Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

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Quote of the Day

Posted on April 30, 2010 by David McKee

“It is certainly time that we openly recognize that when a limited number of gambling licenses are up for bid, the winners will be the applicants who promise the state the most money, in upfront fees, massive construction projects and … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Missouri, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Sickness, health & Shakespeare

Posted on April 30, 2010 by David McKee

No sooner was the S&G software restored to working order than Yr. Humble Blogger was laid low by either A) too much indulgence in Harrah’s Entertainment‘s “Buffet of Buffets” or B) my worst fibromyalgia attack in years. Given Vegas’ recent … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Dining, Entertainment, Harrah's, Macau, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 28, 2010 by David McKee

“What, perhaps you ask, is ‘Gossiness’? Well, nobody exactly knows, except that it is very likely in coming years to be an Urban Dictionary entry synonymous with an act that thinks it can burst on the Vegas scene and expect … Continue reading →

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

Harrah’s red-headed stepchild

Posted on April 23, 2010 by David McKee

If we (you, me, everybody) had a dollar for ever time we heard a rumor that Harrah’s Entertainment was putting The Rio on the block, we could pool enough moolah to amortize CEO Gary Loveman‘s recent $100,000 pay cut. Our … Continue reading →

Posted in Archon Corp., Atlantic City, Current, Economy, George Maloof, Harrah's, International, James Packer, Laughlin, Planet Hollywood, Station Casinos, The Strip, Wall Street | 10 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 23, 2010 by David McKee

“Guuuuuuuuuuuuyyyyyyyyyyyyy?!?!?!?!?” — friend’s shocked reaction to being vouchsafed the information that elfin Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberté was a former lover of forever-in-the-news (and never in a good way) model Naomi Campbell. Now we know why Laliberté hitched a … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, Current | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Ozzy has left the building

Posted on April 22, 2010 by David McKee

Rock-based revues and tribute shows are biting the dust left and right, according to our LVA research staff. As the Riviera (whose workforce has been allegedly reduced by 60%) creeps toward the grave, Masters of Rock preceded it last Saturday, … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Entertainment, Planet Hollywood, Riviera, Station Casinos, The Strip | 1 Comment

Archonomics: Poultry in motion

Posted on April 22, 2010 by David McKee

All of cyberspace has been agog with Archon Corp. Treasurer Sue Lowden‘s chickens for health care proposal. Normally we’d chalk up this kind of Green Acres-inspired policy to spring fever and leave it at that — were it not for … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Archon Corp., Economy, Election, The Strip | 4 Comments

Steve Wynn may take his ball …

Posted on April 22, 2010 by David McKee

… and move to Macao. Or so he says. Given Steve Wynn‘s long track record of thinking aloud, I’d assign a low probability to this trial-balloon idea. Besides, in the U.S. the mogul can pop off at the government without … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Economy, International, Macau, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip, TV | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 22, 2010 by David McKee

“It’s retribution, and it’s an incredibly bad business decision because there is so much brand equity wrapped up in that Mirage name. Kirk Kerkorian would not have bought those resorts were it not for all the value and mystique that … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, MGM Mirage, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Face of the Week

Posted on April 16, 2010 by David McKee

This haunting visage belongs to Chuck, a Russian Blue who was reader Detroit1051‘s faithful friend for over 14 years. He’s been gone from this earth a couple of years now but lives on in Detroit’s heart and as his Twitter … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Pets, Technology | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 16, 2010 by David McKee

“This is new CEO Anthony Sanfilippo’s first major (at least public) decision and one that, in our opinion, shows strong and rational capital allocation decision-making.” — J.P. Morgan analyst Joseph Greff, lauding Pinnacle Entertainment‘s decision to scuttle its Sugarcane Bay … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Louisiana, Pinnacle Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Massive defeat for Patrick in Mass.

Posted on April 15, 2010 by David McKee

Lawmakers in Massachusetts ran roughshod over Gov. Deval Patrick (D), overwhelmingly approving a four-racino, two-casino formula the governor opposes. They also resisted the urgings of those who would put the two, $500 million casino resorts out in the boonies, giving … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Macau, Massachusetts, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, The Mob, Tribal | 2 Comments

Harrah’s robbing Peter to buy Paul

Posted on April 15, 2010 by David McKee

When executives of Harrah’s Entertainment credit “hard-nosed” negotiating tactics for their success is reducing the company’s preposterous debt level, one suspects that threats of default and bankruptcy serve as the rhetorical equivalents of the rubber hose and brass knuckles. It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Archon Corp., Current, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Macau, Mississippi, Planet Hollywood, Politics, Regulation, Riviera, The Strip, Wall Street, World Series of Poker | Comments Off on Harrah’s robbing Peter to buy Paul

Case Bets: St. Louis, Florida & antiques

Posted on April 15, 2010 by David McKee

It was the best of times … almost. Pinnacle Entertainment‘s opening of River City not only propelled a 9% increase in casino revenue in the St. Louis market, it gave the area “its busiest month ever.” While River City’s $15.9 … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Current, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, Missouri, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal, Wall Street | 2 Comments

MGM pre-reports

Posted on April 14, 2010 by David McKee

Aria: Nice rooms; anybody there? First, the good news: A managerial shakeup at MGM Grand Macau yielded a $54 million swing in operating income, turning what had been a modest loss last year into a considerable profit in 1Q10. Also, … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Detroit, Economy, Illinois, Macau, MGM Mirage, Pansy Ho, Stanley Ho, The Strip, Wall Street | 8 Comments

Trump wins, Atlantic City loses

Posted on April 14, 2010 by David McKee

Long-suffering Atlantic City is going to stuck with one of the heaviest albatrosses around its neck — Donald J. Trump — for the foreseeable future. Das Donald’s $225 million cash offer for what’s left of Trump Entertainment Resorts trumped a … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Donald Trump, Economy, Marketing, Tourism | 6 Comments

New train on the block

Posted on April 14, 2010 by David McKee

While the rival maglev-to-Anaheim and high-speed Las Vegas-to-Victorville train projects duke it out for funding and bragging rights, a third Vegas-to-SoCal project has entered the fray. Las Vegas Railway Express proposes to employ existing infrastructure and trains, reducing by three … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Current, Regulation, Transportation | 3 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 14, 2010 by David McKee

“Now, there’s an invitation I can’t refuse! Don’t think I want to be one of their freefalling guinea pigs.” — Las Vegan’s response to an invitation to become of one of the first to experience the Stratosphere‘s new 855-foot, 40-mph … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Entertainment, Goldman Sachs, The Strip, Tourism | 3 Comments

Blast from the past

Posted on April 13, 2010 by David McKee

Ever wonder what the then-Portugese enclave was like before Stanley Ho came along and built a casino empire that would change the visage of Macao irrevocably and beyond recognition, potentially eclipsing Las Vegas itself? Here are some vignettes circa 1960.

Posted in Current, Macau, Stanley Ho | 4 Comments

A “Titanic” offer

Posted on April 13, 2010 by David McKee

Through Sunday, Luxor is celebrating — if that’s the word — the 98th anniversary of the sinking of the RMS Titanic. For instance, tonight you can swap your exhibit ticket for a free drink or appetizer at (where else?) Tacos … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Dining, Entertainment, Marketing, MGM Mirage, The Strip | Comments Off on A “Titanic” offer