Cassino Updates

This casino (Spotlight 29) near Coachella, CA, http://www.kesq.com/Global/story.asp?S=11831877 , kind of let down its employees after investing $50 million in the casino.

"Just one day after Spotlight 29 Casino celebrates its $50 million dollar renovations, News Channel 3 uncovers the casino has cut all of its workers pay by 12 percent and ended their retirement programs."

"While a ribbon was cut to celebrate Thursday's opening of Spotlight 29's renovated casino floor, the workers were facing a cut of their own: their paychecks."

"News Channel 3 confirmed pay for around 700 workers was cut by 12 percent. The casino has also stopped contributing to their worker's 401(k) retirement program."

"We discovered this one day after the casino kicked off their 15 year anniversary event unveiling their latest expansion projects."

"General Manager Robert Paull explains, '52 million was spent in total. That includes our parking structure, new administration offices.'"

"No casino workers were willing to talk on camera. They still have their jobs for now."

"The casino's general manager told us over the phone, the pay cuts were 'something we didn't want to do,' and 'the economy caught up with us.' He refused to say how much revenues went down, but did mention construction costs were a factor."

"The General Manager added pay cuts were spread from top to bottom. It is unknown if the large payments tribal members receive are affected."

"A 12 percent pay cut for 700 casino workers takes away most of their discretionary spending. That means 700 families wont be spending much at local restaurants, and they wont be buying much at local retail stores. Their lack of spending money will have ripple affects on the entire local economy."

I am sure that Toledoans are willing to provide the labor, I'm just not sure the casinos are willing to pay for it. But we all have to learn that sometimes you get skinned by business.

I try to keep level headed about things, but my gut and mind keeps reminding me of Back to the Future 2 whenever I hear about this casino coming. You know that part where they have a time line shift and Biff becomes powerful turning the city into a huge casino and a once beautiful prosperous town turns into a pitt of a hole filled with crime and corruption.

As someone who loves this city I really hope I'm wrong.

"a once beautiful prosperous town turns into a pitt of a hole filled with crime and corruption."

And this would make Toledo different how?

What we are going to get is a crappy looking building built on the water-front that has no windows (to enjoy the view) and is surrounded by a 50 acre asphalt parking lot. Add in a giant advertising sign to be seen from I-75, and the remodel is complete.

As far as the clientele, it will be mostly the underclass and elderly spending their welfare checks and social security on video slot machines. Glamourous, this won't be.

Typical Toledo attitude. Don’t go then Johnnyboy. The casino will thank you.

Hey I'm just happy I won't have to travel 45 min to play Texas hold'em.

I'm mainly disappointed that a tract of land that was developed to be an upscale neighborhood of 20 or so houses will be misused as a casino. But if that is the typical Toledo attitude, I have underestimated my fellow citizens.

And you're right the casino will thank me. Why anyone gambles in a casino is beyond me: the odds are with the house on every game and they have a government issued license to separate you from your money. Casino games are a losing bet, no exceptions. Idiots gamble in casinos.

And, you ever been to Motor City Casino? It ain't like it is filled with Frank Sinatras and George Clooneys. Humanity at its finest, for sure.

LOL that wasn't going to be upscale homes, it was going to be section 8 housing.

Kinda funny I usually walk out with more than I walk in with, hell I thought that was called winning. I also have friends that do it professionally and make a good living from it, so they have to be doing something right, so I guess there are exceptions.

And yes Motor city is where I go most of the time, but I've also been to Atlantic City, Las vegas, and a few others.

My mistake if it was going to be apartments, but that is still a better use in my opinion.

And in my experience, gamblers are rarely truthful about their winnings.

If we do like lfrost2125 we'll all make money at the casino. I guess they'll need a printing press in the basement.

I'll be the first to admit that I do lose on occasion, and I don't make a living off of it. I'm also not talking thousands of dollars in winnings either, I'm talking maybe 200 or 300 bucks. I'd also be lying if I didn't say it was a mixture of skill and luck.

Now put me on a slot machine and I lose way more than I win. That's why hold'em is my main game, and I'll have to agree with you there that people probably lose way more than they win.

It's not about winning or losing for most people...it is pure entertainment. Most of the people go for the fun/food/excitement of it. What is the diffence between spending 75 bucks going to dinner and a movie, or spending 75 bucks on the nickel slots, and getting the same amount of enjoyment out of it? I love it when people think they have the right to tell other people how they should spend thier money and enjoy themselves...

The only reason that I will go to the new casino is the free buffet. Luck is not with me when I play the slots, but I love the free food. I went to the casino in Windsor back just before it was moved to its new location. I stayed there a few days for a convention. I got up the first morning from the hotel ready to go down to the slender "continental breakfast" the hotel had. A guy yelled they had a fee breakfast at the casino. It was stacked with the stuff guys like: eggs, bacon, sausage, and steak. The second morning the guy in charge of the buffet asked if I'd like some swordfish. That went down well along with the other breakfast items.

I doubt the buffet will be free, unless you gamble enough to earn comps. The buffet at Motor City is $24.

I lost $25 Canadian so I wasn't a "freeloader".

My mistake if it was going to be apartments, but that is still a better use in my opinion

Johnny, have you ever been to East Toledo? Sorry, section 8 housing is NOT better use, Just take a drive over to Ravine Park, Weiler Homes, or Birmingham terrace. No thanks!

There are different kinds of Section 8 housing. I wouldn't think they would construct a 1960's era "projects" type complex.

You missed the point Johnny, it doesn't matter if its state of the art condo-style, it would still be SECTION 8 PUBLIC HOUSING! A brick wall would be preferable to MORE public housing in East Toledo.

Who is paying to widen the Miami Street EXIT off of I-75? Surely that wouldn't be Penn, right? Single lane merging into 2 won't cut it not to mention that one of the most dangerous entrance ramps in town is the Miami St to 75 N entrance. Imagine the increased amount of drivers under even a slight amount of influence trying to get back on 75 after a day or evening of drinking and gambling! they better build a paramedic substation nearby.

shortstuff, thats a good point about that on-ramp, even now i go down to wales if i have to go that way.

Kind of bumping this up. Drove down 75 tonight from downtown, and can't believe how much of the new casino has been built in such short time.

Not a big fan of casino's but interested to see how this pans out. Might even go if they have a show or non-gambling entertainment.

Toledo cannot afford NOT to have this casino. Tax revenue. I frequent the Detroit three every time I am in Detroit for a Tigers, Red Wings, or Lions game. As it has been said many times before, Count the Ohio license plates in the casino parking garage. gotta keep at least some of this money here

Might even go if they have a show or non-gambling entertainment.

Has there been any mention of an entertainment venue there? I know that the Detroit casinos get some names in, but didn't know if that was in the works here.

Anniecski: not sure. But there is a billboard on 75-N across from the old Jeep Factory that shows upcoming shows in Detroit fairly frequently. So was hoping the new casino would be similar.

crossing fingers

I've never seen a casino that did not have non-gambling entertainment. They try to be an adult entertainment destination for gamblers and non-gamblers alike. I can't imagine this one will be any different.

On the river last night I noticed that there isn't any waterfront type component to the development. Seems like a missed opportunity to put some sort of restaurant/docks type of development there.

IIRC, it was mentioned in the Blade that there were no plans to add docks to the casino development. Seemed dumb to me. How much more could it cost for docks and such? Any added business is good.

I couldn’t see the docs providing that much more revenue. I mean having someone come and serve drinks and food to you out on your boat isn’t the kind of money the casino wants to generate. This is place is meant to cater to little old ladies spending their money on slot machines…

Down the road there might be some ability for a water component to be added. It depends of course on the future of the Docks and Marina District areas being developed. The casino would obviously be the biggest draw in that part of town, so expanding its influence with a water taxi system down river wouldn't be a bad thing. Could also imagine it having the ability to bring passengers from calling Great Lakes cruise ships from the terminal to the casino directly (though they might favor doing it be bus should the demand arrive).

Either way. That river is a huge resource that can be used to dramatically build a tourism industry in Toledo. It is just going to take a lot of private investment to get it refocused for that.

Good point about the target group is little old ladies spending money on slot machines...

What is in the best interest of the city and region (expanding waterfront) isn't a concern of Penn National Gaming, so don't expect to see any extra development that Penn National won't make as much money on.

I think both views here are right.
a) Developing the river front should be priority #1 for Toledo, and
b) there's no incentive for Penn National to assist in that right now.

However, should A happen over the next couple years, that could remove the "right now" portion of B, and give them a reason to develop the river front portion of their property. If the Marina District takes off, the Docks bounce back, and the downtown area (arena/warehouse/central business district, whatever you want to call it), that could make them see dollar signs at the possibility of linking themselves to the rest of the riverfront.

I thought as part of the development deal they were not allowed to do docks?

My only concern is I'll win too much money. HA- I've been to casinos from Baden Baden to Las Vegas and they are all sleazy, no matter how gilded the paint and PR. I'm not saying we shouldn't have one, but if your looking for an establishment of tasteful restraint and refined elegance, you're in the wrong place.
And forgive me for being so out of the loop, but why didn't they build the casino in the Marina District? It seems that type of business would be much more ideally suited to that location, walking distance to the Docks and within view of the downtown hotels and arenas.

Fred, you have a brilliant point. If they'd built in some of the locations that were suggested to them, like the spot of the old Sports Arena, or even in downtown itself, people could've made a whole day or even weekend out of their visit. They could've walked around downtown, fit in a game, gone to nearby restaurants or bars, everything.

And that's why they opted for the location they're in. I've heard from some people connected to the deal that they chose the location because it is close to a highway, but secluded enough from other things that it will keep patrons from straying to other entertainment stops that might take away some profits. If that's true (which it sounds pretty credible), that's terrible. While I still think it will be great for Toledo, because it should give a nice chunk of $ to the city from tax revenues, having it within walking distance of other downtown locations could have paid off in spades.

And you could be inclined to say "noooo, that just sounds like a conspiracy theory. I'm sure they're concerned about the well-being of our town." This is the same organization that promised the construction of a casino would not affect the status of their other gambling site in Toledo, Raceway Park. Well lo and behold, Raceway Park is now set to be moved to Youngstown once the casino is completed. Swindlers.

Thats ridiculous. EVERY business wants overflow traffic. If people are THAT LAZY that they cant find the docks or downtwon from the casino they have more problems then I want to list. The only reason they would want to be "secluded" is if other casinos were nearby.

"They could've walked around downtown, fit in a game, gone to nearby restaurants or bars, everything."

But that would mean less money to spend on gambling.

Repeating an old comment...

Penn National Gaming is building the Toledo casino, and they own the Lawrenceburg, Indiana casino.

October 2009 Toledo Free Press story about the Lawrenceburg casino:

The casino is close to downtown Lawrenceburg, but it's a small town. Toledo naturally has more things to do because it's a much larger city. Lawrenceburg's casino has an attached hotel, and Toledo's won't. With these different variables, the activity around Toledo's casino may not mirror Lawrenceburg.

Another theory is Toledo's casino will bring in new money by keeping local residents from gambling in Michigan and Canada.

And yet another theory is Toledo's new casino could cause area residents to shift their entertainment dollars from one venue to another. The casino could lure dining and entertainment money away from other area businesses and events.