Casino City Report

The entertainment choices in recent months at area casinos have reflected the current state of the economy. Some are one-time big names that aren’t as big anymore and therefore can be had at bargain rates (no names; you figure it out). There have been middle-of-the-road comics, who don’t need a fancy set, just a stool and a microphone. There have been acts that have played the town dozens and dozens of times; some are great artists, but how many times can we get enthusiastic about the same acts?
This preamble is to announce that despite the recent storm, a spring thaw has arrived in casino entertainment budgets. The Borgata is leading the way (see previous blog) with the announcement that No Doubt will kick off their first tour in five years at the Borgata May 2. Also on “Tap” at the Borgata is the Unwigged & Unplugged tour May 24 starring Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer who are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the cult mockumentary This is Spinal Tap with a 30-date concert tour this spring. The tour will not only feature Tap songs but music from the folk music mockumentary, A Mighty Wind. The Borgata had already refreshed the entertainment scene with David Cook (coming March 21), Chris Cornell (April 3) and Jimmy Fallon (April 11).
The House of Blues is upping the entertainment ante with Ben Folds April 24; Chrisette Michele April 25, and the Three Girls & a Buddy tour May 29 starring Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, Shawn Colvin and Buddy Miller. Some big name stars never seem to lose their popularity, so it is always a big deal when Jimmy Buffett announces a local gig; he’ll be back at Boardwalk Hall on Aug. 23.

Mount Pleasant Municipal Judge Larry Duffy last week decided that Texas “Hold ‘em” is a game of skill, not of chance, and is thus not covered under the laws of the state of South Carolina.

More than 50 percent of Florida
residents support the gambling expansion reached recently between the
state and Seminole Tribe, according to a Quinnipiac Poll released this
week.

As Billboard.com reports, the famous trio behind one of the all-time funniest movies about music, This is Spinal Tap, is reuniting (sans wigs) for a spring trek across the States. The band, which will also play music from the folkie-music comedy A Mighty Wind, is finishing a new record, which is set to come out on May 26.

The Spinal Tap trio (Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer) will land at Borgata on Memorial Day Weekend, May 24.

The Borgata and No Doubt announced that the band will launch their official return tour at the Borgata. Tickets go on sale this Saturday, March 7, at 10am. The band’s exclusive, first engagement in five years will take place at the 2,400-seat Borgata Event Center on May 2 at 8pm.
“Borgata is our first show back together and we couldn’t be more excited,” said No Doubt’s Tony Kanal of the May 2 show.
“We are excited that No Doubt chose Borgata as the location to launch their highly-anticipated return,” said Joe Lupo, Senior Vice President of Operations for Borgata. “The addition of this special engagement to our 2009 lineup demonstrates our continued commitment to bringing the best entertainment to Atlantic City.”
For more information on No Doubt, visit here.

Officials of the Kansas Racing and Gaming
Commissioners  (KRGC) are poised to approve a $705 million Hard Rock
Hotel and Casino proposal at the Kansas Speedway next Friday during a
meeting in Topeka.

Following up on a campaign promise of
President Ma Ying-jeou, the Taiwanese government last week set up a
committee for the gambling industry which is charged with collecting
and studying gaming trends.

Suffolk County politicians William Lindsay
and Wayne Horsley are saying they have seen estimates that a gambling
establishment could generate millions in revenues. They say it’s also
possible 10,200 new jobs would be created, producing $445 million in
salaries.

Tribal gaming revenues in the U.S. may
exceed those of the 12 leading commercial gambling states, including
Nevada, in the short-term, according to industry experts.

New York Governor David A. Paterson is
planning to expand gambling to bars, restaurants and racetracks,
dramatically expanding the number of locales in the state where gamers
can place wagers. Paterson expects another $500 million in revenues
next year.