My handshake with him – it wasn’t innocent…one must show that you won't make small concessions, even symbolic ones.
-French President Emmanuel Macron
| A $500-M Trump-cleaning spree |
The chairman of casino operator Hard Rock International (HRI) wants to scrub off the Trump Taj Mahal’s in-your-face design so he’s launching a $500 million remodeling initiative of the Trump casino he acquired last April.
How will this remodeling go?
HRI Chairman Jim Allen announced that the remodeling of the former Trump property will rise to $500 million from its previous estimate of $375 million. Allen underscored the importance of the remodeling, saying it “does us no good to put some guitars on the wall and new carpets, and say ‘I can take 5 or 10% of the business from Resorts or Harrah’s.”
The remodeling will spare nothing of Trump Taj Mahal’s designs.
Allen also assured that HRI will have a fresh start with Taj Mahal’s unionized employees. The employees went on strike after Trump Taj Mahal’s previous owner convinced a court to rescind their pension and health care benefits.
What about the issue on Trump Taj Mahal employees?
While betting operators are still able to live in their 7.5 tax rate paradise for another day, gaming and lottery operators are in the 50 percent tax hell. Yet, some MPs vowed to save them from their misery as they would revisit the issue next week after more discussion with the Treasury and stakeholders.
Takeaway
HRI is bent on having a fresh start in acquiring the Trump Taj Mahal property through a multimillion general cleaning, hopefully to remove the property’s bad jujus.
| FEATURED VIDEO |
In this interview with Stephanie Raquel, Victor Cui of One Championship shares what the gaming industry can learn from investing in brand ambassadors.
| GLOBAL ROUND UP |
| ASIA |
Philippines’ PEZA Director General Charito Plaza told CalvinAyre.com in an exclusive interview that PAGCOR licensees are now allowed in PEZA-accredited buildings despite the agency’s earlier directive banning online gambling firms to stay in PEZA-accredited sites.
| AFRICA |
The South African government has announced that it had confiscated around R1.25m (US $97k) as it made good on its promise on seizing unauthorized online gambling winnings.
| NORTH AMERICA |
GDFSI has announced its acquisition of Mondogoal’s operating assets, including intellectual property and trademarks.
| FACT YOU NEED TO KNOW |
The first internet Bingo site and the online poker site (PlanetPoker) both started in 1998. Planet Poker was founded by Randy Blumer and started when Planet Poker dealt a $3–$6 game of Texas hold 'em poker.
| TIP OF THE DAY |
| WORD OF THE DAY |
GG: Short for “good game”; a classic, polite remark said after the end of a round or a game
| PRESS RELEASE |
Betsoft’s Cash Splash Network promotion raffle a broad success
Betsoft Gaming has announced the winners of its first Cash Splash Network promo.
| SHOUT OUT |
Attention, poker fans! All roads lead to Vegas for the 48th Annual World Series of Poker which will start on May 30 and will end on July 18.
| DAMN IT! SHARE IT |
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