Vol. 5, No. 7, July 2008
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Interview with Curtis Bashaw, Partner, Bashaw-Barr Inc.
This week, the Boardwalk Podcast features an interview with Curtis Bashaw, a partner in Bashaw-Barr Inc., which is planning a massive new casino project in Atlantic City. As executive director of the New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, Bashaw became an advocate, not only of Atlantic City, but of the entire Jersey Shore. His experience with building and renovating hotels in Cape May, just south of Atlantic City, enforced the notion that Atlantic City is only the main attraction on the extended Jersey Shore. With a new “boutique” hotel in Atlantic City scheduled to open this month, and plans for a $2 billion project at the western end of the Boardwalk, Bashaw is a major player in Atlantic City these days. He spoke with Casino Connection Editor Frank Legato at his offices in May.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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Interview with Vince Donlevie
An interview with Vince Donlevie, Senior VP and General Manager of Harrah’s Chester Casino & Racetrack. Donlevie, a longtime Harrah’s executive, was moved from Harrah’s Joliet, Illinois property two years ago to assume his current post. Harrah’s Chester is the state’s first slot venue to be built from the ground up. The facility is located on the Delaware River waterfront in Chester, Pennsylvania. Casino Connection Managing Editor Frank Legato spoke with Donlevie in March.
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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.
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Interview with Curtis Bashaw
An interview with Curtis Bashaw,the former head of the NJ Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, a Cape May hotelier and now a Boardwalk developer. Bashaw spoke in February with Casino Connection Managing Editor Frank Legato.
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Podcast with Stephen Starr
An interview with award-winning restaurateur Stephen Starr, owner of Continental and Buddakan at the Pier at Caesars
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