Two Way Hard Three | Las Vegas Casino & Design Blog

Oh my....

Not just bad for morale (if true, or even if merely F.U.D.), it likely results directly from the tip "sharing" policy. Even then, were the employees really this stupid or is it part of the sabre rattling game between the parties? A power play by management, or a deliberately provocative act by the union supporters? Both?

Posted by detroit1051

I don't know what's going on, but I'm glad Mylchreest and McKee (LV Business Press) aren't afraid to raise issues that we never see in the RJ and Sun. David McKee has guts raising issues about Pansy Ho/MGM and now Wynn.
There's a lot of nonsense at the following link, but at least it gives some indication of what's happening at Wynn:
http://p066.ezboard.com/Wynn-Controversy/fthedealersloungefrm2

Hunter: I personally am aware of a whole shitload of additional, ar even more egregious potential, "alleged" criminal practices on behalf of Wynn Resorts, Ltd. which I would absolutely LOVE to contribute here in connection with [their] questionable operating procedures from day one, however, please trust me in that "these" published reports are in the very preliminary stages of Wynn's certain downfall + are not a result of 'speculation'. McKee has only listed a fraction of the questionably recent llegal goings on at WLV. I prefer to let the "established" journalists/press like David McKee + Steve Miller, et al, publish ther own official, confirmed reports on what's going on over there at Wynn Resorts before I expose myself to potential litigation by revealing even far more egregious violations. If you carefully review my archived posts here, there are lots of similarlities that parallel the now surfacing allegations which I alluded to months ago. Don't expect the RJ or the Sun to even touch this until more evidence of Wynn's alleged criminal activity officially becomes public. Don't say that I didn't warn everyone when I was accussed of being nothing but a "resident troll". Sit back + watch the eventual unraveling of Steve Wynn's entire career when he will evidentially bite the dust for the second + last time. Some people just never seem to learn from their prior mistakes, i.e. Stevie Boy!

Hunter,

The past few days have been a nightmare there.

The dealers had made mental notes of how many yellow chips they each deposited and $90,000 is unacounted for.

Also, many dealers dropped the red Chinese New Years toke envelopes and those are missing in action as well.

Of course no one in charge seems to be able to find the tape of that night's count.

The dealers didn't steal it. Their representative was yanked out of the count room the day the new tip implementation began.

The dealers had a meeting with Andy Pascal a few weeks ago and they were told they had to each write a report on three of their team leads.

I told them this whole thing was a set-up and to simply write the same thing... "I have the best team leader in the whole wide world!"

The ones fired had a long and good relationship with Steve. I find it odd because isn't THAT why he said he had to start giving them tips in addition to the salary? Because he was so short handed and no-one wanted the job?

That place is NEVER going to see a profit as long as THAT cocained-up nut is running it. I wish Trump would just buy it already.

Looking back I think it speaks volumes that Wynn gave himself a raise, no matter how slight, when he knew full WELL how his Q4 figures had turned out.

I just pray one morning to see gaming control locking the doors, wrapping the building with tape and shipping that lunatic to Camp Fed.

His life has spiraled out of control the past two years. I give him till the end of the year before it's Adios, Stevie!

There's no way that place has the required funds in place per gaming control. I wish they'd come in and audit immediately so he'd lose his gaming license once and for all.

Finally, he had each of the fired employees sign a paper that they voluntarily resigned and would not pursue legal recourse. As incentive he promised them one month's severance. What a guy!

He must be a psychic in addition to all of his other talents because how can he pay them in advance since a large part of their income is now based on tokes?

Molly

And wouldn't it be oh, so, sweet if Lloyd's decided to jump in with charges of insurance fraud?

You know, one thing that I just thought of that's interesting is how the evolution of the Internet has impacted these issues.

During the Mirage and Bellagio years, often there would be no way for 'average citizens' like us to really hear about what's going on every day inside these places - the public face of the corporation had much more impact.

Well, that's clearly not the case these days - everything is public and the Internet is (mostly) anonymous.

Just a thought.

Molly, I'm sorry but are you, yourself, personally involved (i.e.- have a knowledge about NGC regulations etc.) with the intricate workings of the casino business? I ask this, because you state that "There's no way that place has the required funds in place per gaming control." You do realize that Ocean's Eleven isn't gospel, right? As most everyone knows, NGC law doesn't stipulate that each casino requires enough cash to cover ever chip in-play on the floor.

Also, I think it's interesting that we just had a huge flame war over name-calling, yet you come on the blog and attack a man, calling him a "cocained-up" freak. At least other people only keep the bashing to "mental" issues on the blog.

Yeah, I think throwing out accusations of drug use without some proof is pretty serious stuff for a guy in his position.

Feel free to disagree with his business practices but let's stick to relevant issues or things we know to be true.

Molly, are you related to Leonard? Just curious.

Money gets lost and people get fired every day at every hotel in Vegas and at companies across the country and every time it happens the employees pass around rumours like this. Sometimes they're true, sometimes they aren't, but at the end of the day the world never comes to a screeching halt over any of them. To suggest any corporate CEO would take a fall over relatively common everyday accusations like this just shows naivete about how the corporate world works. The only reason this even got any press at all (and McKee's "story" is nothing more than the reprinting of rumours posted on that message board detroit mentioned) is because of the existing mainstream press attention on the controversy surrounding the current dealers' issues at Wynn.

BrianFey: Listen, I now find it necessary to "officialy" respond to your previous inquiry, just for the record, I am in NO WAY related to or otherwise acquainted with "Molly" on a personal or professional level. While we have exchanged several e-mail communications since she started posting her comments here on this forum, that encompasses the extent of my relationship with "Molly". That being said, she clearly has access to "inside" + confidential information regarding the WLV dealers dispute + all of her comments have been accurate + on point with respect to what is currently transpiring with respect to the recent lawsuits that have been brought against Steve personally by the two WLV dealers. Your suggestion that some sort of 'conspiracy' might exist in connection with another forum contribitor whom I have never met is totally unfounded + once again, you are "pushing the envelope" by suggesting that I have any association with her + you are apparently perpetrating some sort of false agenda intended to disprove or otherwise discredit my position on Wynn. Therefore, I believe that I have adequetly answered your question in connection with any connection to the person using the screen name of "Molly". Let's not escalate this into another scenario where you reach the point of pissing me off to the extent that I need to to deal with you in order to straighten you out once-and-for all + end up suing your ass! The (dealer) plaintiffs in the recent Wynn case apparently have a personal connection with "Molly" + she has provided a totally accurate account in connection with details involving the specifices of this dispute. If I were comfortable in revealing the fcats that I know to be true + accurate details surrounding Steve, you guys would be amazed. I cannot wait to tell all of you the story when Steve shot the tip of his index finger off with hi 9 mm in his new office at the Mirage. The moron had a cast on his finger the size of a cucumber! I prefer not to discuss Wynn's alleged cocaine/drug use, however, it has been widely substantiated by many females that I know who allegedly participated with him in early 1990's confirming his "drug of choice" was coke, no shit...Where is the NGC when you need them to act accordingly?

....Martin Scorsesse notwithstanding....

Very good questions, John. Our other frequent critic here has established himself as an insider with expertise in the business, but took a long time to reveal those credentials, which would've helped a lot earlier on. This name "molly" has come up before on the dealer tip issue on this site and if I recall, a link to a dealers' advocate page as well.

So, in the name of fairness, disclosure please?

It's true what Hunter observed about how the internet has made such issues as these much more transparent -- God only knows what kind of stuff used to go on "behind closed doors."

Martin Scorsese notwithstanding....

John,I never saw Ocean's 11 so I don't know what you're refering to regarding that movie.

However I do know MUCH about Wynn. So it's time for me to ask how this forum works. If I know something to be true am I supposed to say it or just shut the hell up???

It appears many would rather me do just that. I'm fine with it.I know what the truth is. I'm perfectly fine with keeping the info to myself if that's what you all would prefer.

Seriously, does it really matter to you whether you learn about this today or next week?
Unless you own stock I suppose it doesn't really matter. Right?

Molly

Ps. And yes, Steve Weinberg does cocaine. I could tell you about 20 other things you wouldn't believe either, but God! What's the point? That man is HISTORY! NEXT!!!!!!!!

Posted by detroit1051

"That place is NEVER going to see a profit as long as THAT cocained-up nut is running it. I wish Trump would just buy it already."

Molly, if you want credibility, you need to do more than post inflammatory statements. You need to tell us what documented evidence you have of all the charges you freely bandy about.

Hunter's comment about how the internet has changed the world is appropriate here. One click of the mouse, and unsubstantiated rumors and innuendo flash around the world.

Molly, please tell us exactly who you are, why you are on this vendetta and what relationship exists between you, any labor union, the two dealer plaintiffs and Wynn Resorts. That will help us make our own decisions about your charges.

Detroit, you wrote the following:

"Molly, please tell us exactly who you are, why you are on this vendetta and what relationship exists between you, any labor union, the two dealer plaintiffs and Wynn Resorts. That will help us make our own decisions about your charges."

I will NOT tell anyone exactly who I am but I WILL tell you why I won't do that.

The only strength I have in my position in helping Wynn's screwed-over employees right now is my anonymity.

By all means I am not a millionaire but that is never the reason Wynn goes after the jugular on someone like me.

Out of all the different media I've reached out to (including Mr.McKee, who thankfully is fulfilling his promise of digging more deeply into this) the ONE person who has made a point of NOT getting involved is John L Smith. After being sued 5 times by Wynn he has turned his back on any matter involving the nut. I don't blame him.

I do NOT communicate with the two dealers who initially filed their lawsuit in this very corrupt state where Wynn has every judge and politician in his pocket.

I DO however, communicate with two of the three plantiffs who filed with the NLRB and have now recently met an extremely intelligent man who was loyal to Wynn for years until he was abruptly fired on Wednesday along with many others like him.

Unfortunatley, Wynn doesn't reward loyalty. If he needed to sacrifice his own flesh and blood for an additional "buck" (Google "Kevyn Wynn kidnapping" if you want to read a fascinating tale) he wouldn't think twice.

It's amazing to me how little people know about this man and the way he operates. He puts Al Capone and Bugsy Seigle to shame. At least you knew where you stood with those two.

I understand your reason for wanting to know my "bio". But assume for a minute that you knew a lot of things that Wynn is fully aware of but whose ego has led him to believe he's managed to lead the public into thinking otherwise.

Would YOU be comfortable in that position?

This is NOT a role I was eager to become involved in. And it wasn't until about the 5th person begged me to help that I DID become involved. People are HURTING and not just a little. Lives are being ruined at the hand of Steve Wynn. If that sounds overly dramatic I wish you could see the tears I see or sit next to me when the phone rings and I try to comfort a despondent voice on the other end. I think you might try and help them too.

What Steve Wynn is doing is WRONG on so many levels- from his employees who gave up YEARS of legitimate employment elsewhere to his stockholders who are somehow so enamored by his pep talks that they don't see the writing on the wall.

This thing started in October. If it weren't so damned sad and affected so many people's livlihoods it would be downright comical to watch.

How many things am I supposed to bring up here?

I could list dozens but if you're a Wynn loyalist I imagine you'd STILL find a way to excuse each example.

I'm through with the toke issue. It's never going to be won. I tell that to the dealers all the time, though the poor people still have hope.

I can honestly say I have never hated anyone in my life until now. I can either let it consume me or I can use it to benefit others. I prefer the latter.

And for the first time since October I can finally see the wheels in motion for his demise.

The irony is that not only will his employees be grateful but virtually everyone he's held in his greedy grip the past 30 years will also say "Good Riddance!"

It's a shame the majority act as Mr. Smith but I don't blame anyone for keeping their mouth shut. Any number of truths spoken out could lock this man away forever. And frankly, I'm getting sick of people who could come forward with legitimate information but instead start their sentences out with the usual, "Boy. I worked for him for years. If you only knew......."

I only answered this thread when I read Hunter's initial comment about wishing to learn more about what is going on at WLV. I just said what I know to be true.

However, my comments are apparently upsetting to several people here and that's not my intention. When I discovered this board I was impressed at the quality and intelligence of posters compared to other boards.

I DO understand why you feel a need to know more about me in order to form your own conclusions. But hopefully now you understand why I'm not in a position to give you exact dates and circumstances of things I have personally witnessed.

As far as Mr. Stern is concerned, I wouldn't know him if he walked past me. Apparently he sees the same side of Wynn that I see. But that's really all I know about him. There is no conspiracy. The two of us are not plotting secretly behind anyone's backs.

He and I are only two of many, MANY out there who feel the same way we do. We just happen to be vocal about it. Any one of those people could finally decide "today's the day!" and knock the breath out of Steve Wynn.

I think that's starting to finally happen, thank GOD.

In the mean time if you prefer the kinder, gentler version of Wynn, the LVRJ will be happy to accomodate.

Molly

PS. Regarding any affiliation with unions,I have been anti-union my entire life. However Wynn has forced me to re-think that option for dealers.

Reading what Ian Mylchreest has written on the the Harrahs and Station deals, IMO they dont strive for the most neutral point of view. Claiming a special dividend is akin to mob skimming probably wouldn't ever make it past the editors at Forbes or Fortune. That not to say what Mckee post might was not true, but it makes you think. And to Molly, Wynn is running at a full year profit (albeit from the subconcession sale) and would have earned a profit in Q4 except for the distribution to the convertible holders. And as for Trump buying the place, his track record is worse. And finally why would lloyd's claim insurance fraud?

Posted by mike_ch

Leonard, for a guy who threatens to bring people to court for writing something on this blog about you, you sure are willing to say a lot of inflammatory things about far more public figures than you or I.

Molly, I can sort of see where you're coming from but you need to calm down on the dramatics. The past week the theme here has been that the internet allows people to easily cross the lines of decency and it's called into question whether this blog needs more moderation.

Thank you, though, for denying any union connections. You know that unions are a pretty common political force in Nevada, and I know a number of them try to have a large internet presence and even practice "viral marketing" style PR.

"Molly", don't be ridiculous. I know who you are and some of the regular contributors on here know too. To not escalate this further, I won't reveal anything unless I'm asked privately.

You have no personal involvement in Wynn's operations, but rather you frequent the dealer forums for any dirt you can muck. Maybe, just maybe, you've made a personal friendship with some of the people on those forums. But you're still not an "insider" and your reputation has been tarnished by the various messageboards you frequent with different screennames just to drill your strange vendetta in a company that has absolutely nothing to do with you.

Do something productive with your time or at least fight for a cause more serious than a 10-15% paycut in a six-figure income that's still equal to or more than anything else in town. It's called corporate America and I can name a dozen other companies who make Wynn look like an angel.

Posted by mike_ch

I know that Mike E knows quite a few people in the resort businesses, Wynn not excluded, so I'm popping up my popcorn now.

There is a certain grain of truth in it, though. People are starving, and here we're just about ready to open a charity for people working at a top level casino. "For only $27 a day, you can improve the morale of one of Las Vegas' most prestigious resort workers."

I once watched someone try to get a job in gaming, I know how difficult it is. I wouldn't want to work in that environment. And here you have people who are not only in the environment, but they've thrived and reached the top. Many of them left other prestigious properties specifically because they wanted to go work under Steve Wynn. And now they must lie in the bed they made when they took that decision. Boo hoo.

All of this banter is getting really old. What has happened to this site? It used to be a fun place to exchange stories and speculate on the future of the resorts. With so much going on in LV in the next 3 years, its sad that we are devoting so much energy to corporate/political matters.

Hunter, I encourage you to delete all posts relating to corporate/political matters; and help this forum regains its footing.

For detroit, John et al I was going to note that molly has posted here before, but that's now been established. Extensive discussion on the "Wynn Dealers Suit Dismissed" thread of 12/07/06 and continuing apparently until at least 3/3/07. Much discussion which I had previously skipped as it was just getting too hot over there. I only went back to get caught up.

What seems evident (feel free to correct/detract, elaborate, clarify as needed) is that she:

--has personal contact with disgruntled Wynn dealers
--had her own labor dispute as an ex manager with Harrah's (HET)
--remains a critic of "business as usual" in the industry
--had some email contact w/LS over their mutual dislike of a certain casino owner but nothing further

....I miss anything? Gonna hurl mud at me now....? :-/

Posted by mike_ch

Once the Palazzo Hype Machine starts up I'm sure this place will return to regular form again.

Or not, mike. We'll probably be treated to more diatribe on LVS vs. WLV vs. MGM. Can't wait (*yawn*).

Some of y'all seem a little less than thrilled with the topics of conversation lately. I guess part of that is the stories I choose to post on the site. Another part is simply what is in the news. Of course the biggest part is where commenters take the discussion.

Our new guidelines will prevent the flamewars but that's about it.

If y'all would like some other topics discussed, I'm always open to suggestions at editor@ratevegas.com.

It's not the topics, Hunter. You have the right to post any news story whether it defames a casino resort or glorifies it. It's the fact that anytime the four letter "W-word" is mentioned, it brings out wolves with an axe to grind and it's getting rather tiring.

There's a line you just don't cross in your comments and certain posters always do. I told you in private about specific things that went down during my Halloween trip at Skylofts and the "provisions" made which I knew would be inappropriate for the blog. These were all courtesy of MGM Mirage hosts, but you won't see me citing it as weight against the company. That's just stupid.

And while maybe this blog will be more back to "normal" with the opening hype of Encore and Palazzo, I'm sure some commentators will be eager to claim that their "sources" tell them Steve Wynn farts coke out of his ass for his most influential guests.

I'm all for solid posting rules, but I'm also all for outright banning some posters no matter how "influential" they claim to be.

Hey Hunter, no offense to you and it's absolutely not your fault. We love this place and choose to come here (and thank you for your efforts). You're right, it's about the comments and I know you're loathe to boot the trolls as it smacks of censorship. Hopefully the guidelines whatever they be will help. (Perhaps this response belongs in that thread, sorry.)

And, this is a "Casino Design Commentary Blog" with a heavy dose of "Business of Gaming," so none of this is really off-topic. And unfortunately, our loudest critics also have the cred on these topics.

Which brings it right back to their comments....

Wow, this whole this is becoming very comical. I just have to ask. Does anyone on this board really take some of these people seriously?

Posted by mike_ch

There has, perhaps, been a dose of too much operation-heavy stuff and not enough on construction/design as well as the guest experience I guess it needs to be asked if stuff like dealer strikes are really within the realm of the blog. Something that controversial, do we just say it's off-topic and ignore it, do we come up with rules and take the violators into the shed, or what?

I haven't posted many construction updates in the past few months but I guess I'll try and step it up a bit. I'm always a little concerned about the name "construction updates" as sometimes there are no construction updates or I throw in some personal experiences at a completed property or something. They're not strictly construction; but following the opening and closing of restaurants and gift shops, as nerdy as it may be, is at least less likely to start a firestorm.

Posted by mike_ch

By the way, Mike E, you got it wrong. If you had read the full classified report, you would have heard that for money he farts cocaine onto Picasso's for Oscar Goodman and assorted mob figures.

It is unfortunate that you got the story wrong but I can understand why because you don't have the connections to VERY good and trustworthy associates which beam this news into my head while I am sleeping.

I'm gonna sue all of you!

I apologize, King Mike.

I don't lean one way or the other in the arguments about Wynn because I have no knowledge myself (other than having stayed at both Wynn LV and Wynn Macau and enjoyed myself in both venues), but I think one of the problems is that the words "truth" and "evidence" are being used a little loosely here. Recounted stories provided by other people who may or may not have first-hand knowledge (and may or may not have a vested interest in describing their first-hand knowledge in a misleading or self-serving manner) is generally called "hearsay".

BrianFey and Pikes,
thanks for the levity!

Good God, Mike.

Give it a rest already.

In almost a year there's not a single thing I've said that you don't agree with. Do you really think I'm bothered by it anymore?

Just to keep things in perspective.... I KNOW where I'm going to be at 9 am tomorrow morning and I'd wager that YOU have no idea what the hell I'm even talking about.

So again, which one of us is actively involved and which one only mouths off?

You want to sit back and criticize? Fine. But you'd at least be worthy of respect if you actually DID something instead of hide behind your pot-pissing avatar, doing nothing.

Talk about a picture being worth a thousand words........

Molly, Pip, HarrahsHell, Miggy, DoxieMom, HollyGoLightly and Nick Apollo-Forte.

Happy now?

[Ed: I seriously considered removing or editing this comment as it seems right on the line of our new guidelines to me. The guidelines are new but they are in force. Come on guys, don't make me play policeman.]

Hunter, "Molly" is not insulting me nor do I consider that a personal attack. I appreciate her honesty, actually.

Molly, you have something personal against Wynn focusing your attention on an issue that, like I had said before, isn't even worthy of you disrupting various messageboards with your strange vendetta.

There's a lot of companies I don't like and LVS is one of them. I genuinly think they SCREW people over with what they charge considering the quality of Venetian, but you won't see me with multiple personalities on various websites otherwise disrupting what should be a friendly discussion.

You wrote: "You want to sit back and criticize? Fine. But you'd at least be worthy of respect if you actually DID something instead of hide behind your pot-pissing avatar, doing nothing."

Here's what I'll be doing in three weeks: I'm going to be laughing it up with the dealers at Wynn LV, telling them how much I appreciate their work, and tipping the hell out of them. And if 10% of that goes to the floor personnel than so be it--while some people consider them "suits" just to increase a resort's bottom line, Wynn's friendly and accommodating pit bosses are part of the reason they get my business again and again.

My, my... Aren't you fiesty when your friends aren't reading? And to think in my e-mails of those who asked me about you, I described you as a "gentle soul"...

Posted by mike_ch

I can't claim to speak for the other Mike, but maybe he thinks that these people are grown ups who are able to take care of themselves? I don't know.

I have a friend who works for 1 of MGM/Mirages properties and they say they can't wait to have their meetings/ corporate stuff over there. Imagine a second buy out of "the Steve"

I'll keep my comments (for once) short + sweet this time after reading the most recent posts on this thread. Hunter, the revised guidelines + posting policies are long overdue, particularly since I was personally the subject of most of the malicious remarks. That being said, whowever came up with, "Steve blows coke out of his ass" ought to be awarded a Pulitzer! That has to be the most hilarious comment I've ever heard, I only wish I had come up with that one myself. :-)

Elvis - You're friends must not be highly informed on the structure of Wynn Resorts. Mr Wynn and his partner own over half the company. Nobody can buy them out, without their willingness to do so. Steve learded from his mistake at Mirage. I've been to shareholder meetings, voting is pointless, your vote means nothing. Once Wynn and Okada vote, its done. Last year when Elaine was up for board re-election, everyone in the audience cast their vote, but they didn't bother to count them, they didn't need too. They already knew the results. Them simply collected them, and then announced the results. They knew she was in before we even got to vote. People can dream about another forced buyout, but LVS or MGM, but it's not going to happen. If anything, I see Wynn going private. All they need is one small $4 Billion dollar private equite firm, that wants to own a casino company. Think that sounds far fetched? Keep in mind that HET just sold for almost $30 Billion, and then Station followed. This is possible.

I have recently been contacted by a few individuals who apparently follow this forum religiously + advised me that I apparently, incorrectly misquoted my earlier comment RE Wynn which should have read: "Steve farts coke out of his ass". This is even more hilarious + I apologize for the misquote!

It has come to my attention through extremely reliable sources, although unconfirmed, whereby I understand that Wynn Resorts, Ltd. is the intended subject of investigation by the NGC as well as a possible SEC target + a thus facing the potential of a DOJ criminal investigation as a result of the rampant "irregularities" that have recently been reported to be occurring over there. I can personally neither confrim nor deny whether or not this is fact or pure speculation, however, from what I understand this could possibly become a major blow to WYNN. While the decline of the current Asian Markets have adversely affected not only WYNN, but MGM + LVS, just look at MGM's 2006 Q4 earnings report whereby the current decline in per share value (even as a result of this) has had practically an insignificant impact for MGM overall, when WYNN has taken a major beating! Within the past month or so WYNN's share value has retreated by approximately 24% of its all time high value, although in after-hours trading (today) it has advanced by 1.40 pts. Remember what I had said, overweight + overvalued? The fact that WYNN is now hovering around 90 + is widely expected to continue to decline as a result of potential investigations into the alleged criminal activity that apparently proliferates over there, indicates that they are about to encounter some really insurmountable challenges in order to stay afloat long-term.

Posted by detroit1051

Today's Hearing on Wynn Dealer Tips didn't turn out as dealers exected:
http://www.lvbusinesspress.com/articles/2007/03/05/news/news_update/doc45ecb5f3cddd3090413536.txt

I am not sure why certain people on this board love to bring up the the bad about Wynn, yet fail to give all the facts? Wynn stock is down 22% from its high, yet LVS is down 26% from its high. But lets not mention that small little fact. And to say MGM has not been effected would just be misrepresenting the facts once again also. MGM was down almost 6% today alone!!! OUCH, it faired the worst of any of the major Macau players.

On another note, Looks like Mr Adelson is falling on the list of Richest Americans, and not rising. Due to the upswing in MSFT, BRK, and WMT, Mr. Adelson is no longer in the #3 spot, and with his net worth falling 26% he is not even in the top 10 now, falling just shy at about 15 Billion. It seems like just yesterday someone on this board was telling me he would be the richest person in the world soon, and I remember telling them, that they were crazy. I guess I was right again.

Doesn't anyone remember this in 2003?
Mirage execs knew of CTR violations but didn't report them, probe found

These were serious violations of federal and state laws that executives were aware of and did nothing to prevent.
Mirage was fined $5 million by the NGC and nine people were fired over it, but surprise, surprise - Terry Lanni's career doesn't appear to have suffered in the slightest and business at the Mirage never skipped a beat. Four years later no one even thinks about it and MGM's stock easily absorbed any short-term reaction to the news. If you honestly think there is a chance the NGC would ever close a strip casino for ANY regulatory violation then you simply don't understand how the world works in general, nor the gaming business in Nevada in particular.

Like I said before "irregularities" of all kinds are reported on a constant, daily basis at every hotel & casino in Las Vegas. Sometimes they get investigated, sometimes they don't. Sometimes they are deliberate, sometimes they're a result of ignorance. Sometimes people are held accountable, sometimes they aren't. That's the reality of any big business.

Microsoft and Gates are still doing fine after their DoJ investigation, Walmart is going strong dispite it's controversies and Apple, Nike and DeBeers are all still in business after accusations of participating in actual human-rights violations. Suggesting that Wynn Resorts will go out of business or that the CEO will "go down" for something as trivial as alleged missing money or unjust firings is simply naive. The only thing that can take a U.S. company down these days is many years of Enron-style SEC fraud. Seeing as Wynn Resorts has been reporting losses since Day 1, I can't see that happening.

Things just keep getting worse for Stevie Boy over there at WLV. Looks like the NGC will now be looking into what clearly appears to be a major scam going on on behalf of mamagement in connection with the dealer toke mess. If that is indeed the case + these allegations are proven to be true, Wynn will lose his gaming license permanently! Way to go Steve, keep up the good work + employee morale!

http://www.valleyblogs.com/mckee/2007-03-05/id_2134

Chris makes an excellent point with regard to what happened at The Mirage... I'm agreeing with him on this one - without an absolute smoking gun that FORCES the NGC to take action, the worst thing Wynn Resorts will have to deal with is a fine and change of procedure.

All of Nevada's power structure knows who pays the bills and it's not in anyone's best interest to close a Strip casino. Steve Wynn is not Becky Behnen and there's NO WAY they'd ever do something that dramatic at 3131 LVB 89109.

Look at this thing with Pansy Ho and MGM. There are some serious questions there and the GCB basically said - 'nothing to see here' - I assume the NGC will approve her as well. The regulatory structure, while not toothless, are not a set of crusaders for the people.

That's my $0.02.

A little off-topic but perhaps useful:

FYI, I have been playing with a new page on the site that lists recent comments:

http://www.ratevegas.com/blog/recent_comments.html

It's very much a work in progress but I'd like to improve workflow for regulars that want to stay on top of what's happening... I'm still fiddling with ideas and I'm open to suggestions as well.

If you have suggestions, send them to editor@ratevegas.com, please do not reply here.

Hey Brian Fey: Give it a f*cking break already! Adelson's grand plans, if successful, will definitely meet, or exceed, his future goal as far as reaching number one while Wynn faces the REAL possibilty of losing his gaming license! Don't get me started regarding Wynn's "questionable" management over his own, personally branded-empire, which I assure you will be short-lived when further details begin to emerge regarding even more impropriaties in the running of his whole operation - trust me on this one, no B.S., there will be a lot more to come. As far as Sheldon is concerned, read today's article re LVS' long-term plans for [his] monopolizing the future of China's entire gaming market in today's Sun (the numbers speak for themselves):

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/business/2007/mar/06/566647580.html

Secondly I really DO NOT appreciate you referring to the Sahara Hotel as an "eyesore". First of all when my father designed that property in the late 1950's + early 1960's it was the most advanced casino hotel ever built on the Strip + became a model/benchmark, at that time, for the future of ALL subsequent large scale casino high rise developments, designed by my father as well as other architects, for at least a DECADE or more. Nothing like it had ever existed before the Sahara was built. In addition, the Sahara + my father's long-term client during the early days, Del Webb, structured the very first "corporate" casino hotel in Las Vegas paving the way for today's mega resorts, years before Hughes came to town in the mid-1960's. Actually my father was awarded the commission for the ONLY project Hughes ever built in L.V., that being the Sands tower + expansion which was a result of Del Webb's personal recommendation to Hughes directly. Del Webb was one of a small handful of people who actually met with Hughes personally, even his own executive staff never met him. Apparently you have little or NO architectural background in relation to Las Vegas history + what specific properties were significant in transforming the entire gaming industry, both architecturally + from a casino design perspective for other architects to copy. No other architect at that time knew shit about designing an integrated high rise large casino project which the Sahara became in the early 1960's. So Brian, do you research before posting uninformed comments. You really have absolutely NO clue whatsoever in what you are talking about here as far as gaming architecture is concerned + your comments continue to reinforce your obvious ignorance. Is the Sahara Hotel + Casino an aging property that has outlived its expected life span? Absolutely, it dates back almost 55 years for Christ's sake! But to refer to one of the most significant early Strip properties which my father designed as an "eyesore" + needs to be imploded is both a personal insult + reflects that you are somehow mesmerized by frauds like Wynn + others. FYI - The "new" owners do not intend to implode the entire property but plan to completely renovate it while still respecting its history. The only tower that is most likely to be destroyed is the hideous 1988 high rise addition, although it has been contributed to my father, he did not design that atrosity. Joel Bergman's attempt to update the property in late 1990's, IMO, only added to the "tackiness" of the original towers. This is one of the last remaining Strip properties that transformed Las Vegas architecture in a major way. So Brian, my advice to you is do your research before making uniformed + biased comments. You have proven yourself to be, without a doubt, the most uniformed contributor here, IMO! Whatever your agenda is, put it to rest because people like me will only end up putting you in your proper place by proving your total lack of facts + knowledge...

Here's a first person account of the firings from a former Wynn dealer:

http://astrocraps.com/news.html

Posted by detroit1051

Leonard, you are too sensitive. In 2007, the Sahara IS an eyesore. That in no way besmirches your father or his reputation.
Your caustic comments about and to others offend me, so, in spite of your knowledge of Las Vegas, the gaming industry and architecture, I will no longer read your messages. I wish you well.

I'm glad to see the new guidelines have been a success...

That's an interesting comment because I came close to requiring an edit on this comment and after initially thinking it would be required, I changed my mind.

What I tried to do was to imagine how I would feel if it were directed at me, given that all parties engaged in this debate had to expect a certain degree of thick-skin would be required given all the history, etc... I determined it was within bounds but not a slam dunk.

Maybe I made a mistake. Maybe this was the wrong call.

I'm still trying to get a feel for my new job as traffic cop and I'll be the first to admit it (and I will remind you often, if not in words but through my actions) - I'm not perfect.

One thing I can guarantee is that you will not see the heavy duty flame-throwing in some past threads. These 'edge cases' are a lot harder for me to make determinations on an I'm sure I'll have some bad calls (but hopefully some good ones too).

Ultimately I'd love to have a system that allowed the readers to vote comments up and down, with low-scoring comments not displaying by default. That works on other sites and it takes some of the burden off my shoulders.

Actually, on that last point, I found some software that does just that.

Before I make an investment, I'm curious if people would like it.

Basically, every comment could be voted up or down by you guys and then you can view comments above a certain threshold - lower scored comments can be made virtually invisible if you want them to be.

Thoughts?

While it sounds like a good idea, it's also an easy system to abuse and might not be worth your investment.

Yes, that's possible.

This particular implementation has some safety hooks, such as one vote per user, etc... Still, any system can be gamed by a determined individual.

My personal view Hunter is that since this is your blog, you should have every right to direct whatever editorial comment / suggestion you like at any particular individual. Heck, you don't even need to be fair or reasonable in your comments since its your site.

I think it'd be a whole lot better if (as you and Detroit suggest) everyone just develop a slightly thicker skin. One person's opinion is just as valid as any other person's no matter what their background may be - particularly when it comes to something as subjective as aesthetics. I don't think its particularly mature to respond to different opinions with defensive comments, bad language and counter-attacks.

I have no thoughts on comment voting software, but I think Leonard adds to both the entertainment and informational value of this blog. He may be a bit too touchy about some subjects, but then so are some other regular commenters.

Mike P.

Posted by mike_ch

Originally I was just planning to say "so much for due process with teeth" but I think I'll expand it a little more and say that hits the home run. The barely-masked profanity, the dismissal of opposing opinion as inferior, etc. If you aren't going to make a move on that, then what are you going to make a move on anyway?

Obviously I'm going to be accused of having a vendetta now but I've always maintained when it comes to policeman issues that I can't expect my opinion on someone I've had such disruptions with to ever be taken seriously.

On a less political matter, Leonard I thought we previously agreed that just because your father worked on a hotel didn't make it sacred? You said as much and pointed out Fitzgerald's as an example.

Sorry, but only so much can be done with an old sprawling property like the Sahara. It could be an alright low-rolling place ala Flamingo if had been treated better, but Bill Bennett turned it into a dump with the same who-cares management that he did with Circus Circus. I think the room service trays in the hallways may be considered permanent fixtures.

Kudos to Mike P. for at least being "enlightened" enough to consider the informative + knowledgeable topics that I continue to comment on, whether or not he agrees with my POV or not. Therefore, I [King Leonard], hereby knight Mike P. for his open mindedness + non-combative attitude in the pursuit of freedom of expression + personal opinion. Mike P., you may consider yourself having offficially been knighted! :-)

P.S. detroit, is the fact that you will "no longer read my messages" supposed to inflict some sort of personal punishment or something? If I recall, I believe you also made the exact same comment when I first started posting on this forum. Hunter, I cannot believe that you are actually considering utilizing censorship software based on majority opinion in order for comments to be posted on this blog. That certainly sounds like a purely fascist solution to the problem to me.

It's not censorship - comments would be viewable if you wanted to see them. I see it more like enabling democratic filtering.

If I go in that direction and people don't like it then I'd encourage them to either post comments that don't get voted down or start their own Web site.

Well I think that the voting software is an excellent idea. It sounds like your trying to implement a system similar to Yahoo Answers. IMO that system works great; perhaps this will filter out some of the past arguments on this great website, and get back to the way it used to be

As one who reads far more than I post, the ratings system sounds like a good way to identify potentially inflamatory comments while still enabling people to read them if they want to.

I use message boards much more than blogs, and it gets old reading through pages of flaming because you don't know when it'll stop. But admins don't like to just delete someone's posts. This sounds like middle ground.

Again, I'm hardly a regular poster, but I do read the blog every day.

Leonard, Sahara may have been a break through property in its day, but its day is done. The horse and buggy were break through also, but I'll take my car thank you. Its unfortunate you think I am the worst poster on this board, cause I think you're the best! I don't see how you can say I lack facts and knowledge, because I don't like an old out of date property. This is not a matter of fact, its one opinion vs another. That property is old and out dated, and it does need to go. Sorry, but that's the facts. Maybe Steve Wynn will partner up the new owners and build something amazing. We have so much to look forward to, on the north end of The Strip. The Riviera is probably next, its an eye sore also! I look forward to your comments, because while I may be the worst contributor to this board, you are the best!

Hilarious.

BrianFey: Wow, surely you speak in jest, did I correctly read your previous comment accurately, that you actually consider that [I] am "the BEST" contributor here, so I should therefore now believe that you at least value my opinion(s) to whatever limited degree or weight you feel they are worth? Well, if that is indeed the case + you are truly sincere, then I owe you an apology, providing that you are being totally honest + are not simply patronizing me by "jerking my chain". With respect to the Sahara property, there is absolutely no question it is one of the oldest surviving Strip properties (as in 55 years old) + never have I suggested that it should not be replaced in order to bring it into
the 21st century. However, if you believe that Steve Wynn would be the likely candidate in either "partnering" with the new owners of the Sahara, or ANY other major Strip operator, you really need to take a long hard look at the performance failure of Wynn Resorts, Ltd. as a major gaming operator (including WLV + eventually Encore), the continued negative evaluation in guest's experience @ WLV, the multiple prospective federal (NLRB) invesitgations + the Nevada Gaming Control Board's interest as well as the countless of lawsuits, an (federal) ADA claim, etc. + the fact that WLV just didn't turn out to be the "eighth wonder of the world" as Steve had earlier proclaimed, pretty much sums up the future of Steve's success, particularly after CityCenter is completed, Steve's property will be relegated to the 'luxury status' of Bellagio, at best by the end of 2009. Over a half dozen of the nation's top respected architectural critics have evaluated WLV overall (strictly from an architectural/planning/design point of view) + their collective assessment is that it ultimately was an absolute substandard failure + merely a repetitive excercise from Wynn's previous projects, considering the billions "wasted" in building (+ continuing to be incurred) on that abortion. Of the many respected national architects who attended the A.I.A. convention here two years ago @ WLV, after touring the property subsequent to being forced to listen to Steve's scripted speech of continuous B.S. (I was there myself + witnessed this maniac's diatriabe) in how to properly design + operate a successful major casino-resort property. From what I have been informed of thus far, + now able to confrim, Boyd has ot only elected to make major changes in the Echelon masterplan, not just by reducing/eliminating the condominium components + increasing the gaming/hotel venues, but they apparently are giving serious consideration, with the exception, of Klai-Juba, to include more 'starchitects' in the equation reflecting a reversal of their choice of the "medicore" aforementioned executive architects, to undertake positions as 'contributing architects' in order to be able to even attempt to have a chance at challenging CityCener from strictly a design perspective. Boyd's initial overall projected budget of Echelon's $4.4B will become ancient history real soon once the project is complete. Hunter, I assume that your one word comment in response to Brian's post as being "Hilarious" are certainly not meant to make a mockery out of this situation, based on your own newly imposed policies as moderator, unless you believe the sincerety of Brian's comments are only meant to embarrass me by making light of the fact that [our] previous interface here hasn't exactly been the most constructive...

While what you're saying about other architects hating WLV may be true - does that matter?

Does the average customer care about that at all?

I'll be in Las Vegas next weekend. I might do a random street survey to get some opinions for my podcast.

My guess is that most people don't care at all about that stuff.

I'm interested in the 'does it matter' question as an open point of discussion - if yes, then why? I'd be interested to hear differing opinions on that point.

Oh, also - any readers that will be in town next weekend, if you want to have a drink or whatever, I'll be pretty busy but I'd like to try... I always love meeting readers.

Oh, and just cause I feel like jumping into this discussion, I'll say this:

I like Wynn Las Vegas. Every time I have stayed there I have felt very comfortable. I like the beds. The rooms, from the 'Resort' rooms to the Fairway Villas are near the top of my list when I'm picking places to stay.

I've eaten at most of the restaurants and I like a lot of them too. Good food and good service. SW, Wing Lei, Okada, DB, Bartolotta, Country Club - great!

Past WLV, I also really like Bellagio and The Mirage. I used to like TI but I don't go there much any more.

What I'm saying is that at the end of the day, someone else's opinion on a place isn't going to make me stay away. Just because some group of architects say something sucks doesn't mean I'm staying home. If they want to design something better, go ahead - I'll judge it on its merits, not by the names attached to it. If CityCenter is fantastic, I'll start staying there. If it isn't, I won't. I don't care of GOD was the GC, if I don't feel comfortable, I'm not interested.

I'm not the kind of guy that will look at a piece of art and find a way to like it just because a group of 'experts' tell me that it is a master work. I might explore the history, technique and try to learn more about it to be a more informed participant but if I don't like it then I just don't like it and vice-versa.

I'll keep staying at Wynn Las Vegas and Bellagio until something I like more opens. That might be Encore, that might be CityCenter - hell it might be Echelon. We'll see.

Like it or not, Wynn is doing a lot of business. Good design or poor, Wynn Las Vegas does more business than any hotel in town, except Bellagio. Its not making money, but I don't understand how you can say how horrible its performing. We can say CC is going to blow it away and that's fine, its over three years away. Time will tell. According to Leonard, Wynn is on the verge of failure so bad, it won't even be open in three years, so it won't even matter.

Hunter, any pics you can get of anything going up would be great! :)

Yeah, I'll be doing my normal 'hundreds of photos' routine, much to the disappointment of my very understanding wife.

Hunter: At this particular juncture, with the pending construction/completion of multiple trend-setting projects now close to three years out, any "random street survey" of the typical Strip hotel vistitor would be abslutely meaningless today until the higher end consumers of these soon to become "top luxury properties" like Cosmo + CityCenter are launched. Otherwise, you will only encounter current comparisons of the existing properties such as Bellagio, Caesars, + The Mansion at MGM (including the MGM Skylofts), the Four Seasons Hotel @ Mandalay Bay, (Mirage, only on a 'borderline' basis) Palazzo (when complete) + that's about it. I'm urge you to provide plenty of time in your visit here next weekend dedicated to experience the CityCenter Pavillion. I am really curious to hear your personal comments on CityCenter as a whole, especially after you have had a chance to make a first hand, informd decision. Make sure that you check out the ahead-of-schedule construction progress of Perini's progress in constructing CityCenter while Encore, is not only behind schedule, but evidently has reported to be way over budget to-date. Compare Palazzo's vertical progress (after having to dig that huge below-grade garage) in comparison to Encore. I pitty Tudor-Saliba for accepting the G.C. NTE + associated construction contract for Encore. Marnell, Perini, Taylor, et al simply don't need the headaches, not to mention the potential losss, involved in working on another Wynn project. Steve is actually running out of options in his choice of General Contractors who would much prefer to work for MGM/MIRAGE. HET, or LVS. My answer to your question; "does it really matter?", probably not today, I'd like to see the results of your 'man on the street' survey AFTER CityCenter + Cosmo are completed. The general public, even at the luxury level, needs to be properly "educated" by experiencing really great building design before they can draw upon a subjective comparison. So until then, Steveie has less than three years to be become just another uninspired, high-end Strip property after having spent close to $4.7B on WLV + Encore by the time CityCenter is open for businbess. GMAB!

I agree that it would be much more interesting to see the results over time - I'll personally be impressed if new buildings at CityCenter and elsewhere inspire enough for Americans to take interest in the architects and to raise their game in terms of interpreting and understanding the architecture.

This trip is for a wedding and I have a very limited amount of time so I won't be taking my raincheck with MGM PR for a private tour of the CC sales pavilion - that'll probably have to wait until next time unless I end up with more time than I thought I would have. I'm very interested to see the progress of the site - I love watching the buildings go up!

When Encore is completed it will be interesting to see if it does indeed go over the (revised) budget and if Tudor is interested in bidding on future WYNN projects. That will be very telling, I'm sure.

Hunter, while I understand that your visit here will be rather limited, still try + make the time (you'll need a couple of hours at the most) to at least experience the CityCenter Sales Pavillion. It would really be a worthwhile endeavor for you + would prove to be very beneficial in your own conribution here once you realize the impact that this project will have on future architectural development, not just in Vegas, but for the entire nation. BTW - The [millions of dollars] that MGM spent on the numerous architectural scale models alone were really disappointing in terms of anticipated quality, but that is coming from someone who was previously unchallenged as the best in the business, so I'm most definitely biased in that respect. Otherwise, they created one of the most advanced state-of-the-art commercial real estate marketing centers I have ever seen, + I've seen more than a few in my time. Tudor-Saliba's (revised) guaranteed maximum construction budget does NOT include change orders. Tony submitted millions of dollars in change orders (particularily with respect to problems relating to the construction of that STUPID mountain feature/waterfall) + he still lost his shirt on the project at the end of the day. Evidently Perini has been offered really substantial financial incentives by MGM in completeing CityCenter ahead of schedulde, rumors are it is REALLY significant. Considering that they [Perini]are also the G.C. for Trump Tower as well as Cosmo, the progress for those projects are clearly not on par with CityCenter. Money talks + the only two mega-operators willing to flip the bill are Kerkorian + Adelson. I'm afraid that Steve just doesn't have the dough to compete with these guys.

Ok, I'll call MGM MIRAGE in the morning and see if they can accommodate me when I come through. You've convinced me that it's worth the time.

Regarding the models in the sales office, honestly those are probably what I am most interested in seeing. Do you know who did the models, since that is your former industry?

Hunter - The majority of the scale models were actually built here locally (there have been five or six new architectural model building firms launched in Las Vegas just over the past two years alone due to demand, most of them subpar), ten years ago there were zero! Since the range of scale models in the CityCenter pavillion range from an entire overall 30' dia. small scale circular city model, including Strip properties with emphais on CityCenter's location + beyond, to an [illuminated] masterplan model of the CityCenter project itself, built at a larger scale (many of the plug-in tower models were built by different fabricators since there are so many participating architects involved), + then they have either a 3/32" or 1/8" scale model for each of the individual high rise condos + condo/hotel towers in totally separate dedicated presentation rooms with related A/V presentations, material samples, etc. All of the tower scale models use internal illumination for "effect" (a process that I never have recommended with the exception of fiber-optic lighting in the podium level), however, therefore none of the larger scale models accurately depict the ture representation of the actual 'exterior window wall/facade materials' since the tower portion, in model form give the viewer of experiencing a translucent/tinted form with visible floor levels used as a structural core. I could literally spend hours on this subject, but I'm quite sure that NO ONE would really be that interested in the technicalities, just try to make the time, if you can, to check it out, particularly the immersion videos + the other computer A/V effects including actual selected unit views of the Strip + all of the specific dedicated views based among each tower/unit/floor location. It's worth the experience + I believe, after you see the "real deal" that will soon become CityCenter, you will never again approach, nor support, ANY of Steve's current or future "visions" with the same POV...either subjectively or objectively.

If I really am that blown away, I won't hesitate to rave about it.

Honestly though, the component I'm most interested in at City Center is the Pelli hotel and my understanding is that the sales center has little in that direction (understandably, given it is not for sale).

Leonard, you know not of what you speak. Encore is NOT behind schedule. Its ahead of schedule, this info was given by Wynn two weeks ago. I guess you just make this stuff up, to try to state your case, and it gets old.

The PCC sales center is very impressive. The models are great, as are the full size room models. Its a exciting and interesting project, there is no question about it. It also has so issues though. If people live in many of these units year around, I question if they will drop enough money on a regular basis, to help support the main property. I drop much more money in Vegas for a long weekend, than If I were there for weeks, or even months. These units have full kitchens, etc. That means many people will not be eating out for each meal. I like the idea, but I am not sure this is the new format for Las Vegas. The Mega-Resort will still be king for the forseeable future, not condo-hotels.

OMG, Brian, now you are stooping so low as to try + substantiate that the Encore construction delays + the fact that this project curently is indeed over-budget which is ABSOLUTELY 100% fact!!! I only wish that I were in a position to otherwise be able to reveal to "pundants" like yourself, the actual facts in connection with the atypical cost overruns that have plagued EACH + EVERY Wynn project since Mirage, actually even before that, when Steve first made the major overhaul of the Golden Nugget way back in the early 1980's. FYI - my information comes DIRECTLY from multiple credible sources within the Tudor-Saliba organization! Are you really that [edited], or [edited], to truly believe any information that comes from the Wynn camp itself? Brian, I can assure you, with absolute certainty, that I will continue to confront you in order to defend my position + prove that YOU are the one that doesn't have a single clue as to the actual facts. I encourage you, Brian Fey, that this would now be an opportune time for you to come forward, without having to hide behind that protective cloak of anonymity + let all of us know here on this forum your so- called "qualifications" or "expertise" in this field, that you so freely opine on, in a similar manner as when I previously chose to openly reveal here my personal expertise, true identity + history in connection with the topics discussed on this blog, all of which have been verified to be truthful, without compromise (right Hunter? [editor: Yes, right.]). When [you] make unfounded, [edited], uniformed + unsubstantiated comments/accusations such as "Leonard, you know not of what you speak" it only proves your complete disconnect + obvious lack of inside sourcing that, I dare say, you will NEVER achieve on your own. Until you can prove ANY of my comments to otherwise be inaccruate or falsely represented, you will discover that I shall continue to report only the facts as they presently exist, so when after Encore is completed, I am still offering to wager say, $10K, held in trust now, to prove that my remarks are on point + you have absolutely NO CLUE what YOU are saying. Let's arrange for an attorney here in L.V., who both of us mutually agree, shall be responsible for retaining these funds in an escrow account until 2009, after the official final construction numbers submitted by Tudor-Saliba for Encore are reported. What say you, Brian? BTW - The scale models in the CityCenter pavillion aren't "great", but YOU would have no way of actually being able to make any sort of informed opinion since you apparently have [edited] architectural scale model trade. Please Brian, kndly provide a brief bio of yourself so that we can both at least debate the issues here on an even keel!

Without a doubt, Steve Wynn continues to be in first place when it comes to not being above board nor transparent within the lawfull operation of WLV as a result of the continued violations which seem to proliferate at his now "suspect" property. Read the ambiguous response by Wynn Resorts corporate counsel Kevin Tourek to the recent Business PRESS reports, another "Wynn-zombie" regarding [their] feeble attempt to minimize McKee's earlier allegations of impropriety. Well guess what guys, The Nevada Gaming Commission + the State Gaming Control Board have apparently decided to move forward with an official investigation of WLV in connection to these (+ other) recently reported "discrepancies".

http://www.valleyblogs.com/mckee/2007-03-09/id_2150

I don't know much about architecture or construction but I know a lot about hotel operations - and exterior design has little to nothing to do with the level of services offered inside a hotel.

CityCenter and Cosmopolitan are simply not intended to compete at the "top-luxury" level. While the Mandarin Oriental will definitely compete for the Four Seasons/Ritz-Carlton/Tower Suites/Skylofts market, the as-yet-unnamed main 4,000 room tower at CityCenter will be nothing more than a modern execution of the Bellagio/Venetian/Wynn operations model. MGM can hype up the service level as much as they want but the reality is there are only so many ways a 4,000 room casino resort can be operated no matter who designed it, and the fact is that the people managing CityCenter when it opens are literally the same people that are working in Bellagio & MGM Grand today.

The Cosmo meanwhile is simply going to be another Grand Hyatt operation, which means Hyatt will break out the Grand Hyatt operations manual and implement it. Grand Hyatt is certainly nice but it's not the highest tier among Hyatt's properties.

p.s. As for the Palazzo rising faster than Encore, even a layman like myself can look at each of them and immediately figure out that flimsy steel construction is going to rise a lot faster than solid concrete. Remember that article comparing the construction of Wynn and THEhotel?

Leonard, you really need a hobby! I did't say the project wouldn't be over budget. I did say, the project is NOT running behind schedule, as you stated. That is FALSE!

What I'm failing to understand is the fact that Palazzo started construction more than a year before Encore. Also, Encore has gone from dirt to, at least, twenty floors and a very large valet garage in less than a year. Now, I'm not saying that construction at CityCenter is behind schedule, quite the contrary. The development is moving at an incredible pace, considering that each tower has, at least, two tower cranes set up to take the buildings vertical, except for The Harmon which seems to be nothing but dirt while the rest of the project "hums" along.

Also, irregularities happen. They have happened at many of The Strip's resorts, including the Mirage (under MGM's stewardship).

Oh, also, Chris, I can't help but agree. City Center's hotel component will be nice, but it will still only be a tad bit better than Palazzo, Bellagio, Encore, and WLV.

Posted by mike_ch

From everything I saw, the CityCenter sales pavilion is, at the end, a place to sell condos. There is little in regards to the hotel/casino unit which, like Hunter, I was most interested in.

If you're interested in that, your best bet is to look over the fence and see the building itself actually going up. It's going up faster than I thought it would, but outside of a curvy Y-shape I have yet to see anything distinctive out of it.

While it sounds like Leonard may have some sort of information, he obviously isn't risking to spill it here and so really there's not much for those of us inferior people who only have public knowledge to respond with. From the outside, without access to details, it simply looks like he's just bought into the hype. Are you buying a condo at PCC, Leonard? If so, it would explain at least some of the enthusiasm.

I still maintain that kitschy and tacky are Las Vegas hallmarks, and even if CC is on the cover of every architectural mag and Kerkorian becomes Time Man of the Year for it or something, then all it means is that building it in Las Vegas is akin to building the Washington Monument outside of Randy's Donuts, that iconic drive-through in LA with the giant donut on the roof.

I'm now beginning to run out out of patience with the continued need of having to keep explaining myself, in detail, which I feel obligated to do in order to support my remarks + otherwise educate many of you guys as to the true facts. Palazzo (similar to Cosmo in many respects) had to dig the LARGEST below-grade parking component in all of Las Vegas' history, Cosmo representing the second deepest dig which, unless any of you have the least bit of familiarity with, is the most time + cost consuming procees becasue it not only requires multiple levels of subterranean construction which require additional elements like continuous sheer walls + substantially deeper pilings (depending on the particular project's constituted designated site) but at the same time still allow for the structural support of these high rise towers that will literally be constructed above grade. Previous to [today's]Palazzo + Cosmo, the biggest subterranean "digs" encompassing multi-level below grade parking were previously the International Hotel (LVH) + MGM Grand #1 (Bally's). Since that time, the most cost effective mehtod for providing on-site parking have been unslghtly above grade, multi-level parking structures whereby ALL of the major Strip properties currently incorporate this option, provided that there is an adequately suitable site to accommodate these large above-grade parking structures. That being said, Encore has tons of surface site that no longer require the need for a "big dig" like Palazzo + Cosmo due to [their] limited site development size. The Mason Bros. (Taylor Int'l. Corp.) are doing an outstanding job in moving ahead with building Palazzo, since it has gone vertical. So, Brian for you to try + comapre the two projects' construction progress, Palazzo + CityCenter are way ahead of Encore in that respect. To all of you (edited) so-called informed (edited) contribitors, particularly Brain Fey, why don't you just go (edited) yourselves! Brian Fey, my response to your previous post that "I really need a hobby!" is once again proof of the fact that you are nothing but a (edited) (edited) + I personally find it to be rather insulting. You do not not know me personally + for you to make a stupid comment like that only proves that you are a complete (edited)!. So Brian, your negative comments + contunued mockery of me are starting to sound like the ramblings of a total (edited)! Maybe it is YOU that needs to 'find a hobby'. Hunter, I believe that I have adequately now met the requirements of your new policy standards by personally censoring, deleting + redacting any malicious comments that might possibly violate the new posting restrictions, thus saving you the wasted time to have to go back + censor it yourself. Brian Fey, why don't you just (edited) your (edited) out of your (edited) for the betterment of all of us here? I personally have had enough of your (edited)!

It may follow the technical letter but not the spirit of the rules, which is to simply not call people names.

This isn't personal. The largest direct stake that any of us have in these issues is financial and that only applies to some.

We've strayed off topic and unless we get back, I'm closing this thread.

LOL That is great (edited) (edited)(edited)! Go Hunter, love this blog.

McKee's article in today's Business PRESS which directly quotes Assemblyman Bob Beers' take on Wynn's attempt to thwart the recent session in Carson City in connection with the NRS concerning gratuities + tipping policies (without actually naming Steve directly) clearly draws attention to the fact that Wynn continues to exert his financial influence over the Nevada state legislature votes/rulings in order to achieve [his] desired goals in favor of his gaming empire. I hope that Steve continues to practice this type of intimidation of public officials, on the record, so that the FBI + the DOJ will eventually try + convict him + ultimately send Wynn to federal prison where he belongs!!!

http://www.valleyblogs.com/mckee/2007-03-16/id_2164

Hot off the press: it's going to get really ugly now for Steve + since he has evidently recruited Elaine to deliver his "implied" threats to Nevada legislators by refusing to endorse those who do not vote in favor of [Wynn's] questionable illegal policies:

http://lvbusinesspress.com/articles/2007/03/19/news/news_update/doc45fefc64cd941091968266.txt

This WLV thing never seems to end:

http://www.valleyblogs.com/mckee/2007-03-19/id_2168

McKee apparently really has it out for Steve in a big way. Go McKee! I only hope that he doesn't end up experiencing a similar legal assault from Wynn that John L. Smith previously had to endure. Check out the last para. "Is Wynn ossifying? Steve Wynn's increasingly immobile face" (video link)

Absolutely hilarious.

I'm no lawyer but it seems the point where it goes from news story to vendetta is where McKee may end up in hot water. I'm sure he's carefully checking his sources before posting this stuff but it will be interesting to see where this lands.

Posted by detroit1051

Are operators' good relationships with labor a thing of the past? The Wynn tip debacle has done more to spur unions than any labor organizer could have done. Now that Caesars' dealers in Atlantic City have voted in the UAW, is Vegas far behind? (UAW has represented employees at the three commercial casinos in Detroit since they opened in 1999.)
http://www.uaw.org/news/newsarticle.cfm?ArtId=441
On the hotel side, the Culinary appears ready to take on MGM:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/sun/2007/mar/19/566651620.html

Posted by detroit1051

Jeff simpson in the 4/1 LV Sun says Beer's Tip Bill to counter Wynn has no chance even if it gets out of committee.
Are things quieting down at Wynn? Any organizing activity going on? I'm out of the loop.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/consumer/2007/apr/01/566627265.html

Posted by mike_ch

I should point out in that storm of McKee/LVBP articles that Assemblyman Bob Beers is a loon. State Senator Bob Beers is a smart fellow a bit of an old-school conservative, a far cry from the guy in the Assembly with the same name.

For those who aren't in the know. Assemblyman Beers is the one who was mocked mercilessly for suggesting that teachers ought to carry handguns in class.

BREAKING NEWS: I wanted to be the very first to report this before Hunter got ahold of this latest development :-) An AMENDED Bill by Bob Beers has just PASSED the Nevada judiciary: Bill "AB 248". Steve is permanently f*cked for good + that doesn't include the fact that the dealers have 70%, yes 70% support for unionization. Note to Steve: you have proven yourself, on multiple occasions, to be the dumbest operator in the history of the gaming industry! Now you will have to contend with the fact that your competitors are going to seek revenge for your stupid f*ck up + you will unfortunately pay the price for your narcissism. EVERY major player in the gaming industry will, in their own way, "teach you a lesson that you will not forget" for starting this whole mess in the first place.

Leonard do you think Steve Wynn reads this blog? Sounds like you're talking to him.

I would be very, very surprised to learn that Steve Wynn read this blog or any other for that manner.

I do know that some Wynn Resorts employees do read - actually, employees from all major gaming companies based on what I've been told and heard.

marlymarr: I sincerely do not believe that Steve personally reads this or ANY public forum, however, I can confirm, as Hunter pointed out, with absolute certainty that many Wynn middle management (not just employees) + some executives do indeed follow this bog very closely since I have actually been contacted directly by several third party sources who have criticized + questioned my continuous flaming posts + personal attacks towards Steve. I also know for certain, that Wynn does have his legal "trolls" constantly searching the Internet for defamatory or false comments concerning either himself or any of his businesses, being that this is a public accees blog. Since I have been posting my not-so-flattering comments here for quite some time now using my true + actual name, I still haven't been contacted [or served] yet by any of his crack legal team. This just goes to serve that my renarks are laden with factural circumstances which are backed by a matter of record, no matter how malicious they may appear on the surface to those not familar with the unique relationship that I had with him + other operators over the past 30 years, thrust me, once I get it wrong, Wynn will be there post-haste with another frivolous vindictive lawsuit against me like white on rice! I haven't, nor have I spoken with Steve for quite a long time now. The last time I recall when I personally met with him, he promptly threw both myself as well as my elderly mother out of his office after about 5 minutes! What a guy.

Man, what I would give to have been a fly on the wall for the Wynn-Stern meeting(s).

Posted by mike_ch

It probably went a little something like this:

(Dramatic music)
"Hi. I'm Steve Wynn, and this, is my office. It's the only one I've ever asked you to get the hell out of."

Actually, I'm wondering if said office was filled with the oh-so-tasteful interior decorating you see around the WLV resort. You know what I mean, pearl marble flooring, brown ceiling, furniture in loud colors usually only ever seen floating around in a lava lamp.

Thanks for the response Leonard. I dont like the name calling but i enjoy your views on the events taking place. Hunter i agree with you, I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall while there meetings took place. Leonard, do you have a best guess as to when the SEC investigation will take place at Wynn?

mike_ch: Actually Steve kicked us out only after I refused to be extorted for $50K that he demanded in order to drop his lawsuit(s) against me personally. He actually told my mother something to the effect, had Leonard come to us with his company's IRS tax issues, we would have been happy to assist him financially (not verbatim). Had it not been for the fact that his 160 lb. German Sheperd (a highly trained attack dog) who was faitfully sitting at Steve's side + wouldn't take his eyes off of me the whole time, the outcome of this "meeting" might have turned out differently, if you follow my drift. BTW - This so-called meeting was a court-ordered attempt at mediation, pre-trial, with NO lawyers from either side allowed to attend.

Posted by detroit1051

I didn't know Don Laughlin's Riverside used tip sharing successfully:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/commentary/2007/apr/29/566685408.html

This is nothing but Jeff Simpson's feeble attempt at redemption. By his own admission, he has received an overwhelming amount of negative feedback to his previous pro-Wynn position on the tip-sharing policy editorial. How you can compare a "cow town" property in Laughlin to a major luxury Strip resort (i.e. WLV) is utterly ridiculous + simply poor journalism? Simpson knew that he really blew it + is now trying to justify the fact that this illegal tip-sharing policy, which has existed there for years + is now headed to the Senate - yeah, in Laughlin, NV which generates only a very small fraction of the state's collective gaming revenue - GMAB! Simpson needs to either find a new job, be fired, or maybe he should just work for Steve permanently in 'public relations' for Wynn Resorts because it is startng to become apparent that, this idiot is either already on Wynn's payroll, or just a stupid f*ck to begin with! Simpson, start reporting the facts as any "true" journalist is obligated to do without bias in either direction!

Posted by detroit1051

Leonard, are you saying Laughlin's quotes are not accurate? Why would the concept of service not apply on the Strip as much as in mid-market Laughlin ("cowtown property" as you call it)?

"The floorman has more to do with service than the dealers," Laughlin told me. "They greet the players, they rate 'em, and they are the ones who comp them for a meal."
When I asked if the tip-sharing made dealers angry, Laughlin said the dealers agree that the system is superior - and no wonder, since they also get the most tips on the river.
"When they all share, there's harmony among management and employees," Laughlin said. "There's no hatred and no jealousy. Everyone is trying to provide good service."

Posted by mike_ch

Looks like Laughlin's tip sharing is a bit different, though. It would sound from his quotes that all tip revenue is shared with his minimum wage tipped employees. You can argue about the fairness of it, but his arguement is that gaming employees often get far larger tips for various reasons, while other tipped service jobs like bellhop get overlooked.

I'm still not sure that any form of tip sharing, including the tip pooling done at restaurants, doesn't just bring the quality of everyone's service down a notch, but I can see it being a necessary evil since many restaurants have multiple wait staff visiting a customer at a meal.

mike_ch: I tend to agree, Laughlin's tip-sharing policy 'specifics' were not exactly made clear in Simpson's rebuttal article. Comparing a mid-level gaming property in a "cow town" like Laughlin to one of the (supposed) highest ranking major Strip operations is like apples + oranges. The employee paradigm structure is completely differnt @ WLV, so Simpson's comparison is totally without significant merit + an attempt at thwarting the thousands of mails he admits to having received as a result of his obvious "pro-Wynn" slanted column. marlymarr; responding to your inquiry in connection with, let's just refer it to "the feds" interest in Wynn Resorts, there is no question that the company will be under increasing scrutiny from 'several' federal agencies, including the NLRB, in the very near future, + you can take that to the bank! A lot depends on the Senate's passing of AB 248 or if Gibbons decides to veto the Bill or not, as well as the expected unionization of WLV dealers + the outcome of NUMEROUS lawsuits filed against Wynn Resorts, including but not limited to, the recent complaints that have been filed in Federal Court alleging WLV is in property-wide multiple violation of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), I can assure you with reasonable certainty that the feds are taking a "long hard look" at Wynn Resorts. Other than that, you would have to literally "torture me" in order for me to publicly reveal, or otherwise imply any more information in regards to that subject, considering that I spent the last 3-4 years battling the DOJ + almost two years fighting off a vindictive personal legal attack by Steve himself against me, I would, at this stage, have be a complete idiot to offer up ANY more news on this subject. The bottom line in connection with Steve's newly proposed tip-sharing policy, quite frankly, are making [his] competitors, privately, really pissed-off, at his erogance, something that was formally + mutually forbidden among gaming operators here until Wynn launched this totally insane scheme!

Posted by detroit1051

McKee takes on Pascal about Wynn's tip-sharing:
http://www.valleyblogs.com/mckee/2007-05-04/id_2270

Posted by mike_ch

This one seems less to do with Wynn and more to do with the eternal arguing between the LVRJ (which Business Press is a sister production of) and the Sun. And he laid off the childish insults.

I still hear Reagan in my head saying "there he goes again" which each new McKee story on Wynn.

detroit: I couldn't agree with McKee more on this one. He basically echoed my previous analysis whereby Simpson clmsily attempts to compare the tip-sharing policy @ WLV with ANY property in Laughlin, which any reasonable thinking person would presume to be absolutely ludicrous: "lumping Wynn with Laughlin is like pairing caviar with stale porridge" LOL
It's no secret within the industry that Pascal (as well as other high ranking Wynn executives) are nothing more than Wynn ANDROIDS, so anything [he] says publicly simply mirrors what Steve tells him to do. It's about time that high level executives take responsibility in serving the interest of their sharholders instead of being nothing but spineless cronies drawing enormous compensation by simply following orders dictated from the top! Pascal is + always we be nothing more than another of Steve's highly-placed puppets.