Category Archives: Current

Saucer crash; Whither Harmon Crossing?

Posted on March 22, 2012 by David McKee

Yesterday afternoon, a heterogenous smattering of Las Vegas media toured the new Area 51 wing of the National Atomic Testing Museum.”Wing” might be a generous term for this cramped, fetid space. The subtitle of the exhibit is Myth or Reality, … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Architecture, CityCenter, Current, Downtown, Entertainment, Harrah's, history, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on Saucer crash; Whither Harmon Crossing?

Investor Week: The slot makers speak; More Ohio expansion

Posted on March 21, 2012 by David McKee

Themes! Themes! Themes! That was the promise made by WMS Industries, which plans to introduce no fewer than 55 of them between now and year’s end. I’d thought we were past the era in which slot manufacturers indiscriminately licensed every … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally Technologies, Cordish Co., Current, Economy, Election, Entertainment, Harrah's, IGT, Illinois, International, Internet gambling, Macau, Maryland, Ohio, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Shuffle Master, Slot routes, Technology, Wall Street, WMS Industries | 1 Comment

Ides of March: Caesars, MGM, Wynn court Wall Street

Posted on March 21, 2012 by David McKee

Evidently J.P. Morgan‘s Gaming, Lodging & Leisure Management Access Forum, being held this week at Wynncore, isn’t sufficiently important to merit the attendance of Big Gaming’s CEOs. If Steve Wynn couldn’t make the stroll from his office to Encore’s meeting … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Current, Detroit, Economy, Encore, Entertainment, Harrah's, Illinois, Internet gambling, Macau, Marketing, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Ohio, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street, World Series of Poker | 2 Comments

Putting the cart before the racino; Men of eXit

Posted on March 21, 2012 by David McKee

VLTs in Ohio are still being litigated but MTR Gaming is rushing in where major operators fear to tread. It’s already begun conversion of Scioto Downs Casino & Racetrack to a 2,100-machine racino. The nomenclature is a bit premature but … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Current, Downtown, Entertainment, Harrah's, Hooters, Isle of Capri, Ohio, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, Tamares Group, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Putting the cart before the racino; Men of eXit

Adelson minions visit Encore: Big Gaming courts Wall Street

Posted on March 20, 2012 by David McKee

There will be Ice Capades in Hell before Sheldon Adelson sets foot in Encore, I should expect. However, with J.P. Morgan holding an investor conference at Wynncore, it would be poor form of Las Vegas Sands — currently the darling … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Cordish Co., Current, Detroit, Economy, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Kansas, Louisiana, M Resort, Macau, Marketing, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off on Adelson minions visit Encore: Big Gaming courts Wall Street

Moody’s no longer moody on Vegas; Golden Gate upsizes

Posted on March 20, 2012 by David McKee

Caution, thy name is Moody’s Investors Service. So if Moody’s is bullish on the near-term future of Las Vegas, I guess we can well and truly believe that a recovery is here … well, on the Strip. Away from Las … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, CityCenter, Current, Dennis Gomes, Derek Stevens, Don Barden, Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, Gary Goett, Marketing, North Las Vegas, Sahara, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Tamares Group, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street | 3 Comments

No cannibalization in K.C.!; Nebraska: Phhhhhttt!

Posted on March 19, 2012 by David McKee

February numbers are in for Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway and it lifted the entire K.C. market 24%, grossing $15 million in 26 days. Once the Hollywood effect is sifted out of monthly revenues, all other casinos were down only … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Current, Harrah's, Horseracing, Isle of Capri, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Wall Street | Comments Off on No cannibalization in K.C.!; Nebraska: Phhhhhttt!

One born every minute

Posted on March 16, 2012 by David McKee

Wall Street‘s appetite for risk knows no bounds. True, year-end numbers from MGM Resorts International contain cause for confidence, including 8% higher domestic gambling revenue and 10% improved room revenues. However, MGM’s still sitting atop a $13.5 billion powder keg … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Culinary Union, Current, Dubai, G2E, Harrah's, Macau, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Politics, Racinos, Taxes, Wall Street | Comments Off on One born every minute

End of an era; Butera: Down is the new up

Posted on March 16, 2012 by David McKee

Bunny blues. Given the travails affecting Hugh Hefner‘s eroding PEI empire — including a recent abandonment of its Chicago offices and spinoff of its Cyber Club — it was only a matter of very little time before the Palms’ franchised … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Entertainment, George Maloof, International, Marketing, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on End of an era; Butera: Down is the new up

Penn and Pennsylvania; Trop’s big screwup; Louisiana’s big month

Posted on March 16, 2012 by David McKee

A racetrack isn’t something you just pick up and relocate. However, Penn National Gaming has been given the go-ahead by the State of Ohio to “move” its Beulah Park and Raceway Park to, respectively, Youngstown and Dayton. They are presently … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Cannery Casino Resorts, Columbia Sussex, Current, Dan Lee, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Neil Bluhm, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Dan Lee calls it quits; Who let Big Dawg’s out?

Posted on March 14, 2012 by David McKee

Having seen the handwriting on the wall, Dan Lee has sold his Creative Casinos of Louisiana to regional rival Ameristar Casinos for a measly $32.5 million. Bankers were having difficulty computing Lee + Lake Charles = Mojito Pointe. Financing prospects … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Current, Dan Lee, Economy, Georgia, Internet gambling, Iowa, Louisiana, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Regulation, Wall Street | 4 Comments

Rio: The big gundown; CityCenter: The big showdown

Posted on March 13, 2012 by David McKee

While Caesars Entertainment struggles to rid itself of dilapidated The Rio, it’s attracted another problem that will diminish its “curb appeal.” A gang-related gun battle erupted in the wee hours of Sunday morning atop The Rio’s parking garage. At least … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Architecture, CityCenter, Current, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, The Mob, The Strip, Tribal | 3 Comments

Ask Andy!

Posted on March 12, 2012 by David McKee

Now I know you guys have a high level of interest in — and affection for — the Riviera. How about if I told you that I’ll be interviewing Riv President Andy Choy tomorrow morning? And that he’s agreed to … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Riviera, The Strip | 15 Comments

Gambling makes strange bedfellows; Two kinds of Trop trouble

Posted on March 9, 2012 by David McKee

Earlier today, we witnessed the strange spectacle of a capitalist decrying the effect of market forces upon his business. It’s an indirect reminder that casinos are that rare issue which brings together the old maids of the far left and … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Current, Economy, Election, Entertainment, Laughlin, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment, TV | 1 Comment

Atlantic City: Low prices and high dudgeon

Posted on March 9, 2012 by David McKee

That shriek of dismay you hear from the direction of Atlantic City is the screech of hotelier Curtis Bashaw (left). What is the cause of his umbrage? The discovery that a hotel room in A.C. can be had for as … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Colony Capital, Current, Dennis Gomes, Donald Trump, Economy, Genting, Harrah's, New York, Pennsylvania, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Transportation, Tropicana Entertainment | 9 Comments

The whales of January; Shrinking Hooters

Posted on March 8, 2012 by David McKee

Baccarat win on the Las Vegas Strip began the year heavy ($194 million) and dramatic, up 199% from 2011. The whales were back in force, dropping 163% more than the previous January, putting $1.6 billion in play. An early Chinese … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, California, Current, Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, Hooters, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Movies, North Las Vegas, Reno, Tribal, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Gaughan expands empire … and sundry other Case Bets

Posted on March 7, 2012 by David McKee

Having already taken charge of the hotel operations of the JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa (for historical purposes, best known as The Resort at Summerlin) last summer, Michael Gaughan Jr. will now extend his operational control to its … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Dining, Entertainment, Georgia, Harrah's, International, Macau, MGM Mirage, Michael Gaughan, Ohio, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Steve Wynn, Tourism | Comments Off on Gaughan expands empire … and sundry other Case Bets

Adelson to sign “Mormon”? What is “theD”?

Posted on March 7, 2012 by David McKee

Las Vegas‘ new performing arts palace, The Smith Center, has opened coveted the Broadway hit, The Book of Mormon. However, a heavyweight competitor could snatch Mormon from under Smith CEO Myron Martin‘s nose. Rumor has Las Vegas Sands in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Downtown, Entertainment, Harrah's, history, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, The Strip | 10 Comments

Biloxi: Isle out, Landry’s in; Grind joints come to Atlantic City

Posted on March 5, 2012 by David McKee

Not even a rocky start in Atlantic City has cooled the ardor of Landry’s Restaurant CEO Tilman Fertitta for new casino acquisitions. Earlier today Landry’s announced that it had bought Isle Casino Hotel, putting Fertitta into the Biloxi market. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Colony Capital, Current, Downtown, Isle of Capri, Marketing, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Singapore, Steve Wynn, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on March 2, 2012 by David McKee

It’s not a quote so much as a whole heckuva lotta weirdness. Enjoy.

Posted in Current, Economy, Election, TV | 1 Comment