Vol 7 No 6 June 2008
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Intervew With Mark Brandenburg, Co-Owner, Golden Gate Hotel, Las Vegas
This week, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features an interview with Mark Brandenburg, the co-owner of the Golden Gate Hotel Casino in Las Vegas on recent improvements at his property. Brandenburg recently sold half of the Golden Gate to the Stevens family, who also own the Las Vegas 51s minor-league baseball team. The Golden Gate is the oldest still-operating casino in Las Vegas on the original site. The price of the signature shrimp cocktail was recently doubled to $1.99, but it still remains popular and an iconic Vegas offering. Brandenburg explains his plans for the hotel and his views on Downtown Las Vegas. He spoke with GGB Associate Editor Greg Jones in May.
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Interview_with_Rafael__Butch__Francisco__COO__PAGC
This week, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features an interview with Rafael “Butch” Francisco, the CEO of Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor), the government-owned company that operates casinos and other gaming offerings in the Philippines. Pagcor recently had its charter renewed by the government for another 25 years and had its role expanded to include development of a huge casino entertainment complex on the shores of Manila Bay. Francisco explains how that project has been progressing, as well as other details about Pacgor’s operations around the Philippines in an interview recorded before last week’s report that James Packer was read to invest in one of the Manila Bay casinos. He spoke with Global Gaming Business Publisher Roger Gros at G2E Asia in Macau in June.
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Interview with Shawn Kreloff, Chairman & CEO, Sona Mobile
This week, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features an interview with Shawn Kreloff, the CEO of Sona Mobile, one of the world’s leading providers of gaming products and systems for kiosks and hand-held devices. Sona Mobile is one of the few companies that actually has a server-based gaming system up and running in a casino environment. Kreloff explains how the company developed its platform and what applications it serves. He also talks about the future of server-based gaming and why Sona spent years in R&D before introducing their products and services two years ago. He spoke with Global Gaming Business Publisher Roger Gros in San Diego in April.
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Interview with Gary Loveman, President, CEO & Chairman, Caesars Entertainment
This week, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features a special interview with Gary Loveman, the president, CEO and chairman of Caesars Entertainment, formerly Harrah’s Entertainment. Caesars has just recently been taken private by two private equity companies, Apollo Management and Texas Pacific Group. Loveman talks about the differences between operating as a public and a private company and explains how the company’s previously announced expansion plans stand now, given the new owners and the economic situation. He spoke with Global Gaming Business Publisher Roger Gros at the East Coast Gaming Congress in Atlantic City in May.
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Interview with Curtis Bashaw, Partner, Bashaw-Barr Inc.
This week, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features an interview with Curtis Bashaw, a partner in Bashaw-Barr Inc., which is planning a massive new casino project in Atlantic City. As executive director of the New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, Bashaw became an advocate, not only of Atlantic City, but of the entire Jersey Shore. His experience with building and renovating hotels in Cape May, just south of Atlantic City, enforced the notion that Atlantic City is only the main attraction on the extended Jersey Shore. With a new “boutique” hotel in Atlantic City scheduled to open this month, and plans for a $2 billion project at the western end of the Boardwalk, Bashaw is a major player in Atlantic City these days. He spoke with Global Gaming Business Editor Frank Legato at his offices in May.
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SPECIAL EDITION: 30 YEARS OF GAMING IN ATLANTIC CITY, Part 4
This week, in a special edition of the Global Gaming Business Podcast the last in a series of four podcasts is presented, featuring people who played roles in the city over those three decades. In the final installment of this series, we give the entire session over to Steven Perskie, who many call the father of casino gaming in Atlantic City. As an assemblyman in the early 1970s, Perskie’s work with Governor Brendan Byrne helped clear the way for gaming. He then, as a state senator, helped to write the Casino Control Act that established the parameters of the industry (and became a blueprint for states legalizing gaming from then on). Then he returned as chairman of the Casino Control Commission in the early 1990s, reforming the regulatory process in such a manner that it encouraged the growth of gaming in Atlantic City to become what it is today.
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SPECIAL EDITION: 30 YEARS OF GAMING IN ATLANTIC CITY, Part 3
This week, in a special edition of the Global Gaming Business Podcast the third in a series of four podcasts is presented, featuring people who played roles in the city over those three decades. In this edition of 30 Years of Gaming, we focus on Atlantic City itself and the impact casino gaming has had on it. Steve Batzer, now one of the leading authorities on insurance in the gaming industry and a former chairman of the Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce, explains why it was so difficult for city businesses to capitalize on casinos. Next, Mac Seelig, the president of AC Coin and Slot, discusses the early years and how his company was positioned perfectly to take advantage, despite the onerous regulatory process. And finally, former state Senator Bill Gormley talks about how the legislative leaders adjusted their strategies through the years to encourage development in Atlantic City.
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SPECIAL EDITION: 30 YEARS OF GAMING IN ATLANTIC CITY, Part 2
This week, in a special edition of the Global Gaming Business Podcast the second in a series of four podcasts is presented, featuring people who played roles in the city over those three decades. In this edition of 30 Years of Gaming, we talk with Dennis Gomes, now head of Gomes-Cordish Gaming, but in those days he was an investigator for New Jersey’s Division of Gaming Enforcement. Gomes tells a tale of intrigue during the probe of Resorts International in 1977. Next up is Frank J. “Pat” Dodd, a former state senator who was appointed to the Casino Control Commission in 1989. He explains how difficult it was to institute the reform of the agency. And finally, we speak with CCC Chairwoman Linda Kassekert about the debt she owes to her predecessors and why the New Jersey regulatory system is considered the best in the world.
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Atlantic City: 30 Years of Gaming Program #1
This week, in a special edition of the Global Gaming Business Podcast the first in a series of four podcasts is presented, featuring people who played roles in the city over those three decades. In this edition of 30 Years of Gaming, we talk with Governor Brendan Byrne, who supported and encouraged the gaming industry to redevelop Atlantic City in the 1970s. Former mayor and now state Senator James Whelan explains his role in moving Atlantic City to the next level during the 1990s. Legendary gaming attorney Joel Sterns talks about the Resorts International licensing hearings and how he got it approved despite opposition from state agencies. And Dan Heneghan, now public information officer for the Casino Control Commission, but then the lead gaming reporter for the Atlantic City Press discusses the campaign to legalize gaming in 1976.
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Interview with Vincent Wickliffe General Manager and Vice President, Eldorado and Jokers Wild Casinos
This week, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features an interview with Vincent Wickliffe, the general manager and vice president of the Eldorado and Jokers Wild, two casinos owned by Boyd Gaming in Henderson, Nevada. Wickliffe started in the gaming industry as a dealer in Downtown Las Vegas, and he is now running two casinos for Boyd Gaming Corp. His is the quintessential story about how to advance in the gaming industry: work hard, be flexible concerning hours and where you work and take advantage of any and all opportunities that present themselves. After starting Downtown, Wickliffe has worked in burgeoning markets including Kansas City, Missouri, and New Orleans before returning to Las Vegas where he now oversees the Eldorado and Jokers Wild casinos in Henderson. Wickliffe spoke in April with Global Gaming Business Publisher Roger Gros and Associate Editor Greg Jones at his office—formerly the office of Boyd Gaming Chairman Bill Boyd—at the Eldorado in Henderson.
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Interview with John Acres and Rich Fiore, Acres-Fiore
This week, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features an interview with John Acres and Rich Fiore, the principals in Acres-Fiore, which focuses on developing slot games and systems for the casino industry. Acres and Fiore have already made their marks in the gaming industry. Acres was the leader of Acres Gaming, which he sold to IGT and Fiore with Sierra Design Group, which was recently purchased by Bally Technologies. Both have played major roles in the development of player tracking, progressives, bonusing, the bonus wheel and other aspects of slot technology that are now commonplace. They talk about their company and products and their views of the future of the gaming industry. Fiore and Acres met with Global Gaming Business Publisher Roger Gros at their offices in Las Vegas in March.
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Interview with Marcus Prater, Executive Director, Assocation of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers
This week, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features an interview with Marcus Prater, the newly named executive director for the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers, or AGEM. Prater has a long history in the gaming industry, most recently serving as senior vice president of marketing for Bally Technologies. He takes over AGEM at a crucial time in the group’s history, as gaming expands throughout the world. AGEM is mainly a political organization, trying to influence the legalization of gaming in new jurisdictions and the transformation of regulations that will make it easier for its members to sell their products and services. He met with Global Gaming Business Publisher Roger Gros in Las Vegas in April.
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Interview with Steve Crystal, President, TableMAX
This week, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features an interview Steven Crystal, the president of TableMAX, one of the world’s leading developers of electronic table games. Crystal has a long background in gaming, on both the operator and supplier side. His last position helped elevate Las Vegas Gaming as one of the most dynamic gaming suppliers. With TableMax, he hopes to help the company capitalize on the rapidly growing electronic table games field. He discusses the company’s products and expansion plans and why he believes TableMax is in the right place and the right time with the right products. Crystal spoke with Global Gaming Business Publisher Roger Gros in his offices in Las Vegas in March.
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Interview with Congressman Jon Porter, Third District, Nevada
This week, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features an interview with Rep. Jon Porter, who has represented Nevada’s Third Congressional District since it was formed in 2003. Porter has been serving the public as an elected officials for more than 20 years. He served as the mayor of Boulder City, Nevada and also served in the state Senate. Along with other Nevada representatives and members of the House from other states, he serves on the Gaming Caucus that looks out for the gaming industry in Congress. He talks about tribal gaming, internet gambling and issues important to the Nevada gaming industry. He spoke with Global Gaming Business Publisher Roger Gros in his offices in Washington D.C. in early February.
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Interview with Edward O. Thorp, Author, Beat the Dealer
This week, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features an interview with Ed Thorp, the author of the 1962 book Beat the Dealer, which launched the blackjack card counting phenomenon that continues to this day. Thorp is a mathematician by trade and his interest in gaming actually began when he was trying to beat the roulette wheel. He switched to blackjack after reading a study by several MIT students in the mid-1950s that demonstrated the vulnerabilities of blackjack. Beat the Dealer caused a sensation when it was released and actually caused casinos to come up with some defense mechanisms. He explains how he developed the strategy, the early years and his views on casino games today. He spoke with Global Gaming Business Publisher Roger Gros at the World Game Protection Conference in Las Vegas in February.
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Interview with Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R. New Jersey)
This week, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features an interview with Rep. Frank LoBiondo, who represents New Jersey’s District 2, which contains Atlantic City. LoBiondo was first elected to Congress in 1994. A resident and businessman in Vineland, New Jersey, LoBiondo represented the First Legislative District in the New Jersey Assembly from 1988-1994. LoBiondo has been a tireless champion of the gaming industry and Atlantic City in his time in Congress. His ability to work with politicians from both parties on issues crucial to his district has been one of his hallmarks. He spoke with Global Gaming Business Publisher Roger Gros in his offices in Washington D.C. in early February.
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Lubov Loginova, CEO, Unicum Gaming
This week, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features an interview with Lubov Loginova, CEO of Unicum Gaming, on the new direction her company is taking following the decision to minimize gaming in Russia. Loginova was appointed CEO of Unicum Gaming in January. She previously served as commercial director, where she led the sales and marketing departments. Unicum is known for its unique products in the Russian market, and Loginova explains how the company is attempting to retain that reputation in the new markets. Unicum is active all over the world, she says, and will continue to explore new markets for opportunities and joint ventures. She spoke with Global Gaming Business Publisher Roger Gros and Editor Frank Legato at the ICE trade show in London in January.
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Interview with Steve Arcana, Vice President of Operations, Golden Gaming
This week, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features an interview with Steve Arcana, vice president of operations for Golden Gaming, on the rapid growth of a company that was once just a slot route operator in Nevada. Golden Gaming was born when former Station Casinos executive Blake Sartini bought a slot route operator and began opening pubs and small casinos in the state. Now, Golden Gaming is one of the premier management companies, running the Hard Rock before Morgans Hotels received their license. Arcana describes how the company has grown and the jurisdictions that have become targets for the company. He spoke with Global Gaming Business Associate Editor Greg Jones at his offices in Las Vegas in February.
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Interview with Anthony Miranda, Chairman, CNIGA
This week, the GGB Podcast features Anthony Miranda, the chairman of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association, about the recent gaming referendum approved in his state. The Western Indian Gaming Conference convened in Palm Springs last week, just days after California voters approved four compacts that allow the tribes in the southern part of the state to install up to 7500 slot machines each. But opposition from two tribes during the bitter campaign has left its mark. Miranda explains how the day was won and why he’s urging unity at this crucial period in the history of Indian gaming in California. He spoke with GGB Publisher Roger Gros during a break at the conference in Palms Springs.
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Interview with Steve Morro, President, IGT
In the second installment of a special two-part package, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features an interview with Steve Morro, the president of IGT. Last week, we sat down with TJ Matthews, the chairman and CEO of the company to discuss the future of the IGT. As the leader of the worldwide slot industry, IGT has been under tremendous pressure to maintain its market share and its lead in the technology area of the business. Morro is involved in almost all aspects of the company and explains how he has helped to streamline a company that has grown into a multi-national corporation. He spoke with Global Gaming Business Publisher Roger Gros over the phone from his Reno office for the cover story of the February issue of Global Gaming Business.
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Interview with TJ Matthews, Chairman & CEO, IGT
For the next two weeks, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features a special two-part package. This week, we speak with TJ Matthews, the chairman and CEO of IGT and next week, we’ll have a similar discussion with Steve Morro, the company president, on where IGT is headed in the next few years. IGT has been the leader in the slot market for almost 20 years now. The company’s ability to produce games that people play has always been its strength. But now, according to Matthews, the “I” and the “T” have become as important as the “G” because the international reach of the company has only been matched by the amazing new technology being developed. Matthews spoke with Global Gaming Business Publisher Roger Gros for the cover story of the February Global Gaming Business at his Las Vegas offices in January.
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Interview with Tracey Chernay, Transact Corp.
This week, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features an interview with Tracey Chernay, senior vice president of marketing for the Transact Corp., about the ticket printer business that is so hot right now in the gaming business. Ticket printing really took off after the ticket-in, ticket-out systems for slot machines became so popular in the late 1990s. Transact Corp., a manufacturer of commercial printers for several applications, is one of the leaders in the gaming industry. Chernay describes the state of the art in the printer business and how tickets are now being used for more purposes than simply to designate a specific payout. She spoke with Global Gaming Business Publisher Roger Gros at G2E at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
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Interview With Matt Muta, Managing Director, Microsoft
This week, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features an interview with Matt Muta, managing director at Microsoft, which is developing innovative products for the gaming industry. They say you know you’ve made it when a giant company like Microsoft begins to develop products for your company, but the truth is Microsoft has been involved in the gaming industry for some time now. Muta led a presentation at G2E in November that demonstrated some of the new software the company is developing for gaming companies—most notably Harrah’s—that focus on business intelligence, loyalty programs, social networking, mobile gaming and database development. He spoke with Global Gaming Business Publisher Roger Gros at G2E at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
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Interview with Dan D'Ariggo, Sr. VP & CFO, MGM Mirage
This week, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features an interview with Dan D’Arrigo, the senior vice president and CFO for MGM Mirage, on his recent promotion. D’Arrigo has been with MGM Mirage for many years, but just recently took over the CFO position from company president Jim Murren. D’Arrigo has learned from one of the best so his efforts to explain how the company plans to diversify its revenue stream beyond the gaming industry will be well-founded. He explains why recent investments from Dubai World and joint ventures with other non-gaming entities will keep MGM on the cutting edge of public companies in the gaming industry. He spoke with Global Gaming Business Publisher Roger Gros at his offices at the Bellagio in December.
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MIT Blackjack Team: How Did They Do It?
One of the most popular sessions at November’s Global Gaming Expo featured two members of the famous MIT blackjack card-counting team that beat the casino industry for millions in the early ‘90s. Team members Mike Aponte and Dave Irvine were joined by security expert Andy Anderson on a panel moderated by Douglas Florence, the vice president of Nice Systems, a security equipment company. The team was the subject of a best-selling book by Ben Mesrich, Bringing Down the House, which tells how they did it. They discuss the formation of the team, why it succeeded and how casinos today combat similar teams. More than 300 people attended the session, proving the importance this issue still holds with casino executives.
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Interview with Jay Snowden, General Manager, Showboat Atlantic City
This week, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features an interview with Jay Snowden, senior vice president and general manager with Showboat Casino-Hotel, on the developments at his casino in Atlantic City. Three years ago, the Showboat opened a House of Blues outlet, with all the amenities associated with that brand in other locations. While the HOB has distinguished Showboat from other casinos, it has only recently begun to work the way Harrah’s executives though it should. Snowden, the general manager of the Showboat, came to the property with one mandate: make it work! His role cannot be understated as the HOB begins its first full year under Showboat management. He spoke with Global Gaming Business Publisher Roger Gros at his office in the Showboat in December.
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Interview with Alan Soloman and Doug Shipley, Isle of Capri Casinos
This week, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features an interview with Alan Solomon, executive vice president and general counsel, and Doug Shipley, corporate vice president of racino operations for Isle of Capri Casinos, discussing the state of the gaming industry in Florida. It’s been more than 10 years since Isle of Capri bought Pompano Park in Broward County, and the company officials thought they hit the jackpot when slots were legalized in the county in 2005. But low returns, a high tax rate and competition from Indian gaming make operating there more difficult than first imagined. Solomon addresses the issues from a corporate perspective and Shipley explains how they impact operations. They spoke with Global Gaming Business Publisher Roger Gros at Pompano Park in Florida in early December.
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Interview with Eric Meyerhofer, CEO, FutureLogic
This week, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features an interview with Eric Meyerhofer, the chief executive officer and chief technology officer for FutureLogic, one of the leading companies providing ticket printers for the gaming industry. FutureLogic won the bid to provide IGT with ticket printers in the early days of ticket-in, ticket out. Meyerhofer explains how the printers were developed and what role they play in the gaming industry. He also talks about new trends, such as coupons printed on the payout tickets. Meyerhofer spoke with Global Gaming Business Publisher Roger Gros at G2E 2007 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in November.
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Interview with Buddy Frank, VP, Slot Ops, Pechanga Casino Resort
This week, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features an interview with Buddy Frank, the vice president of slot operations for Pechanga Casino on a large purchase of a Bally slot system. Bally Technologies has developed the iVIEW interactive player-communication displays and announced a big deal with the Pechanga Casino Resort at last month’s G2E. Frank explains what the system will do for his casino and how it will serve the customers. He also discusses the Class II vs. Class III distinctions in his casino. Frank spoke with Global Gaming Business Publisher Roger Gros at G2E 2007 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
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Interview with Gary Selesner, President, Caesars Palace
This week, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features an interview with Gary Selesner, the president of Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on the completed and ongoing expansion and renovation at the legendary Strip resort. Gary Selesner has been president of Caesars Palace for two years. His vast experience in the gaming industry has culminated in his leadership of the iconic Las Vegas property. He explains how Harrah’s Entertainment is planning to maintain the exclusive status of Caesars Palace in the face of growing competition for the high-end market. He also puts to rest the impression that Harrah’s would not continue to pursue that market. Selesner spoke with Global Gaming Business Publisher Roger Gros from his offices in Caesars Palace in September.
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Interview with Mat Petek, Alfa Street Gaming Instruments
Community gaming is the new buzz word for an established device, the multi-player gaming machine. One of the leaders of the industry is Alfa Street Gaming Instruments, which is known for its multi-player roulette games, popular in Europe and now spreading around the world. Mat Petek is the company's marketing manager and explains how the company views the European market and why it has just announced a distributorship with Atronic to spread its products around the world. Petek spoke with GGB Publisher Roger Gros at the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas in November.
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Special Edition: Entertaining Dealers—Will Table Games Ever Be the Same
This week, on a special edition of the Global Gaming Business Podcast hear a podcast of one of the Signature Series presentations at last week’s G2E, “Dealers or Entertainers: Will Tables Ever Be the Same?” As casinos stress entertainment to a great extent, the role of the dealer is bound to change. In this session, Global Gaming Business Publisher Roger Gros moderates a panel of experts—C.J. Graham, director of table games for the Palms Casino Resort; Vic Taucer, the president of dealer training company, Casino Creations; Barney Vinson, the author of Las Vegas Behind the Tables and the former gaming instructor at Caesars Palace; and Jimmy Wike, vice president of table game operations at Caesars Palace—and discusses the current state of table game dealers in today’s gaming industry. The insights into the motivation and expertise needed these days is very revealing.
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Interview With Joe Corbo, President, CANJ
Interview with Joe Corbo
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Interview with Scott Barber President Harrah's Atlantic City
Interview with Scott Barber President Harrah's Atlantic City
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