(Bloomberg) - MGM Mirage has hired investment bank Morgan Stanley to evaluate bids for regional casinos in Michigan and Mississippi, a person close to the gaming company said. Potential buyers have expressed interest in combinations of the assets, said the person, who declined to be named yesterday because the discussions are private.

Buyers’ initial response to the 2009 International Gaming Expo, incorporating ICE and ICEi, has been highly encouraging, according to organisers Clarion Gaming, who have released the first wave of pre-registration data. An analysis of the figures reveals a 34.1 per cent increase in pre-registrations for free entry badges, compared with the same stage last year (11 weeks out).

With its buyout deal with Hedwigs a bust, Hooters Casino Hotel's owner hopes that it won't be too hard to find a buyer who appreciates the company's ample assets. Investment company 155 East Tropicana, said Monday that it was terminating its agreement to sell Hooters Casino Hotel to Hedwigs Las Vegas Top Tier for USD 98.0 million after the buyer failed to make a required USD 500,000 payment by June 6.

Las Vegas (Reuters) - New owners of Trump Entertainment Resorts Inc. could help Atlantic City, the New Jersey casino town, if they upgrade the properties and generate more business for the area, the head of luxury mall owner Taubman Centers said on Monday. Taubman Centers has a shopping mall close to the Trump Plaza casino in the seaside resort town.

Trump Entertainment Resorts Inc., the casino company controlled by Donald J. Trump, has received preliminary offers from possible buyers. Company spokesman Tom Hickey confirmed tonight that the strategic committee created by the company's board of directors had offers, but declined to give details as to who or how much. "Yes, it's true. We have gotten preliminary offers," Hickey said.