The division's chief source of concern was the presence of John Gaughan as a company director. Gaughan had admitted taking part in his family's illegal gambling operations as a teenager and also had held a three percent ownership in the Flamingo in Las Vegas during the mids, when that casino's profit-skimming activity was exposed. It was not all smooth sailing for the company, however.
To attract customers, the Atlantic City Showboat had begun to compete with the other casinos by booking top-name entertainment, extending credit, and giving away rooms and other perks to lure in the high-roller crowd. But the company's margins were thinning, dragging Showboat into the red, while the debt taken on to build the Atlantic City complex helped sink the company's stock.
In , Joe Kelly retired from the company and was replaced as chairman by Houssels. Showboat refocused and returned to its roots: the local and low-roller crowd.
The company stopped booking big-name entertainment and eliminated credit, while heightening the emphasis on slot machine revenues. The turnaround was swift. Meanwhile, Showboat began looking to expand its gaming empire beyond the Vegas and Atlantic City markets. By the end of , Showboat had increased its participation in the Star Casino to 50 percent. The casino's revenues were disappointing, however, and the floating casino complex ran afoul of state gambling legislation that required gambling boats to cruise while conducting gaming operations.
The Star Casino had ceased cruising after striking an obstruction in the waterway during the first month of operation. In late , however, the state district attorney raised the threat of an indictment against the Star for violating the state's cruising requirement.
Rather than face the possibility of an indictment, which would have led to a misdemeanor charge, Showboat sold the riverboat to Players International in January Indeed, Showboat was eager to avoid the taint of an indictment, even on a technicality, because it was already planning a far more ambitious move. Apart from its ownership interest, Showboat also took on management of the hotel casino. But revenues proved disappointing, in part because the Australian and Pacific Rim customers favored gaming tables over slot machines.
In early , Showboat agreed to sell its controlling interest in the casino complex to PBL. Showboat once again focused on the domestic market. The Las Vegas Showboat underwent a new expansion in , designed to help it compete against a number of new casino hotel complexes bent on attracting that Showboat's core local customer base. With J. Kell Houssels III taking over as president and CEO of the company in , Showboat continued to chart its small but steady course in the gaming waters.
Back to more Lost Treasures from Las Vegas. All rights reserved. No portion of this document may be reproduced, copied or revised without written permission of the author. Home About Contact. CPR certified, and how to handle to handle certain problems with the patrons. Cons Nothing con at this time. Yes There are 1 helpful reviews 1 No. Loved working at Showboat. It was my job after college and I able to get multiple promotions throughout my years there.
The hospitality industry is were I felt most comfortable. Leave a review. Help people like you. Ok good getting alone with guest in everybody in come do my job a easy learner pick of on things quick in I take my job seriously in a person you can count on.
Relaxed place to work. I would probably still be working there had they not closed. It had a laid back atmosphere. I'm not sure why they closed because there seemed to be plenty of business.
Pros Relaxed. Cons Closed for business. Showboat is currently closed and I left there because I was going to go back to college but the people were nice and it had a upbeat atmosphere. Too bad it is closed also. If that job would have never shut down i would have never moved to new york so you take the great with the bad. Pros free lunch. Cons the shutting down the casino. It was simply Awsome working with a talented Team! It has been an unforgettable experience!
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