Casino business magnate Sheldon Adelson is one of a number that have hired lobbyists to boost their chances of making it past the post in the race to get one of Massachusetts’ casino licences. A native of Massachusetts, the owner of Las Vegas Sands has, according to the Boston Herald, retained the services of lobbyist Roger Donoghue’s company, Donoghue Barrett & Singal. Adelson has used Donoghue and Co’s services for the past three years paying them $90k last year, $180k in 2010 and $112k in 2009. Ameristar and Penn National Gaming Inc as well as Suffolk Downs racetrack, Plainridge Racecourse and Raynham-Taunton Greyhound Park have registered lobbyists and will challenge for the three resort casino business licences on offer.
New Jersey casino regulators choice to relax rules is seeing venues trying out all sorts of new schemes to draw in punters. CBS News reports that Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City benefited from the latest ruling, published on Tuesday, and can now offer additional gambling at The Pool. “It’s combining casino gambling and the nightclub atmosphere,” said Don Marrandino, eastern division president of Caesars Entertainment. “It’s a fun atmosphere. We’re really pleased with how it’s working out.”
The ruling will see six blackjack tables, a chip redemption booth and…CAGES for female dancers! How this fits in with the gambling we don’t know but it sounds as though gamblin’ drinkin’ and carryin’ on is high on AC’s list at the present moment. This is further backed up by the Golden Nugget allowing free two-ounce glasses of wine at their Cool Jeans clothing store and larger three to six ounce glasses being given away at Wine and WiFi, a wireless Internet lounge. Who said AC’s losing its attraction!?
Revel Casino received its first shipment of slot machines ahead of it becoming AC’s 12th casino business around May this year. Officials from the casino estimate that it’ll cost $2.4billion to build and employ around 5,500 people when it opens at the north end of the Boardwalk.
