Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

Bio

Somebody sent us these …

Posted on August 3, 2011 by David McKee

It is difficult to say what looks phoniest about that picture: the cryingly obvious studio background of Venelazzo; the frozen grins on the faces of the agonized-looking models; or maybe it’s the fact that you could go into any Vegas … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, California, Cretins, Current, Dining, Downtown, Entertainment, Harrah's, history, International, MGM Mirage, New York, Oscar Goodman, Sheldon Adelson, Tamares Group, The Strip, Tourism | 2 Comments

And now for a dose of perspective …

Posted on August 3, 2011 by David McKee

Here’s a sobering reminder that while much of off-Strip (i.e., non-tourist) Las Vegas may look like a Third World country right now, the problems we face are as nothing compared to those in the actual Third World.

Posted in Current, International | Comments Off on And now for a dose of perspective …

Vegas’ recovery? D.O.A.

Posted on August 2, 2011 by David McKee

In the wake of last weekend’s Grand Capitulation on the banks of Foggy Bottom (I’ll let you decide who capitulated to whom), the incipient Las Vegas recovery that was materializing in late 2011 is probably as good as dead. Even … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Donald Trump, Economy, history, International, Macau, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | 8 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 1, 2011 by David McKee

“Hey, everyone, I’ve decided that I’m not going to come to your house tonight and burn it down! Isn’t that ‘reasonable’ of me?” — Jason Linkins on the spin-doctoring of last weekend’s deficit deal.

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

Twin births

Posted on July 29, 2011 by David McKee

There’s a new dolphin — as yet unnamed — at The Mirage. It’ll probably be a while before the little pup goes on public display. In the meantime, S&G congratulates The Mirage, and hopes mother and child are resting comfortably. … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Current, Downtown, Entertainment, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Tamares Group, The Strip, Tourism | 1 Comment

Gorging at the trough

Posted on July 29, 2011 by David McKee

How do you turn a $100 million savings into a $92 million one? Leave it to Caesars Entertainment CEO Gary Loveman, that’s how. If you’ve noticed that the food quality at The Rio‘s Carnival World Buffet has declined (the “New … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Current, Dining, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Sports, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | 2 Comments

No respect for CityCenter

Posted on July 28, 2011 by David McKee

CityCenter‘s public art collection (now with 100% fewer explanatory plaques!) and its “pocket park” get the spoof treatment from artist Justin Favela, as shown in this DIY video report by the Wall Street Journal‘s Alexandra Berzon, who dryly narrates.

Posted in CityCenter, Current, Downtown, Entertainment, MGM Mirage, The Strip, Tourism | 2 Comments

For sale: One casino, slightly used; Golden showers in LV

Posted on July 26, 2011 by David McKee

Pity MGM Resorts International. It owns half of the top-grossing casino in Atlantic City and can’t give it away. Yup, as many feared, investor Leonard Green has slinked off into the tall grass, leaving MGM with 50% of Borgata it … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Cordish Co., Current, Entertainment, Environment, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Penn National, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street, Warner Gaming | 2 Comments

Whine and cheese

Posted on July 25, 2011 by David McKee

Steve Wynn‘s desperate cry for attention got him back onto cable news … if perhaps not with the degree of sympathy for which he hoped. I saw this segment yesterday while on the treadmill and thought I’d pass it along … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Steve Wynn, Taxes, TV, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Wanna get away from it all? Try Rampart!

Posted on July 22, 2011 by David McKee

Just how dead is Rampart Casino, formerly known as — among other things — The Resort at Summerlin, the big-budget folly that finished Swiss Casinos‘ attempt to become a major Vegas player? Well, when Chicago commodities broker-turned-fugitive Arthur Jones wanted … Continue reading →

Posted in Cannery Casino Resorts, CityCenter, Current, Illinois, MGM Mirage, The Mob, The Strip | 1 Comment

Bingo returns to the Strip

Posted on July 22, 2011 by David McKee

Although it was my (much younger) wife who got me into playing bingo, let’s face it: Bingo is the archetypal — some would say stereotypical — game of the AARP set. In its latest move to attract a value-oriented, nostalgic … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Current, Entertainment, Marketing, Riviera, The Strip | Comments Off on Bingo returns to the Strip

Quote of the Day

Posted on July 22, 2011 by David McKee

“Steve Wynn‘s hatred of the president is just an old man getting back at his ex-wife.” — former (?) Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada Communications Director Launce Rake.

Posted in Current, Economy, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 1 Comment

Lost: Steve Wynn’s marbles

Posted on July 21, 2011 by David McKee

Oh Christ, Steve Wynn, grow up already. Busy Wall Street analysts were held hostage to a 433-word talk-radio tirade while they were probably itching to write up quarterly earnings reports. When other CEOs might have been bragging on an “amazing … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Boyd Gaming, California, Carl Icahn, CityCenter, Economy, Florida, Fontainebleau, Harrah's, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Massachusetts, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Texas, The Strip, Tourism | 5 Comments

Blast from the (recent) past

Posted on July 20, 2011 by David McKee

Lookee here what I found while rummaging through the body count of Carolyn Goodman‘s nascent political career: It’s everybody’s favorite ‘WTF?’ mayoral candidate Victor Chaltiel and family. The Sheldon Adelson protegé’s concern for the city of Las Vegas always seemed … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Election, Marketing, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off on Blast from the (recent) past

Quote of the Day

Posted on July 20, 2011 by David McKee

“The hotel industry in Nevada, when it was the Lone Ranger, which it no longer is, it’s all over the world—it was selling, ‘Come here for excitement, for great entertainment, for great food, for great shopping.’ Anything to sell tourism—that … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Economy, Election, Oscar Goodman, Tourism | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Dog Days, explained

Posted on July 19, 2011 by David McKee

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy As reported yesterday, July-September room rates for the Las Vegas Strip are looking soft (which is bound to degrade off-Strip ADRs, obviously). One possible explanation was, indirectly, floated … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Cosmopolitan, Economy, The Strip | Comments Off on Dog Days, explained

Quote of the Day

Posted on July 19, 2011 by David McKee

“I think we’re going to have a very difficult ’08 in our business.” — the late J. Terrence Lanni, foreseeing in late 2007 that to which other CEOs in his industry — most notoriously Gary Loveman and Frank Fertitta III … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Harrah's, history, MGM Mirage, Station Casinos | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Dog Days

Posted on July 18, 2011 by David McKee

Heading into August, hotel rates along the Strip appear to be in the doldrums, judging by figures published today by J.P. Morgan analysts. Weekday rates continue to recover, typified by Caesars Entertainment properties, and weekend ones continue to decline. So … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, Current, Economy, Encore, Environment, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Movies, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Harry Truman, come back!

Posted on July 18, 2011 by David McKee

According to this graph, which I have shamelessly borrowed from Paul Krugman (who obtained his data from the Federal Reserve), the best years for income growth were those immediately following World War II. Those were the days that brought us … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, history | 1 Comment

J. Terrence Lanni, 1943-2011

Posted on July 15, 2011 by David McKee

Just minutes ago, Las Vegas Sun reporter Rick Velotta posted the news that we’d been dreading for several years now. Former MGM Mirage CEO J. Terrence Lanni has died, presumably for the cancer from which he was revealed to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Charity, Current, Detroit, G2E, Harrah's, history, Macau, MGM Mirage, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 5 Comments