Category Archives: Animals

Revel gets a rave review

Posted on April 4, 2012 by David McKee

Deutsche Bank‘s Carlo Santarelli took a jaunt down to Atlantic City to check out Revel, the biggest noise on the Boardwalk in almost a decade. He thought … well, let him tell it: “From the check in reception area, complete … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Architecture, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Colony Capital, Cosmopolitan, Cretins, Current, Dennis Gomes, Dining, Donald Trump, Economy, Entertainment, Environment, Genting, Harrah's, Marketing, New York, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Tropicana Entertainment, TV, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Vegas gets its groove back; “Zarkana” comes to Aria

Posted on March 7, 2012 by David McKee

In terms of quantity, quality and proximity, the Los Angeles Times is the closest thing Las Vegas has to a major metropolitan daily. (Hell, the Sacramento Bee puts the Las Vegas Review-Journal to shame.) Indeed, the LAT treats Sin City … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Architecture, Arizona, Boyd Gaming, California, Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, Dining, Donald Trump, Downtown, Entertainment, Harrah's, history, Macau, MGM Mirage, Movies, Phil Ruffin, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Tamares Group, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on Vegas gets its groove back; “Zarkana” comes to Aria

Vegas’ newest low-roller joint; Is the Lion extinct?; Another classy Sands moment

Posted on January 4, 2012 by David McKee

Move over, Longhorn and Vegas Club. The spirit of Nevada Palace (R.I.P.) hath descended upon the Palms. If recent sackings of Bunny dealers portended a sea change at the former George Maloof property, during my latest visit I practically collided … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Current, Dining, Entertainment, George Maloof, Harrah's, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | 3 Comments

Strangest gambling scandal ever?

Posted on October 18, 2011 by David McKee

Politics and gambling have literally gone to the dogs in West Virginia. A certain Harry Marshall Rae has pleaded ‘not guilty’ to attempted extortion of Gov.-elect Earl Ray Tomblin (D). At issue is an alleged $50,000 demand — placed on … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Current, Internet gambling, Politics, Racinos, The Mob, West Virginia | Comments Off on Strangest gambling scandal ever?

Station stirrings

Posted on September 30, 2011 by David McKee

It looks as though Station Casinos and Manhattan-based developer Fisher Bros. are trying to put back together some of the pieces of their Humpty Dumpty megaproject along I-15. As you recall, the duo had acquired a swath of land (assembled … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Archon Corp., Current, Economy, Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Station Casinos, The Strip | 1 Comment

Twin births

Posted on July 29, 2011 by David McKee

There’s a new dolphin — as yet unnamed — at The Mirage. It’ll probably be a while before the little pup goes on public display. In the meantime, S&G congratulates The Mirage, and hopes mother and child are resting comfortably. … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Current, Downtown, Entertainment, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Tamares Group, The Strip, Tourism | 1 Comment

California bound; M changes hands and style

Posted on May 6, 2011 by David McKee

Yes, MGM Resorts International, Boyd Gaming, Las Vegas Sands, the great state of Illinois and I don’t know who all else have been reporting revenues this week, and Mississippi is under water.. And I’ve not had time to cover any … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Architecture, Boyd Gaming, California, Current, Dining, Environment, Illinois, M Resort, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Movies, Penn National, Pets, Steve Wynn, Transportation, Wall Street | 2 Comments

New era at the Riv

Posted on April 25, 2011 by David McKee

It sure looks at lot like the old one, especially with Robert Vannucci still calling the shots over there, according to the grapevine: “Experience action-packed wrestling as Lil Macho Man, Tiny Terminator, Lil Rampage, Nasty Boy, Baby Chucky, Lil Devil … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Current, Economy, Entertainment, Marketing, Movies, Pets, Riviera, Sahara, Sports, The Strip, Tourism, TV | 12 Comments

Sahara Sam: Will he or won’t he?

Posted on March 25, 2011 by David McKee

An MGM Resorts International press release hailing the new SBE/M life partnership holds out a slim reed of hope that predictions Sahara Hotel & Casino owner Sam Nazarian will redevelop the site are more than just additional vaporware. (The Sahara … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Animals, CityCenter, Current, Florida, Harrah's, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Sahara, The Strip, Tourism | 1 Comment

Elephant runs free

Posted on January 7, 2011 by David McKee

No, it’s not a metaphor for this week’s events in Washington, D.C., just the setup for a heartwarming vignette out of India …

Posted in Animals, Current, International | Comments Off on Elephant runs free

‘Twere the Case Bets before Christmas

Posted on December 23, 2010 by David McKee

In the casino industry, everything was stirring, including the mice. Cordish’s revenge. It’s a dish best served by opening Cordish Gaming‘s controversial Arundel Mills gambling hall late next year with a temporary, one-year casino. That means karma comes early for … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Animals, Cordish Co., Current, Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, G2E, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Macau, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Minnesota, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Singapore, The Mob, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on ‘Twere the Case Bets before Christmas

Nevada: “Cautious optimism”

Posted on December 9, 2010 by David McKee

That’s how UNLV‘s gaming guru, Prof. David G. Schwartz, describes his reaction to the October revenue numbers, released today. The 11% autumnal bounce may be less notable for the fact that the Strip was up 16% than the fact that … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Cordish Co., Current, Downtown, Economy, history, International, Marketing, Mesquite, MGM Mirage, Pets, Regulation, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Fellini comes to Vegas

Posted on October 18, 2010 by David McKee

Here’s the one-minute version of Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas‘ surrealistic new teaser ad. I’m not sure who the target market is — the vibe is decidedly upscale but perhaps too arty, over the heads of the Speidi wannabes who frequent … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Cosmopolitan, Current, Marketing, The Strip, Tourism, TV | 5 Comments

On a personal note …

Posted on October 15, 2010 by David McKee

My best pal, Fasolt, known to S&G readers, lost his battle with kidney failure and lymphoma earlier this week. The good people at Mountain Vista Animal Hospital put the big fellow out of his misery, illness having shriveled his once-enormous … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Current, Pets | 7 Comments

Celebrity justice; Harrah’s goes to the dogs

Posted on October 12, 2010 by David McKee

As you all probably know by now, Palms owner George Maloof was busted on a DUI last weekend. Under any other circumstances, it would be endearing to learn that the generally unassuming Maloof doesn’t have himself chauffeured about town. Lack … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, CityCenter, Columbia Sussex, Downtown, Economy, Election, Entertainment, Harrah's, Herbst Gaming, Lake Las Vegas, MGM Mirage, Monte Carlo fire, Pets, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on September 14, 2010 by David McKee

“You’re not going to Las Vegas to see the king of beasts, you’re going there for gambling and hookers! You don’t go to see two guys in MGM Grand T-shirts poking at lions! That’s not right!” — David Letterman, on … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Entertainment, MGM Mirage, The Strip, TV | 1 Comment

Old cats, new tricks

Posted on August 26, 2010 by David McKee

After one near-eviction, followed by a lengthy reprieve, magician Dirk Arthur and his big cats got the heave-ho from the Tropicana Las Vegas. Where’s tiger-loving illusionist to go? In Arthur’s case, it’s to the Strip’s biggest litter box, O’Shea’s Casino, … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Animals, Current, Entertainment, Harrah's, The Strip | Comments Off on Old cats, new tricks

Margaritaville on the rocks

Posted on July 15, 2010 by David McKee

Long-serving — and long-suffering — Biloxi Mayor A.J. Holloway has lost patience with Harrah’s Entertainment. He is convinced that the metamorphosis of Grand Casino Biloxi into Margaritaville Casino is kaput and that Harrah’s will tear down what little it has … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Animals, Archon Corp., Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Carl Icahn, Charity, Current, Donald Trump, Economy, Encore, Environment, Fontainebleau, George Maloof, Harrah's, Holy Cow, Indiana, International, Louisiana, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Movies, Pennsylvania, Pets, Phil Ruffin, Planet Hollywood, Plaza, Riviera, Sahara, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, TV, Wall Street | 5 Comments

Riviera: Non-story of the year

Posted on July 13, 2010 by David McKee

In what was 2010’s biggest foregone conclusion, Riviera Holdings filed bankruptcy yesterday. This has been coming a long time although the scanty news coverage leaves it unclear whether what’s taking place is the pre-packaged bankruptcy that would see the Riv … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Animals, Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Current, Economy, Election, International, Macau, MGM Mirage, Michael Gaughan, Pansy Ho, Politics, Regulation, Riviera, Sheldon Adelson, Silverton, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, TV, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on July 9, 2010 by David McKee

Provided by reader eddacat. Many thanks.

Posted in Animals, Environment | 1 Comment