Category Archives: Current

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 3, 2014 by David McKee

“Audiences may have had the same reaction I did in my first review of Zarkana. I wrote that the character played by Paul Bisson ‘just seems to be trying so hard to tell us something. As he gesticulates and sings so … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, Current, Entertainment, MGM Mirage | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Bounty at Sands, Caesars

Posted on January 30, 2014 by David McKee

Yesterday wasn’t a bad day to be Las Vegas Sands, which reported a 19% increase in net revenues. Sands Cotai Central (up 61%) led the parade, which also prominently showcased Venetian Macao (+36%) and Venelazzo (up 25%, driven by a … Continue reading →

Posted in Culinary Union, Current, Harrah's, Macau, Maryland, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Bounty at Sands, Caesars

Showdown over Philadelphia

Posted on January 29, 2014 by David McKee

“We need to offer something more than a casino,” said Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board member Gregory Fajt at yesterday’s hearings, at which The Provence and Hollywood Casino made their cases. The Provence promised to be something and Hollywood, almost defiantly, … Continue reading →

Posted in Charity, Current, Economy, Isle of Capri, Kentucky, Penn National, Pennsylvania | Comments Off on Showdown over Philadelphia

Wynnside Wynncore

Posted on January 23, 2014 by David McKee

If you’re registered on the guestbook at Wynn Las Vegas or Encore you are an invitee to “our new Wynn Insider program. As a Wynn Insider you will be the first to receive information about our resort and you’ll have … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Harrah's, Marketing, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on Wynnside Wynncore

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 14, 2014 by David McKee

“Bringing in slot machines “would create much-needed jobs in Bridgeport and continue to improve on Bridgeport’s exciting nightlife, while bringing new tax revenue to our city,” [Mayor] Bill Finch said. — from a hearing on expanded gambling in Connecticut. Is that … Continue reading →

Posted in Current | 1 Comment

They burn the Monte Carlo, don’t they?; Cantor gets slammed

Posted on January 14, 2014 by David McKee

Yes, there’s been another fire at the Monte Carlo. This one was confined to the Double Barrel Saloon and there was only one injury, most importantly. That place has some rough luck, doesn’t it? It doesn’t matter what Cantor Gaming … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally Technologies, Cantor Gaming, Current, Horseracing, MGM Mirage, Monte Carlo fire, Regulation, The Strip | Comments Off on They burn the Monte Carlo, don’t they?; Cantor gets slammed

Frigid winter for Midwest casinos

Posted on January 10, 2014 by David McKee

Blame it on brutal weather or whatever your like but Midwest casino revenues have been dismal in December and it’s my doleful duty to report them. Missouri dipped 11%. Positive performers, like Pinnacle Entertainment‘s River City (+6%) were few. Of … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Current, Economy, Harrah's, Indiana, Iowa, Isle of Capri, Missouri, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Rampart Casino: 15 years already?

Posted on January 10, 2014 by David McKee

It’s difficult — and sobering — to realize that it’s been 15 years since Swiss Casinos opened The Resort at Summerlin, a costly fiasco now known as Rampart Casino. Certainly, its hoity-toity original owners would have been dismayed beyond measure … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, G2E, Iowa, Japan, North Las Vegas, Penn National, Regulation | Comments Off on Rampart Casino: 15 years already?

Illinois freezes; Concierges outsourced

Posted on January 8, 2014 by David McKee

“Dec regional gaming revs should be coming out from the states this week and next and it won’t be pretty.” So warns Todd Jordan, aka @HedgeyeSnakeye. Case in point, Illinois, where revenues tumbled 13%. Even market leader Rivers Casino was … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Current, Economy, Harrah's, Illinois, MGM Mirage, Penn National, The Strip | Comments Off on Illinois freezes; Concierges outsourced

All things …

Posted on January 7, 2014 by David McKee

… come to and end, good, bad or indifferent. I do not speak ill of MGM Resorts International‘s marquee for New York-New York, but 16 years was deemed enough, as MGM reconceptualizes NY-NY’s Strip frontage. Young Electric Sign Co. will … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Current, history, MGM Mirage, The Strip | 1 Comment

Defining a Vegas recovery; Big push in New Hampshire

Posted on January 6, 2014 by David McKee

Which would you rather have: More visitors three years straight or more spending per capita? That’s the choice Las Vegas has to make as it defines its recovery. On the bright side, ADRs are catching up with supply, with which … Continue reading →

Posted in Cannery Casino Resorts, Charity, Current, Economy, Iowa, New Hampshire, Ohio, Penn National, Singapore, The Strip, Wall Street, Warner Gaming | Comments Off on Defining a Vegas recovery; Big push in New Hampshire

Nevada finishing year strong; Christie’s choler

Posted on December 31, 2013 by David McKee

With a little help from one extra weekend day, Nevada gross gaming revenues shot upward 12% statewide in November and 23% on the Strip. Baccarat players lost their shirts, with the house winning 94% more than the previous year. Less … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Cordish Co., Current, Downtown, Economy, Harrah's, Laughlin, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, North Las Vegas, Penn National, Regulation, Reno, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Trump Entertainment Resorts | 2 Comments

And it’s … MGM again

Posted on December 23, 2013 by David McKee

Add Massachusetts to the roster of states where MGM Resorts International has been approved to operate. It received the unanimous assent of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission earlier today. “The Commission … finds that the Applicant has satisfied its burden of … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Election, Greenwood Racing, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Uncategorized | Comments Off on And it’s … MGM again

Is Loveman insane?

Posted on December 20, 2013 by David McKee

There are two bids on the table for Colony Capital‘s grind-joint Atlantic Club Hotel and one of them is from — wait for it — Caesars Entertainment. Now you’re saying to yourself, “Hey, David, isn’t Caesars in the process of … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colony Capital, Current, Harrah's, history, Tropicana Entertainment | 4 Comments

Revel to be sold?; Ryan weighs in on Menominee

Posted on December 20, 2013 by David McKee

Color me stupid but I figured that, with a new marketing team in place, to say nothing of a new CEO, Revel Resort was going to stay its new course awhile. Turns out the property was dickering with prospective buyers … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Current, Hard Rock International, Maryland, MGM Mirage, New York, Politics, Racinos, Revel, Tribal, Wisconsin | 2 Comments

And it’s … MGM

Posted on December 20, 2013 by David McKee

This news is so hot off the wires Howard Stutz has only had time to tweet it but Prince George’s County has chosen MGM Resorts International for its new casino license. Pleas by Greenwood Racing for an extension had been … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Greenwood Racing, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Regulation | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on December 19, 2013 by David McKee

“All I can say is the process is continuing.” — Atlantic Club Hotel COO Michael Frawley on the casino’s slow-moving bankruptcy auction, which encountered a new obstacle yesterday.

Posted in Atlantic City, Colony Capital, Current | 1 Comment

Genting, Steve Wynn & so much more

Posted on December 17, 2013 by David McKee

Genting Group has narrowed its price target for finishing Resorts World Vegas. It will spend between $3 billion and $4 billion to complete the project (for which it has already paid $350 million for land). For a post-recession Vegas that’s … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Colorado, Current, Dubai, Economy, Florida, Fontainebleau, Foxwoods, Genting, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, New York, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 2 Comments

‘Twas the toga before Christmas

Posted on December 12, 2013 by David McKee

While it was saying “Bah, humbug!” to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, along with a lump of coal, Caesars Entertainment released this cheerful swatch of Christmas kitch to the public. (Special thanks to those entertainers — like Taylor Hicks — who … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Entertainment, Harrah's, The Strip | Comments Off on ‘Twas the toga before Christmas

AGA goes MTV

Posted on December 9, 2013 by David McKee

Further distinguishing his presidency as a 21st century one, American Gaming Association President Geoff Freeman is taking his case to social media. “There’s no way to sugarcoat it,” he writes. “Some people view our industry as a necessary evil rather … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, TV | Comments Off on AGA goes MTV