Boyd exec backs call for broad tax plan

Three days before MGM Mirage Chairman Terry Lanni pushed a broad-based business tax to the Nevada Development Authority, Boyd Gaming Corp. President Keith Smith delivered a similar message at the Global Gaming Expo.

Smith, speaking to a luncheon audience of gaming officials from around the globe, said Nevada's casino industry is being unfairly targeted by special-interest groups that are seeking additional tax revenues to offset potential budget shortfalls.

"While the economy of the state has become more diversified, the tax base has not," Smith said.

He added that gaming is willing to be part of a solution, but not the sole fix for Nevada's budgetary woes.

"We face perhaps the most difficult challenge of all," Smith said. "Convincing Nevadans that a broad-based tax proposal is the best solution to the challenge we're facing now and is the best solution to fix this problem on a longer-term basis."

American Gaming Association President Frank Fahrenkopf Jr. said the level of regulation taking place in booming Macau is sufficient. Six years ago, when he first visited the Chinese gaming market, Fahrenkopf told authorities the casino industry requires a strong regulatory environment.

"I'm satisfied with the current regulatory process in Macau," Fahrenkopf said.

The South China Post reported that Macau Chief Executive Edmund Ho wants lawmakers to raise the minimum legal gambling age in Macau from 18 to 21.

Ho did not provide a plan or a time frame for the new regulations.

Planet Hollywood Resort co-owner Robert Earl said he has been in discussions with parties in New Jersey about opening a branded property similar to the one on the Strip.

"We definitely have aspirations to move on to Atlantic City now quite quickly," he said Thursday while the Strip property was putting the finishing touches on preparations for its two-day, grand opening weekend.

He said he may buy and remodel a property -- as he helped to do in 2004, when an investment group he led bought the Aladdin for $496 million -- or he may just build something.

Bally Technologies used its booth on the Global Gaming Expo trade show floor to announce a contract with the Pechanga Casino in Temecula, Calif. Bally will provide the American Indian casino with more than 3,600 of the company's iView interactive player-communication displays for Pechanga's slot machines. Bally executives touted the deal as the company's most comprehensive systems contract, but didn't provide a value to the deal.

The Inside Gaming column is compiled by Review-Journal gaming and tourism writers Howard Stutz, Benjamin Spillman and Arnold M. Knightly. Send your tips about the gaming and tourism industry to insidegaming@reviewjournal.com.