Las Vegas Business Press is reporting the rumor that Harrah’s may trade Rio to Boyd Gaming in exchange for Barbary Coast. Harrah’s really wants that Barbary land, so it’s possible. Still just a rumor though. We’ll keep you updated.
If that weren’t enough excitement for the day, a listener (thanks, Honolulu G-man) reports that Headlights and Tailpipes at Stardust has closed without notice. First Avenue Q and Hairspray close early, and now this. Shocking.
If true, it sounds like a deal Boyd would have a difficult time turning down. Rio, cash, and the Ho property. I didn’t even know Harrah’s owned the Ho lot.
I hope it’s all a lie!
Where would the shuttles pick people up on the strip?
Harrah’s doesn’t own the Ho lot, but I’m sure they could get it if needed.
the article mentioned it….idle speculation. how irresponsible of them
With Boyd’s Echelon project you’d figure that they would be looking for cash to fund the project or at least keep the debt to a minimum. What better way to raise the cash then to sell the Barbary Coast in what will probably be the highest price per acre piece of property sold in Las Vegas.
I wonder where the WSOP will go if Harrah’s does sell/trade the Rio.
It would be a great mix for Boyd and a logical move for Harrah’s.
LVtalk is having fun with it since they love to blast Harrah’s..
Dan
I think you will see the WSOP phase towards Caesars, as Harrahs will want to showcase their star event at their star property.
It’s funny, as I heard an interview with Howard Lederer a few days ago and he was talking about when Binions still had the event, they actually had overflow tables at the Fremont and GN, so you could play preliminary rounds at an entirely different hotel and then the final few tables would end up at Binions.
Howard mentioned with all the Harrahs strip properties, and the continued growth of the WSOP, that you could see them going back to that with smaller events at Bally’s, Harrahs, etc. and final tables and more popular events being held at Caesars.
There’s some clarification on the Barbary rumor from the LV Business Press. Here’s the quote:
WE BLEW IT 2: In an item last week about a possible property swap between Harrah’s Entertainment and Boyd Gaming, Strip Tease erroneously combined two different possible transactions. What we heard was Harrah’s would exchange the Rio Suite Hotel & Casino for the Barbary Coast and some cash, or purchase the Westward Ho site and trade it to Boyd for the Barbary Coast.
Avenue Q? I knew no one who saw that show and I know I didn’t really care to see it either. There were marketing that show like crazy when I was in town last and I’m not sure if it made a difference.
As for the BC for Rio, cash, and what not trade, imagine Bellagio, but instead of their northeast entrance, put there the casino royale or something. How much would MGM pay to get rid of that eye sore and complete their masterpiece?
I saw Avenue Q and it was very good in my opinion. Hilarious, rude, very un-PC. And good music too. Kind of like Five Hundy. I know several people who saw it – certainly more saw Avenue Q than saw Hairspray.
We are from Hollywood, Florida and thought you may like to get an update about the gaming struggle in Florida! We are excited about it! Vegas has finally, after all these decades, arrived in SE Florida. The Vegas “Boyd” boy has purchased the Dania Beach Florida J’ai A’lai fronton located near the Ft Lauderdale airport. Florida has recently approved Class lll slots and there are now 4 racino type casinos forming and scheduled to kick off the slots adventures in August – all but the Dania Beach Racino that will be reconsituted via complete Vegas style renovations and expansion plans – all scheduled to open in 2007. It’s about time!