THE GOLDEN NUGGET IS LOOKING AT THE LONG HAUL - A GOOD MOVE FOR OWNERS LANDRY'S RESTAURANTS

Implications: Can the recent improvements and the contemplated adding of rooms help this downtown oasis. The answer is a definite yes. It will also put pressure on the competition to upgrade to keep on an even playing field. Where is the added business going to come from to fill these rooms. It's up to Golden Nugget marketing team to devise solutions for this big investment. It's a good possibility for the GN to show some very real improvement in the downtown arena......

Analysis: Where can these improvements help the Golden Nugget keep moving in a positive direction. If history has any bearing on this subject then a lesson learned from former owner Steve Wynn will suffice. He took an old tired property and brought it into the modern gaming picture. He single handedly upgraded the entire downtown gaming corridor by building a strip style property where none existed before. Landry's (owners) has the same opportunity to put some life into a rather lifeless downtown. These additions and fix ups are the best thing that the Golden Nugget can do to add a brighter picture to their bottom line. The truth be known, the Golden nugget is about the only real draw at this time to a rather listless casino area. Don't get me wrong, there are others that are trying to keep this vital corridor from just drying up and fading away. It will be an interesting effort on the part of the Golden Nugget to try and lure some higher rollers to their property. Having said that, it's imperative that they also don't forget about the regular clientele that has kept them going when things were slow - it's a very important source of revenue. Having the Freemont Street Experience right outside their door is an added plus - but it's not big enough to maintain any solid business.

Mr. Fertitta (owner) has shown that his interest in Las Vegas gaming is not just a passing fancy. He has invested heavy dollars into this property and should reap the benefits of this high end investment. It will take more then the Golden Nugget to revitalize the downtown market. Other owners are banding together to see that there will be a major effort in getting Freemont Street back to past glories. It not an easy task, but with the help of the City of Las Vegas and it's Mayor - steps are being taken to give this casino/hotel arena a fighting chance to get back on it's feet. It's a worthwhile task............