Category Archives: Conventions

Derek Stevens, man of the year?; ‘Historical racing’ kneecapped

Posted on September 25, 2020 by David McKee

While we wait for own interview with Circa owner Derek Stevens to appear in Casino Life magazine (soon, we promise), we’ll shamelessly piggyback off David Ross‘ excellent Stevens profile in Global Gaming Business. Ross digs up some interesting architectural details … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Canada, Charity, Churchill Downs, CityCenter, Colony Capital, Conventions, Cosmopolitan, Derek Stevens, Diversity, Downtown, Election, Environment, Health, IGT, Kentucky, Scientific Games, Sports betting, Technology, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off on Derek Stevens, man of the year?; ‘Historical racing’ kneecapped

Sahara vs. Roeben, Round Two; Colorado sportsbooks boom

Posted on September 24, 2020 by David McKee

Vital Vegas author Scott Roeben made big news over the weekend with a countersuit against the Sahara for attempting to stifle freedom of the press. If you have a few days to spare, you can read the 111-page filing in … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Meruelo, Archon Corp., Caesars Entertainment, CityCenter, Colorado, Conventions, Culinary Union, Downtown, Downtown Grand, Entertainment, Hooters, Law enforcement, Sahara, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Tamares Group, Technology, Terry Caudill, The Strip, Wynn Resorts | 4 Comments

Has Las Vegas jumped the shark?

Posted on September 23, 2020 by David McKee

Global Gaming Business, hardly a canary in a coalmine, must think the Covid-19 pandemic is pretty horrendous for it to blast a special report today that Las Vegas Strip casinos are “barely surviving” at the moment. No conventions, scant air … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Conventions, Dining, Economy, Entertainment, G2E, Health, history, Reno, The Strip | 3 Comments

Caesars, MGM: Recovery slow but promising

Posted on September 14, 2020 by David McKee

Caesars Entertainment CEO Tom Reeg sat down with JP Morgan analysts to discuss the state of the Roman Empire. In a sentence, better than you might expect. On the Las Vegas Strip “weekend demand has been strong, but weekday demand … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Baseball, Caesars Entertainment, China, Conventions, DraftKings, FanDuel, Florida, history, Horseracing, Illinois, Indiana, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Raiders, Louisiana, Macau, MGM Resorts International, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Sports, Sports betting, The Crown 18, The Strip, TV, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Locals salvage Nevada results; Prez betting odds tighten

Posted on August 26, 2020 by David McKee

July revenue numbers are in for Nevada (-26% statewide) and the Strip is expectedly poor, down 39% ($330 million) and locals play is unexpectedly strong, off only 8% from last year. The statewide gross was $757 million and locals slot … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Conventions, Downtown, Economy, Election, Health, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Mesquite, Pennsylvania, Reno, Security, Station Casinos, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street, Wendover | Comments Off on Locals salvage Nevada results; Prez betting odds tighten

Big Gaming declares war on employees

Posted on August 4, 2020 by David McKee

With Big Gaming’s generals itching to sell out their foot soldiers (i.e., employees), it’s interesting—to say the least—that we’ve heard nothing from the Culinary Union or Unite-Here President D. Taylor except a loud chorus of … crickets. They’re rolling over … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Caesars Entertainment, Conventions, Culinary Union, IGT, International, M Resort, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, Politics, Unite-Here | 2 Comments

Devil in the details

Posted on August 3, 2020 by David McKee

Gaming & Leisure Properties Inc. held a conference call with stock analysts and it revealed more about Caesars Entertainment and, to a lesser extent, Penn National Gaming than the companies themselves were saying. Rents and income were described as “better … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Conventions, Dining, DraftKings, Economy, GLPI, Japan, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Oklahoma, Penn National, Politics, Problem gambling, Real Estate, Sheldon Adelson, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 3, 2020 by David McKee

“As the technology improves and convention and trade show attendants get younger, meaning they’re very comfortable doing business remotely, we expect the industry to fundamentally change. Anyone who thinks Las Vegas will return to a pre-Covid convention and trade industry … Continue reading →

Posted in Conventions, Economy, Nevada | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

MGM: The lion mews; AGA: Betrayal by Miller

Posted on July 31, 2020 by David McKee

Second-quarter results for MGM Resorts International are in and the company got hammered pretty badly. Las Vegas Strip revenues fell 90% to $151 million, regional operations dropped 90% to $89 million and Macao grossed a feeble $33 million, down 95%. … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, CityCenter, Conventions, Cordish Co., Culinary Union, Downtown, Economy, Golden Nugget, Health, Horseracing, Illinois, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Real Estate, Sahara, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

MGM: No shows for you!; Cromwell aims for the gutter

Posted on July 28, 2020 by David McKee

Yesterday the axe fell on MGM Resorts International‘s sports and entertainment division with the announcement that all shows and events scheduled between now and August 31 were canceled. Worse still, any support personnel for shows canceled after August 31 would … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, California, Cirque du Soleil, Conventions, Economy, Entertainment, Florida, Health, Las Vegas Sands, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Real Estate, Seminole Tribe, The Strip, Tribal, TV | Comments Off on MGM: No shows for you!; Cromwell aims for the gutter

Quote of the Day

Posted on July 15, 2020 by David McKee

“With a lack of a coordinated national plan, rising infection rates and the ‘gone-wild’ crowd emerging from hibernation with cocktails blazing, I don’t see things getting back to normal this year. Even if a vaccine were discovered tomorrow, it would … Continue reading →

Posted in Conventions, Health | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Las Vegas: The first shall be last

Posted on July 15, 2020 by David McKee

Don’t stay up late waiting for business in Las Vegas to return to “normal” levels. Sin City is uniquely vulnerable to downturns in the U.S. economy (think of the Great Recession) and a trailing indicator of gambling’s health. The prime … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Aristocrat, Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, China, Conventions, Downtown, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Florida, G2E, Hard Rock International, Health, Las Vegas Sands, LVCVA, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Ohio, Penn National, Technology, The Strip, Transportation, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Death wish in Las Vegas

Posted on June 16, 2020 by David McKee

First, the good news. “Low and friendly.” Those are how room prices on the Las Vegas Strip are described. Resorts in Las Vegas opened to (restricted) capacity bookings and attendance. Since this is Vegas Lite, one in which fewer rooms … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Conventions, Cosmopolitan, Derek Stevens, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Health, MGM Resorts International, Real Estate, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Wall Street | Comments Off on Death wish in Las Vegas

MGM changes mind on Aria; No appetite for deals?

Posted on June 8, 2020 by David McKee

Having told its entire Aria staff to look for new jobs, MGM Resorts International finds itself in the position of saying, “Never mind.” In an interview last weekend, CEO Bill Hornbuckle floated the possibility of reopening Aria by July 4, followed … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, CityCenter, Conventions, Current, Derek Stevens, Dining, Downtown, Economy, Election, Entertainment, Hawaii, Health, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, LVCVA, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Money laundering, Resort fees, Sahara, Singapore, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Terry Caudill, The Rio, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, TV, Virginia, Wall Street | 1 Comment

“Green shoots” in gaming; Mega-Jottings

Posted on May 18, 2020 by David McKee

According to the American Gaming Association, 82 of 989 casinos in the United States have reopened, many of them in Louisiana starting today. But don’t take our word for it. Use the AGA’s Coronavirus tracker, which keeps you abreast of casino … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Conventions, Detroit, Dining, GLPI, Golden Nugget, Health, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, LVCVA, M Resort, Macau, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Penn National, Politics, Resort fees, Singapore, South Dakota, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

MGM’s seven steps; Culinary throws tantrum

Posted on May 12, 2020 by David McKee

Add MGM Resorts International to the roster of Las Vegas companies announcing reopening protocols. (Earth to Caesars Entertainment, come in Caesars … ) The company calls it a “comprehensive, multi-layered approach resulting from months of consultations and guidance from public … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Conventions, Culinary Union, Dining, Donald Trump, Hard Rock International, Health, International, Japan, Macau, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, Sports, The Strip, Tribal | 1 Comment

Nevada begins reopening sooner than expected

Posted on May 8, 2020 by David McKee

What do brothels and casinos have in common? (Some would say you get screwed in both.) Neither can reopen during Phase One of Gov. Steve Sisolak‘s multi-stage resumption of business as usual in Nevada, starting tomorrow. Most of the continuing closures … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Conventions, Cretins, Dining, Economy, Entertainment, G2E, Health, Massachusetts, Nevada, Technology, The Strip, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

Gambling in the time of Coronavirus

Posted on April 20, 2020 by David McKee

Editor’s note: This roundtable was originally conducted for Casino Life magazine. For reasons unrelated to content, it was ‘put in turnaround,’ as they say in Hollywood. Rather than waste a perfectly good exchange between gaming executive Yaniv Sherman and sportswriter … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, California, Conventions, DraftKings, e-sports, FanDuel, Health, Horseracing, Illinois, International, Internet gambling, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Sports, Sports betting | Comments Off on Gambling in the time of Coronavirus

Sisolak vs. Goodman, Round Two; Wynn’s recovery plan

Posted on April 20, 2020 by David McKee

Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak (D), while acknowledging that his state’s unemployment-aid infrastructure is swamped (although initial jobless claims declined to 58,641 last week), is taking a steady-as-she-goes approach to reopening the Silver State, relying heavily on medical advice. “This is not … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Caesars Entertainment, California, Charity, Conventions, Crown Resorts, Derek Stevens, Donald Trump, Economy, Entertainment, Florida, Health, Lake Tahoe, Nevada, Politics, The Strip, Tourism, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

The last good month; NBA to resurrect in Vegas?

Posted on March 26, 2020 by David McKee

Las Vegas Strip gaming revenue was flat in February at $596 million and probably should have been better, given the presence of an extra weekend day. (Statewide, revenues were up 3%.) Strip slots were robust, gaining 7% on 7.5% higher … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Charity, China, Conventions, Downtown, Economy, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Mesquite, North Las Vegas, Reno, Sports betting, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, TV, Wendover | 2 Comments