Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

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Quote of the Day

Posted on October 18, 2011 by David McKee

“You can’t fight the tape.” — MGM Resorts International CEO James Murren, on the futility of reasoning with the stock market, at Global Gaming Expo last week.

Posted in G2E, MGM Mirage, Wall Street | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Florida: Bend over & grab; Slots on the loose in A.C.

Posted on October 17, 2011 by David McKee

Background investigations in Nevada — at least before the budgetary axe starting falling on the Nevada Gaming Control Board — were said to be an indescribably unpleasant experience. As award-winning local columnist Michael Green once pointed out, when Gary Loveman … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Atlantic City, Entertainment, Florida, Genting, Harrah's, Marketing, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Florida: Bend over & grab; Slots on the loose in A.C.

Pat Quinn finally gets it

Posted on October 17, 2011 by David McKee

After four months of vacillation, Gov. Pat Quinn (D-IL) has gotten off the fence and announced his opposition to multiple racinos within Illinois (and to slot routes at airports). Noting that the state already subsidizes the sport of kings, he … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Current, Horseracing, Illinois, New York, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sports | Comments Off on Pat Quinn finally gets it

NIMBY time in Maine

Posted on October 17, 2011 by David McKee

Having gotten the nod from Maine legislators, a third casino could soon be heading the state’s way. Appropriately enough, it will appear on the ballot as Question Three. Opponent Jim Handy has his shorts in a wad over the location … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Current, Economy, Election, Maine, Massachusetts, Penn National, Politics, Racinos | Comments Off on NIMBY time in Maine

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 17, 2011 by David McKee

“The free market will work over an extended period of time. The question is how long do you let the pain and suffering go on?” — local economist John Restrepo, on the continued failure to address Las Vegas‘ greatest economic … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

The King of Palm Beach

Posted on October 14, 2011 by David McKee

Florida‘s seven struggling, casino-enabled parimutuels could become eight, with the entry of a new player … While the courts have now made it possible for Don King to make an end-run around Palm Beach County voters, if necessary, by taking … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Florida, G2E, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Politics, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tribal | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 13, 2011 by David McKee

“You can’t legislate everything in life. People [from Massachusetts] are gaming in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Las Vegas and Atlantic City.” — state Rep. Paul K. Frost (R-Auburn), speaking in support of Massachusetts’ nascent casino industry.

Posted in Atlantic City, Current, Economy, Massachusetts, Politics, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Breakthrough in Massachusetts

Posted on October 13, 2011 by David McKee

This just in … the Massachusetts state Senate voted 24-14 to send casino legalization on to a conference committee, where the House’s version — passed with a crushing majority — already reposes. Differences between the two versions, obviously, will have … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally Technologies, Current, Economy, Florida, Genting, Harrah's, Horseracing, IGT, Internet gambling, Movies, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, Sports, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Tribal, Wall Street, WMS Industries | Comments Off on Breakthrough in Massachusetts

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 13, 2011 by David McKee

“You know, we don’t need a lot more anthropologists in the state. It’s a great degree if people want to get it, but we don’t need them here.” — Florida Gov. Rick Scott, whose daughter was — you guessed it — … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Florida, history | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

More Trop troubles; Adelson’s wins & losses

Posted on October 12, 2011 by David McKee

Update: The Trop has been hit with yet another defection — and it’s a biggie. A bit shy of two years into his tenure as president of the Tropicana Las Vegas, veteran executive Tom McCartney has given his notice. While … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Culinary Union, Harrah's, history, International, Isle of Capri, Macau, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | Comments Off on More Trop troubles; Adelson’s wins & losses

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 7, 2011 by David McKee

“Tourists come here and think Vegas is fantasy land; they don’t think of us as a working-class city, but we are. They just think we’re here to clean up their vomit after they leave.” — Sannette Gutierrez to a reporter … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, The Strip, Tourism | 4 Comments

Monopoly over Miami

Posted on October 4, 2011 by David McKee

A recent visitor to Las Vegas from the Pacific Rim told me that Sheldon Adelson has worn out his welcome in Macao (which is on pace to eclipse all other gaming markets combined) and is fast doing so in Singapore. … Continue reading →

Posted in Archon Corp., Current, Economy, Florida, Genting, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Laughlin, Macau, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Wall Street | Comments Off on Monopoly over Miami

G2E’s main man speaks

Posted on October 4, 2011 by David McKee

No Global Gaming Expo would be complete without the American Gaming Association‘s prexy making a pilgrimage to Jon Ralston‘s TV studio. So, whilst Yr. Humble Blogger digests a whole mess o’ analyst reports, enjoy the soothing sounds of Frank J. … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, G2E, Politics, TV | Comments Off on G2E’s main man speaks

Station’s next sorta-big thing

Posted on October 4, 2011 by David McKee

Last night, Station Casinos brass met with residents of Richfield Village, regarding the former’s proposed water park, at the nexus of I-15 and Desert Inn Road. Richfielders were told that Station wants to change the zoning on the parcel from … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Entertainment, Station Casinos | Comments Off on Station’s next sorta-big thing

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 4, 2011 by David McKee

“Ferries don’t come to Macao during a typhoon but they don’t leave either.” — Deutsche Bank gaming analyst Carlo Santarelli, endeavoring to calm investor fears of “a broader slowdown in China” — anxieties that have driven MGM Resorts International, Las … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

As the foreclosure turns …

Posted on October 3, 2011 by David McKee

Although its cash flow improved 47% this year to date, Hooters Casino Hotel continues to dribble red ink — losses incurred, in part, by its ongoing bankruptcy soap opera. And although it has close to $10 million in the till, … Continue reading →

Posted in Colony Capital, Goldman Sachs, IGT, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on As the foreclosure turns …

Welcome to G2E

Posted on October 3, 2011 by David McKee

Gaming’s biggest show starts today, so S&G would like to welcome conventioneers with this public service announcement from ABBA and vidder frapistat.

Posted in ABBA, Current, G2E, The Strip | Comments Off on Welcome to G2E

Siegfried & Roy’s House of Horrors

Posted on October 3, 2011 by David McKee

Today is the eighth anniversary of that fateful night when a tiger named Montecore went postal on illusionist Roy Uwe Ludwig Horn, dropping a permanent curtain to the performing entity known as Siegfried & Roy™. Unwitting premonitions of Horn’s career-ending … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Entertainment, history, MGM Mirage, Movies, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 3, 2011 by David McKee

“What is this ‘Million Dollar Piano’? It’s your basic Yamaha grand fancified with 68 LED screens that run the horizontal length of the piano and display images and patterns to compliment the digital screen behind [Elton] John and band. He’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Entertainment, Harrah's, The Strip | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Shakedown at G2E; Riviera quits Colorado, Trump quits humanity

Posted on September 30, 2011 by David McKee

Our beloved casino industry runneth over with individuals, companies and even sovereign nations that have a vested interest in the legalization of Internet poker … and more. Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX, left) knows this, which is why he’s coming to … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colorado, Current, Dennis Gomes, Donald Trump, Economy, Election, G2E, Internet gambling, Marketing, Politics, Regulation, Reno, Riviera, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip | Comments Off on Shakedown at G2E; Riviera quits Colorado, Trump quits humanity