Category Archives: CityCenter

Leaving Las Vegas

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

East Coast antics

Wrong again. There I was, thinking the proposed $10 million upfront fee for table games in Pennsylvania was a done deal when the GOP-controlled state Senate upped it to $15 million (and if you don’t pay by June 1, it … Continue reading

Posted in CityCenter, Economy, Entertainment, Environment, Harrah's, Horseracing, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on East Coast antics

$300 mil for F'bleau?

That’s the latest; namely, that Penn National Gaming will put down less than $300 million as a “stalking horse” bid on Fontainebleau. Penn would also be on the hook for the costs of the project’s bankruptcy proceedings. Potentially getting a … Continue reading

Posted in CityCenter, Economy, Fontainebleau, Harry Reid, James Packer, Macau, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on $300 mil for F'bleau?

Macao's blockbuster month

A flurry of good news to end the week, starting in Macao: September, the first month affected by a relaxation of severe visa restrictions imposed on the mainland, saw a 53% jump in Macanese gambling revenues. In terms of market … Continue reading

Posted in CityCenter, Current, Economy, Entertainment, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Marketing, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on Macao's blockbuster month

Trop, Sands purges continue

It’s official: “Pit Bull of Comedy” Bobby Slayton has snarled his last at the Tropicana Las Vegas. Thus endeth a brief, inauspicious reign by Anthony Cools over the Trop’s upstairs showroom. A well-placed source advises LVA that Beatles tribute show … Continue reading

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Architecture, Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, Economy, Entertainment, Fontainebleau, George Maloof, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Planet Hollywood, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Trop, Sands purges continue

Adelson's rescuer?

Meet Wilbur Ross. He’s an investor of all trades with an appetite for distressed assets. And he’s turning his sights to the casino industry. In particular, he’s drawn a bead on “companies [who] are also looking at selling assets in … Continue reading

Posted in Animals, Atlantic City, Cannery Casino Resorts, CityCenter, Donald Trump, Entertainment, Horseracing, Macau, MGM Mirage, New York, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Tribal, TV, Wall Street | Comments Off on Adelson's rescuer?

Adelson's rescuer?

Meet Wilbur Ross. He’s an investor of all trades with an appetite for distressed assets. And he’s turning his sights to the casino industry. In particular, he’s drawn a bead on “companies [who] are also looking at selling assets in … Continue reading

Posted in Animals, Atlantic City, Cannery Casino Resorts, CityCenter, Donald Trump, Entertainment, Horseracing, Macau, MGM Mirage, New York, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Tribal, TV, Wall Street | Comments Off on Adelson's rescuer?

Hell no, they won't; Penghu punk'd; Barbarians at the gates (again)

Pay taxes, that is. Two Indiana racinos are pushing back against a tax rate that averages 38%. Considering that the two tracks — one run by Cordish Gaming — are the newbies on the Hoosier State scene, one could fairly … Continue reading

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Cordish Co., Cosmopolitan, Fontainebleau, Harrah's, Horseracing, Indiana, International, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Riviera, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Hell no, they won't; Penghu punk'd; Barbarians at the gates (again)

Blimps on the radar

Dipping into the dispatch box, S&G finds the following tidbits, courtesy of the nice people at J.P. Morgan: Alex Yemenidjian is serious about revamping the Tropicana Las Vegas. He's just inked a contract with Bally Technologies for a player-tracking system … Continue reading

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Atlantic City, Bally Technologies, CityCenter, Detroit, Economy, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, LVCVA, Marketing, MGM Mirage, North Las Vegas, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, The Strip, TV | Comments Off on Blimps on the radar

Optimism in Macao, euphoria at CityCenter

Relaxation of stringent visa restrictions from Guangdong Province came a full four months sooner than expected, starting Sept. 1. Now, residents will be able to visit Macao once a month instead of quarterly. While this has prompted J.P. Morgan to … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Architecture, Atlantic City, Bally Technologies, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, California, CityCenter, Cordish Co., Current, Economy, Entertainment, IGT, Indiana, Kansas, Macau, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Planet Hollywood, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street, WMS Industries | Comments Off on Optimism in Macao, euphoria at CityCenter

"Viva Elvis"

Yes, Viva Elvis will be the long-awaited, enshrouded-in-secrecy title of the Cirque du Soleil show scheduled to debut this December at CityCenter.* Wow, they must have had to really burn the midnight oil in Montreal to come up with that … Continue reading

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, Current, Economy, Entertainment, George Maloof, Goldman Sachs, Harrah's, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Planet Hollywood, Riviera, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on "Viva Elvis"

Electra-fying news bulletin

You asked, MGM Mirage listened. No, they’re not offering free rooms at CityCenter but something much better: a 20-performance return engagement by Carmen Electra, who will put some spice back into Crazy Horse Paris in October. At $75 a seat, … Continue reading

Posted in CityCenter, Current, Entertainment, MGM Mirage, The Strip | Comments Off on Electra-fying news bulletin

Illinois does it again; Storm over CityCenter

A new law in Illinois that legalizes video poker statewide may have some unforeseen consequences. Namely, video gambling at truck stops throughout the Land of Lincoln. This represents a much bigger expansion than was originally sold to the public. Whenever … Continue reading

Posted in CityCenter, Current, Economy, Entertainment, Illinois, Iowa, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Wall Street | Comments Off on Illinois does it again; Storm over CityCenter

Economic recovery in sight?

Vegas casino F&B directors seem to think so. From our trusty LVA research department comes word that The Orleans and Mandalay Bay are ending their one-price-all-day buffet specials. Better/worse still, Palace Station is hiking the price of its buffet — … Continue reading

Posted in Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Dining, Economy, Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Monte Carlo fire, Station Casinos, Taxes | Comments Off on Economic recovery in sight?

Just what the doctor ordered

With Eastern Division President Carlos Tolosa calling it a day, Harrah's Entertainment is dispatching Atlantic City native Don Marrandino to try and turn things around out there. (No word on whether the Alizma triplets will accompany him eastward.) Marrandino's portfolio … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Current, Economy, Fontainebleau, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, The Strip | Comments Off on Just what the doctor ordered

Economic recovery in sight?

Vegas casino F&B directors seem to think so. From our trusty LVA research department comes word that The Orleans and Mandalay Bay are ending their one-price-all-day buffet specials. Better/worse still, Palace Station is hiking the price of its buffet — … Continue reading

Posted in Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Dining, Economy, Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Monte Carlo fire, Station Casinos, Taxes | Comments Off on Economic recovery in sight?

Kitty rescue at Caesars; Stingy Station

As we were driving to LVA HQ this morning, we spotted a disoriented-looking little cat running through the Flamingo Rd./I-15 interchange, across from Caesars Palace. We were in a quandary about what to do until it turned and started ambling … Continue reading

Posted in Animals, Architecture, Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Current, Dining, Entertainment, Harrah's, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Pets, Station Casinos, The Strip | Comments Off on Kitty rescue at Caesars; Stingy Station