Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

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Quote of the Day

Posted on June 16, 2011 by David McKee

“Recent events call for a special sticker on the July cover. Look for it on newsstands.” — Hugh Hefner (no introduction needed), on the epic fail of his engagement to three-generations-younger Crystal Harris. That July Playboy cover’s going to enter … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Entertainment, MGM Mirage, The Strip | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Where would Jesus play? Harrah’s!

Posted on June 14, 2011 by David McKee

In one of the most surprising press releases I have ever received, the 2011 Believe Crusade is coming to Harrah’s Tunica. Or rather, to “Harrah’s Mid-South Convention Center,” as the promotional materials euphemistically term it. Featuring every C-list African American … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Harrah's, Macau, Marketing, Mississippi, Regulation, Reno, Tourism | 3 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 14, 2011 by David McKee

“When a buffoon such as Donald Trump can flirt with running for president, and receive chin-stroking coverage, you know something’s gone wrong. Trump must have thought it was hilarious. And he didn’t have to spend a penny for all that … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Election, Marketing, TV | 6 Comments

Kasich wins, Caesars caves

Posted on June 13, 2011 by David McKee

Why is this man smiling? Because Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert and partner Caesars Entertainment just displayed all the backbone of a wet noodle, conceding to unspecified annual fee payments, so that they can get on with their Cleveland and … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, Current, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, history, Iowa, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Penn National, Planet Hollywood, The Strip, Tourism | 3 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 12, 2011 by David McKee

“Meanwhile, it is impossible to convince the media to cover the United States $14 trillion budget or that the United States is footing the bill for 75 percent of all military operations in Libya. The fourth estate has become TMZ … Continue reading →

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

They’ve seen the future …

Posted on June 10, 2011 by David McKee

… and it’s Singapore. That’s good news if you’re Sheldon Adelson, less auspicious if you’ve got a weak track record as a developer (coughCaesars Entertainmentcough). And if Chad Mollman‘s correct, does this mean Steve Wynn has soured on his proposed … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Election, Harrah's, Harry Reid, International, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, New York, Pokergeddon, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Texas, Tourism, Tribal | 1 Comment

Frosty spring on the Boardwalk; Tortoises vs. hares in Pennsylvania

Posted on June 10, 2011 by David McKee

Dennis Gomes‘ comeback trail at Resorts Atlantic City (left) finally hit a wall in May. The recovering casino was 4% off last year’s pace, although that’s above-average performance in market that took another thwack last month, down 9%. The feeble … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Current, Dennis Gomes, Donald Trump, Economy, George Maloof, Harrah's, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Racinos, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Frosty spring on the Boardwalk; Tortoises vs. hares in Pennsylvania

Those evil casinos; Lost in Yonkers; Found in Bethlehem

Posted on June 10, 2011 by David McKee

Floating down the river of DeNile, Sharron Angle says a senatorial seat that was rightfully hers was filched by “the casinos,” among other malefactors. Of course, this is the same woman who would have subtracted CityCenter from the local tax … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, CityCenter, Current, Election, Maine, New York, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 10, 2011 by David McKee

“[Nevada Gaming Control Board analyst Michael] Lawton said the taxes were up despite revenue being down because of credit play and collections from prior months. Lawton said that when players lose money gambling on casino credit, casinos tally the monthly … Continue reading →

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

F-blew, Sahara solved

Posted on June 9, 2011 by David McKee

Hey, Carl Icahn and Sam Nazarian! Got an old casino — or maybe a new failsino — that needs demolition? Why settle for the few seconds’ thrill of an implosion? Bring Robosaurus to town, set up some bleachers, charge admission … Continue reading →

Posted in Carl Icahn, CityCenter, Cloverfield monster, Entertainment, Florida, Fontainebleau, MGM Mirage, Movies, Sahara, The Strip | 2 Comments

We like Paul LePage; Little Red Sheldonhood

Posted on June 9, 2011 by David McKee

Although Maine‘s governor says he’ll veto bills to authorize a pair of racinos and a Lewiston casino, that’s not why S&G gives him the thumbs-up. No, it’s because he’s thwarting legislators from playing favorites. Lawmakers are trying to do an … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, International, Macau, Maine, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | Comments Off on We like Paul LePage; Little Red Sheldonhood

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 9, 2011 by David McKee

“Higher education budget blows” — actual onscreen graphic during the 8:25 a.m. news update on KSNV-TV. Station owner Jim Rogers is a former chancellor of Nevada‘s higher-ed system.

Posted in TV | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

The Strip in April: Down and yet up; Gettysburg: The south loses again

Posted on June 9, 2011 by David McKee

According to the Nevada Gaming Control Board, casino revenue in the state was down 2% in April … except that it wasn’t. Since the month ended on a Saturday, slot revenue from the last two days of April got slopped … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, California, Current, Economy, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, International, Isle of Capri, Lake Tahoe, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Wall Street | Comments Off on The Strip in April: Down and yet up; Gettysburg: The south loses again

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 8, 2011 by David McKee

“It’s our job to take people and companies that are unsuitable and make them suitable.” — unnamed Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board administrator, explaining why his bureau has helped cover up drug-dealing and other criminal activity in order to help Keystone … Continue reading →

Posted in Pennsylvania, Regulation | 2 Comments

Life’s good …

Posted on June 8, 2011 by David McKee

… if you happen to be George Maloof and can hang out at Palms Place on Sunday with a bunch of Miss USA contestants. However, as for young lovelies like … … Miss Nevada, one Sarah Chapman, I’d advise staying … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Culinary Union, Current, Dining, Downtown, Economy, Election, Entertainment, George Maloof, Harrah's, Iowa, Isle of Capri, Penn National, Taxes, The Strip | Comments Off on Life’s good …

Illinois: How much worse can it get?

Posted on June 8, 2011 by David McKee

OK, the 9% dropoff in Illinois gambling dollars last month looks worse than it is because it mainly reflects the flood-enforced closure of Harrah’s Metropolis (left, -77%). All other casinos were down an aggregate 3%, and it didn’t much matter … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Bally Technologies, Boyd Gaming, Cordish Co., Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, International, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Technology, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | 8 Comments

After the flood; New captains at Tropicana Entertainment

Posted on June 8, 2011 by David McKee

What used to be the Horizon riverboat in Vicksburg is back in business as Grand Station (no relation to Station Casinos, in case you were wondering). While nearby riverboats owned by Neil Bluhm and Ameristar Casinos rode out the high … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Columbia Sussex, Dennis Gomes, Harrah's, Indiana, Marketing, Mississippi, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Station Casinos, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on After the flood; New captains at Tropicana Entertainment

A time-out

Posted on June 8, 2011 by David McKee

Had I known that the recent kerfuffle over who Paul Revere did and didn’t intend to warn that the Redcoats were coming would devolve into name-calling between commenters, I’d never have posted that unfortunate quote. So, as of today, I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in Current | 4 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 7, 2011 by David McKee

“In Latin American, African or Asian countries, I sometimes see shiny tanks and fighter aircraft — but schools that have trouble paying teachers. Sound familiar? And the upshot is societies that are quasi-feudal, stratified by social class, held back by … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, International | 2 Comments

“[sic] semper tyrannis”; Sahara Sam’s rummage sale

Posted on June 4, 2011 by David McKee

One quickly becomes inured to mobile billboards in Las Vegas, lurching about the streets. (The billboards, not me.) But the one I saw this morning en route to work was an eye-grabber: “No mas en Stations [sic]” it read. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Culinary Union, Current, Downtown, Marketing, Sahara, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Tamares Group, The Strip | 1 Comment