Category Archives: CityCenter

Case Bets: Aria, IGT, Maryland & Detroit

Posted on November 20, 2009 by David McKee

There was a small setback for Bally Technologies when it had to pull its iView DM systems software out of Aria. Seems MGM Mirage gave Bally a scant five days to get iView DM up, running and certified. Expect to … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally Technologies, CityCenter, Current, Detroit, Economy, IGT, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Technology, Tribal | 2 Comments

G2E, tweeted; Flop @ the Trop

Posted on November 20, 2009 by David McKee

Here’s a quickie précis of Global Gaming Expo 2009, as culled from the S&G Twitter feed: “G2E ’09 is G2E Lite. Upside: less walking, less crowding, less backache. Downside: less food. Also, seminar tracks more like Sominex … Slot floor … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, CityCenter, Entertainment, G2E, Harry Reid, IGT, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip | 5 Comments

From the mailbag #12

Posted on November 20, 2009 by David McKee

A former colleague, a person of upbeat disposition and someone who, along with his wife, achieved the American Dream here, recently sent ’round the following dispatch. Were it coming from somebody who was a congenital naysayer, that’d be one thing. … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Current, Economy, Michael Gaughan, Morgans Hotel Group, Planet Hollywood, The Strip, Tourism | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on November 11, 2009 by David McKee

“You’re going to get people who will come and sit here all day.” — Robin Leach, during a media tour of the new Crystals retail mall (above). Sit? All day? In Las Vegas? Unless they’re playing in slot or poker … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, MGM Mirage, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Quote of the Day

Posted on November 10, 2009 by David McKee

“It was intriguing to me that you can have a valley of 2 million people spread around the suburbs without the logical counterpoint that you would typically find in large metropolitan markets, having a large urban core.” — MGM Mirage … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, MGM Mirage, The Strip | 4 Comments

Use found for The Harmon

Posted on November 8, 2009 by David McKee

Yes, “Dubai’s Diminuendo,” the “Harmonini,” Baldwin’s Bump, whatever you want to call it, has been given a purpose in life. Strip hotel guests awoke in the wee hours of Saturday morning to behold the following: If nothing else, the truncated … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Current, Entertainment, Marketing, MGM Mirage, The Strip | 1 Comment

Best idea of the week … or year

Posted on November 6, 2009 by David McKee

From our Today’s News feed: “Until now, MGM Mirage exercised a policy of having each property in the group compete with the others, as if they were totally independent competing entities. It was a strategy designed to keep salespeople ‘on … Continue reading →

Posted in California, CityCenter, Current, Economy, Entertainment, Environment, Harrah's, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Penn National, Plaza, Steve Wynn | 2 Comments

Wynncore: the best revenge

Posted on November 5, 2009 by David McKee

If Wynn Resorts legal beagle Kevin Tourek didn’t make a complete fool of himself with his self-aggrandizing cease-and-desist letter to VegasTripping.com, then VT.com owner Chuck Monster finishes the job with a lengthy and subtly humorous rebuttal. In a lightly ironic … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Current, Encore, Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, Steve Wynn, Technology, Tourism, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Much ado about something?

Posted on November 5, 2009 by David McKee

Vive le Roi! After much coy hugger-mugger, Cirque du Soleil has just announced the name of its Aria show is … wait for it, people … Viva Elvis. (I cannot decide if the uninspired logo, which looks like a Ronco … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Current, Encore, Entertainment, Harrah's, Missouri, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 1 Comment

“It’s a bargain hunter’s paradise”

Posted on November 4, 2009 by David McKee

So sayeth our own Anthony Curtis, toward the end of a superb MSNBC analysis of the impending impact of CityCenter. Other industry moguls, including Sheldon Adelson and Steve Wynn, take a cautious but hopeful view. Even the normally optimistic Bill … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Cordish Co., Economy, Kansas, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Tourism, TV, Wall Street | 2 Comments

From the Twitter feed

Posted on November 4, 2009 by David McKee

@VegasFunFacts: “McCarran Airport was named after former NV Sen. Pat McCarran, known for his anti-communism and for lobbying fed funds and projects for NV.” (Translation: Choke on it, China-loving, guvmint-bashing Steve Wynn.) @jccarcamo: “Republicans on a special committee considering the … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Election, Florida, MGM Mirage, Politics, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal | Comments Off on From the Twitter feed

The Dollar Bills strike again; caution at IGT

Posted on November 2, 2009 by David McKee

Those masters of quality on a budget, Millennium Gaming CEOs William Paulos and William Wortman have found a new target of opportunity: New Hampshire. Using the Rockingham Park horse track as their base of operations, the Dollar Bills are helping … Continue reading →

Posted in Cannery Casino Resorts, CityCenter, Economy, Harrah's, IGT, Massachusetts, Racinos, Technology, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Case Bets: CityCenter, Boyd odyssey, Massachusetts & the “Admiral”

Posted on November 2, 2009 by David McKee

There’s continued apprehension about MGM Mirage‘s $8.5 billion, 7,200-unit CityCenter, especially now that hotel rooms there are going for less than ones at either the Venetian or Encore. (Thinking positively: Who knew CityCenter was going to be so affordable?) Business … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Current, Economy, Encore, Harrah's, Kansas, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | 8 Comments

Adieu F-bleau, hello Hollywood?

Posted on October 26, 2009 by David McKee

Look what just fell into the S&G mailbag: Beginning January 1, 2010 Penn National Gaming will partner with RPM Advertising to develop and execute a brand identity for Hollywood Casinos.  The full service assignment will incorporate research, brand development, media … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Current, Donald Trump, Economy, Entertainment, Fontainebleau, Harrah's, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip, TV | 1 Comment

MGM: CityCenter worth $4.88 billion

Posted on October 20, 2009 by David McKee

MGM Mirage has announced that it's writing off approximately $1.3 billion (i.e., taking an "impairment charge") against CityCenter, with $348 million of that chalked up to falling real estate values. (Some $174 million of that will apparently be fobbed off … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Columbia Sussex, Current, Economy, Kansas, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Regulation, Taxes, Tourism, Transportation, Wall Street | Comments Off on MGM: CityCenter worth $4.88 billion

A deal @ Vdara

Posted on October 19, 2009 by David McKee

Just as I said, CityCenter is becoming the mid-market epicenter of Las Vegas. Today's mailbag yielded a $129/night offer for Vdara, plus $50 in amenity credits — more evidence of the downward pressure CityCenter is exerting on the Strip. But … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Current, Economy, Marketing, MGM Mirage, The Strip | Comments Off on A deal @ Vdara

Aria drives prices … down

Posted on October 16, 2009 by David McKee

Contrary to repeated assertions by J.P. Morgan, it would appear that MGM Mirage is putting out promotional specials for Bellagio … and very aggressively so. Note however, that Steve Wynn's masterpiece is maintaining its price point and Aria is the … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, CityCenter, Current, Downtown, Economy, Harrah's, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Riviera, Sahara, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on Aria drives prices … down

Night of the living dead

Posted on October 15, 2009 by David McKee

Will the last person leaving the Riviera please take down the Charo in Concert, Abra-ca-Sexy! and Tom Stevens posters? Everything about last night's visit to the casino suggested a business that's died but doesn't realize it. Not that it helps … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Economy, Entertainment, Fontainebleau, Illinois, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Riviera, The Strip | Comments Off on Night of the living dead

Why does Steve Wynn hate America?

Posted on October 13, 2009 by David McKee

Or maybe the question should be, What was Steve Wynn smoking before he told CNBC "Money Honey" Maria Bartiromo that Wynn Macau was making more than all other 30 Macao casinos combined? Perhaps he meant his joint is the single-highest-grossing … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Economy, Encore, Entertainment, Harrah's, International, Macau, MGM Mirage, Planet Hollywood, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, TV | Comments Off on Why does Steve Wynn hate America?

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