Taxes - A Quick Gambler's Guide - Part 1

Wow! a Jackpot! Now What...

How many times have you finally hit that rare jackpot over $1200, your machine has locked up and here comes casino staff - much quicker than that 15-minute ago drink order.

"Congratulations!", as they make the usual check for any machine malfunction or possible shenanigans on your part - to be expected, of course. The you are asked the famous question "would you like taxes taken out now, or will you be taking it out later?

What's a person to do? You're excited, nervous (unless this thing happens to you all the time like me.....lol), and have to make this decision, usually without a lot of experience in this area.

Well, I am going to try to look into what the experts say about gambling & taxes. Today we look at the question of "tax me now, or tax me later?"

A personal true story that stopped me from ever considering getting taxes taken out instantly:
I was playing Triple Play Video Poker at the Palms in Las Vegas. Playing full-pay Bonus Poker I was dealt 10-J-Q-K of spades. Triple play, if you haven't played it, is a VP game where you play three hands based on the deal of the bottom hand. Most Video Poker paytables jackpot of a Royal Flush is 4000 credits, and at the $.25 level, that's under the taxable amount of anything over $1999. Well, I was extremely luck??? - I drew an A of spades at the top hand and a Straight Flush 9 of spades draw on the bottom for a total of 5000 credits - yeah! Oh wait a minute - that's $1250!
I took the taxes immediately because I didn't know any better and was handed a little over $900. I know I should be grateful, but on that extra $ 300 I could have played single VP all day - enough for comps, and future offers. THAT WAS THE LAST TIME I TOOK TAXES OT IMMEDIATELY!

IRS Reporting
All casino winnings are subject to federal taxes however the IRS only requires the casinos to report any wins over $1,200 on slot and video poker machines or other games such as keno, lottery or hose racing. When you have a win equal to or greater than $1200, you will be issued a W-2G form. This form lists your name, address and social security number. The casinos are not required to take out withholding tax on jackpots under $5,000 as long you supply your social security number. If you don’t provide your social security number the casinos will withhold 28 percent on smaller jackpots.

You can request a specific amount of withholding tax to be taken out on any jackpot you win. Some players like to do this to avoid a big tax payment in April when the file their income tax returns. The additional withholding may not be necessary if you keep a log book. The law allows you to deduct gambling loses up to the amount of your winnings. You can only do this if you have documentation of your losses. Keeping a diary or logbook, is the way to do this.

However if you gamble at a specific casino, you should ask for a win/loss statement that the casino will provide to show the losses that offset your jackpot. Personally, I am able to gamble enough locally and once per year in Las Vegas to get whatever win/loss statements from different casinos to show my losses to offset that jackpot. (Boy, can I show the losses!)

IF you still don't trust the players club, here is where it is your friend!
If you hit a big jackpot, you'll be so happy you were a player's club member you might just dance in the streets. If you weren't, you might be out in the street. Using your player's club card will allow the casino to keep track of your wins and losses. At the end of the year you can ask for a win/loss statement and they will either email or snail (if the post office is still in business) mail you a copy. That should shrink your big jackpot's tax liability.

Tomorrow, we will get some tax tips from gaming experts. That's all for now.

Binbin

Weekend Entertainment Wednesday

This Weekend’s Casino Entertainment - Check websites for ticket information.

Happy New Year! Let's see what brewing this weekend in New England's Casinos

Mohegan Sun Resort & Casino (CT)
Wolf Den
Friday Jan. 4th 8:00 - The Man in Black: A Tribute to Johnny Cash
Saturday Jan 5th 8:00 - Classic Albums Live: Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon
The Arena
Saturday Jan 5th 8:00 - Reality Fighting: A Night of MMA Fights
Cabaret Theater
Saturday Jan 5th 9:00 - Treehouse Comedy Productions presents
RC Smith & Rich Ceisler with Special guest Joey Novick

Foxwoods Resort & Casino (CT)
Great Cedar Exhibition Hall
Now - Feb 24 – “Victory – an Exhibit of Red Sox History”; $10 - $15
Comix at Foxwoods
Saturday Jan 5th - Latino Comix First Friday; 10:30
Greg Warren - Friday - 8:00pm, Saturday - 8:00/10:30pm

Twin River Casino (RI)
Friday Jan. 4th @ Catch A Rising Star - Brian Beaudoin - 8:00 PM
Saturday Jan 5th @ Catch A Rising Star - Frank Santos, Comic Hypnotist 10:15

Hollywood Casino (ME)
The Sound Stage Lounge
Friday Jan. 4th - Stillwaters Band - 9:00PM
Saturday Jan 5th - Full Drive Band 9:00PM

Tuesday Tidbits

Random stuff concerning New England Gambling, US Gambling, and gambling in general.

• In this year’s election news, the biggest election-day casino issue was in Maryland which approved the addition of table games at its casinos, including a sixth resort that will be built near Washington D.C. As we remember in New England, table games were also approved for Rhode Island’s Twin River slot parlor, but were declined for the Newport Grand. And, a measure to escalate a casino presence in Oregon was defeated.

• Ever get "free slot play?" Ever play just the free slot play, then leave? Well, consider this.  Whatever your playing status (card tier) is - low, mid to high roller status - casino management looks at all of your play statistics - time played, denomination, bet amount, games - high or low house advantage - and time away (for example, Mohegan Sun looks at last 6 visits). If your "free slot play" only visit isn't incorporated in your usual amount of play, it may decrease your perks and your tier-status. Something to keep in mind on those days you go to eat and play your free slot play and leave, damaging your player rating!  Not that I would know, I mean, so I've heard.....

• Frank Scoblete, well known gambling author and teacher, gives the following suggestions about protecting your money in a casino - Men should never keep their wallets in their back pockets. Get a shirt with a pocket in front that buttons and keep your money in there. Some savvy craps players even keep a “dummy” wallet in their back pockets.  Women should never put your purse on the floor, or on the drink shelf that surrounds the craps table at thigh level, or between slot machines. Doing so is an invitation to long-armed thieves. Keep your purse wrapped securely around your shoulder, on your lap covered by your arm, or keep it in your hands. The bottom line is to make the thief realize that it is going to take quite an effort to dislodge you from your purse. Both sexes can protect their money by using a secure fanny pack or waist pack.

You can find more of Frank’s teachings at his site http://www.gamblingteachers.com.

• Promotion - Shop & Dine Anywhere at Mohegan Sun w/ a $25 Gift Card and $15 in Free Slot Play for $25 ($40 Value) Limit 1 per person, per Player's Club card. Voucher expires December 31, 2012. From ReferLocal. http://tinyurl.com/b76kqym

• A Doctor Poker Player - A doctor answers his phone and hears the familiar voice of a colleague on the other end of the line. "We need a fourth for poker," said the friend. "I'll be right over," whispered the doctor. As he was putting on his coat, his wife asked, "Is it serious?" "Oh yes, quite serious," said the doctor gravely. "In fact, there are three doctors there already!"

• Finally, a Casino Myth from Frank Scoblete:   Casinos are not interested in low rollers. To get comps, you have to bet big money.   If you play the machines, even for quarters, you aren’t as low a roller as you think you are. Put three quarters in a machine every five seconds and you are putting through $540 per hour. Play four hours and you just gambled $2,160 -- wow! The casinos will be more than happy to recognize such action with free or discounted rooms, meals and other special promotions. If you play table games, you might not want to be a five-dollar bettor looking for comps in a casino where they only rate $25 action. However, there are plenty of casinos that will gladly comp five-dollar players if they play long enough. The bottom line is this: Most casinos want just about all players. Find the places that give your action the most in perks as possible...and then patronize them. 

That's all for now.  A-K-Q-J-10 all diamonds.  Diamonds aren't just a girl's best friend!

Binbin

Casino News in Massachusetts

Massachusetts Round-up

The process for three / four casino sites in Massachusetts continues, although to some, at a snail's pace. The winner of a lone casino license in Western Massachusetts will be determined on merit to the company that can best deliver on its promises.  

Below is part of an article by Howard Stutz's Inside Gaming column  which appears Sundays in the Las Vegas Review Journal.  He blogs at lvrj.com/blogs/stutz. Follow @howardstutz on Twitter.

"A month ago, Penn National and MGM Resorts spent a combined $90 million and were on opposite sides of what might have been the most expensive and venomous casino expansion campaign ever seen in Maryland.  What MGM and Penn need to avoid is another Maryland, where Question 7 passed by a 52 percent to 48 percent vote. MGM Resorts, which supported the gaming expansion measure, is expected to be awarded a license to build a casino in suburban Maryland.  Penn National opposed the measure because the company believed it should be awarded the gaming license. Also, a new casino in Maryland would take customers from the company's West Virginia casino.  Did MGM cross the line?  Inundating the Springfield airwaves with millions of dollars in ads, mailing controversial documents to residents and questioning a company's financial acumen or intentions won't be tolerated.  In fact, Springfield leaders reportedly told officials from both MGM and Penn to play nice.

But for the moment, the focus is now on MGM Resorts and Penn National.

Now, they are facing off in Western Massachusetts in what is the most heavily sought after license among the state's three potential gaming regions. Western Massachusetts drew six prospects. Both MGM and Penn have made inroads in Springfield. MGM promises to refurbish a city playground near its casino site and to use the gaming facility to bring additional business to two municipal golf courses.  MGM Resorts and Penn National are focused on Springfield, which bills itself as a cultural center.  MGM Resorts is planning an $800 million casino on 10 to 15 acres at the city's south side. Penn National wants to build an $807 million casino on the city's north end.  Also on the table are separate proposals from two local developers in the town of Holyoke and a pitch by the Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut, operators of the Mohegan Sun Casino, which has a site in Palmer.

In the other areas of the state, Caesars Entertainment Corp. - in partnership with the Suffolk Downs Raceway - seemingly has a lock on the Boston-area license, although a late entry of Wynn Resorts Ltd. could muddy the waters.  And, in the southeast, the license appears headed to a Massachusetts Indian tribe, though the process could reopen if the tribe can't get it's financing in order.

Hundreds of Springfield residents are expected to pack a public meeting to hear from two companies seeking to build casinos in the western Massachusetts city.  MGM Resorts International and Penn National Gaming Inc. were scheduled to make presentations and take questions at the meeting on Tuesday night.

 Mayor Domenic Sarno is expected to decide sometime early next year whether to negotiate a host community agreement with one or both of the remaining developers."

So the Bay State battles for casinos has begun.  The expected completion is sometime around 2016.  I guess we'll have plenty of news until then.  I'll try to keep you posted we journey through.  That's all for now.

Binbin

More Mass Casino News

Let the courtships begin!

NECN says it's not quite like David & Goliath, but I do think it's close. It would be a similar situation if Boyd took on MGM for a particular important property on the strip - Boyd Gaming being very similar to Penn in it's diverse properties. One has the Vegas glitz - and the name, MGM, a Fortune 500 company with 62,000 employees. The other is from Pennsylvania, called Penn National Gaming which has opened 3 new casinos this year. Its proposal is called Hollywood Springfield, similar to the Hollywood Hotel, Casino & Raceway in Bangor, Maine. Hollywood Springfield would be a more grand scale, I would believe. A little closer look at the two proposals follows:

Penn National has 24 casinos in the United States, so it is not quite David to MGM's Goliath. Penn National and local partner Peter A. Picknelly, chairman and CEO of Peter Pan Bus Lines, propose a resort casino and hotel on 13.4 acres in the North End, which includes bus company property. Penn National said Tuesday it wants to include regionally-themed restaurants, including a sports bar involving retired quarterback Doug Flutie.

MGM Resorts International proposes a resort casino, hotel and entertainment complex on a 10-block site downtown. MGM said it would include retail shops and apartments, and take advantage of existing tourism spots in Springfield to compete with the entertainment complexes of Connecticut casinos. MGM also said its project would create thousands of new jobs.

The Request for Proposals is due Jan. 3. The city has a month to review, and it will then likely be put on a ballot. Mayor Domenic Sarno is expected to decide early next year whether to negotiate a host community agreement with one or both of the developers.

And remember, a casino isn't coming to Springfield for certain - there are other bids too in Holyoke and Palmer. The company that emerges from the Springfield competition will likely have to compete locally with Uncasville, Conn., casino company Mohegan Sun, which is seeking a resort casino in the town of Palmer.  Recently, the Mayor of Holyoke rescinded his intentions for the casino consideration.

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission will make the final decision on the western Massachusetts operating license, one of three regional licenses allowed under the state's year-old casino law.  With Ameristar pulling out in Springfield, and Holyoke seemingly not interested, the numbers are dwindling.


My crystal ball tells me the following prediction.  The three casinos will be (drum roll).....

1. Wampanoag Tribe in the Southeast area - while others are being permitted to submit bids again, the Wampanoags will get there act together and get the bid
2. Caesar's(Harrah's) in Boston area - rumor has it, it's the leader by far, even with Steve Wynn's late presence 
3. MGM in the western area - those voting will not see past MGM's reputation and money, leaving Penn National left out.  Mohegan Sun has a great spot in place that needs economic development, but I think the powers to be would prefer Springfield to Palmer - it's just "glitzier."

That's all for now. May all your flushes be royal.

Binbin

Wednesday means NE Time Weekend Entertainment

This Weekend’s Casino Entertainment - Check websites for ticket information.

Binbin

Mohegan Sun Resort & Casino (CT)

Wolf Den

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy's Wild & Swingin' Holiday Party

Friday, December 14th - 8:00pm, Saturday, December 15th - 8:00pm 

The Arena

Albano's Nutcracker - 50th Anniversary

Saturday, December 15th - 7:00pm  
Cabaret Theater

Carole Montgomery featuring Pete Costello with special guest Paul Virzi

Saturday, December 15th - 9:00pm

Foxwoods Resort & Casino (CT)

Great Cedar Exhibition Hall 

Now - Feb 24 – “Victory – an Exhibit of Red Sox History”; $10 - $15

Comix at Foxwoods

IAN EDWARDS - December 13-15 (4 Shows)

Thursday - 8:00pm, Friday - 8:00pm, Saturday - 8:00/10:30pm

MGM Grand Theater
December 14, 8:00 PM - Mannheim Steamroller

December 15, 8:00 PM - LISA LAMPANELLI

Twin River Casino (RI)

Friday, December 14th @ Catch A Rising Star - RC Smith - 8:00PM
Saturday, December 15th @ Catch A Rising Star - Frank Santos, Jr. - Comic Hypnotist - 10:15PM

Newport Grand Slots (RI)

Friday Dec 14, 2012 9:00 PM - Bruce James Comedy Hypnosis Show

Newport Grand Event Center - Newport, RI

Hollywood Casino (ME)

The Sound Stage Lounge

Friday, December 14^th -  Juke Rockets Blues Band 9:00PM

Saturday, December 15^th - Alter Igor 9:00PM

Tidbit Tuesdays in New England Gambling

Today includes random coverage of New England Casinos.  Some additional bits on Mohegan Sun since we missed "Sun" Sunday.  Here goes:

MOHEGAN SUN

Here's what I think is a hysterical promotion

SURVIVOR DAY T-SHIRT GIVEAWAY! - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22ND

Starting at 9:00am, the first 1,000 Player's Club members who visit the Summer Coat Check located in Casino of the Earth will receive a FREE "SURVIVOR DAY" T-SHIRT!

I think that only those who truly believe the world is not going to end should be in line for this shirt, because otherwise it would be rather hypocritical.

Gambling quiz question 1) What is the difference between American Roulette and European Roulette?" 

FOREVER YOUNG MONDAYS for 60 or over patrons. It's time to cut loose!

Every Monday, January 7th - February 25^th, the Sun offers promotions including Dining Specials, Friends & Family free slot play specials, Entertainment & Shopping Offers, as well as Bus Packages.  See website for details.

Answer to Question 1) - American =  zero & double zero, European = just zero

Gambling Question 2) - What is the "Dead Man's Hand?"

FOXWOODS

BRING FRIENDS TO FOXWOODS PROMOTION

Bring your Friends to sign up for a Foxwoods Rewards Card.  Once you and your Friends each earn one (1) point you’ll be rewarded with the same points up to 250.  Plus your Friends will receive a Complimentary Buffet when one (1) point is earned and a Complimentary Room Offer when they earn five (5) points.  Offer will be mailed. Offer valid on new accounts only.

Answer to Question 2) two pair - 8's and Aces.  Why?  Look it up, don't be so lazy.

 

FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH PROMOTION

SEPTEMBER 11 THRU DECEMBER 18, 2012 (Last Week?)

If you’re 60 or older, get ready to enjoy great perks, prizes and discounts.

TUESDAYS in the Food Court, adjacent to Panera Bread

MORNING COFFEE – 9am to 11am Giveaway items offered weekly during morning coffee

25% DISCOUNT at Veranda Café and Festival Buffet

FREE SMALL PLATE with a $15 purchase at California Pizza Kitchen

10% DISCOUNT at Craftsteak

HIGH ROLLERS – Buy One Game of Bowling, Get One Free 5pm to 7pm

25% OFF Services and Retail Purchases at the Norwich Spa at Foxwoods

DAILY PRIZE RAFFLE – Food Court adjacent to Panera Bread – 3pm

Prizes to include cash, BSP and gifts – There will be 10 guaranteed winners each week

Trivia - The four suits represent civilizations that have influenced our culture. Spades represent the Middle East of Biblical times, clubs represent Greece, diamonds represent the Roman Empire, and hearts represent the Holy Roman Empire.

TWIN RIVER CASINO

TRIPLE YOUR REWARDS PROMOTION

Every Sunday, Wednesday & Thursday at Fred & Steve's Steakhouse and every Tuesday at Wicked Good Bar & Grill!

All Twin River Rewards Club Members will be able to redeem their Rewards Points for TRIPLE their value.  Maximum $200 point redemption per day. Alcohol Excluded. Must be 18+.

More trivia - The bar symbol used on modern slot machines is derived from a Bell Fruit Gum logo. The gum was dispensed in slots designed by Herbert Mills in Chicago in 1910, and other fruit symbols on slots were derived from the gum flavors.

NEWPORT GRAND CASINO

12-12-12    $12,000 Giveaway

On Wednesday, December 12, 2012, from 11a.m. - 9:30 p.m. there will be a winner every 15 minutes.  Prizes will include 40 - $300 Prize Packages containing $200 Cash & $100 Free Play.

Yet, more trivia - Roly-poly was banned in England in 1745, but the horizontal wheel traveled well. By 1796, modern roulette was being played in France.

HOLLYWOOD CASINO

Test your lucky fate - 12.12.12

Don't miss out on this once in a lifetime date, come into Hollywood and test your lucky fate. 12 lucky winners will be chosen for 12 hours straight starting at 8am. Plus, 12 more winners from 10am-12pm & 2-4pm will be chosen to win an exclusive Snow Globe that could contain a free meal, hotel stay, and more! Visit Player Services for complete details.

That's all for now.  Have a royal 12-12-12.

Binbin

Maine Mondays

MAINE

 

Oxford Casino

OXFORD — Executives with the Oxford Casino say they havetaken in more than $30 million in net revenues in the six months since thefacility opened, but expansion plans remain in limbo.  General Manager and Vice President Jack Sourssaid there are no immediate plans to expand, but the casino would eventuallylike to build a hotel to attract overnight visitors and not just day-trippers.  Sours tells the Sun Journal that the casinoalso has to take into account planned expanded gambling opportunities in NewHampshire and Massachusetts.  The casinohas resulted in nearly $13 million in tax revenue to the state.

An expansion that opened in September bumped the numberof slot machines from 529 to 819. The number of table games increased from 12to 22.

Hollywood Casino

BANGOR, Maine — In spite of its new competition to thesouth and a drop in the take from slot machines, Bangor’s Hollywood Casino ispoised to surpass its revenue totals from last year, a feat managementattributes to new offerings at the facility and marketing aimed at neighbors tothe north.

The casino’s 923 slot machines are bringing in less thanthey did in previous years, with slot revenue dipping below $4 million for thefirst time since 2008. In November, the slots netted less than $3.8 million.  But Hollywood Casino has a new set ofattractions that are closing the gap, according to General Manager JohnOsborne.

“Table-game revenue has really had some traction …,”Osborne said in a phone interview. “In most months, it replaced the loss ofslot revenue.”  The table games,including blackjack, roulette, Lucky Ladies, and several poker variants, havebrought in $5.9 million since they opened in March. The addition led thefacility to change its name from Hollywood Slots to Hollywood Casino, as wellas cut about 80 slot machines from the facility to make room for 16 tablegames.

“We see table games getting stronger yet in 2013,”Osborne said, explaining that the casino is adding a craps table this month.

With its new competition from Oxford Casino just a120-mile drive down I-95, Hollywood Casino has been trying to keep up its patronageby looking to the north.  General ManagerJohn Osborne said the number of visitors coming from southern parts of thestate has “slowed down a bit” in recent years, but that more people from Canadaand northern Maine are making the trip to Bangor.  In years past, Canadian visitors accountedfor 3 percent or 4 percent of casino revenue, according to Osborne; this year,however, they are contributing more than 10 percent.

Hollywood Casino is owned by Penn National Gaming, whichoperates 29 gaming and hotel facilities across the country.

That's all for now.  Short and royally sweet.

Binbin

 

Part 2 of 2: Casinos, Jazz & Brubeck

Let's just quickly recall yesterday's rant:

1) The great Dave Brubeck, jazz pianist, inspired my jazz performance, and brought jazz to to the mainstream.

2) Performing jazz in a group is a blueprint for life & harmony.

3) The growth of Casino Gambling needs to follow that blueprint for each facilities success and the success of New England gaming.

Yes I know, this is an incredibly simple and a "Polly-Annish" answer to the future success of gambling destinations in the northeast. And, that's where we start part 2...

Downtown Vegas has seen it, after the Strip realized it - gambling is now only a part of it. "It?" you ask? - It is financial success and luring a clientele to your your property. It seems the thought is a gambling hall needs more than good gambling to be a good gambling experience. NOW, a casino must be a resort - a "destination experience." Here's what a casino needs to be successful:

• Stores - small, large, expensive, boutiques, or usual mall stores.
• At least one state-of-the-art lavish hotel with pools, wifi, spas, and amenities seen in Beverly Hills
• Restaurants - lots and lots of restaurants- ranging from fast food to four-star
• Shows - lots and lots of shows - ranging from comedy spots to arena - size entertainment
• Sporting Events - boxing, basketball, arena football, PBR, etc.
• Night Clubs (boom,boom,boom,boom) and bars
• Games, rides, and baby-sitting services

Notice that gambling wasn't mentioned. Oh, it is implied - but the quality continues to be watered down. Vegas is the perfect example, the mecca, where all gaming is compared. The following, for example, are endangered species on the Las Vegas Strip and in many gaming areas in the country:

• 3/2 payoff in blackjack (diminished to 6/5)
• Full pay Video poker pay tables
• Slot % payouts above 90% - or even 80% (the low strip % equals many other areas in the country)
• Low table minimums ($10 BJ tables are now a bargain?)
• Rewards Programs (gaming card) changing, making it harder to keep higher tier status and accumulate points.

So, after two days of ranting, I finally get to the point.

NEW ENGLAND CASINOS MUST INCLUDE BETTER GAMING IN THEIR PROPERTIES IF THEY WANT TO MAKE THIS A GAMBLING DESTINATION THAT PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY WANT TO VISIT.

And if our future & present gaming owners don't work together, New England may just turn out to be another Atlantic City, another Reno - only New England may be so saturated with so-so gaming in a small area and threatened by New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, etc...that the locals won't even stay locally!

Bottom line - New England gaming properties need to work together, offer gaming better than other areas, and still be a destination for travelers all over the country. They need to play with harmony, each having a chance to be a highlighted soloist, and at the end of the day, all happy with the product being presented to the public - like a well-played jazz quartet. (RIP, Dave Brubeck).

That's all and That's enough for now. Tomorrow we go back to highlighting our six casinos and promotions.

Binbin

Part 1 of 2: Casinos, Jazz & Brubeck - what do they have in common?

I think the gambling industry is fascinating. My intentions for this blog were simple - try to highlight our New England gambling properties and all they have to offer. With the addition of Massachusetts gaming, and may be New Hampshire, this little area of the country could offer a lot for tourists all over the U.S. – or even the world. Consider all that is New England – fall foliage, seafaring history, over 400 years of history captured from Connecticut to Maine, and much, much more! The possibilities seem endless if it all works together.

However, as I research for my daily info, I am concerned that instead of continuing to work to make New England a tourist attraction that includes a variety of gaming options, competition will work against that dream. Instead, the greed of the “almighty buck” will keep tourists away with a gaming market of over saturation, continued layoffs instead of an increased job market, small business interests brushed aside, and an atmosphere enabling tourists, gamblers, and our own NE neighbors and friends to look elsewhere for entertainment, gaming, and employment. Let’s face it, only the stoutest of us in New England stay for our weather – “if ya don’t like the weatha, just wait a minute!”

What does all this have to do with Jazz performance? Let me try to tie this together.

The jazz community lost a legend this week with the death of Dave Brubeck. I still remember hearing the album that brought jazz to the masses – “Time Out.” The minute I heard “Take 5,” the first jazz record in the United States to achieve mainstream significance and reaching #25 on the Billboard Hot 100, I knew I had to learn it. As a pianist, Mr. Brubeck was one of many pianists I followed and learned from, but the best thing I learned from all of them was that playing jazz was a metaphor for life.

Basically when a jazz musician interacts and plays with other jazz musicians (let’s say a quartet), the approach to the song is simple but so meaningful. Everyone starts together in harmony, then everyone takes their turn to say what they want to say musically (embellishing each other instead of out-doing each other), then returning together, respectfully ending as the same group in harmony. Generally, everyone is happy with what was said, how the song evolved, and how the participants respect each other’s accomplishments toward the end result. When this happens, the listener also is equally satisfied.

However, if another quartet shows up, the now “octet” must consider time of the song for the audience interest, pay is cut in half at the end of the night, and everyone’s interaction has to be more sensitive – making sure the integrity of the song is intact and the listener still enjoys the end result. If all this is taken in consideration, the end result is the same – harmony.

By now, I hope you have seen the parallel I am drawing – even if it seems incredibly oversimplified. Consider this:

• CT casinos have seen a drop in revenue due to NY racinos and slot parlors.
• RI has seen a slight increase and hopes to get its table games up and running to get a larger base customer, taking away from CT as well, before MA casinos are built
• MA is adding three, if not four, casinos within three years to take MA customers going to RI & CT
• NH wants to keep their citizens at home so they are considering legalizing gambling
• ME has two casinos, one of which is considering hotel expansion
• And lest we forget that AC is still feeling the pull of customers from PA, NY and DEL, and recently New Jersey considered legalizing statewide gambling.

CAN WE ALL PLEASE JUST GET ALONG!!!

So, as gaming in New England grows, I hope serious consideration is given to the people who live here and for all those outside New England who might be able to experience our wonderful little “nook” in this great country we live in.

In part 2, I will rant on the watering down of the gambling experience all over for the sake of the “Resort Destination Experience.”

That’s all for now. May all your flushes be royal.

Binbin