It took seven months for unionized hospitality and gaming industry workers in Las Vegas to secure new five-year gaming contracts with three of the major casino and entertainment companies. Efforts of the Culinary and Bartenders Unions resulted in the ratification of contracts with Wynn Resorts, MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment. Some 40,000 unionized workers within the entertainment and gaming sector in Las Vegas were able to secure better working conditions, increased wages and improved job security.

On Monday, 99% of the workers voted in favor of the contract with Caesars Entertainment. Then, on Tuesday, 99% of the unionized workers with MGM Resorts voted to accept and ratify the new five-year contract. Finally, on Wednesday, 99% of the employees with Wynn Resorts approved and accepted the new contract. The voting confirmed the success of the unionized employees and comes after months of intense negotiations and fears over the largest strike of hospitality workers in the history of the United States.

While the new five-year contracts for Caesars, MGM and Wynn employees were voted on and accepted, the Culinary Union continues to negotiate with more operators across Sin City. The debate about better conditions for another 10,000 to 15,000 unionized casino and entertainment industry workers continues through negotiations with some 24 independent and downtown casino operators in Las Vegas.

“The Culinary Union has won the best contracts ever in its 88-year history,“

reads a statement released by the Culinary Union

Entertainment and Casino Industry Workers Secure Better Wages

The latest announcement comes at a time when the Culinary union is celebrating its 88-year anniversary. Ted Pappageorge, the union’s secretary-treasurer, explained that the total compensation secured for the workers at Wynn, Caesars and MGM for the next five years is a staggering $2 billion. He revealed that thanks to this historic achievement, the money will remain in Las Vegas, benefitting neighborhoods and communities.

“The total compensation won by the Culinary Union for MGM Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, and Wynn Resorts workers is approximately $2 billion over the total five year contract – that’s $2 billion which will stay in Las Vegas and will benefit every community and neighborhood.“

Ted Pappageorge, secretary-treasurer for the Culinary Union

Pappageorge confirmed that hospitality and gaming industry workers will benefit from a 10% wage increase for the first year of the new contract. The total increase in wages for the full five-year contract would be 32%. He estimated that the average income per hour for unionized workers is $28. This hourly rate will increase significantly, hitting $37 an hour, including benefits, under the new five-year contract. Finally, Pappageorge commended the casino and entertainment companies that agreed to invest in their workers.

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The 11 casinos and racinos that are licensed to operate under a permit from the Ohio Casino Control and Lottery Commission managed to bring in $196 million in May 2023, down from $202 million in May 2022. These figures exclude tax but factor in winnings paid out to gamblers.

Casinos and Racinos in Ohio Contract A Little

Nevertheless, Ohio has been enjoying a stronger gambling year all things considered. When the May results are factored in, the total gambling revenue stands at $1 billion, which is ahead of the $984 million posted through the first five months of 2022. The revenue cited by the regulator is the amount kept by the casinos after winnings have been paid out.

However, the state also applies fees and taxes. Statewide revenue for May for the seven racinos was in fact $115 million before applying these taxes. The amount collected by the state’s four casinos was $80.5 million. Among the properties to see a jump in their overall performance was Miami Valley Gaming which posted $20.2 million in May 2023 compared to $18.99 million in May 2022.

MGM Northfield Park also pulled ahead with $25.62 million in My 2023 compared to $24.37 million in May 2022. Overall, however, most of the properties reported a slight loss in momentum and revenue which is to be expected with the summer lull kicking in.

Challenges That Go Beyond Casino Operations

Ohio has also faced some challenges in fully harnessing its potential. For example, some betting brands have been hit over violations of the “free” and “risk-free” promotions they promoted, a language that is increasingly disappearing from regulated markets across the United States.

But some of the disruptions have also come from external factors –Alabama college baseball games, for example, have been tied to match-fixing, giving casinos and racinos even further trouble.

There have been several big changes in college sports across the country since with coaches fired and the NCAA updating its rules on how athletes ought to be punished if they are ever caught betting in breach of the organization’s rules. Ohio is trying to also patch up some of this declining tax revenue by pitching the idea of increasing the tax on sports gambling.

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The Osaka prefecture has selected the business consultancy Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu for the provision of support services for the development of its upcoming integrated resort. The construction of the new casino and hospitality venue is expected to revolutionize gaming in Japan.

Under its contract with the prefecture, the consultancy will be tasked with overseeing various aspects of the special-purpose company that is working on the resort on Yumeshima Island in Osaka Bay. Deloitte will, therefore, be responsible for watching over the financial, legal and technological details of the project.

During the financial year 2023-24, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu will closely follow the business activities of the consortium working on the Osaka resort. As first reported by GGR Asia, Deloitte was the only bidder in the Osaka prefecture’s request-for-proposal. The fee for its work will be around $593,000, including consumption tax.

The IR Project Had to Be Delayed

The Osaka integrated resort is a multi-billion project backed by a consortium that encompasses major gambling powerhouses such as MGM Resorts and Orix. The two companies have a 40% equity stake each, while the remaining 20% is distributed among other investors in Japan.

The realization of the project will cost an estimated $8.4 billion and is expected to be completed by 2030. This is a significant delay from the original deadline, which expected the construction to finish in 2025, in time for the Osaka-Kansai Expo.

The original time frame was rendered unrealistic because of various setbacks, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the withdrawal of bidders. The political conflicts in Japan, which included accusations of bribery and influence peddling also affected the projected opening date.

Despite the setbacks, Osaka’s governor, Hirofumi Yoshimura, is confident in the success of the project. Speaking about the delay he said that the postponement might have been for the better. Yoshimura added that he believes the cultural significance of Japan will attract many tourists to the new integrated resort, once it has been completed.

However, not everyone is optimistic about the prospects of an integrated resort in Osaka. Last year, opponents of the project tried to push for a referendum that would cancel the development. Despite the pessimism of anti-gambling activists, MGM Resorts is convinced that the property will contribute millions to local taxes.

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