The original was the perfect storm of great writing, perfect actors and the cultural tenor of the times.

To the extent that when the original aired there were fewer competing tv shows it was able to catch more of entertainment market. Additionally, the space race was center/front in the national and world consciousness.

By the time the TNG came along the entertainment market was more competitive.

With the rise of gaming in other areas of the country (both Indian Country and commercial venues) now entertainment gaming market is diluted as well.

Your ANALOGY is very STRONG. (Shatner’s voice)

I see this as a possibility for to create and instant cliche - something which describes a lesser degree of participation than “phoning it in.”

“Sorry folks, we can’t vote because John is”:

a) ‘on the boat’
b) ‘in cogspeedo’
c) ‘covered in cocoa butter’
d) ‘at Margaritaville’

Let’s assume an annual casino revenue of $1.5 billion (close to the 2007 total). Of that, $300 million (20%) goes to taxes. Raising the tax rate to 21% would up that to $315 million out of $1.5 b, so if the casinos can increase their revenues by more than $1.25 million each month (statewide) without loss limits, they’ll be ahead.

With 13 licenses, that means each casino has to make an additional $100,000 a month (or so) to make this profitable–which I think is certainly possible.

At Lee’s Discount Liquor, for example, the FMV of a bottle of Grey Goose is about $30. At Tryst or the Bank (if you’re getting bottle service), it’s about $450.

If they don’t want to sell, there is no fair market value for the property, since it’s not on the market. Theoretically, though, a combination of incentives–including a favorable retail lease in the forthcoming retail complex–would be enough to persuade most owners of businesses that can’t be fantastically profitable.

I just find it disturbing that one group of business owners who are working rightly to maximize their profits take the moral high group against another group of business owners who are doing exactly the same thing.

For that matter, Gary Stein, over at the Trop, is doing the exact same thing, as well. He threw out several perfectly good offers for the property because he thinks that he can get more money for it–although why a state conservator doesn’t want to take a reasonable offer and get the property out of limbo is beyond me. The Trop is already in eminent domain of a type, and its conservator is still “speculating.”

It’s easy to see that you’d be an idiot to sell for their first offer in AC. Why not play the game?

You are assuming that these people would sell for fair market value, whatever that means in ac. I am assuming that they are just orny and don’t want to move their businesses elswhere. Probably both are true. Do you have any information about what these people have been offered for their properties and how do you know its not fair market value?? Maybe they just don’t want to move.

Thanks Däv!