CR59-p18-World 1:SJC-Casino Review 19/8/07 12:02 Page 1
casinoreview
Navegante gets green light for Sahara
A Michigan casino has Buffalo. Matt Harkness, Four
The Navegante casino group has been given approval Michigan
claimed the mantle of Winds Casino Resort general
to operate the Sahara Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas
casino
opening the world’s largest manager, said. “We’re going
Strip from the Nevada Gaming Commission. Headed by
electronic poker room to offer the best action in the
launches
following the installation of 15 region. Our tournament
former MGM Grand executive Larry Woolf, the group
PokerPro tables and four schedule is second to none
isn’t planning any major changes in the operation of
world’s
Poker pro Heads up tables at and playing on PokerPro gives
the 85,000-square-foot, 55-year-old, Moroccan-
largest e-
the Four players more
themed Sahara casino.
poker room
Winds action with
Casino fewer
Resort, in hassles and
New distractions.”
WORLDNEWS
Hidden video cameras to pick up
opponents’ hands and read marked cards;
Caesars
laptop computers used to determine
Palace to
strategy; and microscopic earpieces to relay
the play were all ingredients as Steve Forte,
get
a self confessed casino conman turned
US$1bn
surveillance consultant, turned gambling
cheat once more. Phil Martin reports on makeover
the foiled scam on the grounds of the
Borgata, Atlantic City, where Forte turned
madeup
the cards once more on the casino.
UNITED STATES
It may have came, saw and
Surveillance consultant charged
conquered some 40 years
ago, but Caesars Palace, one
of Las Vegas’ most famous
with hotel room poker scam
brands, is still having to splash
the expansion cash as it looks
to stay at the forefront of top
destinations on The Strip.
turningthecards men who rigged hidden months later, police charged game from a video monitor in ongoing. He said more Owners Harrah’s Entertain-
UNITED STATES cameras in a hotel room at Steve Forte, 51, of Las Vegas, another room, Aseltine said. details would become avail- ment is spending US$1bn
the Borgata Hotel Casino & with using a computer and One of the cameras allowed able if a state grand jury increasing the footprint of its
Steve Forte, a well-known Spa so that they could peer cheating devices to commit them to see the back of the decides to indict the four, Roman themed venue in Las
industry consultant who at players’ cards, and relay theft, attempted theft by “hole” cards, which are kept who remain free on bail. Vegas, but it is also growing
charges operators for advice information on what each deception and conspiracy. face-down on the table in stud Forte’s website describes upwards, much is the trend in
on how to identify and player had to players who Aseltine said it was not poker until the end of the the services and products Las Vegas, with the centre-
prevent cheats on the were in on the scam. yet known how many card game. offered by his company, piece of the expansion being
gaming floor, has been “They utilised the spying players were compromised “It’s the face-down cards International Gaming Spe- the luxurious new 665-room
arrested and charged with equipment to target high- nor, indeed, how much that are unknown to the cialists, including a four-part hotel tower - the Octavius
masterminding a poker con stakes private poker games,” money was involved. But other players,” said Aseltine. video series “designed to Tower. The Octavius Tower
at the Borgata casino in he said. “They also used com- described the games as But because the cards were help protect all those that will be located adjacent to a
Atlantic City, New Jersey. puter programs so they “high-stakes.” marked, the ring would play in private games from new 263,000-square-foot
Although the poker game could enter information on “These people were tar- know the suit and value of card and dice cheaters.” meeting and convention
in question took place at the the hands and determine geting private games, they the hole card and be able to The site also says Forte center. Three new luxurious
same time the Borgata was what course of action to take were not targeting casinos,” enter the scenario into the produced his own half-hour pool villa suites will be built
holding a poker tournament, so as to increase their odds Aseltine said. “They hold computer to determine the television show titled “Gam- along the second floor of the
authorities and casino offi- of winning, entering what these private games around best play. “The members of bling’s Invisible Thieves.” new tower and will overlook
cials were quick to point out they had and helping them casino meccas because this ring would then relay Forte faces charges of con- three new swimming pools
that the alleged scam took decide what to do next,” he that’s where you get your instructions on how to play spiracy, attempted theft by that will rim an expanded
place in a private hotel room, said. “None of the casino- high stakes play.” the game using a small trans- deception, use of cheating outdoor whirlpool spa
away from the casino floor. generated games or tourna- The group used marked mitter in the ear,” he said. devices and computer- retreat, a poolside cafe and
Peter Aseltine, a ments was targeted or playing cards and strategically Aseltine declined to say assisted theft along with nearby garden wedding
spokesman for the state compromised.” positioned video cameras how the State Police’s casino Stephen Phillips, 52, of Las venue.This e xpansion is slated
Attorney General’s Office, In arrests carried out on throughout the hotel room unit came upon the ring Vegas, and James Harrison, for completion in early 2009.
said Forte was one of four June 7, but made public two so members could watch the because the investigation is 41, of Duluth, Minn. The venue will also sport a
new look at its entrance with
the existing Caesars Palace
front entrance being
Cool to rule as Luxor loses Egyptian theming
expanded in breadth and
height, opening to palatial
new casino interiors, created
by globally renowned design
themetuning the Luxor, which opened in unique. But it’s the overall firm Allard & Conversano. The
UNITED STATES 1993, needed a revamp to experience that matters central ellipse will remain,
compete with sexy develop- more than looking at a faux highlighted by new decor and
The Las Vegas Strip’s ments on the Strip. King Tut statue,” said Tom flanked by grand ceiling
pyramid-shaped Luxor “Since its opening, Luxor McCartney, Luxor’s execu- heights, raised to 20 feet. New
hotel-casino is losing much has been an established tive vice president. interiors will extend to the
of its Egyptian theming via a landmark on the Las Vegas The new additions will Casino Cashier and Cleopa-
US$300m makeover, Strip. Our aim is to be as well add fresh nightlife appeal to tra’s Barge corridors, inviting
although the name and dis- known for our outstanding the venue with Aurora, a guests to explore new dining,
tinctive shape of the resort amenities and exemplary lobby lounge with table-side entertainment and gaming
near the south end of the Las service as we are for our mixologists and glittering offerings.
Vegas Strip will remain the iconic exterior We’re not a overhead glass tubes; LAX,
same. British museum with ancient a clone of the celebrity-rich
Jenn Michaels, executive artefacts, we’re a casino- nightclub in Los Angeles;
spokeswoman for resort resort,” Luxor President and Noir, a candle-lit bar with an
owner, MGM Mirage, said COO Felix Rappaport said. outdoor entrance, French
the interior and most of the “The outside of the Luxor looking to do is deliver on “The pyramid always created dessert carts and a secret
hotel rooms will be reno- is one of the most famous the promise of the dramatic a sense of wow and wonder, passageway for VIPs, and
vated, totalling an 80 per icons of Las Vegas. We’re exterior with a series of con- but the inside never delivered CatHouse, a tapas restau-
cent remodeling exercise not going to change that,” temporary dynamic ameni- on that promise.” rant and lounge inspired by
with new style lounges, Michaels said. “What MGM ties within the resort.” “People are attracted to a 19th century bordello, all
restaurants and nightclubs. Mirage and Luxor are Company executives said the pyramid because it is central to the plans.
18 September 2007 worldnews
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