Category Archives: Animals

MGM blows away Wall Street expectations

Posted on April 29, 2014 by David McKee

Posting more than double Wall Street‘s consensus of earnings per share ($0.21 rather than $0.09), MGM Resorts International had a good quarter, to say the least. Even CityCenter exceeded expectations by 11%. J.P. Morgan analyst Joseph Greff took it all … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, CityCenter, Colorado, Detroit, Downtown, Entertainment, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Iowa, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on MGM blows away Wall Street expectations

It’s good to be Sheldon Adelson

Posted on April 25, 2014 by David McKee

Posting a 21% increase in revenue, Las Vegas Sands reported 97 cents/share in earnings (Wall Street had expected $0.94). No surprise, Macao was the primary driver. Analysts were also pleased by a $810 million buyback of Sands shares, bolstering the … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Harrah's, Iowa, Macau, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on It’s good to be Sheldon Adelson

IGT: Don’t cry for them Argentina

Posted on April 23, 2014 by David McKee

A 66% drop in profits for International Game Technology was one of yesterday’s headline events. Net revenues were off 15%. That $30 million in workforce cuts didn’t come soon enough to save the quarter, evidently. Wall Street analysts were remarkably … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Cosmopolitan, IGT, International, Internet gambling, Pets, Technology, Wall Street | Comments Off on IGT: Don’t cry for them Argentina

Gambling: It’s not what it used to be

Posted on April 23, 2014 by David McKee

Nevada‘s casino industry is still in the Great Recession, if profits and losses are anything by which to go. Posting their fifth consecutive year of losses, they were $1.35 billion in the red, on $24 billion in revenues. No surprise, … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Dining, Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Planet Hollywood, Reno, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off on Gambling: It’s not what it used to be

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 10, 2014 by David McKee

“If we believe so much in the humane treatment of animals, why don’t we realize this industry is dead?” — state Rep. Tom Lee (R) of Florida, on the continuation of greyhound racing in his state.

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

Realism in Iowa, depression in Illinois, paradox in Ohio

Posted on March 7, 2014 by David McKee

“The problem is Iowa is not a free-market system It’s set up to encourage big-dollar investments, so the cannibalization issue is one we have to take into consideration.” — Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission Chairman Jeff Lamberti There you have … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Boyd Gaming, Economy, Harrah's, Illinois, Iowa, Isle of Capri, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation | Comments Off on Realism in Iowa, depression in Illinois, paradox in Ohio

China: Hands off Hainan

Posted on March 7, 2014 by David McKee

China dealt a severe blow to the hopes of Big Gaming this week, declaring the island of Hainan off-limits for gambling. “We cannot at all allow Hainan to operate casinos,” declared resident Communist Party strongman Luo Baoming. This cannot have … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Architecture, Charity, Harrah's, Illinois, International, Kansas, Macau, MGM Mirage, Phil Ruffin, Sports, Stanley Ho | 1 Comment

Macao: Who’s the boss?; Iowa racing, gone to the dogs

Posted on February 20, 2014 by David McKee

Jim Murren, Steve Wynn and Sheldon Adelson may find themselves held hostage to the temper of Sino-American relationships, if chatter from Chinese sources holds true. It’s being put about that casino concessions could be shortened to five years. Stocks of … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Iowa, Macau, MGM Mirage, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Macao: Who’s the boss?; Iowa racing, gone to the dogs

Iowa: Gone to the dogs

Posted on January 21, 2014 by David McKee

It looks like the handwriting is on the wall for dog racing in Iowa. It’s a deplorable sport that brings in negligible revenue: an ancient curiosity kept alive by casino revenue. Dog tracks can’t even get the support of city … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Economy, Harrah's, Iowa, Politics | Comments Off on Iowa: Gone to the dogs

Is Revel in play?; James Packer: Wanted man

Posted on November 11, 2013 by David McKee

I never would have believed it after a recent change of CEOs and a major redirection of Revel Resort‘s marketing efforts, but the casino could be put up for sale. The bottom having fallen out of the resale market for … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Animals, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Downtown, International, James Packer, Taxes, Technology, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off on Is Revel in play?; James Packer: Wanted man

Big fellow on the Strip

Posted on October 8, 2013 by David McKee

I’m definitely feeling the love for MGM Resorts International, for its role in helping to save O.D., a giant sea turtle, by bringing him to Las Vegas. It’s feel-good story that will linger in your heart, whether or not it … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, MGM Mirage, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on Big fellow on the Strip

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 27, 2013 by David McKee

“I believe if Dante were alive today and rewriting the ‘Inferno’ that the lowest places in hell would be reserved for those who commit cruelty to our animals and to our children.” — U.S. Attorney George Beck, announcing the arrest … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Animals | 3 Comments

Penn loses yet again; Weirdest story of the year

Posted on August 21, 2013 by David McKee

In a stunning setback, voters in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, have decided they don’t want any part of a Penn National Gaming slot parlor. By a very wide margin, they nixed the project, thereby reducing the field of competitors to three: Raynham … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Current, Election, Foxwoods, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Movies, Penn National, Politics | 1 Comment

Silly in Philly; Dinosaurs in Macao; New York’s choice

Posted on July 31, 2013 by David McKee

From the silly file. There’s no reason that any Joe Blow can’t apply for a casino license in Philadelphia. But I get a kick out of fruit-and-vegetable mogul Joseph “Tomato King” Procacci thinking he can actually outdo the likes of … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Election, Isle of Capri, Macau, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Problem gambling, Regulation, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Taxes | Comments Off on Silly in Philly; Dinosaurs in Macao; New York’s choice

Massachusetts: It’s where the action might be; Where there’s smoke, there’s Sheldon

Posted on July 9, 2013 by David McKee

Update/Correction: I’m reliably informed that dog racing (see below) is illegal in Massachusetts and will remain so, praise be. Also, Neil Bluhm is now wooing Millbury for a slot-parlor site. Except for Raynham Park, all slot-parlor applicants are under the … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Architecture, Colony Capital, Cordish Co., Current, Economy, Environment, history, International, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Neil Bluhm, Oklahoma, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal | 1 Comment

Happy days: Here again?; DIY Vdara Death Ray

Posted on May 6, 2013 by David McKee

America‘s casino officially emerged from the doldrums with the release of the American Gaming Association‘s yearly survey, showing a 5% increase in private-sector casino revenue, just $200 million shy of 2007’s record amount. Mind you, we have quite a few … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Atlantic City, Cannery Casino Resorts, Current, Economy, Election, Entertainment, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Penn National, Politics, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Vdara Death Ray | 1 Comment

Resorts World LV: Look familiar?

Posted on March 5, 2013 by David McKee

A reader in Arizona asks the question that was on my mind yesterday and probably yours, too: “Is it just me … or does this look like just a copper/gold-colored version of CityCenter?” Agreed! (With a large helping of Mandalay … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Carl Icahn, CityCenter, Current, Entertainment, Fontainebleau, Genting, history, Macau, MGM Mirage, Morgans Hotel Group, Movies, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | 3 Comments

Just another week in Vegas

Posted on October 17, 2012 by David McKee

D’ya remember that Flava Flav restaurant venture, just off “Crack Alley,” that sounded “too crazy to be true“? Nah, me neither. It quietly went bust earlier this year. Well, now the “aging reality TV star” is in a different sort … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, California, Cretins, Current, Dining, Harrah's, Planet Hollywood, The Strip | 8 Comments

Western … sold?; Loveman takes a bath; Loving couples at the Flamingo

Posted on September 20, 2012 by David McKee

Update: The head of Tamares Group’s Vegas casino operations, Anthony Santo, has contacted S&G. He categorically denies that any sale of the Western has taken place. Well, “the Internets” are jumping today with the rumor that the defunct Western Hotel … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Boyd Gaming, Current, Dining, Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, Environment, Harrah's, Tourism | 6 Comments

The face of LVA; Local man curses electricity

Posted on June 28, 2012 by David McKee

Reports of return (by me) have been greatly exaggerated. After knocking off two travel guides, a feature story and a book review over the last week, I’m practically having to prop my eyes open with toothpicks. And then there are … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Dining, Internet gambling, Pets, Steve Wynn, TV | 1 Comment