Category Archives: Current

Bad timing

Posted on November 21, 2012 by David McKee

Is it any wonder that Trump International and other Donald Trump-branded hotels are struggling when they wait until the day before Thanksgiving to blast this offer to their customer base? Wouldn’t you think people had made their Black Friday and … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Donald Trump, Marketing, The Strip, Tourism | 4 Comments

Lou Lang up to old tricks; Dog-and-pony show at Sahara

Posted on November 20, 2012 by David McKee

For months, state Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie), has been threatening to push an enormous gambling expansion through the Illinois Legislature during its lame-duck session. He says he’s “getting very close” but we’ve heard that kind of braying from Lang previously. … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Carl Icahn, Cosmopolitan, Current, Entertainment, Fontainebleau, George Maloof, Harrah's, Illinois, MGM Mirage, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sahara, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation | 4 Comments

Right idea, wrong place?

Posted on November 19, 2012 by David McKee

Las Vegas is a city whose attractions feature the eat-at-your-own-risk Heart Attack Grill. It’s also got no shortage of vast, empty spaces waiting to be filled. So it would have seemed inevitable had Guy Fieri chosen to open a three-story, … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Current, Dining, New York, The Strip, TV | 3 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on November 16, 2012 by David McKee

“I just don’t get it: How can Hostess go out of business in the land of the fattest asses on the planet? That’s like the French quitting wine and cheese making, or Hawaiians giving up on surfboards. It’s a world … Continue reading →

Posted in Current | 1 Comment

Louisiana be crazy; Maryland: If you can’t beat ’em …; Revel on the ropes

Posted on November 15, 2012 by David McKee

Casino revenues in the Pelican State were up 2% last month, entirely upon the strength of Pinnacle Entertainment‘s L’Auberge Baton Rouge (above). It propelled the Baton Rouge market 58% upward, grossing $11 million at the expense of Argosy Baton Rouge … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Cordish Co., Current, Economy, Election, Harrah's, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Revel, Taxes, Wall Street | 4 Comments

New cowgirl in town; “Zarkana” opens quietly

Posted on November 15, 2012 by David McKee

There may be a new Cirque du Soleil production show at Aria but it’s been drowned out in the thundering hooves and comparable hype that marked Shania Twain‘s arrival at Caesars Palace. It was quite a sight: 20 horses and … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Current, Entertainment, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, The Strip, Tourism | 1 Comment

Smooth transition at Bally; Trumpalypse in Toronto

Posted on November 14, 2012 by David McKee

Late-breaking stories usually bode ill but it’s nothing of the sort at Bally Technologies, where a transfer of power was announced during the waning hours of the day. CEO Richard Haddrill (left) steps aside and up, moving to chairmanship of … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally Technologies, Current, Donald Trump, International, Wall Street | Comments Off on Smooth transition at Bally; Trumpalypse in Toronto

Strange but sad and true

Posted on November 14, 2012 by David McKee

At first, I thought this news item and the accompanying video report were pure fantasy. Alas, truth proves stranger than fiction once again and we could be looking at the audio equivalent of the dreaded Christmas fruitcake. In previews since … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Entertainment, Planet Hollywood, The Strip | Comments Off on Strange but sad and true

Un-Lucky by any name; Shame on Trump Entertainment

Posted on November 13, 2012 by David McKee

Since there is no problem in today’s America too trivial to be resolved with gunplay, let the record show that 31-year-old Kevin Jones Jr. was mortally wounded at the Lucky Club Casino early this morning. Jones was pronounced dead at … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Current, Donald Trump, Economy, Environment, MTR Gaming, North Las Vegas, Regulation, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Un-Lucky by any name; Shame on Trump Entertainment

Wynn comes to Philadelphia … again; Atlantic City: About as expected

Posted on November 12, 2012 by David McKee

Now we know why Steve Wynn was careful to mend fences with Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter (below) in 2010 when negotiations to take over the doomed Foxwoods Casino Philadelphia project abruptly feel apart and Wynn skipped town. He’s back with … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Baseball, Colony Capital, Cordish Co., Current, Donald Trump, Economy, Harrah's, Maryland, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Revel, Steve Wynn, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off on Wynn comes to Philadelphia … again; Atlantic City: About as expected

D, Trop try something different; Cannibalization comes to Ohio

Posted on November 12, 2012 by David McKee

Nothing says ‘November in Las Vegas‘ quite like a beach club. Yes, after unending delays, Nov. 16 is the date certain for the opening of Bagatelle Beach & Supper Club. If Bagatelle does, as promised, deliver “afternoons that transport guests … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Current, Dan Gilbert, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, Marketing, MTR Gaming, Ohio, Penn National, Racinos, The Strip | Comments Off on D, Trop try something different; Cannibalization comes to Ohio

Pinnacle’s Vietnamese quagmire; Caesars’ South American pullback

Posted on November 12, 2012 by David McKee

Last Friday, Pinnacle Entertainment tiptoed out with a little bombshell that may have detonated into your e-mail or stock portfolio. In brief: Vietnam‘s planned Ho Tram Strip casino resort is in deep shit. As a 26% owner of the project, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Current, Dan Gilbert, Harrah's, International, Marketing, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Pinnacle Entertainment, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Wake up with Loveman; More election aftermath

Posted on November 8, 2012 by David McKee

No sooner were Wall Street analysts uttering serious concerns about a slow post-Sandy recovery for Atlantic City than who should pop up on CBS This Morning but Caesars Entertainment CEO Gary Loveman, doing damage control … It’s hard to decide … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Current, Dan Gilbert, Donald Trump, Economy, Environment, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Transportation, TV, Wall Street | Comments Off on Wake up with Loveman; More election aftermath

Election wrap-up: Winners & losers

Posted on November 7, 2012 by David McKee

But first, because it will never, ever get old … Also this, from @daveweigel: “[Florida] exit poll: Obama winning Jewish vote by 40 points. 40 points. Nice work, Sheldon Adelson.” We’ll tap dance on Sheldon’s head some more further down, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colony Capital, Colorado, Cordish Co., Cretins, Current, Donald Trump, Economy, Election, Florida, Goldman Sachs, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Maine, Marketing, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Shuffle Master, Steve Wynn, Tribal, TV, Wall Street, West Virginia | 4 Comments

L-O-S-E-R

Posted on November 7, 2012 by David McKee

Sorry, Sheldon Adelson, but American democracy is not for sale to the highest bidder. Now go back to doing what you do best: opening overseas casino markets … far overseas, preferably.

Posted in Current, Election, Sheldon Adelson | 2 Comments

Where’s Sheldo?; Stiffed by Aliante?

Posted on November 6, 2012 by David McKee

That’s the question posed today by Esquire‘s Jason Whited, who tries to find the Blofeld-like mastermind. “Anyplace other than Las Vegas,” seems to be the answer. “Political types here and across the country speak of him in almost hushed tones,” … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Election, Marketing, North Las Vegas, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn | 6 Comments

Betting on our future; Wretched excess in Maryland; Penn perseveres

Posted on November 6, 2012 by David McKee

While the voters have not yet spoken (although they’re getting an early start here), the betting markets are feeling less restraint. While the amount wagered online on the results of today’s presidential election — $16 million, according to one source … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Cordish Co., Current, Election, Harrah's, Illinois, International, Internet gambling, Iowa, Marketing, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Penn National, Politics, Tribal | Comments Off on Betting on our future; Wretched excess in Maryland; Penn perseveres

Election Special: Maryland, down to the wire

Posted on November 5, 2012 by David McKee

And now the biggie: Question 7. The quickest way to summarize this is to paraphrase what C.S. Lewis said of Christianity — that slot parlors in Maryland hadn’t been tried and found wanting but were an idea that had been … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Cordish Co., Current, Economy, Election, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Taxes, TV, West Virginia | 4 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on November 5, 2012 by David McKee

“The American dream used to be within reach of the middle class. Now it’s on offer only to an elite.” — Stockton, California housing developer Carol Ornelas. If you think what’s going on in the European economy “could not happen … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Current, Economy | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Atlantic City open for business

Posted on November 2, 2012 by David McKee

Actually, a few hardy souls — like fearless restaurateur Montgomery Dahm, who was semper fidelis to his fellow citizens — never closed. Add Tun Tavern to your list of must-see stops when you visit Atlantic City. Ditto Ducktown Tavern & … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Current, Dining, Economy, Election, Environment, Florida, Racinos, Revel, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | 2 Comments