Category Archives: Architecture

SLS to get new owner; Boyd outlines strategy

Posted on May 26, 2017 by David McKee

Having failed to reinvent the north end of the Las Vegas Strip as the new place to party heartily, the owners of $415 million SLS Las Vegas are giving up and selling it to a relatively minor player: Meruelo Group. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Cannery Casino Resorts, Environment, Harrah's, Louisiana, Lucky Dragon, Marketing, Mississippi, North Las Vegas, Palms, Reno, Sam Nazarian, SLS Las Vegas, Station Casinos, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Resorts World LV: It’s a go; Illinois pols spurn casino

Posted on May 24, 2017 by David McKee

As Alon fades into the sunset, Resorts World Las Vegas plans to ramp up in serious fashion. Resorts World President Edward Farrell has announced that construction cranes will be up by August at the latest and work will begin in … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Genting, Illinois, Lucky Dragon, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, Politics, Problem gambling, Reno, South Dakota, The Strip | Comments Off on Resorts World LV: It’s a go; Illinois pols spurn casino

Stirrings of life on North Strip; Freeman hails Macao

Posted on May 19, 2017 by David McKee

Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli visited Las Vegas this week and saw signs of life on the North Strip: “Despite limited progress, some recent concrete work is evident on the steel structures at Resorts World. We believe the project remains … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Fontainebleau, G2E, Galaxy Entertainment, Genting, Geoff Freeman, IGT, Marketing, Maryland, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Stirrings of life on North Strip; Freeman hails Macao

Packer bows out; Adelson puts moves on Brazil

Posted on May 12, 2017 by David McKee

There’s now 100% less “Crown” in Melco Crown Entertainment. Colorful casino baron James Packer has sold his share in the company for $1.2 billion. Reuters describes the move as “ending a fraught offshore expansion and freeing up cash for new … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Australia, Boyd Gaming, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Iowa, James Packer, Japan, Lawrence Ho, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Station Casinos, The Crown 18, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Packer bows out; Adelson puts moves on Brazil

Quote of the Day

Posted on May 3, 2017 by David McKee

“What Steve [Wynn] did was put scale to it. He kept the elegance, the personality, the landscape, buildings, the interiors and the games. But the most important element of our Las Vegas experience is what occurs between the visitors’ ears. … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Steve Wynn, The Strip | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Bellagio is burning; Parking valets stiffed

Posted on April 14, 2017 by David McKee

Remember the Monte Carlo fire and how it was fueled by construction foam? It was much the same story last night when the south “arm” of Bellagio caught on fire, a blaze which raged for 25 minutes. “You can smell that sulfur,” said … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Cosmopolitan, Cretins, Economy, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Monte Carlo fire, Planet Hollywood, Technology, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Bellagio is burning; Parking valets stiffed

The Cathedral of St. Al Davis

Posted on April 11, 2017 by David McKee

The eternal flame in honor of St. Al is just too much. * Could South Carolina rush in where Georgia has hesitated? The Palmetto State has costly infrastructure problems and Gov. Henry McMaster (R) has indicated he would veto

Posted in Architecture, Georgia, Planet Hollywood, Politics, South Carolina, Sports, Technology, The Strip | 1 Comment

Exit Trump, enter Hard Rock; Casinos in Cuba again?

Posted on April 10, 2017 by David McKee

Hard Rock International is putting its money where its mouth is, judging from the preview it gave of the Hard Rocked Trump Taj Mahal. The most obvious changes will be on the exterior, where all the tiki-tacky Trump theming will … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Columbia Sussex, Donald Trump, Economy, Entertainment, Foxwoods, Hard Rock International, International, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Politics, Sports, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Trump Entertainment Resorts | 1 Comment

Trump keeps them guessing; Meet your new neighbor, Steve Wynn

Posted on April 4, 2017 by David McKee

Could the president of the United States build a Las Vegas casino? That’s regulatory terra incognito that Nevada regulators will have to explore as Phil Ruffin and Donald Trump continue with their plan to erect a Trump-branded casino next door … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Donald Trump, Economy, Law enforcement, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Movies, New York, Phil Ruffin, Regulation, Riviera, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Mob, The Strip | Comments Off on Trump keeps them guessing; Meet your new neighbor, Steve Wynn

Palace, soon with 100% less Station; Casinos nixed in North Dakota

Posted on March 21, 2017 by David McKee

Palace Station was the Fertitta Brothers‘ first go at a big locals casino and it is, let’s face it, a little crude in its theming, at least by the standards we have come to expect. That’s OK: The Fertittas got … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Dining, Dubai, Harrah's, history, International, MGM Mirage, North Dakota, Politics, Station Casinos, The Strip | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on March 8, 2017 by David McKee

“The bones of the Taj Mahal are as good as anything in town, and it’s something we felt we could do something spectacular with, from the height of the ceilings to the way the casino floor is laid out.” — … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Hard Rock International | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

More resort fees at MGM; Sands Bethlehem sold?

Posted on March 3, 2017 by David McKee

It was show time for the big boys at the J.P. Morgan Gaming, Lodging, Restaurant & Leisure Management Access Forum, starting with MGM Resorts International, which had to get started by explaining why fourth-quarter numbers had been “coming in well below … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, California, Donald Trump, Economy, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Harry Reid, Japan, Macau, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Ho taunts Adelson; Turnover at Wynn

Posted on February 23, 2017 by David McKee

Both Sheldon Adelson and Jim Murren have anted up $10 billion for a Japanese megaresort.  The fever is catching. Melco Crown International CEO Lawrence Ho went completely off his rocker and vowed to spend any amount whatsoever for a casino … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, International, Japan, Law enforcement, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Scientific Games, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 1 Comment

New Deal; Same old same-old at Wynncore

Posted on January 30, 2017 by David McKee

In a dramatic semi-reversal, Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal (R) has said he is open “to keep the discussion going” on casinos in the state. The governor’s sudden open mindedness comes with several caveats, including the assurance that casino gambling won’t detract … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Delaware, Donald Trump, Election, Georgia, Japan, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, South Carolina, Sports, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip | Comments Off on New Deal; Same old same-old at Wynncore

Caesars liberated from bankruptcy; Wynn pitches tantrum

Posted on January 19, 2017 by David McKee

It’s not the end, nor the beginning of the end but the end of the beginning for the Caesars Entertainment bankruptcy, to paraphrase Winston Churchill.  So protracted has the bankruptcy been that its quiet resolution comes as an anticlimax.”I’ve never … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Donald Trump, Georgia, Harrah's, International, Japan, Macau, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Politics, South Korea, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | 1 Comment

MGM’s big rake in Washington; Resort projects power Massachusetts

Posted on January 18, 2017 by David McKee

It should come as no surprise that Washington, D.C., the land of smoke-filled rooms where sleazy deals are made, should be deliver a bumper crop of players to MGM National Harbor‘s 39-table poker room. Even with a truncated month of … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Donald Trump, Geoff Freeman, GLPI, International, Internet gambling, Macau, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Politics, Regulation, Rhode Island, Singapore, Sports, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Tourism, Vietnam, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Warm December in Atlantic City; Las Vegas stages comeback

Posted on January 13, 2017 by David McKee

Online gambling continues to be a hit with New Jersey players, up 31% to $18 million in December. Resorts Digital‘s market share has eked past Tropicana Entertainment‘s but Golden Nugget is far and away the leader, with 26%. Enjoy it … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Economy, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Revel, The Strip, Tourism, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off on Warm December in Atlantic City; Las Vegas stages comeback

Quote of the Day

Posted on December 22, 2016 by David McKee

“It doesn’t have to be brand spanking new or as classy as the Wynn poker room in Las Vegas. But it helps when the tables and chairs are clean and in good shape and when the chips haven’t been in … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture | 1 Comment

What the Lucky Dragon means; National Harbor lifts all boats

Posted on December 9, 2016 by David McKee

The good Dr. David G. Schwartz ponders the significance of Lucky Dragon Casino and begins with one salient milestone: “Lucky Dragon is the first genuinely new property to open in the tourist corridor since The Cosmopolitan six years ago.” That’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Cosmopolitan, Donald Trump, Genting, Harrah's, history, Internet gambling, Japan, Lucky Dragon, Marketing, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Nevada, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off on What the Lucky Dragon means; National Harbor lifts all boats

Running the tables in Pennsylvania; MGM woos Georgia (again)

Posted on December 5, 2016 by David McKee

Due to Pennsylvania‘s quirky habit of releasing slot and table game revenue numbers in staggered fashion, we don’t often comment on Keystone State gambling revenues. Fortunately, the Center for Gaming Research at UNLV consolidates the information into one handy-dandy report. … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Aristocrat, Australia, Cosmopolitan, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Georgia, GLPI, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Hooters, Isle of Capri, Macau, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, SLS Las Vegas, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation | Comments Off on Running the tables in Pennsylvania; MGM woos Georgia (again)