Liz Benston

Reporter/ Gaming

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Call Liz at 702-259-4077.

Recent Stories (view all stories)

Cutting costs versus serving customers: Economy has casinos in perpetual balancing act; Monday, Dec. 1, 2008; Throughout this downturn, big Strip casinos have kept hotel occupancy high by cutting room rates and offering discounts and other promotions.
Web betting is wedge for Big Gaming: Casino trade group hurrying to nail down its position; Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2008; Casino companies may be commiserating over their earnings troubles, but they are squabbling like extended family at Thanksgiving dinner over the prospect of legalized Internet gambling.
As target users get younger, slots get more hip: Technology-enhanced machines debut at expo; Monday, Nov. 24, 2008; Every year slot machine manufacturers gather to discuss their industry’s version of global warming — a dramatic shift in customer tastes with long-term implications for survival that are still years away.
At expo, talk of leaner times replaces bombast: Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008; The Global Gaming Expo is the casino industry’s largest pep rally.
New CEO says he's ready to lead MGM Mirage: Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2008; MGM Mirage's new chairman and chief executive says he learned how to be a leader from a master with whom he has conferred nearly every day for the past decade.
Adelson backs business plan with talk, cash: In tough times, he dips into his own deep pockets; Monday, Nov. 17, 2008; There are plenty of gambling metaphors that fit the impressive bailout of Las Vegas Sands last week by its chief executive, Sheldon Adelson.
Lanni exits at perilous time as industry faces hardship: MGM Mirage chief says time is right to hand reins to younger successor; Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008; Terry Lanni’s decision to retire as chief executive of MGM Mirage will be viewed with some concern, if only because he is one of the industry’s most respected leaders.
Insiders see doubts over diploma as career drag: Investigation of claim on resume may mar Lanni’s reputation; Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008; State gaming regulators are investigating the academic credentials of MGM Mirage Chief Executive Terry Lanni, who may have embellished his resume with a nonexistent MBA.
IGT layoffs begin this week: Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008; Hurt by the slumping economy, the world's No. 1 slot machine manufacturer began laying off about 500 workers this week as part of a companywide cost-cutting effort that began a few months ago.
State wants a look at casinos’ finances: Economic downturn spurs uncommon request for review of company books; Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008; In light of the credit crunch and economic downturn, Nevada regulators are seeking information from top gaming companies about their financial health. The Gaming Control Board's actions raise an important question during these troubled economic times: What role do regulators play in the financial decisions of gaming companies, or, for that matter, in management decisions in general? The answer: very little.