Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Las Vegas business briefs

LEWIS HOMES WINS INJUNCTION AGAINST UNION -- Lewis Homes Management Corp. obtained a preliminary injunction Monday against the Building Trades Organizing Project and related unions in attempt to curb picketing at Lewis job sites. The order bars picketers from trespassing on Lewis property, picketing in a manner that obstructs entrance to the job site and from locking entrance gates. The company had obtained a temporary restraining order, containing the same provisions, earlier this month after striking concrete workers disrupted progress at a Lewis residential development, Summerglen. The striking workers were protesting against Kukurin Concrete, a subcontractor for Lewis Homes.

WOMAN SAYS CAR SHE BOUGHT HAD BEEN WRECKED -- Patricia Wendland sued Marco T. Matamoros, doing business as MRM Auto Sales, in Clark County District Court last week, alleging she bought a faulty car. The suit contends Wendland bought a 1990 Toyota Camry from a man named "Andy." The man said he owned the car, but the suit contends he was acting as an agent for MRM. The suit alleges the car had been wrecked and sold for salvage by Allstate Insurance to B&E Auto Auction, which in turn sold it to MRM. When Wendland had the car in a shop for repairs, it was discovered it had been wrecked, the frame was still damaged and that a "coat hanger had been used to keep the front wheel on," according to the complaint. Attempts to contact Matamoros for comment failed.

Y2K CONSUMER SESSIONS SET -- The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada has set the dates and locations of its two consumer information sessions on the so-called Year 2000 computer problem. The Southern Nevada session will be at 10 a.m. on Oct. 22 in the Sawyer Building. The commission agreed to conduct the sessions so utility companies can explain how they are preparing for anticipated computer problems when the calendar switches from 1999 to 2000. The commission has encouraged utilities providing gas, electric, water and telecommunications service to Nevada consumers to summarize their preparations for potential problems.

POLL: CALIF. VOTERS FAVOR INDIAN GAMBLING -- California voters favor ballot initiatives that would relax restrictions on Indian gambling, according to a Los Angeles Times poll released today. The Times Poll interviewed 1,651 Californians, including 1,270 registered voters, by telephone Sept. 12-17. Among them, 684 were deemed likely to vote. The margin of sampling error was plus or minus 3 percentage points for registered voters and 4 percentage points for likely voters. The ballot measure most familiar to California voters was Proposition 5, which would allow casino gambling on tribal lands. Fifty-seven percent of registered voters said they supported Prop 5, 28 percent said they were against it and 15 percent said they were undecided. Seventy-two percent OF those who have visited an Indian casino supported the proposition, as did 52 percent of those who have never been to an Indian casino. Seventy-one percent of frequent gamblers said they backed the measure as did 57 percent of those who rarely gamble.

SUNRISE ORDERS NEW KENO SYSTEM -- American Wagering Inc. of Las Vegas said the Sunrise hotel-casino is the first customer for American Wagering's new Keno game and statewide progressive Keno system. The Sunrise is under construction in Las Vegas.

ALLIANCE GAMING WINS ORDER -- Alliance Gaming Corp. of Las Vegas said its Bally Gaming and Systems business received a letter of intent from Casino America to install the Bally SDS System to monitor gaming devices at all of Casino America's properties within the next 24 months. Casino America's cruise-ship joint venture uses the Bally SDS system. The next installation will be at the new Isle of Capri Casino in Black Hawk, Colo. The Casino America installations will add approximately 6,200 gaming machines to the installed base of more than 90,000 gaming machines operating on the Bally SDS System.

MIKOHN GAMING PRESIDENT LEAVES -- Mikohn Gaming Corp. announced the departure of President and Chief Operating Officer Richard Irvine but didn't say why he is leaving. David Thompson, chairman and chief executive officer, will assume the duties of president. The Las Vegas company also said Robert Smyth was named vice president of product development and marketing. He was managing director of Minnesota-based Centron International DPL.

PRESIDENT CASINOS STOCK TO BE DELISTED -- President Casinos Inc. of St. Louis said the Nasdaq Stock Market will delist its common stock because the value of its net tangible assets no longer meets the requirements for listing. On May 31, the company had $3 million in net tangible assets. The minimum requirement is $4 million. President Casinos, an owner of riverboat and dockside gaming facilities, said its representatives will appeal the decision before a Nasdaq panel Oct. 22. If the appeal fails, the company's common stock will be quoted on the over-the-counter bulletin board. President Casinos said it believes its casino, hotel, development and other properties have significant value not reflected in its financial statements. President had revenues of $187.5 million for the 1998 fiscal year. In Monday trading, the company's shares plummeted 30 percent, or 37 1/2 cents, to close at 87 1/2 cents on the Nasdaq Stock Market.

LEADERS TO BE INDUCTED INTO GAMING HALL OF FAME -- The American Gaming Association will induct several industry leaders into the Gaming Hall of fame at a gala event Thursday night at Caesars Palace. The AGA will honor Tony Marnell and Lud Corrao or Marnell Corrao Associates for the architectural firm's work on casinos such as the Rio and Luxor; Thomas Young Sr., founder of casino sign company Young Electric Sign Co. (YESCO); J.K. Houssels Jr., who was chairman of Showboat Inc. until the company was purchased by Harrah's Entertainment Inc.; and Siegfried & Roy, magicians credited with helping Las Vegas reinvent itself as a family vacation destination. Also in attendance will be Gov. Bob Miller, Mrs. United States Michele Rogers Berk and AGA President and Chief Executive Frank Fahrenkopf. The evening meal will be prepared by Wolfgang Puck. Proceeds from the event will go to the National Center for Responsible Gaming. The AGA has inducted 33 people into the Gaming Hall of Fame since 1989.

FIRMS IN PACT FOR CASINO SIGNS -- Spintek Gaming Technologies of Las Vegas said it signed a pact with B&D Signs to make visual information products for the casino industry. The companies will unveil one of their new products at the World Gaming Conference and Exhibition this week.

To contact Sun Business Editor Steve Green, call 259-4083 or e-mail [email protected]

archive