Category Archives: Current

“Pin Up” begs to be taken down

Posted on May 3, 2013 by David McKee

We saw Claire Sinclair‘s new show at Stratosphere the other night … or rather, ‘saw as much as we could withstand.’ Our attention and sitzfleisch gave out around the one-hour mark, with at least another 30 minutes stretching before us. … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Entertainment, The Strip | Comments Off on “Pin Up” begs to be taken down

Quote of the Day

Posted on May 3, 2013 by David McKee

“It was mostly old guys with cigars. It was very intimidating to walk into a poker room and see a guy who’s a thousand years old, smoking 10 packs of cigarettes a day, giving you dirty looks because you’re taking … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Internet gambling | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Steve Wynn turns into Debbie Downer; Caesars’ screwy priorities

Posted on May 2, 2013 by David McKee

Yes, the recovery in Las Vegas could be said to be a chastened and limping one. The national press will leap at just about anything to restart the “Vegas is back” narrative. And yes, CityCenter ROI improved exponentially … to … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Current, Economy, Election, Harrah's, Horseracing, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 6 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on May 2, 2013 by David McKee

“MGM [Resorts International] still has much of its business in on the Strip, unlike its major rivals Las Vegas Sands Corp. and Wynn Resorts … Those companies both reported gains for the first three months of the year because of … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Current, Harrah's, Macau, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Revel: Christie catches a break; Illinois remains suicidal; Online poker debuts in Nevada

Posted on May 2, 2013 by David McKee

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) is one lucky fellow. Bankrupt Revel threatened to become an albatross around his neck, thanks to a $261 million tax break that Christie helped push through Trenton. Last week, it turned out that Revel … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Atlantic City, Current, Illinois, International, Internet gambling, Missouri, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Regulation, Revel, Station Casinos, Taxes, Technology | 1 Comment

Springfield: MGM bests Penn … for now

Posted on May 1, 2013 by David McKee

Yes, the comedy is finished in Springfield, at least for the moment. In an episode worthy of The Simpsons and after an epic amount of foot-dragging, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno was cajoled and ultimately browbeaten into actually taking a stand … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Dining, Economy, International, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Tourism, Tribal, TV, Wall Street | 1 Comment

I-cahnned! River Palms sold; PokerStars out of A.C., Langford out to lunch

Posted on May 1, 2013 by David McKee

Subtract one casino from the Tropicana Entertainment portfolio: The River Palms Resort & Casino, in Laughlin, just went for $7 million today. TropEnt CEO Anthony Rodio isn’t pulling out of the Colorado River market altogether. He says the company will … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Colony Capital, Colorado, Columbia Sussex, Current, Economy, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Planet Hollywood, Politics, Regulation, Reno, Station Casinos, Tropicana Entertainment | 3 Comments

Land of the Rising Hope

Posted on April 29, 2013 by David McKee

Every few years, brows are knitted earnestly in discussion of whether this will finally be the year in which Japan legalizes casino gambling. I’ve been hearing versions of this debate regularly since 2005, so you’ll pardon me if I suppress … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Genting, International, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Mob, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off on Land of the Rising Hope

Adelson’s accountant quits, reaction minimal

Posted on April 29, 2013 by David McKee

Pricewaterhouse Coopers, accountant to the stars — and Las Vegas Sands — tendered its resignation last week, news that Sands kept carefully under wraps until after the markets closed on Friday. After a brief, initial shock, Sands shares went back … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Laughlin, Macau, Massachusetts, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Today, it’s Boyd’s turn to shine

Posted on April 25, 2013 by David McKee

Even the illusion of a rising tide lifts all boats, it would appear. Yesterday’s big stock-pump by Caesars Entertainment carried Boyd Gaming up with it, as did much-better-than-expected first-quarter numbers from Boyd. Shares that closed Tuesday at $8.94 were riding … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Current, Internet gambling, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Icahn nixes Trump deal; Steve Wynn’s fugitive friend

Posted on April 23, 2013 by David McKee

If Carl Icahn holds the note on your life, you are in a world of hurt, my friend. Just ask Trump Entertainment Resorts, whose $20 million sale of wretchedly performing Trump Plaza Hotel & Casino suddenly looks very shaky. What’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Colony Capital, Current, Donald Trump, Internet gambling, Oklahoma, Politics, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Texas, Transportation | 4 Comments

What happens here …

Posted on April 23, 2013 by David McKee

View more videos at: http://nbclosangeles.com. … gets shipped to California. It certainly adds an element of color to your next visit to the Plaza, adjacent to the Las Vegas bus depot.

Posted in California, Current, Downtown, Politics, Tamares Group | 1 Comment

Good and bad ideas in marketing; Small is beautiful, Vegas

Posted on April 18, 2013 by David McKee

Break out a flagon of whatever Derek Stevens is drinking and put it on my tab, lads. To commemorate the first leg of the Triple Crown, he’s holding a May 3-4 Sigma Derby tournament. Buy-in starts at $50, so starting … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Current, Derek Stevens, Detroit, Downtown, Economy, Goldman Sachs, Harry Reid, history, Horseracing, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Morgans Hotel Group, Pennsylvania, Sam Nazarian, Sports, Station Casinos, The Strip | 1 Comment

Siegel in Glitter Gulch? Down, but not out?

Posted on April 18, 2013 by David McKee

S&G contributor Jeff_in_OKC has been reading the entrails of the recent demise of the Gold Spike (which had seemed to be doing so much better under Spiegel Group) and sees cause for hope. Other nearby casinos weren’t slow to court … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Downtown, Hard Rock Hotel, Tamares Group | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 18, 2013 by David McKee

“Like the travel industry, gaming is a complex industry.” — newly elected American Gaming Association President Geoff Freeman, making the understatement of the year. Only 38 and with 16 years in the travel industry already behind him, Freeman (pictured) is … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Marketing, Politics | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Gold Spike: Hsieh, you tricky bastard!

Posted on April 12, 2013 by David McKee

No sooner had I confidently predicted that Zappos.com CEO Tony Hsieh (whoops, wrong Tony) would not be making any gaming related purchased when the shoe mogul pounced on the financially troubled Gold Spike. Showing the acumen that’s made him the … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Downtown, Economy, Sam Nazarian, Steve Wynn, Tamares Group | 3 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 11, 2013 by David McKee

“But it also must be said that — of all the demands made by organized labor groups in Las Vegas, whether private-sector or public-sector — the demands of the Wynn [Resorts] card dealers is among the most reasonable ever. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Politics, Regulation, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

A chilly wind in Atlantic City; They gave a casino and nobody came

Posted on April 11, 2013 by David McKee

One doesn’t really think of going to shore in March, so it’s no surprise that Atlantic City casino revenues were — excluding Revel — down 14% last month. The latter grossed $10 million, pulling it almost dead even with the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Colony Capital, Current, Donald Trump, Downtown, Economy, Harrah's, Oklahoma, Revel, Slot routes, Station Casinos, Texas, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal | Comments Off on A chilly wind in Atlantic City; They gave a casino and nobody came

Ohio: Penn recovers

Posted on April 8, 2013 by David McKee

Decimation of the slot floor at Hollywood Columbus proved to be just what the doctor ordered, “given the initial lackluster start and relatively low investor expectations,” as J.P. Morgan analyst Joseph Greff writes. Minus 515 machines, revenues at H’wood Columbus … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Dan Gilbert, Harrah's, MTR Gaming, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Wall Street | Comments Off on Ohio: Penn recovers

Illinois: Recovering or grasping a branch?

Posted on April 6, 2013 by David McKee

We’re at a point where we can finally say that Illinois‘ colossal slide in casino revenues has ended … at least until people get into the habit of playing video poker in bars. Reckless legislators like Rep. Lou Lang (D), … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Current, Economy, Harrah's, Illinois, Isle of Capri, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Slot routes | 1 Comment