After a rough period, key gaming industry metrics are trending
upward. Visitor numbers in Las Vegas are surging, and casino companies
see reasons for optimism. MGM Resorts International, for one, enjoyed a
10 percent jump in domestic revenue per available room in the fourth
quarter of 2011 over the same period in 2010, and a 13 percent RevPAR
rise at its Las Vegas Strip properties.
What's more, group
business is coming back: According to an MGM earnings call early this
year, such bookings are "exceptionally strong" for the next two years,
both in terms of rate and room nights. Meanwhile, the company is
developing a casino in Massachusetts and has 10 properties either in
development or operating in Asia.
Similar optimism extends
throughout the gaming industry, with competition heating up in the
mid-Atlantic region and many developments occurring elsewhere. In the
following pages, M&C editors provide regional updates on gaming destinations and venues throughout the United States.
LAS VEGAS
"Las
Vegas tourism is in a steady recovery, and we believe the trend will
continue in 2012," noted Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority
president and CEO Rossi Ralenkotter in February. His optimism was fueled
by the 38.9 million visitors received by the city in 2011, the
second-highest total ever experienced by the gaming oasis. Ralenkotter
went on to project 40 million visitors for 2012, a figure that would
shatter 2007's record of 39.2 million.
Meeting planners were
partially to thank for the surge. Las Vegas played host to more than
19,000 meetings and conventions last year -- 5.7 percent more events
than in 2010. The increased volume helped to boost the average daily
room rate by 10.7 percent in 2011 to about $105, just slightly more than
the national average.
Vegas players are keeping busy. Caesars
Entertainment recently began construction on The Linq, a $550 million
urban entertainment district that will span 200,000 square feet between
Harrah's and the Imperial Palace. The retail, F&B and entertainment
development will include the Las Vegas High Roller, a 550-foot-high
observation wheel that offers Strip views through 28 transparent-sphere
cabins. Each cabin will hold 40 people and will be available for groups.
But that isn't the only wheel rolling out: Down the street, across from
Mandalay Bay, SkyVue is building a 500-foot-high wheel of its own, with
32 gondolas, each holding 24. Both attractions are set to debut in
summer 2013.
At Caesars Palace, the 668-room Octavius Tower
opened in January. The new luxury digs bring the resort's total room
count to 3,960 and marks the completion of Caesars' $860 million
expansion project.
Meanwhile, the Strip is replete with
renovations of existing properties. The 3,933-room Bellagio wrapped up a
six-month, $70 million redesign in January. All 2,568 rooms in the
hotel's main tower have been refreshed. The 5,044-room MGM Grand kicked
off a $160 million renovation last fall, to be completed by this
September. All 4,212 rooms in its main tower are being made over with new design features.
– Michael J. Shapiro
CONNECTICUT
Foxwoods,
the resort casino in Mashantucket, is celebrating its 20th anniversary
this year by announcing the addition of the Premier Outlet Shoppes at
Foxwoods. Construction on the outlet center for luxury brands will begin
in the spring, bringing in more than 85 stores covered by a retractable
roof. An opening date has not been set yet.
The
320,000-square-foot space will connect the casino resort's 825-room MGM
Grand at Foxwoods to its 825 room Grand Pequot Tower (other properties
at the resort include the 312-room Great Cedar Hotel and 280-room Two
Trees Inn). The properties offer a combined total of 150,000 square feet
of meeting space, as well as the G Spa at MGM, the Norwich Spa at
Foxwoods and the Lake of Isles golf course.
Over at Mohegan Sun
in Uncasville, Ballo Italian Restaurant & Social Club, owned by
restaurateur John Tunney, opened last fall. The space was modeled after a
Gothic 12th-century abbey in Tuscany. In addition, the Mohegan Sun
Country Club at Pautiapaug will reopen in June following renovations to
the course itself and the clubhouse.
In all, Mohegan Sun
features 1,200 hotel rooms, a 22,000-square-foot spa and 100,000 square
feet of meeting space, including the 38,000-square-foot Uncas Ballroom.
– Sarah J.F. Braley
ATLANTIC CITY Hampered
in recent years by the recession, dwindling casino revenues and
increased competition from neighboring states, Atlantic City is in the
midst of its umpteenth revival. This time, the campaign is being
bolstered by the support of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's new plan
for boosting tourism and meetings and the imminent arrival of a new
gaming resort.
In 2010, the governor announced the formation of
the Atlantic City Tourism District, to be directed by the state's
Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (of which John F. Palmieri
became executive director last October), and at press time the CRDA was
finalizing plans for the new tourism district.
Revel, a $2.4
billion casino resort, will debut this month, six weeks ahead of
schedule. The property will open with 1,399 guest rooms (plans call for
an eventual total of 1,900), 160,000 square feet of indoor meeting space
and 90,000 square feet of outdoor function space. Revel is the first
new-build casino to open in Atlantic City in nearly a decade.
In
other signs of new life,
Hard Rock International plans to build a new
Atlantic City casino featuring its signature rock-and-roll theme.
Construction on the first phase of the 850-room project was set to begin
this July, but Hard Rock is seeking a six-month extension. The
"boutique" casino was approved as part of a pilot program that allows
for two smaller-scale casinos on the Boardwalk. Developers interested in
building the second casino must apply by the end of this month.
The
2,000-room
Borgata recently revamped 300 suites. Now in the works is a
refurbishment of the rest of its guest rooms and public areas. The
project is targeted for completion this summer.
The former
Atlantic City Hilton Casino, renamed ACH Casino Resort last year, is now
the
Atlantic Club. Last May, Hilton Hotels & Resorts announced that
the 804-room gaming property would no longer be allowed to use the
Hilton logo, and the name was changed to ACH, reflecting owner Colony
Capital's rebranding campaign and shift to attract local business.
Houston-based Landry's purchased the Trump Marina Hotel & Casino last year. The 728-room property has been rebranded as the
Golden Nugget Atlantic City and has undergone a complete overhaul.
– Lisa A. Grimaldi
New Mexico
In Albuquerque, the
Sandia Resort and Casino currently is undergoing a multimillion-dollar renovation. The project calls for updating all 228 guest rooms and redesigning the Tlur Pa lounge. Sandia also is adding 30,000 square feet of casino space, for a new total of 170,000 square feet. The resort offers 50,000 square feet of meeting and event space.
The 201-room Isleta Casino & Resort was rebranded last year as the
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Albuquerque. The property has about 30,000 square feet of meeting space.
– Lisa A. Grimaldi
PENNSYLVANIA
Total gaming
revenue in Pennsylvania for a calendar year topped $3 billion for the
first time in 2011, an increase of nearly 22 percent over the previous
year. "The ability of Pennsylvania casinos to offer top-scale amenities
and high-quality service is certainly a driving factor in the patronage
of these entertainment facilities," noted Gaming Control Board chairman
William H. Ryan Jr. recently. Ten such casinos currently are operating
across the state, with more on the way.
Rivers Casino, on
Pittsburgh's North Shore, debuted a 10,000-square-foot banquet facility
last fall, a multipurpose space that offers a large balcony and
panoramic views of the skyline and the Ohio River. The room holds 350
seated and 600 for receptions, and can accommodate larger parties by way
of connected prefunction space.
Across the state, just outside
of Philadelphia in Upper Merion Township, the
Valley Forge Casino Resort
was slated to become the 11th state casino in operation as of March 31.
The venue is the first such resort to open with Pennsylvania's Category
3 license, which means gamblers must meet certain requirements recently
set forth by the Gaming Control Board. Patrons of the Valley Forge
Convention Center and its amenities, which are in the same building, may
gamble in the casino as long as they spend at least $10 at the
restaurants, bars or retail shops, stay at one of the convention
center's two hotels or use the spa. Anyone attending a meeting,
convention or other event may partake in gambling too, as can anyone who
buys a dining or entertainment membership at the venue.
The
other Philadelphia-area casinos, none of which offer lodging facilities,
have been enjoying revenue increases in early 2012. They are the
Parx
Casino, which offers 184 tables in Bensalem;
Harrah's, with 125 tables
in Chester; and
SugarHouse, featuring 54 gaming tables in Philadelphia.
SugarHouse has ambitious expansion plans for the next two
years: The venue is slated to more than double in size, including a new
parking garage and an expanded public river walk along the Delaware
River. New amenities will include up to four new waterfront restaurants
with outdoor terraces, six art-installation sites and a second-story
ballroom with riverfront views. Completion is targeted for fall 2013,
with the ballroom expected to debut later.
For meeting-goers in
Center City, the 1,332-room
Philadelphia Marriott Downtown wrapped up
renovations last year. The city's largest hotel, which is connected to
the expanded Pennsylvania Convention Center by skywalk, offers 92,000
square feet of meeting space, including 72 meeting rooms and a
34,300-square-foot ballroom.
About an hour northwest, in
Bethlehem, the
Sands Casino Resort opened the 300-room Sands Hotel last
June, which has 5,000 square feet of meeting space and 3,000 square feet
of prefunction space. The 50,000-square-foot Sands Event Center
currently is under construction. The multipurpose venue, slated to open next month, will accommodate up to 3,500 people for standing events and 2,250 for seated shows. A 10,000-square-foot nightclub, Vision Bar, also will debut.
– Michael J. Shapiro
MASSACHUSETTSLast
November, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick signed a bill authorizing
three casinos and one slot-machine parlor in the state. Developers are
vying for the three gaming licenses.
Mohegan Sun is one of the
contenders. The owners of the Connecticut casino resort have had a
storefront in Palmer, just east of Springfield, for years. Company
officials often attend city meetings and hold events there, touting the
positive impact a 600-room casino resort would have for the area.
MGM
Resorts has purchased 150 acres in nearby Brimfield, about 65 miles
west of Boston, with plans to develop its own casino resort. The
property's working name is the
Rolling Hills Resort.Hard Rock
International intends to build a casino-hotel on a 100-acre site off
Interstate 91 in Holyoke, on the site of the Wyckoff Country Club.
Last
April,
Suffolk Downs owners joined with
Caesars Entertainment to
bolster their bid for a license to build a gaming resort complex in East
Boston.
Steve Wynn of
Wynn Resorts and Robert Kraft, owner of
the NFL's New England Patriots, have a proposal on the table for a $1
billion casino resort near Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.
The Mashpee-Wampanoag tribe last month announced plans to buy land in East Taunton, hoping to develop a casino resort there.
– Sarah J.F. Braley
Detroit
The
Greektown Casino-Hotel renovated its sports bar and
video-poker areas last fall. More recently, the casino finished
construction of Asteria, a lounge and entertainment space. The 400-room
property soon will begin building an 850-car valet-parking facility, to
open in early 2013.
MGM Grand Detroit's enhanced M Life
loyalty program now allows guests to earn rewards for money spent on
F&B, entertainment, the spa, gaming and room nights. The property
has 400 guest rooms.
– Michael C. Lowe
GULF COAST
Baton Rouge, La.
The 206-room L'Auberge Casino & Hotel Baton Rouge is expected to
open this summer with a 74,000-square-foot gaming floor, nearly 1,500
slot machines and 50 table games, including a poker room. Plans call for
a 1,400-seat events center, a covered parking garage, and several
food-and-beverage options. The $368 million project also will offer outdoor festival grounds with capacity for up to 2,500 guests.
Bossier City, La. The
Margaritaville Resort Casino is under development in Bossier City. The
$197 million project is set to debut in June 2013 and will include more
than 1,300 slot machines and 46 table games. In addition, the resort
will feature a 396-room hotel, a 900-seat entertainment venue, a spa, an
outdoor pool deck and four dining establishments, including the
Margaritaville Restaurant. The resort also will offer 2,500 square feet
of meeting space.
New Orleans The
450-room Harrah's New Orleans welcomed a new 210-seat restaurant from
former New Orleans Saints quarterback Archie Manning (and dad of Super
Bowl quarterbacks Eli and Peyton)in January. The eatery comes equipped
with 30 flat-screen televisions, including a 97.5-foot mega screen, a
sports-anchor desk and Manning family memorabilia. The restaurant has
two private dining areas and also is available to be bought out for
larger events. Signature menu items include braised short-rib jambalaya,
fried green tomatoes and Cajun sliders made with alligator sausage. The
115,000-square-foot casino offers more than 2,000 slot machines, and
the property as a whole has 21,034 square feet of meeting space.
Biloxi, Miss.
The Margaritaville Casino & Restaurant will open in May on the
eastern tip of Biloxi's Back Bay neighborhood. The property will include
a 26,000-square-foot casino, the signature Margaritaville restaurant, a
20,000-square-foot outdoor venue and a marina.
Last June, the
Palace Casino Resort reopened as the only smoke-free casino in Biloxi,
following a 64,000-square-foot expansion project and a renovation of its
facilities. The property now features 38,000 square feet of gaming
space with more than 1,000 slot machines and 26 new table games. Other
features include the 4,500-square-foot, 300-seat Palace Buffet; a new
lounge with a stage for live entertainment, and a 24-hour grill. Smoking
is allowed outside the main building and in the new $1 million smoking
lounge. The 236-room property also offers 1,800 square feet of meeting
space.
Landry's Inc., the Houston-based entertainment,
hospitality and gaming company, recently announced the purchase of the
700-room Isle Casino Hotel Biloxi. The company, which owns the Golden
Nugget Hotel Casino properties in Las Vegas; Laughlin, Nev.; and
Atlantic City, will take control of the Biloxi hotel by the end of this
June and transform it into another Golden Nugget resort by 2013. All
guest rooms will be updated. The casino currently offers more than 1,200
slots, 29 table games and live-action poker.
– Michael C. Lowe
RENO/TAHOE
Reno-Tahoe
International Airport has launched a $26 million renovation and
construction effort known as the Gateway Project. The makeover will
create a single security checkpoint, as well as upgrade the restaurants
and stores. The project should wrap up in April 2013.
Reno's
Grand Sierra Resort is in the midst of a $25 million renovation, which
includes updates to its 2,000 guest rooms, an expanded Mustangs
country-western dance hall, a new Mexican restaurant with an impressive
collection of tequilas, and a new casino floor lounge.
Last
October, the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino kicked off a
$20 million renovation slated to wrap up at the end of this month. The
property's 422 guest rooms and suites will be redesigned to sport a
"Grand Lodge" look. The resort's restaurant, Sierra Café, and all of its
meeting space debuted new designs at the end of last year.
Reno's
first "urban adventure" venue, CommRow, opened last October. The
16-story property sports a climbing wall on its exterior façade, indoor
bouldering, food and beverage outlets, and two live entertainment
venues. A hotel, outdoor deck with BMX and skate parks, and additional
restaurants are scheduled to open this year. CommRow's facilities are
available for private events of up to 800 people.
– Michael J. Shapiro