Category Archives: Animals

Rock the casbah; The risks of Japan

Posted on August 9, 2019 by David McKee

Although Israel continues to outlaw casinos, undoubtedly to Sheldon Adelson‘s deep regret, the Middle East is pustulent with gaming houses. Yes, the Koran forbids it but that’s hardly stopping anyone. Egypt stands out with roughly 15 casinos, supposedly off-limits to … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Genting, GLPI, Illinois, Indiana, International, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Movies, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Scientific Games, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Arkansas casino a ladder out of poverty; Rodio confesses resort-fee addiction

Posted on August 8, 2019 by David McKee

Arkansas‘ evolution into a casino state is coming with surprisingly few growing pains. Which is not to say there isn’t a burden of expectations on the new properties. $350 million Saracen Casino Resort will be expected to alleviate the woes … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Arkansas, Caesars Entertainment, Economy, Florida, Illinois, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Resort fees, The Strip, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Arkansas casino a ladder out of poverty; Rodio confesses resort-fee addiction

Vegas: The good, the mediocre and the Moulin Rouge

Posted on August 6, 2019 by David McKee

First the good news (for the hospitality industry): Las Vegas hotel occupancy is over 89% and ADRs are $135.23. The relatively bad news is that total visitation will yet again fall short of 2016’s record numbers. The Las Vegas Review-Journal‘s Richard … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Genting, Illinois, Konami, Las Vegas Raiders, Moulin Rouge, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on Vegas: The good, the mediocre and the Moulin Rouge

Encore cheating suit revived; Racism in Vegas

Posted on July 26, 2019 by David McKee

‘We’ll see you in court.’ That was, in effect, attorney Joshua Garick‘s response to Encore Boston Harbor after the latter was exonerated of alleged cheating by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. Garick is irked that the MGC’s investigation lasted all of a … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Architecture, Cretins, Diversity, Florida, Hard Rock International, Massachusetts, Movies, Pets, Philippines, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Encore cheating suit revived; Racism in Vegas

All-American Pet Photo Day

Posted on July 11, 2019 by David McKee

What is more all-American than cute photos of our pets? This is our latest adoptee, Cupid. My wife met her at the animal hospital, where it was love at first purr. Cupid has found herself a forever home and we’re … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Pets | Comments Off on All-American Pet Photo Day

Encore plays it safe; Wynn is for the birds

Posted on July 1, 2019 by David McKee

“Fifty shades of beige.” That’s the Boston Globe‘s verdict on the hotel rooms at Encore Boston Harbor. “There was nothing unpleasant about it, but that meant nearly every design choice was incredibly safe. Before the hotel opened, Encore Boston Harbor … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Architecture, Election, Environment, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Station Casinos, Technology, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Encore plays it safe; Wynn is for the birds

Vegas gets first tribal casino

Posted on June 26, 2019 by David McKee

My doctor says it behooves me to take it easy, so that can mean only one thing … news briefs! If you were waiting for Native American tribes to put down roots in Las Vegas, wait no longer. Virgin Hotels … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Meruelo, Animals, Arizona, Boyd Gaming, Downtown, Entertainment, Florida, Hard Rock Hotel, Law enforcement, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Movies, Sahara, SLS Las Vegas, Sports, Tamares Group, The Strip, Transportation | Comments Off on Vegas gets first tribal casino

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 25, 2019 by David McKee

“The thrush alone declares the immortal wealth and vigor that is in the forest. Here is a bird in whose strain the story is told … whenever a man hears it, it is a new world and a free country, … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Environment | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Case Bets

Posted on May 17, 2019 by David McKee

Need a scorecard to keep up with the progress of sports betting? Never fear, the American Gaming Association has provided one. It shows sports-betting legislation on the docket in 15 states, including casino-averse Texas and Vermont. States that have rejected … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, California, Dining, Greenwood Racing, Illinois, Mandalay Bay Massacre, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Palms, Pennsylvania, Pets, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos | Comments Off on Case Bets

Snakes in a casino & other Case Bets

Posted on May 16, 2019 by David McKee

Well, I’m never setting foot in Binion’s Gambling Hall again. A butt-ugly (but evidently non-poisonous) snake got in and made itself comfy in the roulette wheel. Security merely escorted the reptile inside, so there’s no telling whether there will be … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Caesars Entertainment, Charity, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Economy, Environment, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Nevada, Problem gambling, Real Estate, Technology, Transportation | Comments Off on Snakes in a casino & other Case Bets

Nevada: Strip weak, locals strong; Busing it to Macao

Posted on April 25, 2019 by David McKee

Las Vegas Strip gambling revenues were down 4% last month to $552 million. Some of that is attributable to an impossible baccarat comparison. In March 2018, baccarat win was up 118%. Last month it was down 56% on 43% less … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Architecture, Arkansas, Australia, Boulder Strip, Downtown, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Lotteries, Macau, Mesquite, Nevada, New Mexico, North Las Vegas, Reno, South Korea, Sports betting, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal | 1 Comment

Re-enter the Dragon

Posted on April 23, 2019 by David McKee

Yes, the Lucky Dragon will be coming back, albeit under a new name. Construction magnate Don Ahern has made a $36 million purchase of the luckless casino, which still carries another $50 million in debt. (Hence the bargain price.) Ahern … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Caesars Entertainment, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Lucky Dragon, MGM Resorts International, Pets, Sports betting, Tamares Group, The Strip, TV | 1 Comment

Land of confusion

Posted on April 22, 2019 by David McKee

OK, so there are no condos on sale at the Plaza Resort in downtown Las Vegas. That much we have established. But it’s got to be one of the most baffling stories we’ve ever covered. For instance, “TLC” usually is shorthand … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Golden Gaming, Illinois, Japan, Kentucky, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, New Jersey, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Real Estate, Regulation, Sports betting, Tamares Group, Taxes, Terry Caudill, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Land of confusion

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 10, 2019 by David McKee

“No movie with a fucking rubber fish ever made a dime.” — Ernest Hemingway, dropping the mike on the film adaptation of his The Old Man and the Sea. Obviously Papa did not live to see Jaws.

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

Going to the dogs

Posted on March 19, 2019 by David McKee

5 Tips to Get Your Canine Companion Ready for a Pet Friendly Las Vegas Hotel by Jessica Kane, special correspondent to Stiffs & Georges Las Vegas is a welcoming city when it comes to travelers with pets. For example, even … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Pets, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on Going to the dogs

Business as usual

Posted on March 8, 2019 by David McKee

Ohio casinos grossed $155 million last month, a 5.5% increase. Hollywood Toledo was 2.5% to $16 million and Hollywood Columbus rose 3% to $19 million. Hollywood Dayton was also up 3% to $9 million. Hollywood Mahoning Valley leapt 7% to $10 … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Animals, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Cantor Gaming, Churchill Downs, Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, Full House Resorts, Horseracing, Indiana, Japan, M Resort, Macau, Majestic Star, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Movies, Ohio, Penn National, Regulation, Sports betting, The Strip, Wall Street, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Business as usual

MGM hires robots; Pariplay saves rhinos

Posted on March 7, 2019 by David McKee

VitalVegas beat the mainstream medium to the news that MGM Resorts International is bringing to the Las Vegas Strip something it’s been test-driving at MGM National Harbor and MGM Springfield: automated bartenders. As you might guess this is part of … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Charity, Current, Economy, Internet gambling, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Security, South Dakota, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip | 1 Comment

Leona, 2004-18

Posted on November 23, 2018 by David McKee

Leona is no more. She died in my arms at 3:15 this morning, having suffered an apparent stroke and breathing with great difficulty. We found her in the bathroom, having lost the use of her left front leg and in … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Pets | 7 Comments

Election Postmortem: Who won, who lost

Posted on November 13, 2018 by David McKee

Election Night seems far behind us but its meaning for gaming is still sinking in, as in Arkansas, where sports betting has also been approved. In addition, two Oklahoma-based tribal entities are likely to feel entitled to the casinos green-lit … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Arkansas, Caesars Entertainment, Culinary Union, DFS, Election, Entertainment, Florida, history, Idaho, Illinois, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, MGM Resorts International, Oklahoma, Politics, Seminole Tribe, Slot routes, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off on Election Postmortem: Who won, who lost

Election update; Resorts World reaches for the sky

Posted on October 31, 2018 by David McKee

Driving Arkansas Forward, the initiative to legalize casino gambling at four Arkansas locations, looks like it will score a come-from-behind victory in less than a week. Early polling had it down, 41% to 48%, but it’s now turned the tide, … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Architecture, Arkansas, Election, Environment, Genting, Horseracing, International, Internet gambling, Nevada, Racinos, Technology, The Strip | Comments Off on Election update; Resorts World reaches for the sky