Pinnacle Entertainment today reported a net loss of $2.19 million, or 37 cents per share, during the third quarter compared to a loss of $11.8 million, or 20 cents per share, a year earlier, the Las Vegas-based casino operator said today.
Getting outfitted with new work attire symbolizes fresh start for those coming off unemployment
Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009
With CityCenter’s first opening date just a month away, thousands are gearing up for new jobs at the property. CityCenter brought hundreds a step closer to work on Wednesday as it handed out uniforms to new employees. For those who have been out of a work, the uniform is symbolic of the beginning of new opportunities.
Wynn Resorts saw its profit fall during the third quarter of 2009 as gamblers continued to spend less and operating costs increased due to the addition of Encore Las Vegas. The company reported net income of $34.2 million.
Three companies respond to recent comments from Wynn, Murren
Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009
Despite Nevada’s tough economic climate and growing jobless rate, casino executives today said they are seeing the benefits of federal stimulus dollars flowing to Las Vegas. In the wake of national media appearances by two high-profile Las Vegas casino executives, Harrah’s Entertainment, Station Casinos and Hilton International hosted a teleconference Thursday to chime in on the Obama administration and the effects of the federal stimulus on the industry.
Garth Brooks confirmed this morning what many had been speculating for months. The country music star announced during a Nashville news conference that he would be coming out of retirement with an extended stay at the Encore Theater.
A second credit rating service has raised its outlook on Wynn Resorts this week as a result of the company’s initial public offering on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Moody’s Investor Services raised its outlook from negative to stable.
Company launches land-tethered balloon across from Mandalay Bay
Friday, Oct. 9, 2009
The Las Vegas Strip got a new skyline attraction Thursday. Cloud Nine, the world’s largest helium-filled, land-tethered balloon, opened for business after an opening ceremony for VIPs and the news media. Taking flight across from Mandalay Bay, the balloon can bring up to 30 guests nearly 500 feet above the Strip. The balloon is seven stories wide and 11 stories tall and contains 210,000 cubic feet of helium. It’s tethered to the ground by a pulley system.
Wynn Resorts is offering a new deal aimed at getting California guests in the door without them having to fly commercial or drive. The company announced this week that the Wynn Las Vegas and Encore will begin offering a vacation package that pairs private jet service with the resorts' accommodations.
As the fall chill creeps over the valley, the hosts of Las Vegas’ pool parties will close their umbrellas and pack up their cabanas until next spring. While most adult pools will remain open through October, some have already wrapped up their season.
Few were surprised when the Bravo network made the official announcement in June that Las Vegas would serve as backdrop for the sixth season of “Top Chef.” After all, rumors had been swirling for months, chefs were spotted around town and guest judges were leaking info via Twitter. It quickly became know as the city’s worst-kept TV secret.
A former Venetian executive will be taking on a new role at the Palms resort. Former Venetian executive vice president Paul Pusateri has been named president and general manager at the Palms.
Restaurant’s second Las Vegas location brings debut of technology
Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009
It’s not often that fans can reach out and touch one of Madonna’s famous bustiers or Michael Jackson’s bejeweled gloves. Armed with new technology and thousands of pieces of memorabilia, Hard Rock’s newest location on the Las Vegas Strip is making that possible — at least in the virtual sense. Hard Rock International unveiled its first Strip location Labor Day weekend but gave an up-close tour of its new technology on Tuesday. A rock 'n' roll theme still reigns but the new location has layered in a secondary theme: interactivity.
Most employees will start work in November for opening the following month
Monday, Sept. 21, 2009
For 23-year-old Mollie Ehrman, Monday meant a new start in a new city. Ehrman received a job offer for a salon receptionist at Aria at CityCenter’s employment center. It made her decision to move to Las Vegas finally official. The $8.5 billion complex on the Strip was extending offers to between 500 and 700 people.
CityCenter will be extending employment offers to roughly 12,000 employees Monday in preparation for a December opening. The first new employees are expected to gather at CityCenter’s employment center to receive and celebrate their official offers.
Dealers, Harrah's Entertainment have been unable to negotiate a union contract since December 2007
Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009
Hundreds of dealers and Transport Worker Union members gathered in front Caesars Palace Thursday afternoon to show their support for the casino’s dealers during prolonged union contract negotiations. Tourists weaved in and out of the sea of TWU members, dealers and supporters as they tried to make their way down Las Vegas Boulevard. Demonstrators, dressed uniformly in red union T-shirts, held signs reading “Contract now” and “Give Caesars dealers a fair deal.” Their chant: Two years is too long.
The Clark County District Attorney’s office won’t file charges against two women arrested in a Metro Police undercover operation in July at the Rio’s Sapphire Pool.
A recovery for the gaming industry remains uncertain, even if the national economy improves, an international financial research company said Wednesday. Moody’s Investors Service said its rating for the U.S. gaming industry remains negative as analysts have watched monthly gaming revenues slide.
The Las Vegas Strip just got a little more rock ‘n’ roll. Hard Rock International opened its second Las Vegas location on Saturday, bringing its comfort food and rock star relics to the Strip for the first time.
Fewer travelers will be celebrating the unofficial end of summer with expensive weekend trips this Labor Day holiday, local and national tourism research shows.The Las Vegas Visitors and Convention Authority is expecting an estimated 273,000 visitors during the holiday weekend, 2,000 less than the visitor count for 2008. Citywide hotel occupancy is expected to reach 87 percent, a 1.8 percent drop from Labor Day weekend 2008.
Construction on the first phase of the American Indian casino in Michigan that will be managed by Station Casinos will begin in two weeks, the Gun Lake Tribe announced today.
Hospitality management firm The Light Group said today it will be hiring 350 people for its three food and beverage locations at CityCenter’s Aria Casino and Resort. The company will begin its hiring process with a two-day job. The Light Group is looking fill positions for hosts, promoters, security, bartenders, cooks, food runners, buspersons and pantry workers at its Union Restaurant, Haze Nightclub and Deuce Lounge.
Hospitality management firm The Light Group says it plans to run four venues inside the main hotel-casino of the $8.5 billion CityCenter complex on the Las Vegas Strip.
Tropicana Las Vegas has put a new executive team in place under the leadership of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Alex Yemenijian, the company announced today.
More than 18 months after fire, new digs open on previously water-damaged top floor
Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009
After more than 18 months, the Monte Carlo can finally close the book on its January 2008 fire with the opening of the once water-damaged 32nd floor. The hotel-casino showed off its new, boutique-style hotel concept called HOTEL32 during a tour for media and VIPs on Monday. The 32nd floor opened to guests for the first time last week since the fire.
Look back shows county loath to cite venues for open lewdness
Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009
County officials said Tuesday that their effort to clean up the nightclub industry is kicking off with a warning letter and workshops to try to help nightclubs comply with the rules. In other words, more of the same answer to an ongoing problem. In other words, at least initially, the county’s answer to what it said is a major problem is more of the same — yet another warning and more workshops. But for years the county business licensing department has had another tool available to try to force compliance but has not used it — its authority to issue citations.
Anthony Marnell III says more convention business is key to turnaround
Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2009
The Las Vegas Valley’s newest casino owner, Anthony Marnell III, said business has been better than expected since opening M Resort nearly six months ago. But he’s noticed a summer slowdown. “We started off the first 90 days with a roar and then June 1 hit. The market just shut off,” Marnell told Sun columnist Jon Ralston on Monday on his “Face to Face With Jon Ralston” program.
Company reports 41 percent drop in net income in second quarter
Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009
Boyd Gaming reported a 41 percent drop in net income for the second quarter of 2009, citing the continuing economic strain on the Las Vegas market, the company said today in its quarterly report. During a conference call with investors and analysts today, Boyd reaffirmed its interest in buying Station Casinos assets and commented on the standing of its suspended Echelon project.
Casino developer still concerned about anti-Las Vegas rhetoric
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Las Vegas casino mogul Steve Wynn today used the forum of a telephone conference call about his company's quarterly finances to criticize President Obama. Critical of the current presidential administration for months, Wynn, chairman and CEO of Wynn Resorts, voiced more criticism today in a conference call to investors, analysts and reporters. “Right now we are more afraid of Washington than we are of the economy. We’ve got people on our backs saying don’t go to Las Vegas which is preposterous,” Wynn said.
Cost of opening new Encore hotel casino drove income down
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wynn Resorts today reported net income fell 90.6 percent in the second quarter of 2009 due to lower casino revenues and the continuing costs of opening Encore Las Vegas.
Friends and family are testing the waters at Hard Rock’s new hotel tower this week. They’re testing the water pressure, flicking through the TV channels and making sure those new sheets have just the right number of threads for the Hard Rock’s guests this weekend. Hard Rock will welcome its first guests at its new 490-room Paradise tower come Friday night. The tower opening will mark the first phase of completion in Hard Rock’s $750 million expansion project.
Pinnacle Entertainment today reported a net income of $4.7 million, or 8 cents per share during the second quarter, compared to a loss of $18.1 million, or 30 cents per share, a year earlier, the Las Vegas-based casino operator said today.
Gaming revenue dropped 15 percent in the second quarter at the Golden Nugget Las Vegas and Laughlin, parent company Landry’s Restaurants reported today.
Planet Hollywood will start its recruiting process for 800 employees with a two-day job fair next week, the company announced today. The employees will staff its PH Towers, scheduled to open later this year.
There’s a bit of good news for Nevada’s unemployed coming later this week.
The Strip’s new Hard Rock Café, set to open this summer, is looking to hire more than 500 employees to staff the restaurant’s second Las Vegas location.
CityCenter’s Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas is accepting applications to fill more than 500 jobs, the hotel announced today. The non-gaming, luxury hotel will be hiring for a variety of positions including in food and beverage, hotel operations, spa and fitness, finance, facilities and security.
Rob Goldstein replaces Brad Stone as executive vice president
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Las Vegas Sands has promoted and extended the contract of longtime executive Rob Goldstein, the company announced today. He will have a base salary of $1.5 million compared to the $965,000 base salary he was earning before.
International Game Technology said it's laying off another 55 workers at its Reno headquarters this week as it continues to adjust during the recession. Meanwhile, its main competitor says it’s looking to grow.
Revenue at Las Vegas Sands’ newest casino has dropped for a fifth straight week, according to a report this week by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.