Chapter 187: The Las Vegas Channel Goes Live

The "Global Times" newspaper had officially launched, but Hardy was already shifting his focus. He brought Andy and Mark Keane to Las Vegas to oversee the next big venture. In the Hardy Hotel room, Hardy called Irina in for a private meeting.

"Boss, everything is going smoothly at the TV station," Irina reported. "Collin Firth is doing a great job as host. He's leading the team in recording the show now."

"That's good to hear," Hardy said, handing her two documents: a "Share Agreement" and a "Corporate Agreement."

Irina's eyes widened as she read through them. The share agreement granted her 2% ownership of the Global Times, and the corporate agreement made her the legal representative of the newspaper.

"Boss, why make me the legal representative?" Irina asked, puzzled.

Hardy explained, "U.S. law prohibits one person from owning both a newspaper and a TV station simultaneously. To avoid future complications, Andy suggested finding a separate legal person. Since legal representatives don't need to hold shares, I decided to give you 2% of the shares as a gesture of appreciation."

Irina was stunned. "This is a significant amount of money."

Hardy smiled. "Consider it an early birthday gift. Your birthday is coming up, after all."

Irina was overwhelmed, nearly fainting with disbelief.

Later, in the office, Irina met Andy and Mark Keane. She signed the documents, officially becoming a shareholder and legal representative of the Global Times.

With the paperwork out of the way, Hardy and Mark Keane went to meet Donald Sutherland, the editor-in-chief of the Las Vegas News. As the first newspaper acquisition, the Las Vegas News was now part of the Global Times.

Hardy left Mark Keane to manage the details and focused on the Las Vegas TV station with Irina and Andy. The staff was busy setting up equipment and editing footage, preparing for the station's launch.

"The station will be fully operational in about ten days," Irina estimated. "We've got enough content to fill over a hundred hours, and we can produce new programs simultaneously."

"What about the betting system?" Irina inquired.

Hardy explained, "I've set up a separate company for betting. The legal representative is Bill's manager, who doesn't own any shares. The company's profits are routed to our Los Angeles operations. We've hired 200 operators already."

Irina listened intently as Hardy outlined the process: transferring funds to the betting company's account at Wells Fargo Bank, placing bets via phone, and a 5% service fee. "This system avoids legal issues by not directly involving the Hardy Hotel."

Irina was impressed by the meticulous planning. "So, you've covered all bases."

Hardy nodded. "Exactly. The betting company handles the transactions, and we avoid legal complications by keeping the Hardy Hotel separate."

He continued, "The minimum bet is $100. If 10,000 people participate, the company will handle $1 million in bets, earning a $50,000 service fee. If 100,000 people participate, that's $10 million and a $500,000 fee."

Irina asked, "Do you think we'll reach those numbers?"

Hardy was confident. "In Los Angeles alone, underground gambling has over 100,000 participants, and New York's numbers are even higher. Nationwide, the numbers will be substantial."

He added, "The real benefit isn't just the fees; it's the exposure for the Hardy Hotel. More visitors will come to Las Vegas, increasing our casino's revenue significantly."

Later that night, Hardy and Irina joined Andy and Bill for dinner. Bill, the notorious gangster from Los Angeles, made an impression on Irina, who felt a strange sense of being one of Hardy's wives given the exclusive nature of her room in the manor.

The next day, Andy returned to Los Angeles to focus on establishing the "Hardy Group," leaving Hardy to oversee the TV station's launch.

Twenty days later, the Las Vegas TV station was ready. Hardy pressed the power button to mark the station's official launch. The screen displayed Las Vegas' iconic neon lights and vibrant casino scenes.

Collin Firth, the host, appeared on screen, introducing the channel's unique format. He began with a striptease show, then quickly transitioned to a live lottery draw, blending entertainment with promotion.

Collin Firth enthusiastically explained the betting process and demonstrated how to participate. The live lottery was engaging, featuring real winners and their heartfelt reactions.

Irina noted, "The show is very effective. We'll introduce betting company content in the next episode."

Hardy, however, had a different plan. "Let's keep it discreet on TV. The betting company should advertise through tabloids to avoid directly linking it to us. If there's an issue, the casino will be unaffected."

Irina admired Hardy's strategic approach, realizing just how cunning he was.

As the broadcast continued, Hardy watched with satisfaction. The channel's unique blend of entertainment and promotion was proving to be a hit.