Category Archives: Architecture

MGM Cotai gets rave review; Cracking the Millennial code

Posted on January 29, 2018 by David McKee

MGM Grand Cotai continues to miss opening deadlines, the latest obstacle being the government’s continued failure to issue a hotel license. “The licence application for the opening of the five-star hotel MGM Cotai and establishments inside the property is still … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, CityCenter, Genting, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Macau, Marketing, MGM Mirage, New York, Regulation, Technology, TV | Comments Off

Wynn: The fallout

Posted on January 29, 2018 by David McKee

It’s still early in the apparent downfall of Steve Wynn but already there’s heated pressure being put on both Democrats and Republicans to disown his largesse. Rep. Karen Handel (R) was out in front, giving $2,700 Wynnbucks to “a charity in … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Donald Trump, Galaxy Entertainment, Japan, Macau, Massachusetts, Nevada, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | Comments Off

Adelson: Big is more; MGM misses important deadline

Posted on January 26, 2018 by David McKee

Wall Street analysts expected Las Vegas Sands to post cash flow of $718 million last quarter but it blew through the ‘stop’ sign and checked in with $731 million. Even though recovering from three cracked ribs, CEO Sheldon Adelson had … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Architecture, Cordish Co., Galaxy Entertainment, GLPI, Greenwood Racing, Illinois, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Tropicana Entertainment | 1 Comment

Monopoly!

Posted on January 18, 2018 by David McKee

“They came. They saw. They were rejected,” wrote Richard Velotta wittily in the Las Vegas Review-Journal‘s report of a spurned takeover attempt by MGM Growth Properties of Vici Properties. Yes, the long-dreaded MGM/Caesars merger effort has finally come to pass. … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Donald Trump, Harrah's, Indiana, Majestic Star, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Pinnacle Entertainment, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Casino envy in Pennsylvania; Gilbert Jacks off

Posted on January 16, 2018 by David McKee

Why do all the bridges in Lehigh County have a “100” rating? Because of the tax money pouring in from Sands Bethlehem. That’s causing some serious envy in Mercer County, which wants a mini-casino. “It’s almost an unfair advantage,” sputters Mercer County … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Dan Gilbert, Harrah's, Marketing, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Taxes, Tourism | Comments Off

Pennsylvania towns shun casinos; Macao mobbed up

Posted on January 5, 2018 by David McKee

Mini-casinos are as popular in Pennsylvania as an outbreak of typhus. Some 936 towns have ixnayed the idea of hosting slot parlors in their back yards. Extant casino operators will have to bid at least $7.5 million (and have a site … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, California, Charity, Churchill Downs, Economy, Foxwoods, Genting, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, LVCVA, Macau, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, Regulation, South Korea, Sports, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Mob, Tourism, Tribal, TV | Comments Off

Rethinking riverboats in Louisiana; Santa hearts Boyd; High and dry

Posted on December 21, 2017 by David McKee

Baton Rouge is one of the markets that hews to the archaic practice of mandating that godless gambling be conducted over water. H2O has remarkable cleansing properties on filthy casino lucre, it seems. At any rate, even though L’Auberge Baton … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Current, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Greenwood Racing, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Macau, Palms, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Station Casinos, Taxes, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Revel bought? Straub says no; R.I.P., Keely Smith

Posted on December 19, 2017 by David McKee

Revel/Ten may have yet another name soon, now that wannabe buyer Bruce Defik has done what Glenn Straub wouldn’t: apply for a New Jersey gaming license. Straub continues to assert that there is no deal in place but “a court … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, California, Detroit, Dining, Entertainment, Glenn Straub, history, Internet gambling, James Packer, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Revel, Station Casinos, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off

Alon: Packer out, Wynn in; Expert: Millennials suck

Posted on December 7, 2017 by David McKee

We guess Steve Wynn couldn’t stand looking at a vacant lot across from Wynncore any longer. The former Alon site will now be Wynn’s Next-But-One Great Thing. Back when it was still the Plaza site, Wynn publicly mulled building a … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, James Packer, Marketing, Palms, Plaza, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 1 Comment

MGM National Harbor rules; Beating the eye in the sky

Posted on December 6, 2017 by David McKee

MGM National Harbor dominated Maryland yet again, garnering 39% of market share and grossing $50.5 million. The balance of revenue continues to creep toward the (punitively taxed) slot side of the casino, so MGM won’t be completely thrilled with November’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Cordish Co., Donald Trump, Golden Gaming, Japan, Law enforcement, Lawrence Ho, Maryland, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Mirage, New York, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, Sports, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip | Comments Off

Favorable forecast for 2018; New look at Cosmo

Posted on November 29, 2017 by David McKee

Good news for casinos: “2018 is set to be a good year for gaming operators and suppliers globally amid a strong economic backdrop and a relatively benign new supply environment,” says Fitch Ratings analyst Alex Bumazhny, one of the more circumspect … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, Economy, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Macau, MGM Mirage, New York, Sheldon Adelson, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Thought for the day

Posted on November 6, 2017 by David McKee

Why does Steve Wynn want to decorate the lagoon of Wynn Paradise Park with floats of giant arachnids? I mean, nothing says “fun” like a bunch of spiders, right? I think my archachna-phobic wife has come up with the explanation: … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, MGM Mirage, Steve Wynn | Comments Off

New look for an old favorite

Posted on November 1, 2017 by David McKee

Courtesy of sharp-eyed reader (and frequent source) Greg Askins. But somebody should have snipped that shot of the “Do Not Disturb” sign, which takes on another meaning after the Stephen Paddock rampage.

Posted in Architecture, Harrah's, Mandalay Bay Massacre, The Strip | Comments Off

Major casino expansion mooted for Pennsylvania; Big wins for Florida, Wisconsin tribes

Posted on October 27, 2017 by David McKee

Gaming expansion is creeping forward in Pennsylvania. The state Senate has passed and sent to the House a bill that would add 10 satellite casinos to the Keystone State. Eldorado Resorts‘ Presque Isle Downs would be juiced in for one … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Eldorado Resorts, Florida, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Reno, Seminole Tribe, Slot routes, Station Casinos, Taxes, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off

Wynn: Set the date; High-tech potties at Caesars

Posted on October 27, 2017 by David McKee

It’s official: Wynn Resorts will start tearing up its Las Vegas Strip golf course on Jan. 3, 2018. Not much is known about what will replace it, as the budget hasn’t been set, and plans for the Wynn Paradise Park … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Cannery Casino Resorts, Charity, Downtown, Harrah's, Macau, Movies, North Las Vegas, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

Adelson’s construction boom; Make theirs Manhattan

Posted on October 26, 2017 by David McKee

Las Vegas Sands still can’t be bothered to finish its St. Regis stump on the Strip, but it’s spending capex dollars like there’s no tomorrow in Macao. Sands will throw $700 million into redoing Sands Cotai Central as The Londoner, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Culinary Union, Genting, Law enforcement, Macau, Mandalay Bay Massacre, MGM Mirage, New York, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

It’s about time; Pols attack Atlantic City

Posted on October 24, 2017 by David McKee

Twelve years after Hurricane Katrina, Midwest and Bible Belt states still require casinos to be built on the water. Exceptions have been made for casinos on Mississippi‘s Gulf Coast and one of Mike Pence‘s latter acts as governor of Indiana … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Election, history, Indiana, Louisiana, Mandalay Bay Massacre, MGM Mirage, New York, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Sports, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off

Crown in hot water again; Wynn and whimsy

Posted on October 20, 2017 by David McKee

Crown Resorts just can’t stay out of trouble. On the first anniversary (roughly) of the arrest of the Crown 18 in China, the casino giant stands accused of rigging video poker machines. Parliamentary lone wolf and anti-gambling crusader Andrew Wilkie … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Australia, Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, James Packer, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Steve Wynn, The Crown 18, Tilman Fertitta | 2 Comments

Resorts World a ‘go’; House of Blues a ‘drag’

Posted on October 19, 2017 by David McKee

With a great sigh of relief, we note that Resorts World Las Vegas has gone from being just a logo and some nifty renderings to becoming a living, breathing construction project (video here). Genting Group has hired a construction manager and … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Entertainment, Genting, Harrah's, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Station Casinos, Technology, The Strip, Vdara Death Ray, Westgate LV | Comments Off

Pugilism pays off for Vegas; Ho dissed by son

Posted on October 4, 2017 by David McKee

Those tomato cans Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor were very good for business when they battled on August 26. “It could be a while before we see money like this bet on a fight again,” said Betfair‘s Katie Baylis. Indeed. Betfair … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Australia, Internet gambling, Japan, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Mesquite, Sports, Stanley Ho, The Strip | Comments Off