I’m back from the Winter Getaway, transitioning from creative non-fiction back into gaming archives and analysis. So why not plug my recent column in the LVBP prognosticating on the coming year?
The massive consolidation that left Harrah’s and MGM Mirage as the world’s largest casino companies likely won’t return, but developments on the ownership front will stay interesting. With a credit crunch benching some domestic contenders and a weak dollar making American assets uniquely attractive, expect more foreign investment in American gaming.
Last year saw the beginnings of this trend: Dubai World’s investment in MGM Mirage and Crown’s purchase of Cannery Casinos. But there’s probably going to be more international shopping at American casinos — either by Dubai World extending its stake in MGM-related projects, James Packer’s Crown buying more American casinos, or other investors jumping into the picture.
And remember, no matter what the year ahead brings, future events like these will affect you…in the future.
As much as I want to raise serious questions about gaming issues, I just couldn’t resist the Plan 9 reference at the end there:
I wrote that back on December 31, so it really is a prediction of the coming year, not something that I threw together in mid-January.