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With the inevitable decline in poker room popularity and the closing of rooms in the near future, I can definately see this happening.

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I guess you missed my post using a quote from the same article recently, the rough answer is YES - Casinos will be forced too rethink B&M rake structures and player incentives within the next two years. The resulting effect will force some poker rooms to close of course, and others will continue to thrive regardless of the changes mandated by the higher ups. I actually agree with many of Awada's advice from the POV of management, but i think his implementation is a bit of kilter and should not apply in all situations/card rooms. Many card rooms in the Midwest have already increased rake structures, Vegas is lucky in that regard. Also although I'd like to say that NL is the culprit, in reality I think thats more a Vegas issue than it is in other markets due to the number of card room options.

On a related note, I think Vegas would be best served if MGM Mirage plans a super-card room on the scale of Commerce in City Center. Oddly consumer choice has stifled the market, a central location ala Commerce/Bike would help to power the poker economy more than it would hurt it at this stage. I know that my view on this mater would be unpopular, but in the long run I do think its better for poker than the current options we have.