Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

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More slump at Trump; Home woes ease

Posted on October 25, 2012 by David McKee

Trump International is hawking bargain rates for the Yuletide season, including price-matching, Saks Fifth Avenue discounts, “guaranteed late check out” (translation: Please stay with us!) and more. The sheer plethora of discounts and giveaways hints at an increasing level of … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Donald Trump, Economy, Illinois, International, Marketing, Midnight Jim Gibbons, Phil Ruffin, The Strip, Tourism | 4 Comments

Zynga counterattacks; Fail, Caesar; Adelson honored

Posted on October 25, 2012 by David McKee

If the Stalin organs of the Zynga PR battery had fallen silent, it was only to reload. As predicted yesterday, Zynga is regrouping around Internet gambling as its new strategy of choice. Zynga unleashed “announced an exclusive partnership [with Bwin.party] … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Dan Lee, Donald Trump, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Transportation, Tribal | 1 Comment

He shoots, he scores!; Zynga zinged; Hill puts leg before wicket

Posted on October 24, 2012 by David McKee

Monday’s interview with Interblock global sales supremo Tom O’Brien (right) yielded some passing observations that are probably too peripheral for my upcoming Casino Life piece … but perfect for S&G. Interblock maintains field offices in Las Vegas (soon to become … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Boyd Gaming, Current, Election, Genting, IGT, International, Internet gambling, James Packer, Macau, Regulation, Singapore, Technology, TV | Comments Off on He shoots, he scores!; Zynga zinged; Hill puts leg before wicket

Slow news day, defined

Posted on October 24, 2012 by David McKee

In attempt to get some TV time, Donald Trump vowed he was going to say something to someone about somebody else today. But frankly … who cares? On a genuinely substantive note, Internet gremlins are laying siege to LVA again, … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Donald Trump, Technology | 4 Comments

Trial and error in the Far East

Posted on October 23, 2012 by David McKee

Whenever one goes to a gaming expo, one of the main lines of product on display is the robo-dealer. You know: An electronically run roulette, blackjack, baccarat, craps or sic bo “table” (more of a big workstation, in reality), presided … Continue reading →

Posted in International, Macau, Marketing, Singapore, Technology | Comments Off on Trial and error in the Far East

Boyd Gaming: Stardust memories

Posted on October 23, 2012 by David McKee

Shortly before Global Gaming Expo, I had a chance to sit down with Boyd Gaming CEO Keith Smith and query him on the company’s growth strategy, which will soon plant the Boyd flag in Kansas and Iowa. While many casino … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally Technologies, Boyd Gaming, Economy, G2E, Iowa, Kansas, Sheldon Adelson, Technology, The Strip | 5 Comments

And some fourth-graders shall lead them

Posted on October 23, 2012 by David McKee

Finally, something constructive comes out of the “Call Me Maybe” phenomenon. If the cute and inspirational Harlem Prep Hawks are any indication, our country’s future is bright indeed. As they sing, “Vote for somebody.” (Or something.) Your franchise is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Election, Entertainment | Comments Off on And some fourth-graders shall lead them

Harrah’s: “Legends” out, “Quartet” in

Posted on October 22, 2012 by David McKee

No wonder Harrah’s Las Vegas gave Legends in Concert an eviction notice a scant two days after  a major promotional event. The venerable casino landed Million Dollar Quartet, which played a critically acclaimed but very limited engagement at the Smith … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Downtown, Entertainment, Harrah's | Comments Off on Harrah’s: “Legends” out, “Quartet” in

Seen at G2E …

Posted on October 22, 2012 by David McKee

No, not Russian hookers (you have to go to Macao for those) but Interblock‘s virtual casino dealers. The Slovenian company unveiled these robo-lovelies under high-security conditions that the Las Vegas Sun likened to Marquee “on a busy weekend night” … … Continue reading →

Posted in Cosmopolitan, Entertainment, G2E, Technology | Comments Off on Seen at G2E …

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 22, 2012 by David McKee

“I’m a Republican and I’m not voting for Mitt Romney at all! You want to know why? Because of these constant phone calls!” — unidentified, irate Las Vegas Philharmonic patron, overheard speaking to a telemarketer in a Smith Center for … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Downtown, Election | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Splitsville: Harrah’s and ‘Legends’; Wanna buy used Hooters?

Posted on October 19, 2012 by David McKee

If you want to see Legends in Concert at Harrah’s Las Vegas, better get a move on: The tribute act and Harrah’s LV “have mutually agreed” to go their separate ways on Dec. 30. This doesn’t mean that Caesars Entertainment … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Atlantic City, Current, Downtown, Entertainment, Goldman Sachs, Harrah's, Hooters, Planet Hollywood, Riviera, Sheldon Adelson, Tamares Group, The Strip | 5 Comments

Pinnacle saves September in Louisiana; Echelon under wraps; The red-headed stepkids of Station, Sands and Caesars

Posted on October 18, 2012 by David McKee

Folks down in the Pelican State had better things to do than gamble last month … like clean up after Hurricane Isaac. This might account for a 5% year/year decline in casino revenues. Louisiana‘s gambling venues grossed $200 million last … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Current, Economy, Entertainment, Florida, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Wall Street | Comments Off on Pinnacle saves September in Louisiana; Echelon under wraps; The red-headed stepkids of Station, Sands and Caesars

Parlez-vous *faux pas*?

Posted on October 18, 2012 by David McKee

OK, so Cirque du Soleil‘s Zarkana is certain to be a slam-dunk at the box office and a better financial performer than its predecessor, the unlamented Viva Elvis. However, does anyone find this invitation a bit culturally off-key? English and … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Current, Entertainment, Hooters, International, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Station Casinos, The Strip | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 18, 2012 by David McKee

“It seems that if the [Las Vegas Review-Journal] is going to run a fluffy pucker piece about Ayn Rand, there should be some sort of disclaimer attached. The paper’s recent butt-kisser profile of the wacky novelist was so gushy that … Continue reading →

Posted in Current | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Just another week in Vegas

Posted on October 17, 2012 by David McKee

D’ya remember that Flava Flav restaurant venture, just off “Crack Alley,” that sounded “too crazy to be true“? Nah, me neither. It quietly went bust earlier this year. Well, now the “aging reality TV star” is in a different sort … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, California, Cretins, Current, Dining, Harrah's, Planet Hollywood, The Strip | 8 Comments

Election special 1: Oregon, Nevada, Michigan & Rhode Island

Posted on October 17, 2012 by David McKee

It’s time to wind up the S&G electoral machinery and look at casino-related ballot questions that you might be asked to weigh come November. In Arkansas, we’ve already had the piquant spectacle of a gambling ballot initiative that was struck … Continue reading →

Posted in Detroit, Economy, Election, Harry Reid, Illinois, International, Maryland, Massachusetts, Racinos, Rhode Island, Sheldon Adelson, Shuffle Master, Taxes, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Election special 1: Oregon, Nevada, Michigan & Rhode Island

Shame on you, Derek Stevens!

Posted on October 16, 2012 by David McKee

Vue Bar at The D used to be one of the stronger bargain plays Downtown. In the land of the $8 draft, Vue offered $1 pulls and a Blue Moon would set you back a whole two bucks. However, The … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Entertainment, Marketing | Comments Off on Shame on you, Derek Stevens!

Home, home on the range

Posted on October 15, 2012 by David McKee

For a couple of days I’ll be busy on the USA Today front, doing the first quarterly update of my online travel guides (Evil Dead the Musical out, Taylor Hicks in). I’ve not made any earth-shattering discoveries in my research, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Nevada disappoints but Atlantic City bombs

Posted on October 12, 2012 by David McKee

If there’s a saving grace to August’s rather glum Nevada gambling win (-3%), it’s that the month ended on a Friday, so there may be some as-yet-unreported slot revenue that will fluff the September results. (That optimism must be offset, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Colony Capital, Current, Donald Trump, Downtown, Economy, Harrah's, Laughlin, North Las Vegas, Politics, Racinos, Revel, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment | 1 Comment

When money talks, few are deaf

Posted on October 12, 2012 by David McKee

When addressing the subject of Sheldon Adelson (must we?), the extent to which he has stolen Wynn’s thunder and lightning was made manifest by a lengthy Politico.com profile. Adelson (right, ca. 1998), who can often behave like a colicky infant, … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Election, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Macau, MGM Mirage, Politics, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Tourism, TV, Wall Street | 1 Comment