Hard Rock soon to be Virgin Las Vegas?

There’s a little matter of a background check that may keep a gaming license out of Branson’s pocket.

If the sale goes through, does it include all the memorabilia?

Quote: Ayecarumba

There’s a little matter of a background check that may keep a gaming license out of Branson’s pocket.

My, how provocative.

What dirt are you aware of with Sir Richard Branson, other than the recent "motorboating" allegation?

Quote: Ayecarumba

There’s a little matter of a background check that may keep a gaming license out of Branson’s pocket.

If the sale goes through, does it include all the memorabilia?

Doubtful, and besides, I think that it would clash with the "Virgin Hotel" branding (there's one in Chicago, and one opening soon in San Francisco near the convention center).

As for a gaming license, I wouldn't be surprised if it is reopened without a casino. It is off-strip, after all.

since Hard Rock bought the Taj Mahal in atlantic city, does that mean sir Richard will own it?

and who did he motorboat?

So it's JUST the Las Vegas property? Not all the Hard Rocks in the US?

Quote: TigerWu

So it's JUST the Las Vegas property? Not all the Hard Rocks in the US?

Based on what it says in the article, just the Vegas one.

At least, for now. Who knows what the next move will be? Are the other Hard Rock Hotels in bad shape, financially?

Quote: ThatDonGuy

...Are the other Hard Rock Hotels in bad shape, financially?

Not sure, but not surprising when the one in vegas keeps getting in lawsuits for treating counters illegally =D.

Quote: ThatDonGuy

Are the other Hard Rock Hotels in bad shape, financially?

I did walk by the one in downtown Chicago this week. It was shuttered. But it wasn't a casino, just a hotel.

There seem to be many Hard Rock casino/hotels around the world, apparently with different companies that own them. Google says the LV Hard Rock is owned by an outfit called Brookfield Asset Management.

I know the ones in Florida are owned by the Seminole Indian tribe, and they appear to be doing just fine. (As any monopoly should!)

Seems kind of foolish/wasteful to me. Isn't the Hard Rock pretty successful? Especially being off the strip and competing with the big guys.

On the other hand, he's a billionaire and I'm just another schmuck.

Maybe he figures Virgin and HRC are going for the same audience and he's more likely to succeed by replacing them, rather than competing.

However, I think the Hard Rock is much more distinctive. One of the few places that doesn't play the worst of the worst, mindless top 40 music and fake country. It's cool to see old videos by people like Prince, but they mix in some new stuff too. I could be wrong, but the music selection might be an underrated element in appealing to customers. If you really like music, there's such a big difference between listening to song after song that you hate (at Ceasar's, say) compared to a good mix, with a few songs you really like. My mom, who has pretty different taste than me, likes HRC for that reason. Yet they still bring in a pretty young crowd.

I'm not big on memorabilia personally, but I'm sure a lot of people like seeing Slipknot's underwear and Keith Richards' discarded syringes. They also have a nice little niche in boxing and MMA.

I feel like the Virgin brand of hip and cool is pretty much the same as many strip properties. Bad pop music. Pricey. Whatever is in at the moment. What would be the difference between Virgin and The SLS?