming industry as it bought various casinos in Mississippi, Louisiana and Nevada. As president of the Tropicana, Buro will focus on improving operations and renovating neglected parts of the property. Buro spoke with Casino Connection Editor Roger Gros in January, just after taking over at the Tropicana.
Political Persuasion
What do the federal candidates for Congress think about Atlantic City, the gaming industry, and other important New Jersey issues?
The Vegas Equation
While comparisons to the desert town are patently unfair, progress in Atlantic City is always measured by Las Vegas.
Movie Review: High Roller: The Story of Stu Ungar
High Roller: The Story of Stu Ungar Michael Imperioli, Renee Faia, Michael Nouri Pat Morita, Directed by A.W. Vidmer
Down to the Wire
The Democratic primary for Atlantic City's mayoral race will likely determine the future direction of the city
Through an Open Wynn-dow
Wynn Las Vegas creates excitement, increases competition on the Las Vegas Strip
Mayoral Showdown: Interview with Bob Levy
Bob Levy hopes to rise from chief of the beach patrol to the mayor's office
Mayoral Showdown: Interview with Lorenzo Langford
It's Langford versus Levy in an important election for the city
The Last Good Time: Skinny D'Amato, the Notorious 500 Club, & the Rise and Fall of Atlantic City
Book Review
Read It: Book Review
Whale Hunt in the Desert: The Secret Las Vegas of Superhost Steve Cyr, by Deke Castleman
