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LAS VEGAS-Aztar Corp., the Phoenix-based owner of the Tropicanahere, posted a $66.1-million net loss for the second three monthsof the year. The company would have posted a $12-million profitwere it not for $78-million in kill fees it had to pay Pinnacle inorder to sever its merger agreement in favor of a higher offer fromWinmar Tahoe Corp. (dba Columbia Entertainment), a subsidiary ofKentucky-based Columbia Sussex Corp. While Columbia covered thecost of killing the deal with Pinnacle, the money must be reportedas a liability.

Second-quarter 2006 revenue was $221.9 million, compared with$221.4 million in the comparable 2005 quarter. Revenue at its localTropicana property, $39.6 million, was off 5% from the prior year.A company executive told investors on a conference call Wednesdayafternoon that the drop was due primarily to uncertainty regardingthe possible redevelopment of the property. Aztar for a timestopped taking room reservations beyond April 20 because ofPinnacle's interest in redeveloping the property.