Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

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Wynn getting into bargain race

Posted on January 20, 2010 by David McKee

With MGM Mirage aggressively discounting its Strip properties, it was only so long before Wynn Resorts had to enter the chase. It’s taking the form of a 25% “early savings” markdown that you get if you book your room 45 … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Entertainment, Midnight Jim Gibbons, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 1 Comment

“Peepshow” conundrum

Posted on January 20, 2010 by David McKee

That once and (maybe) future Strip spectacle is probably going to be included in tomorrow’s “Best of the Valley” polls, in Las Vegas CityLife. This raises an interesting conundrum: Since there have been three distinct iterations of Peepshow since its … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Planet Hollywood | 1 Comment

Case Bets: Net Bets, Harrah’s money grab & why China matters

Posted on January 20, 2010 by David McKee

Mark Juliano, CEO of Trump Entertainment Resorts, has been all over the papers lately. First, he came out in support of a massive taxpayer subsidy (backed by two unions) that would forgive Revel 75% of its room and sales taxes … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Current, Donald Trump, Economy, Harrah's, Horseracing, International, Internet gambling, Macau, MGM Mirage, Midnight Jim Gibbons, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Taxes, The Strip | 3 Comments

Memo to George Maloof

Posted on January 19, 2010 by David McKee

Forget about hiring Lady Gaga for a Palms residency. Just hire Christopher Walken to give his inimitable interpretations of Ms. Gaga’s lyrics. It’ll be much funnier … and perhaps a scintilla more understandable.

Posted in Entertainment, George Maloof | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 19, 2010 by David McKee

“Keri Hilson carpet shots are attached.” — from a Light Group press release. No comment.

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

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 18, 2010 by David McKee

“It’s like a a giant mess hall.” — fellow Las Vegan’s description of the casino floor at Palazzo.

Posted in Architecture, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | 1 Comment

If you’re not in Vegas today …

Posted on January 18, 2010 by David McKee

… you’re not missing anything, I’m afraid. The skies are battleship gray and likely to remain so the rest of the week, dampening attendance at CityCenter‘s pocket park. On the other hand, that’s perfect weather to stay indoors and gamble, … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Current, Entertainment, Labor, Pets, The Strip | Comments Off on If you’re not in Vegas today …

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 16, 2010 by David McKee

“The Rio is the most tired and used up looking 20 year old I know, hands down.” — from the Twitter feed of Hunter Hillegas.

Posted in Current, Harrah's | 3 Comments

Bulletin of a death foretold

Posted on January 15, 2010 by David McKee

Mr. Bit, manifesting his customary enthusiasm toward displays of affection. Monday, my vet called to say that Mr. Bit‘s biopsy results had returned and I should call her back. It’s one of those moments when your heart sinks through the … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Current, Pets | 9 Comments

Gunplay at the Four Queens

Posted on January 15, 2010 by David McKee

Neither the Las Vegas Sun nor the Las Vegas Review-Journal can be bothered to report it on their Web sites but there was a shooting in the wee hours of Friday morning at the Four Queens, downtown. After having to … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Downtown, Harrah's, Macau, MGM Mirage, The Strip | 9 Comments

Planet Ho abdicates to Harrah’s

Posted on January 15, 2010 by David McKee

Sheraton Operating Corp. is bugging out of Planet Hollywood Resort — which has already lost some of its top management — and handing the keys to Harrah’s Entertainment. The latter will have something of a challenge filling the nearly 2,500 … Continue reading →

Posted in Carl Icahn, CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, Current, Economy, Fontainebleau, Harrah's, International, Marketing, Penn National, Planet Hollywood, The Strip, Wall Street | 4 Comments

Happy ending for “Aztar”

Posted on January 15, 2010 by David McKee

Here’s a feel-good story to help ring out the week. The Indiana Gaming Commission has approved Tropicana Entertainment as a suitable owner-operator for the Casino Aztar riverboat, berthed in Evansville. There are a number of contingencies, primarily the plunking down … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Columbia Sussex, Current, Entertainment, Harrah's, Indiana, Labor, Louisiana, Steve Wynn, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 15, 2010 by David McKee

“Therefore, it is imperative that you encourage President Obama to publicly acknowledge that Las Vegas and all of Nevada is a wonderful place for business or pleasure and that Americans should visit and conduct business in Nevada.” — demand made … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Cretins, Current, Economy, Election, Harry Reid, Midnight Jim Gibbons, Politics | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

From the S&G Twitter feed …

Posted on January 14, 2010 by David McKee

• Fertittas sell 10% of UFC to Abu Dhabi, new LV sugar daddy, presumably to stave off [Boyd Gaming] takeover of [Station Casinos]. http://tinyurl.com/yzhbmv2 • [Penn National Gaming] gets deadline extension in [Kansas]. http://tinyurl.com/yawfuqk • Aria room rates continue to … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Current, Entertainment, Florida, International, Kansas, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Sports, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tribal, TV | 5 Comments

Seen last night …

Posted on January 14, 2010 by David McKee

… on Tropicana Avenue: A pickup trick carrying two men and four sheep. Don’t worry; it’s probably just the latest chapter in the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority‘s “Whatever Happens Here …” campaign.

Posted in Current, Entertainment, LVCVA, Marketing | 4 Comments

This just in …

Posted on January 13, 2010 by David McKee

A colleague writes … “Aliante Station is currently charging more than Caesars Palace for rooms???* No wonder Station Casinos are in trouble! What kind of a “special offer” is $135/night?!” (* … and only $4 less than Vdara.)

Posted in CityCenter, Current, Economy, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, North Las Vegas, Station Casinos, The Strip | 1 Comment

“Subscirbe” no more!

Posted on January 13, 2010 by David McKee

It took a lot of to-ing and fro-ing with the makers of Gravel, our WordPress template, but the subscription link has now been fixed to read “Subscribe,” not “Subscirbe [sic]” as of yore. It was something that couldn’t be fixed … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Technology | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 13, 2010 by David McKee

“Atlantic City has a lot to offer visitors in addition to gambling. When the economy improves and people have more money to spend on entertainment, Atlantic City will draw more and more people interested in visiting our shops, enjoying a … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Economy, Steve Wynn, Tourism | 8 Comments

From the S&G Twitter feed …

Posted on January 12, 2010 by David McKee

For those of you who aren’t following it, here’s what you’ve been missing: • Station [Casinos] shuts Cherry @ Red Rock [Resort], ends flirtation w. Strip-ish nightlife. In Summerlin? Right casino, wrong place. http://tinyurl.com/ye36uqm • @IOC_Brand Jim Perry, Virginia McDowell … Continue reading →

Posted in California, CityCenter, Current, Economy, Election, Entertainment, Florida, Harrah's, IGT, International, Isle of Capri, Kansas, Lyle Berman, Mississippi, Politics, Regulation, Station Casinos, Technology, TV | Comments Off on From the S&G Twitter feed …

Money quote

Posted on January 12, 2010 by David McKee

“Even so, some experts say that it might be a blessing in disguise that Macau wasn’t overly reliant on entertainment-related revenue during the downturn. Analysts point out that one reason Las Vegas casinos have yet to recover is that U.S. … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Economy, Entertainment, International, Macau, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip | Comments Off on Money quote