ONLINE GAMBLING AND CASINO GUIDE

February 18th, 2010.

An otherwise un-notable date has taken on a whole new significance in Las Vegas.

It officially represents the last day that Planet Hollywood will be an independent property in any way, shape, or form.

On the 19th, it will officially be a Harrah’s venture from top to bottom.

The first order of business for Harrah’s once they take over will be to, what else, lay people off … albeit “only” about 100 people.  The layoffs are supposed to strike primarily management positions.  It’s very sad to see anyone lose their job, but since the office folks probably have more marketable skill sets outside of the gaming industry than do dealers and cocktail waitresses, I suppose these are the least tragic positions to lose.

Besides, I’m not sure how much current Planet Hollywood employees would get along with the rhesus monkeys that Harrah’s currently employs in management.

On the noted date, Planet Hollywood workers will officially become Harrah’s employees, and they will keep their current 401K plans and health coverage.  Of course, said health coverage will still only be valid here locally, which is almost like being uninsured.  Especially if they make appointments with doctors near Ellis Island.

Harrah’s plans to spend $8 million integrating the property into the Total Rewards system, which some people are vocally thrilled about (they will have another place at which to spend their points), but I’m actually one of those people who has lost an assload of money on principal over the course of my life (otherwise known as an “idiot”), so I’m slightly disappointed in this mentality.

I understand that self-interest is the most basic of human behaviors, but it’s also a potentially destructive one.

It’s an “I don’t care what Mussolini does as long as he makes the trains run on time” type of mentality.  Yes, I did just compare Harrah’s to a fascist dictator.  Before you complain, just wait and see how far off the mark I will be.

Sure, there will be some short-term benefits to Diamond Members, but over time, both residents and tourists will suffer at the hands of the growing monopolization of The Strip.  As people cheer the emerging Strip super-powers for the free hotel rooms and meals they are about to get, they don’t realize that this takeover will have a larger price.  After the initial honeymoon period, less competition means fewer comps down the road.  After all, what are you going to do?  Defect to the competition?

As Total Rewards members rejoice, they are not looking past the end of their nose.  Planet Hollywood will indeed be a new weapon in their arsenal, but it’s not going to be the Planet Hollywood that busted its ass to become one of the most entertaining properties on the Boulevard.  It’s going to slip into complacency and be engulfed in the creative black hole that has engulfed so many properties before it.

In any event, Harrah’s will now own every property between Flamingo and Harmon, and most properties between Flamingo and Spring Mountain.

Las Vegas Boulevard is becoming little more than a road that bisects two corporate gang territories.  Harrah’s on the east side, and MGM on the west sigh-yeeeeeeeeed!

Ironically, the brand new pedestrian bridge that separates City Center from Planet Hollywood will now become a siphon for Harrah’s, which stands to benefit quite a bit from their closer proximity to the new mammoth project.

So there you have it.  Two more weeks, and the property that some of us have enjoyed quite a bit in its current incarnation will officially join the evil empire.

I can already see the potential new slogan for our city.

Las Vegas:  More Like Primm Than Ever Before

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