Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

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No Borgata buyout for Boyd

Posted on October 25, 2010 by David McKee

As expected, Boyd Gaming has punted on its purchase option for MGM Resorts International‘s half of Borgata. With the emergence of investor Leonard Green as potential co-owner — as opposed to another casino company — Boyd gets what it surely … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Penn National | 3 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 22, 2010 by David McKee

“Far from being a threat, Canada is a major contributor to economic prosperity in your state. More than 1.3 million visitors from Canada visited Nevada in 2009, creating tens of thousands of jobs, and Canada-Nevada trade totalled [sic] more than … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Election, International, Tourism | 9 Comments

Election special: What’s at stake

Posted on October 21, 2010 by David McKee

100% devoid of Nevada-related content! Leaving aside a local advisory question in Richmond, California, there are four races to watch. Voters in Maine have blown hot and cold on casinos in their state. Next month they’ll weigh in on whether … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, California, Cordish Co., Election, Isle of Capri, Maryland, Missouri, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Wall Street, West Virginia | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 21, 2010 by David McKee

“At each turn, our state leaders abdicated their public duty, failed to impose ethical restraints and focused on political gain at a cost of millions to New Yorkers. Shamefully, the public’s best interest was a matter of militant indifference to … Continue reading →

Posted in Genting, New York, Politics, Racinos, Regulation | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Lower gaming taxes in Nevada?

Posted on October 21, 2010 by David McKee

It’s conceivable. And, if former Nevada Gaming Commission Chairman Brian Sandoval (left) gets his wish, it’s justifiable. So let S&G be first to put that idea into play. Since Sandoval’s “home rule” proposal would address Nevada‘s budget deficit by simply … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Economy, Election, Midnight Jim Gibbons, Oscar Goodman, Politics, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip | 3 Comments

Suicide Sharron; Gossy-ness is back; Borgata’s buyer unmasked

Posted on October 21, 2010 by David McKee

Sharron Angle‘s latest kamikaze dive into the CityCenter aircraft carrier has sparked quite a bit of discussion in the S&G “Comments” threads. A couple of things spring to mind. One, if she is now alleging that MGM Resorts International imported … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Architecture, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Economy, Election, Entertainment, George Maloof, International, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Politics, Taxes, The Strip, Wall Street | 5 Comments

Strange bedfellow

Posted on October 20, 2010 by David McKee

Animus by casino dealers toward tip-confiscation by Steve Wynn is causing them to embrace this piece of work … Yeah, that’s a serious ad, not comedy skit. Travis Barrick likes to give the impression that he’d have busted that mean … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Election, Politics, Regulation, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 2 Comments

The Big Lie rides again

Posted on October 19, 2010 by David McKee

If I ever — God forbid! — run for office in Nevada, I’m going to just make stuff up and lie my head off. After all, candidates on both sides of this year’s marquee races have set the “truthiness” bar … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Current, Election, MGM Mirage, Politics, The Strip | 9 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 19, 2010 by David McKee

“Hell, Bob, I’ll scuba dive in that thing.” — Oscar Goodman to restaurateur Robert Ansara, when asked to top off the world’s largest margarita (to promote breast-cancer awareness). As for the TV spot above, it’s pretty clear that the wrong … Continue reading →

Posted in Charity, Current, Election, Marketing, Oscar Goodman | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Fellini comes to Vegas

Posted on October 18, 2010 by David McKee

Here’s the one-minute version of Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas‘ surrealistic new teaser ad. I’m not sure who the target market is — the vibe is decidedly upscale but perhaps too arty, over the heads of the Speidi wannabes who frequent … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Cosmopolitan, Current, Marketing, The Strip, Tourism, TV | 5 Comments

Harrah’s on new spending spree

Posted on October 18, 2010 by David McKee

As predicted and dreaded by skeptical bond analysts, proceeds from Harrah’s Entertainment‘s semi-IPO of 17% of the company, it has been officially disclosed, will be rolled into retail therapy for CEO Gary Loveman. An anticipated $575 million will be used … Continue reading →

Posted in Colony Capital, Current, Economy, Entertainment, Fontainebleau, George Maloof, Harrah's, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, The Strip, TV, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Adelson wins twice over

Posted on October 18, 2010 by David McKee

Bowing to reality, Macao‘s government will accede to Las Vegas Sands‘ desire — and rather desperate need — for 5,000 additional guest workers in order to complete long-delayed Venetian Oriental (left). Even with an infusion of Mainland laborers, the megaresort’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Cannery Casino Resorts, Current, Don Barden, Election, Harrah's, Macau, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off on Adelson wins twice over

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 18, 2010 by David McKee

“I think that you’re misinterpreting those commercials. I’m not sure that those are Latinos in that commercial.” — Sharron Angle, one-woman ‘Quote of the Day’ machine, referring to the image above (which depicts Mexican citizens … in Mexico).

Posted in Current, Election, International, Marketing, TV | 6 Comments

Glass menagerie

Posted on October 15, 2010 by David McKee

In this absolutely brand-new video clip, Encore designer Roger Thomas provides a backstory on the inspiration and fabrication for the chandeliers in the casino. The follow-up video ought to be Steve Wynn explaining why the Macao-style division of the casino … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, CityCenter, Current, Encore, Movies, TV | 3 Comments

On a personal note …

Posted on October 15, 2010 by David McKee

My best pal, Fasolt, known to S&G readers, lost his battle with kidney failure and lymphoma earlier this week. The good people at Mountain Vista Animal Hospital put the big fellow out of his misery, illness having shriveled his once-enormous … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Current, Pets | 7 Comments

Dr. Loveman on the case; Death Ray designer stays mum

Posted on October 15, 2010 by David McKee

Confronted with an anemic patient — i.e., the Las Vegas Strip — attending physician Gary Loveman, Ph.D, has been prescribing a series of stimuli. (Possibly the only “economic stimulus” that all Americans can support.) Since customers are spending more selectively, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, CityCenter, Current, Dining, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Riviera, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Vdara Death Ray | 7 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 15, 2010 by David McKee

“Blame for Nevada’s problems should be distributed around the state—not to the congressional delegation, but to governors and legislators from both parties who have relied on gaming revenue and federal projects. Not only have Democrats and Republicans alike done nothing … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, history | 2 Comments

Macao: The fine art of spin

Posted on October 14, 2010 by David McKee

No wonder Steve Wynn and Sheldon Adelson love it in China. Where else are you going to find such a compliant media, able to extract a silver lining from the darkest of clouds. For instance, “cost overruns” are something that … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Harrah's, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Pansy Ho, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Macao: The fine art of spin

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 14, 2010 by David McKee

“There’s nothing wrong with our health-care system.” — Sharron Angle. Lucky woman, she’s obviously never had to deal with an HMO.

Posted in Current | 4 Comments

Kerkorian’s mixed message; Winners & Losers

Posted on October 13, 2010 by David McKee

Earlier this week, Hudson Securities analyst Robert LaFleur — something of a maverick in the gaming sector — voiced doubts about MGM Resorts International‘s ability to sustain its debt covenants. With an overhang of $13 million in debt, few properties … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Current, Detroit, Economy, Harrah's, International, Louisiana, M Resort, Macau, MGM Mirage, Morgans Hotel Group, Neil Bluhm, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Vdara Death Ray, Wall Street | 4 Comments