Category Archives: Architecture

Super Blowout

Posted on February 4, 2014 by David McKee

And, no, I don’t mean what happened on the field last Sunday at the Super Bowl. Nevada‘s sports books surpassed last year’s record $99 million handle and it wasn’t even close — $119 million. The nearly $20 million in profit … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Election, Florida, Foxwoods, Harrah's, history, Massachusetts, Regulation, Sports, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off

A fistful of intangibles

Posted on January 30, 2014 by David McKee

A produce warehouse and a fistful intangibles. That’s what Joseph “Tomato King” Procacci says will enable him to get his casino proposal up and running six months ahead of any rival bidder. Touting his ‘juice’ in the community, the Tomato … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Cordish Co., Cosmopolitan, Greenwood Racing, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Regulation, Tomato King Procacci, Tribal | 1 Comment

All things …

Posted on January 7, 2014 by David McKee

… come to and end, good, bad or indifferent. I do not speak ill of MGM Resorts International‘s marquee for New York-New York, but 16 years was deemed enough, as MGM reconceptualizes NY-NY’s Strip frontage. Young Electric Sign Co. will … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Current, history, MGM Mirage, The Strip | 1 Comment

Britney: It sucks, bitch

Posted on December 31, 2013 by David McKee

A ways back, when Gary Loveman was all Q-crazy, I pointed out that the letter ‘X’ also carries a high Scrabble value. Little did I suspect that the Aladdin Theater for the Performing Arts would become “the AXIS.” Programming will … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Cosmopolitan, Entertainment, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, The Strip | 1 Comment

Kentucky: Let’s try this again; The smell of money

Posted on December 26, 2013 by David McKee

There will be yet another push for casino gambling in the Kentucky Legislature, with hopes of getting a constitutional amendment on the 2014 ballot. The move has bipartisan sponsorship. Dan Seum (R) is carrying the ball in the state Senate … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Racinos, Transportation, Tribal | Comments Off

SLS to get oddball neighbor?

Posted on December 24, 2013 by David McKee

Everybody’s entitled to a dream, however implausible. Back when Christopher Milam was plotting to build the Silver State Arena on the former Wet ‘n Wild site, we had a lot of problems with Milam’s concept. However, it seems the essence … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Archon Corp., Sam Nazarian, Sports, The Strip | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on December 12, 2013 by David McKee

“I think it would be a wonderful spot for a casino.” — Albany County Industrial Development Authority Chairman Gary Domalewicz, speaking of the abandoned and decidedly dilapidated Tobin First Prize packing plant, in Albany, New York.

Posted in Architecture, New York | Comments Off

As the Trop turns …

Posted on December 4, 2013 by David McKee

While I was out of town, Alex Yemenidjian sprang another big-ass remake of the Tropicana Las Vegas upon local media. Now, most of A-Yem’s big, shiny ideas have had tragically short lives. (Anyone remember Bagatelle Beach Club? Wayne Newton: Once … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Architecture, Entertainment, Sahara, Sam Nazarian | 1 Comment

Mohegan switches sides in Massachusetts; Ghosts in the machine

Posted on December 3, 2013 by David McKee

It’s not quite official but the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority has thrown in its lot with Suffolk Downs, one of the dwindling number of candidates for a Massachusetts casino license (and where a big redesign is well underway). Mohegan Sun wasted … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, IGT, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Pennsylvania, Technology, Wall Street | Comments Off

Suffolk Downs: Devil in the details; Wynn exculpated

Posted on November 22, 2013 by David McKee

Suffolk Downs has yet to reveal how it will shoehorn a $1 billion casino into the Revere portion of its property. However, its struggle to do so is being made even harder both by opposition groups and Boston politicians who’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Arizona, Downtown, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Racinos, Regulation, Tribal | Comments Off

Delay in Wisconsin lengthens; Fast action in N.Y.

Posted on November 12, 2013 by David McKee

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) continues to make inscrutable, sometimes self-contradictory remarks about the hotly disputed Kenosha-area Hard Rock casino proposed by the Menominee Tribe for Dairyland Greyhound Park. What was a timeline of a week or two has now … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, California, Charity, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, New York, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off

N.Y. claims first casualty: Steve Wynn; Walker’s waiting game

Posted on November 11, 2013 by David McKee

For the second time, Steve Wynn is pulling out of contention for the one remaining Philadelphia casino license. In a prepared statement, Wynn Resorts said its board had recently met, conducted a feasibility study and “decided that the best course … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Charity, Current, Isle of Capri, Massachusetts, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Steve Wynn, Tomato King Procacci, Tribal, Wisconsin | 2 Comments

CityCenter 1.5; Casinos vs. Atlantic City, Round Two

Posted on November 5, 2013 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International and Anschutz Entertainment Group have unfurled the big- and small-picture details of their 12-acre, 20,000-seat arena. For an in-depth description, I direct you to Alan Snel‘s excellent account. The announcement refuels speculation that AEG (operator of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Colony Capital, Current, Economy, Hard Rock International, International, Japan, Macau, MGM Mirage, Politics, Sports, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street, Wisconsin | Comments Off

Breakthrough in Wisconsin; Second chance in Biloxi

Posted on October 20, 2013 by David McKee

Approval of a Dairyland casino for the Menominee Tribe is still the longest of long shots, but there were faint cracks in the ice after a summit meeting earlier this week. Contrary to earlier reports, participants did a little bit … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Harrah's, history, Mississippi, Steve Wynn, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off

Learning to love the Boardwalk again

Posted on October 4, 2013 by David McKee

In a surprising — but not unwelcome — turn of events two Philadelphia casino investors are looking at getting into Atlantic City. It’s amazing the effect legalized Internet betting can have. Business partners George Miller and Kevin Flynn own 0.5% … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Colony Capital, Current, Dining, Donald Trump, Hard Rock Hotel, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Pennsylvania, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta | 2 Comments

Murren woos Maryland; Downtown Grand shows promise

Posted on September 26, 2013 by David McKee

After hinting at a low-key design for his National Harbor casino proposal, MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren rolled out something fairly spectacular. The terraced, canopied design looks not a little futuristic and the Las Vegas Review-Journal was right to … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Dining, Downtown, Hard Rock International, International, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | 1 Comment

Bad day for Tomato King and Wynn

Posted on September 25, 2013 by David McKee

While the City of Philadelphia is officially neutral on who should get the last gambling license for the area, it’s not above giving the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board a not-so-gentle-nudge. At a hearing led by Deputy Mayor Alan Greenberger, two … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Cordish Co., Cosmopolitan, International, Macau, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Steve Wynn, Tomato King Procacci, Tourism | Comments Off

Tilman impresses again; N.Y. nudges casino question

Posted on September 12, 2013 by David McKee

You have to hand it to Tilman Fertitta: He keeps reinvesting in his casino properties, unlike some people we could name. (*cough*Gary Loveman*cough*) Although “high roller” and “Laughlin” seem oxymoronic, that hasn’t stopped Fertitta from dropping a bundle on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Election, Laughlin, New York, Tilman Fertitta | 1 Comment

Beantown Brawl: Wynn vs. Menino

Posted on September 5, 2013 by David McKee

It wasn’t exactly a Profile in Courage day for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission yesterday. It told the cities of Everett and Boston to work out their feud over a proposed Steve Wynn casino between themselves. Now what do you think … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Election, Harrah's, Massachusetts, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Tomato King Procacci | 2 Comments

On the lighter side

Posted on September 3, 2013 by David McKee

Add Cedar Rapids to the list of cities offering a “Las Vegas flavor” to their citizens — at least if Cedar Crossing Casino goes through as planned, which will include a management team of Peninsula Gaming execs rendered homeless by … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Dining, Entertainment, Harrah's, Iowa, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off