The Miami, Florida based Opium Group have been in a lot of trouble. The Opium Group operate nightclubs and lounges in Miami and Las Vegas. Right now they are most famous (or infamous) for operating the Prive Nightclub and the Living Room Ultralounge in the Las Vegas Strip casino hotel, Planet Hollywood. Last year Opium Group and operators of the Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino were slapped with some pretty serious fines. The nightclub owners fell out of favor with the Nevada Gaming Condition when it was discovered and confirmed that operating practices in the Prive Nightclub were illegal. They were charged with admitting underage guests and permitting excessive drinking. Intoxicated patrons were “dumped” into Planet Hollywood’s casino floor and that was all that could be tolerated.
“All that could be tolerated,” that is a nice segue. This February Harrah’s Entertainment bought and took control of the Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino. This was a serious deal for them as it greatly expanded their customer base and gave them control of almost an entire city block on the Las Vegas Strip. Harrah’s Entertainment is in no mood to deal with the defunct nightclub owners. Opium Group filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Miami, but Harrah’s Entertainment wants them out of their new casino hotel.
According to a settlement made between the Opium group and the former owners of the Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino, the owners of the Prive Nightclub agreed to pay an upfront payment of $125,000 and five monthly payments of $50,000. This was to go straight to the fines imposed for the disorderly conduct. Harrah’s Entertainment claims that Opium Group still owes $500,000.
Now Harrah’s is simply asking the Opium Group to leave the Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino. They owe rent, fines, and a reputation that Harrah’s Entertainment is used to. The Opium Group has asked for an extension on their lease while they decide if they want to stay in the Las Vegas property.
The ordeal between the Prive Nightclub and the Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino has been saga worthy. This is just the latest chapter. Now there is a new character, Casino super-name Harrah’s Entertainment.
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