Five key gaming executives were
approved by the Gaming Control Board in a flurry of activity last week
Gary Jacobs was OK’d as secretary,
executive vice president and director for MGM Mirage; secretary, director and
manager of MGM Grand Resorts; secretary of MGM Grand Hotel, New York-New York
and the Primadonna Co.; secretary and director of the Mirage, Treasure
Island, Boardwalk, Golden Nugget and Golden Nugget-Laughlin; and secretary,
director and manager of the Bellagio.
The multiple titles prompted board
member Bobby Siller to joke: “I’d like to be you when I grow up.”
Isaac Esbia was approved as casino
manager of the New Frontier. Esbia said the Ruffin Gaming property, which is
awaiting financing for its expansion, enjoyed a “good” February and said
March “is looking good.”
Bill Paulos was approved as manager of
the newly named Rampart Casino is Summerlin. Partner Robert Mendenhall of Las
Vegas Paving is guaranteeing the $10 million in financing for improvements, cash
purchase and lease deposit.
Mark Majetich was approved as vice
president and general manager of Arizona Charlie’s East.
Keith Smith was approved as executive
vice president and chief operating officer for Boyd Gaming. He also will serve
as senior vice president and director of the California Hotel and the Eldorado
in Henderson.
Speaking
of Boyd’s recently acquired Delta Downs property, Smith said the
Louisiana “racino” is doing well and reported that seller Shaun Scott is
“completely out” of the facility. Smith also said that 32 of 43 floors are
complete at the company’s Borgata resort in Atlantic City. “It’s on
schedule and on budget,’’ he said.
In other action, the board:
”¡ Heard Illinois-based casino critic Tom Grey tweak Harrah’s exec Gary Loveman’s recent complaints about regulatory hurdles. Commending Nevada for having “the regulatory model for the nation,’’ Grey, head of the National Coalition Against Gambling Expansion, said, “When (casino execs) come from Harvard they seem to
believe their own BS. If he (Loveman)
doesn’t like it, he can work for Sears.”
”¡ Gave conditional approval to the
Phil Em Up card game undergoing a test trial at Avi hotel-casino in Laughlin.
The board ordered that cards be dealt face up before final approval would be
granted.
”¡ Delayed final approval of a Shuffle
Master game being field tested at Excalibur. The board ordered the company to
correct “software problems.”
”¡ Ordered Harrah’s Lake Tahoe to
pay $1,600 to Daniel Martinez. The 10-year-old jackpot dispute had simmered
because, in board member Scott Scherer’s words, Martinez has been serving
“an obligation to the state.” In other words, Martinez was a jail.
The Nevada Gaming Commission meets March 21.
