Sunday, August 24, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

INSIDE GAMING: Arizona likes bettors better in-state

Border wars. Arizona casinos are said to be taking aim at Nevada for business. Arizona gaming insiders say the campaigns may be working, with more people staying close to home in Maricopa County to gamble instead of driving to Laughlin. Industry data show the campaign is taking a toll with gaming revenues in Laughlin falling in four of the five months reported since Arizona introduced Nevada-style blackjack and allowed more slot machines in February.

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Meanwhile, a marketing war is heating up in the Midwest. Casino operators in Kansas City, for example, are worried about a six-month slide. Market giants Harrah's North Kansas City Casino & Hotel and Ameristar Casino Hotel are the big contenders. Ameristar's newest trick is a brew pub that features 41 TV screens showing every NFL game. Harrah's has a giveaway of 100 million player credit points that can be exchanged for meals, rooms, merchandise and cash.

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"Saturday Night Live" creator Lorne Michaels is making a Sept. 17 appearance at The Palms' Rain nightclub for "Live From Las Vegas," a spoof on his original program. The show will feature Dan Aykroyd as master of ceremonies, Kevin Nealon doing stand-up and Lenny Pickett with the Saturday Night Live Band. Alliance Gaming Corp. is producing the one-time show to help compete for customers' attention at the Global Gaming Expo. Alliance slot subsidiary Bally Gaming will unveil SNL slots featuring "Wayne's World" and Adam Sandler's Operaman at the G2E.

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Alliance's competitors at this year's G2E will include WMS Industries, after two years out of the market and at the drawing board. Wall Street expects WMS to arrive at G2E with "guns blazing." It is expected to show at least 40 new titles including video slot, reel spinning, video poker and wide-area progressive devices. Meanwhile, slot managers say they're excited about WMS' return and expect great things of its new products including sharp sounds and graphics.

CORRECTION

An Aug. 13 Business article reported that Arnold Schwarzengger's name, image and voice would appear on a new International Game Technology nickel slot machine. According to Schwarzenegger's legal counsel, Schwarzenegger has never agreed to the use of his name, image or voice on any slot machine, including any IGT machine.

The Inside Gaming column is compiled by Gaming Wire Editor Rod Smith. You can contact him by phone at (702) 477-3893, fax (702) 387-5243 or e-mail at rsmith@reviewjournal.com.