Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

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Quote of the Day

Posted on March 22, 2010 by David McKee

“For two days in a row, the [American Gaming Association] Internet site that aggregates gaming industry stories has totally ignored all of the stories about the [New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement] report on the relationship between MGM Mirage and … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Current, G2E, Macau, MGM Mirage, Pansy Ho, Regulation, Stanley Ho | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Wynn gets schooled

Posted on March 22, 2010 by David McKee

Having displayed a breathtaking and uncharacteristic ignorance of the facts on the ground vis-a-vis Philadelphia‘s two casino projects, Steve Wynn is being offered a one-on-one tutorial from Mayor Michael Nutter. The latter says he’s looking forward to learning about Wynn’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Current, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Wynn gets schooled

A Cosmopolitan by any other name …

Posted on March 22, 2010 by David McKee

… is still a long way from completion. A silly lawsuit has been settled, an extremely cosmetic change of name has been agreed upon (meaning that Cosmo The Casino is the de facto winner over Cosmo The Mag). We’re told … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, Current, Dining, Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Planet Hollywood, Politics, Station Casinos | 3 Comments

Face of the Week

Posted on March 19, 2010 by David McKee

Mr. Bit (1993-2010). Rest in peace, buddy.

Posted in Animals, Current, Pets | 2 Comments

Please stand by

Posted on March 19, 2010 by David McKee

It’s been brought to my attention that some readers are having problems with our subscription interface, which seems to lead you to a “Comment” page. Thankfully, our IT department has added some explanatory prose which will hopefully make joining the … Continue reading →

Posted in Technology | Comments Off on Please stand by

Case Bets: Gibbons vs. gaming; Pansy Ho; R-J shocked, shocked!; Rat Pack not back

Posted on March 19, 2010 by David McKee

First off, a hearty S&G salute to Steve Friess, named “Best Blogger” by the readers of Las Vegas CityLife. (Yes, I was nominated but didn’t even make it into second place. I’ll live.) As you scroll — and scroll — … Continue reading →

Posted in Colony Capital, Columbia Sussex, Economy, Entertainment, Macau, Midnight Jim Gibbons, New York, Pansy Ho, Regulation, Sahara, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Taxes, Technology, The Mob, The Strip, Tourism | 3 Comments

Signs of the Times

Posted on March 19, 2010 by David McKee

Seen today outside The Rio on Flamingo Road: Two chicks holding handmade, barely legible “Car Wash” signs. What the … ? Was this an official Rio event? There’s no mention of it either on the casino’s Web site nor on … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Entertainment, Harrah's, Marketing, Planet Hollywood, Regulation, Technology, The Strip | 2 Comments

Cloud 9 brought to earth

Posted on March 19, 2010 by David McKee

We’ve been enjoying [sic] an unusually blustery winter in Las Vegas. All that’s missing is Eeyore. Well, him and now the Cloud 9 sightseeing balloon. This piquant Strip attraction met a tragic end yesterday. (Douchebaggy Fox 5 doesn’t permit video … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, M Resort, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, TV | Comments Off on Cloud 9 brought to earth

Hard Rock LV: Trouble on Paradise

Posted on March 18, 2010 by David McKee

Ed Scheetz: architect of disaster It was with great swagger that Morgans Hotel Group captured the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in 2006. Newbies to the Vegas market, Morgans has had a rough education during the intervening years. Its most … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Herbst Gaming, Morgans Hotel Group, Wall Street | 10 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on March 18, 2010 by David McKee

“These tall edifices produced a disturbing impression, for they were held to invade the realms and to jeopardise the composure of the feng-shui. These were the spirits of wind and water … all that needs to be said about them … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, International, Macau, Stanley Ho | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

What are …

Posted on March 18, 2010 by David McKee

… three casinos, two golf courses, a shooting range, a bunch of condos and some miscellaneous real estate worth? If they’re in Mesquite and they’re owned by the disaster area that is Black Gaming, they’re worth no more than $90 … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Economy, Entertainment, Marketing, Mesquite, MGM Mirage, Station Casinos, The Strip | 4 Comments

Love Train

Posted on March 18, 2010 by David McKee

As in the flowering bromance between Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) and mouthpiece-for-hire Sig “The Fixer” Rogich. The former, a longtime supporter of a proposed maglev train betwixt Las Vegas and Anaheim, switched his allegiance to Rogich’s Choo-Choo-to-Nowhere, by the strangest … Continue reading →

Posted in Archon Corp., California, Economy, Election, Herbst Gaming, Politics, Station Casinos, Taxes, Tourism, Transportation | 10 Comments

Exonerating Adelson

Posted on March 17, 2010 by David McKee

While Las Vegas Sands CEO Sheldon Adelson might approve of Gary Kreep‘s recent PAC-tivities, inasmuch as they redound to the detriment of competitor MGM Mirage, he’s not behind them. Or, to put it another way, if Adelson’s been involved it … Continue reading →

Posted in California, CityCenter, Current, Dubai, Election, Florida, Macau, MGM Mirage, Morgans Hotel Group, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho | 5 Comments

Mania in Macao

Posted on March 17, 2010 by David McKee

Las Vegas casino floors nearly look somnolent compared to the intense baccarat play captured by CNN at Melco Crown Entertainment‘s megaresort, City of Dreams. For added fun, one gets a bit of James Bond (Sean Connery) throwing down against “smug … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Movies, The Strip, TV | 1 Comment

This just in: Stanley Ho is mobbed up

Posted on March 17, 2010 by David McKee

Yeah, I know … no shit, Sherlock. With the notable exception of the Las Vegas Business Press‘ Matt Ward, precious few journalists have been willing to come forward and report what everybody’s tacitly agreed, ever since the Macanese casino market … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Current, International, Macau, MGM Mirage, Pansy Ho, Regulation, Stanley Ho, The Mob | 3 Comments

And the winner is … Mohegan Sun

Posted on March 17, 2010 by David McKee

Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs is on pace to become the first Pennsylvania casino to deploy table games. A hearty S&G congratulations to the Mohegans and a big “WTF?” to WNEP-TV and its eccentric video-embed format.

Posted in Current, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Tribal, TV | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on March 17, 2010 by David McKee

“[I]t kind of brings people together. It gets people involved, and it’s nice if you’re new and you don’t know a lot of people. It can be positive if you do it right.” — Republican National Congressional Committee staff member … Continue reading →

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

Todd English, P.D.Q.

Posted on March 17, 2010 by David McKee

First of all, huge thanks to all who have sent their condolences regarding Mr. Bit. We’re all in quite a funk at home. Rascal‘s reaction was the most heartbreaking. When we brought the empty cat carrier back, he ran up, … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, CityCenter, Current, Dining, Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Pets, The Strip | 5 Comments

Mr. Bit, 1993-2010

Posted on March 16, 2010 by David McKee

Another of my cats crossed the proverbial Rainbow Bridge today, ending 14 years of faithful companionship. Our vet says we did the right thing but that doesn’t lessen the sense of betrayal, even though Mr. Bit could no longer eat … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, CityCenter, Current, Dining, Pets | 17 Comments

Capping Macao

Posted on March 16, 2010 by David McKee

Compared to the acrimony currently flowing on the Strip, a stunning new policy directive from across the Pacific practically qualifies as “happy-talk news” … With casino revenues increasing at a jet-propelled pace, China has yet again applied the brakes to … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, International, Macau, Plaza, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Tourism, Wall Street | 6 Comments