Author Archives: David McKee

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Case Bets: Pinnacle, Pennsylvania, Harrah’s & Sands

Posted on October 30, 2009 by David McKee

Third quarter at PNK: 3Q09 numbers are out for Pinnacle Entertainment and the comparisons cover the spectrum from very good (Lumiere Place up 19%), good (+5% at L’Auberge du Lac) and lousy (-13% aboard Boomtown New Orleans). Once a free-spending … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Atlantic City, Current, Detroit, Economy, Harrah's, Louisiana, Macau, Marketing, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Problem gambling, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Tribal, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Case Bets: ColSux, Wynn, Agassi, Lake LV, ‘Vega$’

Posted on October 30, 2009 by David McKee

Proverbial “flu-like symptoms” have me feeling light-headed and rather woozy (a delayed reaction to Wayne Newton?), for which the doctor prescribes a dosage of Case Bets … Another ColSux sale: Struggling hotelier Columbia Sussex has, for the not-inconsiderable sum of … Continue reading →

Posted in Columbia Sussex, Current, Dining, Downtown, Encore, Iowa, Lake Las Vegas, Louisiana, Oscar Goodman, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, TV | 3 Comments

They lost it at the movies

Posted on October 30, 2009 by David McKee

Every so often, LVA gets a press release that deserves to be mocked. This is one of those times. In order to promote Gr88.com, the creators of the site have deigned to release a list of “Poker Films of All … Continue reading →

Posted in Internet gambling, Movies, TV | 8 Comments

Signs of the Times

Posted on October 29, 2009 by David McKee

Oh, how I wish I’d had the presence of mind to snap a photo of the Tropicana Las Vegas marquee last night. It reads, in part: WAYNE NEWTON Once Before I Go NOW The concluding imperative makes the sign look … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Current, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, International, The Strip, TV | 6 Comments

Critiqued by Tomlin

Posted on October 28, 2009 by David McKee

When conducting interviews, I rarely think about how I’m doing them other than thinking that the questions are tumbling out sounding stupid or that I’m blathering on like the dreaded Charlie Rose (an excellent example of how not to interview … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Entertainment, MGM Mirage, The Strip | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 28, 2009 by David McKee

“It’s not legal, and anyone who thinks this is legal is wrong. They are guilty of a misdemeanor if they do this.” — Steve Wynn, who’s not a lawyer but plays one in the newspapers. If he’d read a little, … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Entertainment, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 3 Comments

“Don’t panic”

Posted on October 28, 2009 by David McKee

Most of you will recognize that as a critical maxim from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. It’s also what to do if you comments don’t appear straightaway on the S&G site. In our new setup they won’t post immediately … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Current, Entertainment, Sahara, The Strip, TV | 1 Comment

Boyd: A waiting game

Posted on October 27, 2009 by David McKee

That’s the economic forecast of J.P. Morgan analysts after Boyd Gaming came in slightly under its cash-flow projections for the third quarter. Borgata remained a bright spot, reaching record levels of market share in Atlantic City (a staggering 19%) in … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Current, Downtown, Economy, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Morgans Hotel Group, Neil Bluhm, New York, Pennsylvania, Racinos, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | 6 Comments

Loveman’s Folly

Posted on October 27, 2009 by David McKee

Back when Harrah’s Entertainment was surrendering to the cold, clammy embrace of Texas Pacific Group and Apollo Management, the bean counters assured CEO Gary Loveman that Harrah’s could carry almost $30 billion in debt and sustain a 20% revenue decrease. … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Harrah's, Wall Street | Comments Off on Loveman’s Folly

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 27, 2009 by David McKee

“The environment in China is much more free than here. Do they feel they are being deprived of their human rights? No.”  — Steve Wynn, doing his best Sheldon Adelson impersonation.

Posted in Current, International, Macau, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn | 2 Comments

Adieu F-bleau, hello Hollywood?

Posted on October 26, 2009 by David McKee

Look what just fell into the S&G mailbag: Beginning January 1, 2010 Penn National Gaming will partner with RPM Advertising to develop and execute a brand identity for Hollywood Casinos.  The full service assignment will incorporate research, brand development, media … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Current, Donald Trump, Economy, Entertainment, Fontainebleau, Harrah's, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip, TV | 1 Comment

Ya think?

Posted on October 26, 2009 by David McKee

From the latest news bulletin "blasted" by the Las Vegas Review-Journal: "Las Vegas police are investigating a shooting on Sahara Avenue near Nellis Boulevard in which a man was struck in the head by gunfire today. "Police spokesman Ramon Denby … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Current | Comments Off on Ya think?

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 26, 2009 by David McKee

Moral: A posh accent may make you sound smart but does not confer actual knowledge upon you.

Posted in Current | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 26, 2009 by David McKee

"If C.C. Sabathia starts game one of the World Series, the Yankees will know they have won tonight." — Fox Sports baseball analyst Tim McCarver, sinking to bathyspheric depths of belaboring the obvious, early in Sunday's game six of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball, Current, New York, Sports, TV | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 23, 2009 by David McKee

“Steve Wynn was the worst offender on that score. Last year, he used his aircraft for a $1 million of personal travel, which Wynn [Resorts] shareholders paid for. To do $1 million worth of travel, I worked it out that … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Steve Wynn, Transportation, Wall Street | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Programming notes

Posted on October 23, 2009 by David McKee

The time has come, the walrus said, to switch over to WordPress, so regularly scheduled S&G mirth and merriment will be temporarily suspended whilst we learn the new setup. My apologies for the temporary lack of service. Secondly, thanks to … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Technology | Comments Off on Programming notes

From the mailbag #9

Posted on October 22, 2009 by David McKee

One reader asks, regarding senatorial aspirant Sue Lowden‘s esteemed Pioneer Hotel & Gambling Hall: I’m confused (as usual, but…) – Isn’t the Pioneer NOT a gambling hall now, its shell hosting an ABC convenience store & various other small shops? … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Archon Corp., Downtown, Entertainment, Harry Reid, Laughlin, Oscar Goodman, Tamares Group, Tourism, TV | Comments Off on From the mailbag #9

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 22, 2009 by David McKee

"For some people, just being a woman is a pre-existing condition." — Dr. Nancy Snyderman on the subject of HMOs and their propensity to cover Viagra … but not in-vitro fertilization or birth control pills.

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

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 21, 2009 by David McKee

Penn National Gaming "has not lost its senses and, [contends] that at the right price and through the right vehicle (and only with a sizable strategic partner who would bring something special to the project, presumably some hotel experience), its … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Fontainebleau, Penn National, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Comrade Spam strikes again

Posted on October 21, 2009 by David McKee

I'm buried deep in other projects this week but I wanted to surface long enough to apologize for the recent barrage of spam in our "Comments" threads and e-mail alerts. Judging by some of the URLs involved, it looks like … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Technology | Comments Off on Comrade Spam strikes again