World Series of Poker Event The Cause for Hollywood's Revenue Dip

General Manager of Hollywood Casino in Maryland Heights Tony Carlucci said a high-profile event at the then-Harrah's Casino was a big factor in the casino's year-over-year revenue dip, which was the steepest in the St. Louis-market last month.

A World Series of Poker event hosted by the then-Harrah's Casino in April 2011 was to blame for a big dip in year-over-year revenue figures for Hollywood Casino. That's according to Hollywood Casino General Manager Tony Carlucci, who told the St. Louis Business Journal that Harrah's April 2012 revenue was inflated because of the World Series of Poker event, which brough in a lot of business.  No other casino in the St. Louis-market saw a bigger year-over-year revenue dip than Hollywood Casino. The casino reported revenue of $19.7 million in April 2013. That's down 18 percent from April 2012, when the casino—then Harrah's Casino—the report said. Join Maryland Heights Patch for more community news or join us on Facebook and Twitter. The …

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Scott Simon

12:22 pm on Thursday, May 16, 2013

Penn National Gaming must think we're stupid. The fact is Harrah's had rewards far superior than those being offered by Hollywood.   more ›

$23 Million Spent in Hollywood Casino Recreation

Penn National Gaming has spent $23 million of $61 million in changing the brand of the Maryland Heights casino.

More than $23 million has been spent in revamping the former Harrah’s Casino into the Hollywood Casino brand, according to a St. Louis Post-Dispatch report. Penn National Gaming, which purchased the Maryland Heights casino last year, has spent the money for the “integration of casino, hotel, financial and operating systems, plus upgrades of slot machines,” according to the article. The casino was bought for $610 million. Penn National has plans to spend $61 million to revamp the casino’s brand, according to an earlier Patch article.  It's revenue is down nearly 10 percent to $20.7 million compared with February 2012.  Earlier this month, the casino opened Boogie Nights as a part of the Hollywood brand. To see other articles related to …

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Gambling Resumes at Hollywood Casino After Weekend Computer Glitch

The Maryland Heights gaming establishment had to close for about 8 hours on Saturday night into Sunday morning.

Hollywood Casino reopened its gambling floor Sunday morning after a computer glitch forced guests to leave the premises. "Due to a surveillance system issue state regulations required us to close the casino," a statement read on the casino's Facebook page. "We are working on a resolution and hope to open the Rodeo side of the casino shortly. "We apologize for any inconvenience." On Saturday gamblers had to exit the gambling floor a little past 11 p.m. The casino Facebook page said it is law for patrons to be asked to leave during a security breech. The company posted it was again open for business Sunday morning before 7 a.m. Patrons didn't appear too upset with the loss in gambling time on the Hollywood Casino Facebook page. Michael …

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Harrah's to Turn Into Hollywood Casino Nov. 2

Hollywood Casino will feature new slot machines and themes as well as a new Boogie Nights nightclub in the former Voodoo Lounge space.

Harrah's Casino will officially be rebranded as Hollywood Casino effective Nov. 2 at 9 a.m. Tony Carlucci, general manager of the new Hollywood Casino, said half of the current Harrah's Casino will be closed for a week beginning Sunday.  When it reopens Nov. 2, it will be rebranded Hollywood Casino. The rest of the casino will change theme by Nov. 6, Carlucci said. In May, Harrah's was sold to Penn National Gaming, Inc. for $610 million. The deal is expected to close Nov. 2, which will make the Maryland Heights casino the 14th Hollywood Casino and 29th gaming or racing facility for Penn National—other locations include the Argosy Alton casino, Hollywood Casinos in Joliet, IL; Baton Rouge, LA; and The M Resort Spa Casino in Las Vegas. The …

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Pattonville Looks At Ways to Cut Budget As It Awaits Outcome of Harrah's Tax Appeal

School District plans to set aside additional revenue that it will receive from Harrah's Casino's new assessed value until the State Tax Commission rules on the appeal. In the meantime, the district is making budget cuts which include closing a school.

Pattonville School District officials are working to balance the district's budget through cuts and restructuring in the wake of Harrah's anticipated tax appeal to the State Tax Commission over the value of its property.  St. Louis County Assessor Jake Zimmerman raised Harrah's value assessed valuation from $152 million to $439 million, a move that the casino appealed to a St. Louis County Tax Commission. The commission denied the appeal and the appeal to the State Tax Commission could take years to conclude.  Pattonville School District stands to receive an additional $3 to $4 million this year because of the change, but Superintendent Michael Fulton said the district will proceed as if it never received the money.  "We'll get the money …

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Hollywood Casino to Unveil New Sign

Hollywood Casino's new signage will be slightly larger than that of the existing Harrah's Casino signage.

Hollywood Casino won't officially open for several months. But casino officials are alrady busy plannign the casino's rebranding efforts. On Tuesday, St. Louis Gaming Ventures, LLC, will show the Maryland Heights Planning Commission what the casino's new sign will look like.  For the most part, it looks similar to that of the existing Harrah's Casino signage. Hollywood's will be slightly larger.  The commission meets Tuesday evening at the Maryland Heights Government Center. The meeting is open to the public. The commission must decide if Hollywood Casino should be allowed to increase the height and area size of its signage—the overall hieight of the sign would be two-feel larger and take up roughly 200 square-feet more space. All signs …

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Ex-Harrah's Employee Caught Stealing Drugs From Co-worker

The theft was caught on surveillance video, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report.

A former Harrah’s Casino worker faces criminal charges of stealing prescription drugs from a co-worker. Viacheslav B. Iouioukine, 39, of the 12500 block of Fee Fee Road in St. Louis County, was charged Aug. 7 with stealing a controlled substance in a 2010 incident. A Missouri Highway Patrol report said Iouioukine stole an Oxycontin prescription from a co-worker at Harrah’s Casino in Maryland Heights. The report said the victim left his Oxycontin prescription bottle in a backpack in an employee hallway at Harrah’s between 5:15 p.m. and 6:59 p.m. on Feb. 26, 2010. When he returned, the medication was gone. A surveillance camera showed that Iouioukine took something from the backpack at about 5:57 p.m. and went to his locker. He was arrested …

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YouTube Video of the Week: Brian Curry Serenades Harrah's Lucky Break

This week we found a video of a singer entertaining crowds at Harrah's.

Many videos from around Maryland Heights are on YouTube—and each week we're going to find the best of them. This week we've found an audition for Harrah's Casino's "Harrah's Lucky Break." In the undated video, Brian Curry sings to the crowd and several contest judges. What do you think of his singing skills? Tell us in the comments! Know of other great YouTube videos from around Maryland Heights? Shoot a link to rob.mclean@patch.com and you might see it on Maryland Heights Patch!

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Anthony Carlucci Named Harrah's General Manager

Carlucci will serve as Harrah's St. Louis' new Vice President at General Manager.

County Assessor Raises Harrah's Personal Property Value

Jake Zimmerman says casino's sale justifies the increase, STL Today reports.

St. Louis County Assessor Jake Zimmerman increased the personal property value of Harrah's Casino, STL Today reported June 26. The new value, the article indicates, is set at $439 million. That's on top of the real estate value of $63 million. The exact value of Harrah's Casino has been a debated subject. In September, Zimmerman said the casino had been undervalued at the $215 million price tag set by the St. Louis County Board of Equalization.  

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