Category Archives: Cosmopolitan

MGM Nat’l Harbor takes a hit; Venetian revises restaurant row

Posted on November 6, 2019 by David McKee

Just when MGM National Harbor looked impervious to market forces it hit an October speed bump. Gaming revenues tumbled 18.5% to $60 million. The Free State was down 9% as a whole. MGM got hammered at the tables, plunging 36%, … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Cosmopolitan, Dining, Genting, Golden Gaming, International, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, South Korea, Sports, The Strip, West Virginia, William Hill | Comments Off

Case Bets

Posted on October 30, 2019 by David McKee

Jottings: Bart Blatstein wants to subdivide the Showboat lot into five parcels. The idea appears to be to build a casino where the volleyball court currently sits, making an end run around the gaming restriction placed on the property by … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Baseball, Caesars Entertainment, Colorado, Cosmopolitan, Election, International, Internet gambling, MGM Resorts International, Movies, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Air guitar; Forgiveness urged for Steve Wynn

Posted on October 28, 2019 by David McKee

The much-anticipated opening of Hard Rock International‘s guitar-shaped hotel-casino in Hollywood, Florida, drew celebrities from Hollywood, California (Johnny Depp), as well as ones who would attend the opening of an eyelid (Kim Kardashian). Hard Rock hopes to recreate the iconic … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Australia, Baseball, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Cosmopolitan, Florida, Genting, Hard Rock International, Hooters, Illinois, International, Japan, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Nevada, New York, Politics, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Scott Butera, Sexual misconduct, Sports, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Cosmo does it again; Georgia ponders casinos

Posted on October 24, 2019 by David McKee

It happened again. Smoke billowed over the Las Vegas Strip from an electrical fire at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas last night. No one was injured, thank God, and the damage appears to be minor. But it’s the second fire … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Baseball, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Cosmopolitan, Eldorado Resorts, Election, Foxwoods, Georgia, Greenwood Racing, Hard Rock International, Horseracing, IGT, Illinois, International, Lotteries, Louisiana, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Politics, Scientific Games, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Transportation | 1 Comment

Bellagio, Circus Circus sold

Posted on October 16, 2019 by David McKee

Back on Sept. 17 we reported that MGM Resorts International was dickering with Blackstone Group to sell the latter Bellagio and MGM Grand. Well, the Green Monster got left out of the transaction but MGM’s most iconic property will change hands, … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Cosmopolitan, Japan, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Phil Ruffin, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Strip | Comments Off

Trail of breadcrumbs; Survey says …

Posted on October 15, 2019 by David McKee

Waiting for “breadcrumbs to fall off the truck.” That’s Gaming & Leisure Properties‘ self-described business plan. GLPI execs, including CEO Peter Carlino (left), were in Las Vegas for Global Gaming Expo and took the opportunity to chat with J.P. Morgan … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Cosmopolitan, Economy, Entertainment, GLPI, history, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Real Estate, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, TV | Comments Off

Another rap scandal; MGM sues Trump administration

Posted on September 26, 2019 by David McKee

Rappers and Vegas don’t mix too well. The latest exhibit is YG, who The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas finds itself being associated with in an alleged assault and robbery. The Cosmo is being sued by one Benjamin Naderi over a beatdown he … Continue reading →

Posted in Connecticut, Cosmopolitan, Dining, Law enforcement, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off

Rio sold; Best casinos named

Posted on September 23, 2019 by David McKee

Despite rumors that Caesars Entertainment has sworn off trying to sell The Rio (again), it turns out that the Roman Empire was still shopping the resort. It’s been tentatively sold to “a principal of Imperial Companies” for $516 million. If … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Meruelo, Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, California, Cosmopolitan, Derek Stevens, Dining, Downtown, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Foxwoods, Genting, Golden Gaming, Hard Rock International, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Marketing, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, New York, Ocean Resort, Penn National, Reno, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, TV, World Series of Poker, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Slow News Day, The Sequel

Posted on September 18, 2019 by David McKee

Both Kevin Hart and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas are being sued over a sex tape of Hart doing the nasty with actress Monita Sabbag was uploaded onto the Internet. (When in doubt about making a sex tape, don’t.) Hart … Continue reading →

Posted in Cosmopolitan, Genting, Iowa, Mississippi, New York, Oklahoma, Reno, Sexual misconduct, Sports, Sports betting, Transportation, Tribal | Comments Off

Heard along the Strip

Posted on September 16, 2019 by David McKee

Circus Circus, the casino Jim Murren said he would never, ever sell (because his kids liked it so much) is reported to be on the auction block. The Murren kids are grown and MGM Resorts International has never formulated a … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Canada, Cosmopolitan, Culinary Union, Eldorado Resorts, MGM Resorts International, North Las Vegas, Phil Ruffin, Planet Hollywood, Problem gambling, SLS Las Vegas, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, World Series of Poker, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Furor in Illinois; ‘Carmageddon’ in New Jersey

Posted on September 5, 2019 by David McKee

Charles DeGaulle was famous as The Man Who Said No. That nickname may have to be reassigned to Churchill Downs CEO Bill Carstanjen. His decision not to seek racino status for Arlington International Racecourse has set the Illinois gaming industry and … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Churchill Downs, CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, Horseracing, Illinois, International, Marijuana, MGM Resorts International, New Jersey, Politics, Racinos, Rush Street Gaming, Sports betting, Taxes, Tourism, Transportation | 1 Comment

IGT deal puts R.I. guv in the hot seat

Posted on August 22, 2019 by David McKee

A sweetheart deal for International Game Technology—a no-bid, 20-year, $1 billion contract to supply the state lottery has landed Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo (D) in hot water. The state Ethics Commission has voted to investigate the deal and, more … Continue reading →

Posted in Cosmopolitan, IGT, Massachusetts, Nevada, Politics, Rhode Island, Scientific Games, Transportation, Twin River | Comments Off

Wynn tops in U.S. casinos; Crown in hot water again

Posted on July 30, 2019 by David McKee

Steve Wynn got some love from the contributors to TripAdvisor, whose top-three-ranked casinos in America are Wynn Las Vegas, Encore and Beau Rivage, a vindication of Wynn’s spare-no-detail approach. However, Bellagio may be showing its age, clocking in at a … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Australia, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, Crown Resorts, Detroit, Downtown, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Foxwoods, Golden Gaming, Indiana, Iowa, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Louisiana, M Resort, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, North Las Vegas, Oklahoma, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Reno, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Terry Caudill, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, TV, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Cosmo in play; Wynn looking robust

Posted on July 11, 2019 by David McKee

Always a step ahead of the mainstream media, VitalVegas reports that The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas has been sold. No details are available and the story hasn’t made the wire services, but that’s not going to stop us from speculating. … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Churchill Downs, CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, Dan Lee, Dining, Eldorado Resorts, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Penn National, Phil Ruffin, Resort fees, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

The wrath of Icahn

Posted on June 11, 2019 by David McKee

Investment bankers BidaskClub aren’t buying Caesars Entertainment. Literally. In an almost-unheard-of development in gaming, Bidask put a “sell” recommendation on low-priced CZR shares. Perhaps this reflects caution over Caesars’ still-massive debt overhang or of the additional debt that would be … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, DFS, Eldorado Resorts, Illinois, Lotteries, Mandalay Bay Massacre, MGM Resorts International, Regulation, Resort fees, Sports betting, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off

More Ho, less Packer at Crown; Wynn pays the piper

Posted on June 3, 2019 by David McKee

More Lawrence Ho at Crown Resorts means less James Packer, as the publishing heir sold down his stake to 25%, spinning the decision thusly: “I am still vitally interested in Crown’s success as a world-class resort and gaming business. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Cosmopolitan, Crown Resorts, Derek Stevens, Dining, Downtown, James Packer, Japan, Lawrence Ho, Massachusetts, Nevada, Politics, Regulation, Sports betting, The Strip, Wall Street, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

The value of a dollar & other Case Bets

Posted on May 28, 2019 by David McKee

If you’re making up your casino budget, you might want to stay away from Atlantic City or New York State, where a dollar has only the buying power of 87 or 88 cents. By contrast, the same dollar spent in … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cosmopolitan, Derek Stevens, Economy, Hawaii, history, Indiana, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Sports betting, The Strip, TV, William Hill | Comments Off

Cosmopolitan on the block (again)

Posted on April 18, 2019 by David McKee

Blackstone Group‘s tenure at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas will be remarkably brief (although nothing in the gaming industry will ever match the extreme brevity of the abortive Wynn Resorts/Crown Resorts merger). Bloomberg reports that Blackstone is exploring “strategic options” … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Caesars Entertainment, CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, Downtown, history, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Marketing, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Politics, Sports betting, Tamares Group, The Strip, TV, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Atlantic City sparks controversy; Resort fee change at Cosmo

Posted on December 14, 2018 by David McKee

Faced with a 9% drop in operating profit at Atlantic City casinos, pundits are squaring off as to whether this means doom for the laggards. Analyst Tony Marino told The Press of Atlantic City that it “might be wise to … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cosmopolitan, Economy, International, Internet gambling, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Resort fees, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, Transportation, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Skye Station?; Resort fee reprieve

Posted on November 26, 2018 by David McKee

According to The Associated Press, locals giant Station Casinos has snapped up 40 acres in the fast-growing Skye Canyon suburb, in the northwest part of the Las Vegas Valley. Station got the dirt dirt-cheap: 40 gaming-zoned acres for $36 million. … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Meruelo, Boyd Gaming, Cosmopolitan, Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Palms, Resort fees, Sports, Station Casinos, The Strip | 4 Comments