Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

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So long, Total Rewards; MGM goes to Yonkers

Posted on February 1, 2019 by David McKee

Despite one less weekend day than 2017, December was good for the Las Vegas Strip. Visitation was up over 2% and room revenues leapt 16% to an average of $104/room. This was particularly impressive given a 23% decline in convention … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Economy, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, New York, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on So long, Total Rewards; MGM goes to Yonkers

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 1, 2019 by David McKee

“Fighting during divorce in New York today is like going to a casino, which is the court and the entire legal system. There are many games you can play in divorce when you get there, some are high stakes, and some are … Continue reading →

Posted in New York | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Vegas: Locals outperform the Strip; Sisolak nuked

Posted on January 31, 2019 by David McKee

Nevada gaming revenue was up 4% last month, just a few hundred thousand shy of an even billion dollars, even though the Las Vegas Strip was relatively stagnant. Strong baccarat win by the house (jumping 14.5%) was offset by 3% … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Aristocrat, Boulder Strip, Donald Trump, Downtown, Environment, IGT, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Mesquite, Nevada, Regulation, Reno, Scientific Games, South Carolina, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Vegas: Locals outperform the Strip; Sisolak nuked

Wynn finishes strong

Posted on January 31, 2019 by David McKee

If Wynn Resorts wanted to change the subject of conversation, at least on Wall Street, away from the damning Nevada Gaming Control Board report on sexual harassment it found a magical elixir in its fourth-quarter report. Net revenue at Wynncore … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Economy, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Massachusetts, Regulation, Tourism, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Wynn finishes strong

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 31, 2019 by David McKee

“Progress then and now comes from the collision of powerful forces within the hearts of those who strive for it. Anger and charity, love and hate, pride and shame, broken down and reassembled in an igneous process that yields a … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Pac-12 to Vegas?; Climate change rattles travel industry

Posted on January 30, 2019 by David McKee

Pac-12 football championship play could be coming to Las Vegas. I emphasize the “could” because there are several moving parts to this story, including the possibility that Las Vegas and Los Angeles are pawns in the conference’s attempts to shake … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bruce Deifik, California, Environment, International, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation | Comments Off on Pac-12 to Vegas?; Climate change rattles travel industry

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 30, 2019 by David McKee

“With social elements and innovative side bets, blackjack has the potential to draw new players to the casino floor, as well as retain old ones. Starting with the people, from attentive cocktail servers to properly trained dealers, we want players … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Marketing | 1 Comment

Wynn: The settlement; Paddock explained, somewhat

Posted on January 29, 2019 by David McKee

We’re into Day Two of the Wynn Resorts settlement with the Nevada Gaming Control Board and some details are starting to make their way into the public discourse. Forbes enumerates the charges and they include: “Employee 1 claimed that in … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Genting, Law enforcement, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Regulation, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Aguilera to hit the Strip; Arizona mulls sports betting

Posted on January 29, 2019 by David McKee

It’s a big week for announcements at Caesars Entertainment. While I admit I’d completely forgotten who Christina Aguilera is, she’s got enough pop-culture cachet to justify a Las Vegas residency, starting May 31 at the Zappos Theater (an improvement on … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Caesars Entertainment, Entertainment, history, International, Japan, Planet Hollywood, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on Aguilera to hit the Strip; Arizona mulls sports betting

Caesars diversifies; Crazy rich Asians

Posted on January 29, 2019 by David McKee

In another pure, non-gaming play, Caesars Entertainment has disclosed plans to build a hotel at Scottsdale Fashion Square, in Arizona. “The 11-story glass structure, with 266 guest rooms, will be called Caesars Republic Scottsdale and will be the company’s first … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Caesars Entertainment, Entertainment, Lawrence Ho, Marketing, Movies, Palms, Pansy Ho, Stanley Ho, Station Casinos, Technology, Tourism | Comments Off on Caesars diversifies; Crazy rich Asians

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 29, 2019 by David McKee

“The January 15, 2019 Department of Justice … 1961 Wire Act Memorandum is not the final word on Internet gambling, it is just a fierce reminder that they are in charge of the conversation. However, their actions will be the real … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Internet gambling, Law enforcement | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

This just in: Wynn fined, settles with Resorts World

Posted on January 28, 2019 by David McKee

Although it seemed as though the Nevada Gaming Control Board had forgotten about its investigation of sexual harassment at Wynn Resorts, it was merely running silent, running deep. It came to the surface today with a settlement agreement whereby Wynn … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Genting, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on This just in: Wynn fined, settles with Resorts World

Survey says: Las Vegas bad for NFL; Power struggle in Macao

Posted on January 28, 2019 by David McKee

Put me in the one-third of Americans surveyed who wouldn’t give up their annual bonus to see their team win the Super Bowl. That’s one of the findings of a WalletHub study that, incredibly (at least to me) ranks Las … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Caesars Entertainment, California, Entertainment, Indiana, Internet gambling, Japan, Las Vegas Raiders, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New Jersey, Ohio, Pansy Ho, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Scientific Games, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports, Sports betting, Technology, Tourism, Wall Street, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Survey says: Las Vegas bad for NFL; Power struggle in Macao

Fearless Oscar predictions

Posted on January 28, 2019 by David McKee

Time for some amusement among all the heavy lifting: How to ace your office’s Oscar pool. While I had intended to declare Christian Bale the even-money favorite for Best Actor, Rami Malek‘s win at the SAG Awards gives him momentum, … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Movies | 3 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 28, 2019 by David McKee

“Cuarón’s whiteness begets a colonial gaze; Cleo lacks the discursive inner life of a fleshed-out character; Mexican critics love it; Mexican critics do not love it; Indigenous representation is an accomplishment; rich men should not make movies about their former … Continue reading →

Posted in International, Movies | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Super Bowl generates heavy action; Hard Rock marquee finds retirement home

Posted on January 28, 2019 by David McKee

$325 million. That’s the legal handle that PlayUSA.com is predicting will be wagered on Super Bowl LIII. Nevada will have the plurality of bets, some $160 million, with New Jersey seeing $100 million in action, including online wagers. The nascent … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Arizona, CityCenter, Entertainment, Hard Rock Hotel, history, International, Internet gambling, Mississippi, Movies, New Jersey, New Mexico, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Sports, Sports betting, Tourism, West Virginia | Comments Off on Super Bowl generates heavy action; Hard Rock marquee finds retirement home

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 26, 2019 by David McKee

“But now that all of the facts have surfaced, it is now clear to me that you were part of a live-action, true-to-scale diorama depicting the actions of white men at most protests for justice, equality or freedom. In fact, … Continue reading →

Posted in Current | 2 Comments

Japan lays down the law; Back to square one for Rush Street

Posted on January 25, 2019 by David McKee

Japan hasn’t issued requests for proposals for casino megaresorts — not that it has stopped companies like Hard Rock International from pitching their product to prefectures. However, the Japanese government is rolling out advertising regulations and they are stringent. The only places … Continue reading →

Posted in Illinois, Internet gambling, Japan, Marketing, Massachusetts, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Slot routes, Technology | Comments Off on Japan lays down the law; Back to square one for Rush Street

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 25, 2019 by David McKee

“This is so much bigger than any one person. It’s a little bit of pain, but it’s going to be for the future of our country and their children and their grandchildren and generations after them will thank them for … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Tunica blues; Monticello racino folds early

Posted on January 24, 2019 by David McKee

“An aquatic center? A practice soccer field? They could have reconstructed this entire neighborhood.” So says Tunica resident Larry James of the misguided priorities that are leaving the county high and dry as the casino boom implodes. It certainly seems … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Economy, Genting, Harrah's, history, Horseracing, Law enforcement, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, New York, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Tribal | 1 Comment