Featured Editorials

As Atlantic City’s Borgata heads toward a milestone anniversary, President Travis Lunn sets a course for the future. By David McKee

Twenty years ago, Atlantic City got a wake-up call. It had evolved – or perhaps devolved – into a sleepy, even stagnant gambling market. Steve Wynn had fled and Donald Trump talked big but did nothing. Then came Borgata, a collaboration between Boyd Gaming and the company then known as MGM Mirage. It opened at 11:50 p.m. on July 2, 2003 with an inaugural roll of the dice on a craps table by actor Stephen Dorff. (Whatever became of him?) Nothing was ever the same. Borgata immediately leapt to the forefront of Atlantic City and grew the market. Over the years, some things have come and gone at the resort, including Boyd’s ownership share (which it invested into growth in other cities) but MGM, now MGM Resorts International, has been a constant.

Lesley Hodges joined Aruze in August 2022 as senior director of marketing, bringing in-depth understanding and extensive experience in global marketing strategies to Aruze as the company expanded international initiatives, and implemented growth strategies across its entire business.

Hodges will design, implement, monitor, and direct the company’s marketing strategies and programs. Lesley brings more than 20 years’ experience in gaming-industry marketing to Aruze and its leadership team.

Lesley, first I want to thank you for taking the time to speak with me. Please tell our readers about yourself and your role at Aruze.

Absolutely, Victor. Thanks so much for having me!  I’m the senior director of marketing for Aruze. While I’m still new to the company, I’m not new to the industry — I’ve had more than 20 years’ experience in marketing and casino gaming.

Damien Connelly recently visited Casino Barrière Menton to meet the team of people making memories in this entertainment and recreation pavilion on the French Riviera

The ‘Côte d’Azur’ creates images of endless blue skies over an azure sea, a bright yellow sun over gently sloping beaches, all with a backdrop of lush, green rolling countryside and mountains. Colours abound in the images created by the Côte d’Azur – also known as the French Riviera. It is renowned for inspiring artists like Picasso, Matisse and Renoir, as well as having architectural gems such as Villa E-1027 by Eileen Gray and Jean Badovici.

California’s Wilton Rancheria teams with Boyd Gaming to create Sky River Casino by David McKee