Category Archives: Cosmopolitan

Trop, Sands purges continue

Posted on September 30, 2009 by David McKee

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

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

Posted on September 28, 2009 by David McKee

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)

"Viva Elvis"

Posted on September 2, 2009 by David McKee

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"

Aztar deal the worst ever: it's quantifiable

Posted on July 28, 2009 by David McKee

When he acquired Aztar Corp., back in 2006, Columbia Sussex CEO William J. Yung III also became one of the company’s debtors. So what’s his $36 million worth today? According to the Wall Street Journal, 100 grand or less. If … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Columbia Sussex, Cosmopolitan, Current, Economy, Genting, Harrah's, International, Macau, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Stanley Ho, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Aztar deal the worst ever: it's quantifiable

The dream is dying

Posted on July 20, 2009 by David McKee

Just last week, UNLV‘s historical sage, Dr. Eugene Moehring, was taking a dim view of the fate of Las Vegas’ working class. Now comes the Wall Street Journal to back him up with some sobering reportage. Even at union salaries, Culinary … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Colony Capital, Cosmopolitan, Economy, Encore, Fontainebleau, Harrah's, LVCVA, M Resort, MGM Mirage, Morgans Hotel Group, Plaza, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off on The dream is dying

By request …

Posted on June 24, 2009 by David McKee

'Tis another day of hopscotching betwixt the doctor and the dentist, which sure cuts into quality blogging time (as did a nasty attack of fibromyalgia yesterday). However, by reader request, we present this special, (not) exclusive S&G photo of a … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Cosmopolitan, Fontainebleau, Harrah's, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on By request …

Rumble in Macao

Posted on June 2, 2009 by David McKee

Although an oft-promised loosening of visa restrictions by Peking stubborny refuses to materialize, an air of cautious hopefulness has crept back into Macao now that City of Dreams has opened on schedule — and it looks dazzling. Aggressive revenue projections … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Cannery Casino Resorts, Cosmopolitan, Current, Economy, Genting, George Maloof, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Planet Hollywood, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip | Comments Off on Rumble in Macao

The MGM/Pansy Ho verdict: It's in and it's bad

Posted on May 19, 2009 by David McKee

After nearly four years of investigation, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement has released its long-awaited “suitability” findings on MGM Mirage joint-venture partner Pansy Ho. As MGM itself reported to the SEC yesterday, “While the report itself is confidential, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Columbia Sussex, Cosmopolitan, Current, Fontainebleau, Harrah's, Macau, MGM Mirage, Planet Hollywood, Regulation, Stanley Ho, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off on The MGM/Pansy Ho verdict: It's in and it's bad

F'blown?

Posted on May 13, 2009 by David McKee

Ownership at Fontainebleau is alleging heinous doings by Deutsche Bank to subvert F'bleau (which gives every indication of being destined to fail without external assistance). Supposedly, Deutsche Bank was confabulating with a consortium of 10 other banks to shove F'bleau … Continue reading →

Posted in Cosmopolitan, Economy, Fontainebleau, MGM Mirage, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on F'blown?

F'blown?

Posted on May 13, 2009 by David McKee

Ownership at Fontainebleau is alleging heinous doings by Deutsche Bank to subvert F'bleau (which gives every indication of being destined to fail without external assistance). Supposedly, Deutsche Bank was confabulating with a consortium of 10 other banks to shove F'bleau … Continue reading →

Posted in Cosmopolitan, Economy, Fontainebleau, MGM Mirage, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on F'blown?

Casino apocalypse

Posted on March 19, 2009 by David McKee

I'm deeply imbedded in other projects today. In the meantime, by way of In Business Las Vegas and GamingFloor.com (source of yesterday's Harrah's Entertainment time warp, too) here's the answer to the question, "How many casino failures can you pack … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Cannery Casino Resorts, Colony Capital, Cosmopolitan, Current, Economy, Harrah's, Herbst Gaming, James Packer, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Casino apocalypse

In defense of Reid's largesse; Cosmo craziness

Posted on February 20, 2009 by David McKee

My take on Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) and his "casino bailout," as one reader has described it, drew the following response from MGM Mirage spokesman Alan Feldman, which is reprinted below with his kind permission. I note only that my … Continue reading →

Posted in Cosmopolitan, Economy, MGM Mirage, Politics | Comments Off on In defense of Reid's largesse; Cosmo craziness

The prodigal son

Posted on January 19, 2009 by David McKee

Poor Kerry Packer; the late Australian mogul and famous high roller must be doing all his rolling in the grave now. Reputed for being daring at baccarat and cautious in business, the media baron is at least spared the indignity … Continue reading →

Posted in Aristocrat, Boulder Strip, Cannery Casino Resorts, Cosmopolitan, Economy, Fontainebleau, International, James Packer, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, Pennsylvania, Singapore, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip | Comments Off on The prodigal son

A house divided

Posted on January 7, 2009 by David McKee

Give credit where it’s due to the Las Vegas Review-Journal for today’s interesting revelation that Columbia Sussex had been running the Las Vegas Tropicana with rival GMs overseeing the casino and hotel operations, respectively. This appears to confirm rumors I’d … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Columbia Sussex, Cosmopolitan, Indiana, Regulation, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on A house divided

Plaza officially in trouble (or not)

Posted on January 6, 2009 by David McKee

It wasn't good news when El Ad Properties asked its bankers for a second extension on a $625 million purchase loan for what used to be the New Frontier. Now (by way of TheMarker, Reuters and Howard Stutz) comes a … Continue reading →

Posted in Cosmopolitan, Fontainebleau, Plaza, Sheldon Adelson, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Plaza officially in trouble (or not)

Happy New Year

Posted on January 2, 2009 by David McKee

Will it be a happy new year for the Strip? In terms of "supply shock," the timing could be a lot better, let's put it that way. Back on Aug. 14, JP Morgan issued an analyst report which showed 11,412 … Continue reading →

Posted in Cosmopolitan, Current, Economy, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Happy New Year

21

Posted on December 31, 2008 by David McKee

That's the number of predictions for 2009 issued by Spectrum Gaming Group, an Atlantic City-based outfit. They are, in no particular order: • Advancements in technology that impact revenues and cut costs will continue to be attractive to operators even … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Colony Capital, Columbia Sussex, Cosmopolitan, Current, Don Barden, Economy, Harrah's, Herbst Gaming, IGT, International, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Macau, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Morgans Hotel Group, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Technology, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on 21

Case Bets: Stanley Ho in Vegas?, HRH grows but Morgans shrinks

Posted on December 11, 2008 by David McKee

A local columnist raises the spectre of Stanley Ho getting back-door access into Las Vegas via James Packer‘s acquisition of Cannery Resorts. This isn’t the first time I’ve heard this question raised and, call me complacent, but I believe it … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Cannery Casino Resorts, Colony Capital, Columbia Sussex, Cosmopolitan, Economy, Harrah's, Herbst Gaming, Isle of Capri, James Packer, Macau, MGM Mirage, Morgans Hotel Group, Stanley Ho, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off on Case Bets: Stanley Ho in Vegas?, HRH grows but Morgans shrinks

G2E scuttlebutt

Posted on November 24, 2008 by David McKee

Could Herbst Gaming President Ferenc Szony be headed to the Cosmopolitan? That was one of the rumors bruited about at G2E last week. It would make sense. Szony, one of S&G's favorite gaming executives, is no stranger to operating in … Continue reading →

Posted in Cosmopolitan, G2E, Harrah's, Herbst Gaming, James Packer, Reno | Comments Off on G2E scuttlebutt