Author Archives: David McKee

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St. Regis … still stumped; Quid pro Qua

Posted on June 28, 2011 by David McKee

Last autumn, Las Vegas Sands COO Michael Leven floated the idea of capping its St. Regis failsino at its current five-story height, admitting that the skeleton was an “eyesore” along the Strip. The “Stump Regis” was the subject of a … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, California, Current, Entertainment, Harrah's, Indiana, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism | 1 Comment

Lies, damned lies and smoking

Posted on June 28, 2011 by David McKee

Although Illinois‘ casino industry has fallen and can’t get up, the state’s smoking ban has nothing to do with it. Nada! That’s the contention of a study out of Washington University (my brother’s alma mater), which says that players “never … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Environment, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, Tribal | 3 Comments

Ask Anthony!

Posted on June 28, 2011 by David McKee

Scarcely had I flayed the Las Vegas Sun‘s Anthony Marnell III interview in S&G than I was most graciously contacted by M Resort, offering the chance to ask the questions the Sun didn’t. More to the point, this is your … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Economy, M Resort, Penn National, Technology | 4 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 28, 2011 by David McKee

“I don’t know how I could have been so wrong. How could I think the market would be so small?” — HSBC regional gaming analyst Sean Monaghan, on the 18-22% ROI achieved by Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa. … Continue reading →

Posted in Genting, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Three inflatable objects …

Posted on June 27, 2011 by David McKee

… at the Flamingo Las Vegas pool area, last Saturday. One is a beach ball and the other two belong to Absinthe headliner Angel Porrino. Thank you, Caesars Entertainment, for giving me nightmares. My wife thinks the bikini top is … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Entertainment, Harrah's, Louisiana, Mississippi, Technology, Texas, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation | 3 Comments

A Tale of Two Resorts

Posted on June 27, 2011 by David McKee

As everyone knows, both Palms Casino Resort and M Resort recently changed hands, the former going to a pair of hedge funds and the latter to Penn National Gaming. Penn broke with industry tradition by keeping property CEO Anthony Marnell … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, George Maloof, Hard Rock Hotel, Harrah's, Laughlin, M Resort, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Morgans Hotel Group, Penn National, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Steve Wynn, Taxes | 13 Comments

Megaresort opening, Deadwood-style

Posted on June 27, 2011 by David McKee

I’m afraid to ask what a “slime plant” does … but Deadwood Mountain Grand‘s repurposing of one into an event center suggests an intriguing new future for America’s relics from its industrial age. Meanwhile, just over the border in Iowa … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Current, Iowa, TV | Comments Off on Megaresort opening, Deadwood-style

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 27, 2011 by David McKee

“As an economy based almost solely on tourism and entertainment, Nevada — and especially Las Vegas — should accept reality, embrace the inevitable, repeal the state’s ban on gay marriage, and scarf up on the tourism bonanza that would result … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Hawaii, New York, Regulation, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Down Memory Lane

Posted on June 24, 2011 by David McKee

Thanks to reader Greg Askins for passing along this link to a witty BBC Four documentary, The Joy of Easy Listening. In this segment, the faux-mariachi sounds of Herb Alpert pave the highway to Las Vegas, where Sixties headliner Engelbert … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, history, Movies, Riviera, The Strip, TV | 1 Comment

Illinois: Optimism or suicide?

Posted on June 24, 2011 by David McKee

It doesn’t matter to state Rep. Lou Lang (D, right) that Illinois‘ casino revenues are puny compared to those of neighboring Indiana or that St. Louis-area players are defecting in droves. He wants racinos and more casinos, by golly, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Current, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, Internet gambling, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Missouri, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Texas, Tribal | 2 Comments

The dweeb who sued LVA

Posted on June 24, 2011 by David McKee

What kind of snide, arrogant prick has the nerve to sue Las Vegas Advisor for citing its own intellectual property? Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Mr. Steve Gibson … … who gets a well-deserved beatdown at the hands of … Continue reading →

Posted in TV | Comments Off on The dweeb who sued LVA

Genting’s amphibious strategy

Posted on June 24, 2011 by David McKee

There may not be Vegas-style casinos in Florida yet (at least not non-tribal ones) but Genting Bhd is taking a gamble of its own. While Sheldon Adelson talks about putting $3 billion into the Miami area, Genting is already doing … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Florida, Genting, Harrah's, International, Macau, MGM Mirage, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 23, 2011 by David McKee

“The false dichotomy of liberty versus security is accompanied by another myth: that someone else’s rights are always the ones at risk, that I can give up their rights for my safety. It seems a comfortable bargain. The terrorist is … Continue reading →

Posted in Current | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Isle sheds a spare part; Bluhm rebounds

Posted on June 20, 2011 by David McKee

Not long ago, S&G was musing aloud at the oddity of Isle of Capri Casinos running two riverboats on Lake Charles, one of which grossed only $1 million or so a month. That seemed rather an extravagance. Somebody at Isle … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Dan Lee, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Mississippi, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal | 1 Comment

Coming (not so) soon: Wynn Singapore?!?!

Posted on June 20, 2011 by David McKee

Steve Wynn‘s next big project won’t be in Japan … or Philadelphia … or Boston. According to the tycoon, his “next goal in life” will be to open a Singapore megaresort. Yeah, the same Singapore out of which Wynn bailed … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, California, Genting, George Maloof, Harrah's, International, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, North Las Vegas, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Tourism, Transportation | 1 Comment

This is interesting …

Posted on June 20, 2011 by David McKee

A congressional candidate from Nevada has launched his campaign with this Red Scare-style (and somewhat jingoistic) blast at the nation upon whom some of the state’s largest employers — Las Vegas Sands, Wynn Resorts and MGM Resorts International — depend … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Election, Harrah's, International, Macau, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Michael Gaughan, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on This is interesting …

Raw deal

Posted on June 18, 2011 by David McKee

In the end two, casino operators bent over, grabbed their ankles and took it hard from Gov. John Kasich (R), who can claim a near-unqualified victory — and in blistering time. With money and pilings already sunk into Ohio, neither … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally Technologies, Boyd Gaming, Current, Election, Harrah's, Horseracing, IGT, Indiana, Isle of Capri, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Regulation, Taxes, Wall Street, WMS Industries | 3 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 17, 2011 by David McKee

“I dunno if Jesus can save Harrahs, but I don’t like his chances to save Full Tilt Poker.” — S&G reader Vincent Oliver, in a Tweet referencing both Pokergeddon and Harrah’s Tunica‘s sudden popularity with Christian evangelicals.

Posted in Harrah's, Internet gambling, Mississippi, Pokergeddon | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Birthdays today

Posted on June 16, 2011 by David McKee

Just a quick note to offer “Happy Birthday” greetings to two friends of S&G. One is my nephew, Andrew Maloney, who turns 11 today. It seems like just yesterday he upstaged my 40th birthday by taking his first unaided steps … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Isle of Capri | Comments Off on Birthdays today

Shopping spree: Boyd, Melco, Sands; Trouble in Adelsonia

Posted on June 16, 2011 by David McKee

For those of you waiting for Boyd Gaming to do something with all its undrawn credit, the moment has arrived. Having surveyed the chips on the board, Boyd has pounced upon … IP Casino Resort Spa (née Imperial Palace Biloxi) … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Cretins, Current, Economy, Florida, Harrah's, history, International, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Shopping spree: Boyd, Melco, Sands; Trouble in Adelsonia