Category Archives: Atlantic City

Sheldon the Barbarian & other news

Posted on January 11, 2010 by David McKee

Amid reports of vastly improved attendance at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show comes news of a typical overreaction by Las Vegas Sands. I know of one company that was doing off-site demos and fortunately wasn’t among the vendors turfed out … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Carl Icahn, Colorado, Columbia Sussex, Current, Economy, Election, Harrah's, Indiana, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment | 5 Comments

An open letter from Fred Frazzetta

Posted on January 5, 2010 by David McKee

Most of you, I’m certain, remember Fred Frazzetta, a heroic Nevadan who essentially sacrificed his career to blow the whistle on Harrah’s Entertainment‘s cavalier attitude toward building regulations (and, one might add, customer safety). He sent S&G the following, in … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Current, Harrah's, Pennsylvania, The Strip | 6 Comments

Loveman loves him some Macao

Posted on December 22, 2009 by David McKee

By now the saga of Harrah’s Entertainment‘s Macanese golf course is the stuff of legend: a $578 million golden albatross around the company’s neck and a metaphor for the company’s misfortune-prone international strategy. While some of CEO Gary Loveman‘s ventures … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colony Capital, Current, Harrah's, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Maryland, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Planet Hollywood, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Who’s better for F’bleau: Icahn or Penn?

Posted on December 8, 2009 by David McKee

That’s the unspoken question hanging over a lengthy piece in yesterday’s Las Vegas Sun. While Penn National Gaming is willing to commit $1.5 billion or more to finishing Fontainebleau, lead bidder Carl Icahn may be able to do the job … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Carl Icahn, CityCenter, Columbia Sussex, Current, Economy, Fontainebleau, Kansas, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Penn National, Planet Hollywood, Regulation, Station Casinos, The Strip, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Case Bets: The Wayner, G2E, Packer & Kerzner

Posted on December 8, 2009 by David McKee

Say what you like about Wayne Newton‘s Once Before I Go at the Tropicana Las Vegas, it has the biggest band you’ll see on the Strip: 20 strong, plus backup singers. Most Strip headliners have to make do with one-third … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Atlantic City, Australia, Carl Icahn, Current, Donald Trump, Economy, Entertainment, G2E, Genting, International, James Packer, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Planet Hollywood, Problem gambling, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Case Bets: The Wayner, G2E, Packer & Kerzner

Is Adelson mad? Trump trumped & Kerzner booted

Posted on December 1, 2009 by David McKee

In an interview with Reuters, Sheldon Adelson said Las Vegas Sands might launch operations in India, Thailand and Japan as soon as 2010. Given the ropey financial condition of his company, the fact that Marina Bay Sands will open at … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Atlantic City, Current, Detroit, Donald Trump, Economy, Genting, Harrah's, International, Kansas, Macau, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Planet Hollywood, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Stanley Ho, Taxes, Tourism, Tribal | 1 Comment

CityCenter dodges bullet

Posted on November 27, 2009 by David McKee

Morton Grove, IL. Lying low while Black Friday sweeps Chicagoland … You will remember that, when CityCenter teetered upon the brink of bankruptcy earlier this year, it was saved by a compromise that put the onus on MGM Mirage for … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Atlantic City, Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Current, Don Barden, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, IGT, Illinois, Indiana, International, Kansas, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Penn National, Regulation, WMS Industries | 4 Comments

Trouble in River City

Posted on November 9, 2009 by David McKee

In a shocking development that’s bound to set tongues a-wagging, Pinnacle Entertainment CEO Dan Lee has “resigned to pursue other business interests” (industry-speak for “Don’t let the doorknob hit you in the butt”). The buzz is that Pinnacle’s strategy was … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Columbia Sussex, Current, Economy, Fontainebleau, Harrah's, Louisiana, Missouri, Pinnacle Entertainment, Planet Hollywood, Politics, Regulation, Station Casinos | 8 Comments

Meet the new Cincinnati Kid

Posted on November 4, 2009 by David McKee

For our purposes, the main headline comes from Ohio, where Issue 3 passed amid heavy voter turnout — if not by the wide margin pollsters had forecast. (At least they didn’t screw the pooch like all those pollsters who had … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally Technologies, Current, Economy, Election, Horseracing, IGT, Ohio, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Taxes, WMS Industries | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on November 3, 2009 by David McKee

“We’ve been practicing for more than 30 years. I don’t think you need to remind anyone about that one any longer. Don’t let the dust from your vacant lot get in your eyes on your way out of town.” — … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Pinnacle Entertainment | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Case Bets: Pinnacle, Pennsylvania, Harrah’s & Sands

Posted on October 30, 2009 by David McKee

Third quarter at PNK: 3Q09 numbers are out for Pinnacle Entertainment and the comparisons cover the spectrum from very good (Lumiere Place up 19%), good (+5% at L’Auberge du Lac) and lousy (-13% aboard Boomtown New Orleans). Once a free-spending … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Atlantic City, Current, Detroit, Economy, Harrah's, Louisiana, Macau, Marketing, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Problem gambling, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Tribal, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Boyd: A waiting game

Posted on October 27, 2009 by David McKee

That’s the economic forecast of J.P. Morgan analysts after Boyd Gaming came in slightly under its cash-flow projections for the third quarter. Borgata remained a bright spot, reaching record levels of market share in Atlantic City (a staggering 19%) in … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Current, Downtown, Economy, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Morgans Hotel Group, Neil Bluhm, New York, Pennsylvania, Racinos, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | 6 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 20, 2009 by David McKee

"I'd like to keep one strip of that airport as an airport. I think it closed prematurely. I think greed went nuts." — Atlantic City mayoral candidate Joseph Polillo (I), on what to do with Bader Field. Incumbent Mayor Lorenzo … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Election, Politics, Tourism, Transportation | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

F'bleau: Wait 'til 2012; Satre returns

Posted on October 16, 2009 by David McKee

That’s basically the message coming out of bankruptcy court, where Fontainebleau ownership requested permission to scrap all conventions and meetings through October 2011. Among many other disclosures in the fast-moving Chapter 11 was the sacking of seven top executives. (A … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colony Capital, Cosmopolitan, Economy, Fontainebleau, Harrah's, IGT, Macau, MGM Mirage, Pansy Ho | 2 Comments

Hope for Boardwalk?

Posted on October 13, 2009 by David McKee

As you know, S&G puts more stock in year/year comparisons than sequential ones, but the most recent set from Atlantic City affords a slender reed of hope. With the help of tighter slots, A.C. held its September decline to 6%, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Carl Icahn, Colony Capital, Current, Economy, Harrah's, Marketing, Maryland, Neil Bluhm, New York, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Tourism, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Hope for Boardwalk?

Leaving Las Vegas

Posted on October 12, 2009 by David McKee

At least 28,000 have done so over the two years-plus (probably more when you allow for the people still moving here). What are the likely consequences of Las Vegas‘ pegging its future on a one-trick economy? And is it going … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, CityCenter, Current, Detroit, Economy, Election, Horseracing, Indiana, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Racinos, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal | Comments Off on Leaving Las Vegas

Leaving Las Vegas

Posted on October 12, 2009 by David McKee

At least 28,000 have done so over the two years-plus (probably more when you allow for the people still moving here). What are the likely consequences of Las Vegas‘ pegging its future on a one-trick economy? And is it going … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, CityCenter, Current, Detroit, Economy, Election, Horseracing, Indiana, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Racinos, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal | Comments Off on Leaving Las Vegas

What's a Trump casino worth?

Posted on October 8, 2009 by David McKee

Only $14 million in cash (plus a $100 million equity infusion), according to The Donald. Bondholders say, we’ll see your $115 million and raise you $100 million. The latter would recoup at least some — but not very much — … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Baseball, Current, Donald Trump, Fontainebleau, Harrah's, Harry Reid, Horseracing, Illinois, International, Internet gambling, Lawrence Ho, M Resort, Macau, Massachusetts, Melco Crown Entertainment, Neil Bluhm, Ohio, Oklahoma, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, Sports, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Texas, Tribal | Comments Off on What's a Trump casino worth?

Case Bets: Corzine, Penn vs. MTR, Pinnacle, Manilow & strippers

Posted on October 7, 2009 by David McKee

Forbidden by New Jersey law from directly contributing to political campaigns, casino companies are making an end run through Virginia. Harrah’s Entertainment, Boyd Gaming and IGT are among those funneling campaign cash into a reverse version on the Underground Railroad. … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Current, Economy, Election, Entertainment, Harrah's, Horseracing, IGT, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Regulation, The Strip | Comments Off on Case Bets: Corzine, Penn vs. MTR, Pinnacle, Manilow & strippers

From the mailbag #8

Posted on October 5, 2009 by David McKee

“Doesn’t the IOC realise it will be winter in Brazil in August, 2016?” — comment Blackberried in by a reader, regarding the award of the ’16 games to Rio de Janeiro. Y’know, I’d been wondering about that myself. The average … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colony Capital, Current, Donald Trump, Election, International, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Oscar Goodman, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore | 1 Comment