Gaming briefs for Jan. 29, 2004

Thursday, Jan. 29, 2004 | 11:37 a.m.

Union increases pressure

The Culinary Workers Union Local 226 today said it stepped up its effort to organize workers at the bankrupt Aladdin hotel-casino on the Las Vegas Strip.

The union said it "alerted the entertainment industry on both coasts about the escalating labor dispute at the Aladdin Resort & Casino, soon-to-be Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino Las Vegas."

"Planet Follywood Reporter" newsletters were mailed to more than 10,000 TV producers, studio and network executives, production companies, studios and networks around the country, the union said. The union also is promoting its anti-Aladdin website www.PlanetFollywoodWatch.org

The Culinary is pressuring the Aladdin and its buyer, a group led by hotel giant Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide and Planet Hollywood founder Robert Earl, to recognize the union as the bargaining agent for many Aladdin workers. The current Aladdin management isn't cooperating with the union.

Tyri Squyres, an Aladdin spokeswoman, said it's ironic that the union is attacking the hotel and its prospective buyers, when leaders of the Planet Hollywood/Starwood partnership buying the property have made efforts to reassure workers that their jobs are secure. She said that in July, the buyers placed a two-page advertisement in local newspapers in English and Spanish stating their appreciation for the Aladdin's workers.

Legislators reject lottery plan

SACRAMENTO -- The state Senate rejected a bill Wednesday proposing to increase California lottery payouts to attract new players and theoretically bring more money to the state's schools.

The bill, aiming to follow states such as New York and Florida that boosted sales with bigger winnings, died in a 19-13 vote.

Opponents maintained Californians have enough gambling opportunities with a state lottery, more than 60 Indian casinos and a November initiative to bring slot machines to racetracks and card clubs. The bill would also have cut schools' actual percentage of lottery revenue from 34 percent to 26 percent.

But backers, including the State Lottery Commission, lottery-related corporations, grocers and convenience stores, maintained that a smaller share of a bigger pie would still win schools more money than they now receive. Supporters said California has significant ability to grow its lottery revenue because it lags behind other states in per capita lottery participation.