In Las Vegas, Cantor Gaming’s expansion continues unabated.
Cantor recently announced that the under-construction Race & Sports Book
at the Palms Hotel-Casino about a mile off the Strip will include a poker area
(8 tables) that will be run by (who else?) Cantor. It is expected to open in a
few weeks, probably early May.
In addition to expanding Cantor’s already-large profile in Vegas, the move
continues a trend in which properties allow third parties to operate certain
areas of their facilities. The movement started about a decade ago when many
casinos got out of the restaurant business and decided to lease space. Doing
something similar with sports books and poker rooms reduces the property’s
financial exposure and provides income certainty – important in an shaky, uncertain
economic climate.
Cantor deserves credit for striking while the iron is somewhat hot,
especially in being near the front of the line in offering online options in
Nevada.
During the construction process, Cantor is operating a sports book-only on
the main floor near the high roller area.