Category Archives: Current

First, the good news …

Posted on March 11, 2010 by David McKee

Congratulations to MGM Mirage for being named, for the fourth time in five years, to DiversityInc‘s “Top 50 Companies for Diversity.” Like predecessor J. Terrence Lanni, not only does CEO Jim Murren say the right things (“As long as I … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, New York, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sahara, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on First, the good news …

Fortune doesn’t favor the Boyd

Posted on March 10, 2010 by David McKee

Fortune, in the sense of “destiny,” supposedly favors the bold. Fortune, the magazine, holds no great affection for Boyd Gaming. Since the company is one for which I’ve long had high regard, it gives me no pleasure to report this. … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Charity, Current, Harrah's, International, Isle of Capri, Macau, MGM Mirage, Movies, Penn National, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | 4 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on March 10, 2010 by David McKee

“Political pundits cast aspersions on candidates and incumbents by labeling their policies and beliefs ‘communist’ or ‘socialist. I have noticed many of these exchanges recently and wanted to bring them to light in a humorous way by placing them here … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Current, Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Movies, Politics, The Mob, The Strip, TV | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Going slow in Pennsylvania

Posted on March 10, 2010 by David McKee

Despite having the highest-grossing “slot parlor” (now don’t that sound genteel?) in Pennsylvania, racino Parx Casino is making a gingerly entry into the uncharted waters of table-game play. While state law would allow Parx to put in as many as … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Harrah's, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn | 2 Comments

Rocky Mountain Low

Posted on March 10, 2010 by David McKee

The Great Recession continues to weed out the sick and the lame of the casino industry. As with Missouri‘s loss-limit repeal, similar measures in Colorado (detailed above) came along too late in the game. There’s only so much state governments … Continue reading →

Posted in Colorado, Current, Economy, Missouri, Regulation | Comments Off on Rocky Mountain Low

Quote of the Day

Posted on March 9, 2010 by David McKee

“There will undoubtedly be tough sledding ahead for Atlantic City, especially in light of the increasing competition from neighboring states. However, I believe that Atlantic City, with its beautiful beaches, can again become a premier destination resort.” — Carl Icahn, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Columbia Sussex, Current, Economy, Regulation, Tropicana Entertainment | 3 Comments

News in my backyard

Posted on March 9, 2010 by David McKee

Well, not literally in it but damn close. From our rear windows we can see the former Liberace mansion that now goes by the name of Las Vegas Villa. It’s a large but otherwise unobtrusive neighbor in a very quiet … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Entertainment | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on March 8, 2010 by David McKee

“No transaction in our modern society is completely free of government involvement. The food we eat costs less because of farm subsidies. Students attend private universities with the help of Pell Grants and Stafford loans. Our churches and temples can … Continue reading →

Posted in Current | 3 Comments

Did my eyes deceive me …

Posted on March 8, 2010 by David McKee

… or was that the skeleton of Echelon which was used to illustrate Nevada’s economic woes in the TV spot that Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) is running this week? That’s no outrage in and of itself: Echelon was a casualty … Continue reading →

Posted in Archon Corp., Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Current, Economy, Election, Harry Reid, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, TV | 2 Comments

From one Isle to another

Posted on March 8, 2010 by David McKee

Let’s start the week with a salute to a company that’s doing the right thing. Between its Florida and Missouri operations, Isle of Capri Casinos employs some 170 citizens of Haiti. Their salaries go to support family members on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Charity, Current, Environment, Florida, Harrah's, International, Isle of Capri, Missouri, Movies, TV | 2 Comments

The best-paying gig in Las Vegas

Posted on March 5, 2010 by David McKee

It probably belongs to any of the army of lawyers toiling for Station Casinos … or for co-owner Colony Capital … or for individual board members, including director Dr. James Nave. The latter — who used to serve on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Current, Entertainment, Station Casinos, Wall Street | 4 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on March 5, 2010 by David McKee

“… only 36,000 people lost their jobs today, which is really good.” — Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV). Um, “really good” for whom, might we ask?

Posted in Current, Economy, Election, Harry Reid, Politics | 3 Comments

Chronicle of a Black foretold; River City looking good

Posted on March 2, 2010 by David McKee

Randy Black, that is. The CEO who ran the Mesquite market straight into the ground (with a sizable assist from the Nevada Gaming Control Board and Gaming Commission) and turned the former Si Redd’s Oasis into a slot route — … Continue reading →

Posted in Archon Corp., Boyd Gaming, Current, Don Barden, Election, Harry Reid, IGT, Mesquite, Michael Gaughan, Midnight Jim Gibbons, Pinnacle Entertainment, Planet Hollywood, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, TV, Wall Street, WMS Industries | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on March 1, 2010 by David McKee

“Far more of the African-American community is being devastated by the policies of today than were being devastated by the policies of slavery.” — Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ). Remember, this is the same guy who imagined a railway corridor was … Continue reading →

Posted in Cretins, Current | 3 Comments

Synchronicity @ work

Posted on February 26, 2010 by David McKee

In more senses than one. Harrah’s Entertainment CEO Gary Loveman‘s fascination with fabulous feminine footwear has been the talk of the office at LVA, although I was more intrigued by the bad hair day pictured below. In describing it to … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Environment, Harrah's, Marketing | Comments Off on Synchronicity @ work

Case Bets: Loveman & ladies’ shoes, CityCenter, Singapore, the Palms and Wayne Newton

Posted on February 26, 2010 by David McKee

Naptime in the casino. If American casinos are less frenetic than those of, say, Macao, the gambling culture in Singapore is very relaxed indeed. Fancy a catnap at your slot machine? No problem! Oh, to see the expression on Sheldon … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Architecture, CityCenter, Current, Entertainment, Genting, George Maloof, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Midnight Jim Gibbons, Problem gambling, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, The Strip, TV, Wall Street | 4 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 26, 2010 by David McKee

“I believe the Indian gambling empire is a greater threat to American security than Islamic jihadists.” — anti-gambling zealot Randy Brinson, who’s had issues with the private sector, too.

Posted in Alabama, Cretins, Current, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 25, 2010 by David McKee

“I know Carl [Icahn] better than my lawyers and Carl spends nothing. I would be surprised if he spent $3 … If Carl spends 10 cents, it’s a major event.” — exiled, orange-hued casino CEO Donald Trump, dissing rival Icahn … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Current, Donald Trump | 3 Comments

New Donny in town

Posted on February 25, 2010 by David McKee

As in Clay, Donny Clay, played by the versatile Jason Alexander in The Donny Clay Experience. This delightful one-man show will be a peripatetic and hopefully long-lived visitor to Planet Hollywood … unless Gary Loveman‘s crony Frank Biondi (ex-Viacom CEO) … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Current, George Maloof, Harrah's, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Movies, Planet Hollywood, The Strip, Tourism | 2 Comments

Case Bets: “Viva Elvis,” Loveman in Macao, Icahn in A.C., etc.

Posted on February 24, 2010 by David McKee

Viva Elvis vs. Love. The Sun‘s John Katsilometes pivots it to a question of “Whose music is better?” I’m not going there but I think he really nails why one show seemed right up Cirque du Soleil‘s alley while the … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Carl Icahn, Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Current, Don Barden, Donald Trump, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, Indiana, International, Isle of Capri, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment | 5 Comments