Category Archives: Current

Case Bets: Kansas, Ohio & Singapore

Posted on November 3, 2009 by David McKee

Lyle Berman‘s casino project near Wichita is losing momentum. If you can’t afford to build even a 100-room hotel, times are dire indeed. Union Gaming‘s Bill Lerner makes the counter-argument that some casino is better than no casino. Raving Consulting … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Genting, Kansas, Ohio, Penn National, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Tourism | 1 Comment

Steve Wynn drinks his own bathwater

Posted on November 3, 2009 by David McKee

I’ll confess to having been sufficiently out of touch not to have heard about the “Wynncore” parody site on which blogger Chuck Monster was laboring. Anybody who’s used the sluggish Wynn Resorts Web site will appreciate the home page (“Loading … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Current, Economy, Encore, G2E, Marketing, Mississippi, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Transportation, Tropicana Entertainment, TV | 5 Comments

Dark days for the clown house?

Posted on November 2, 2009 by David McKee

During all the economic Sturm und Drang of the last two years, MGM Mirage has — to its great credit — not been shy about offering comps, discounts and promotions to keep people coming back. However, its latest promotional allowances … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Current, Economy, Fontainebleau, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Riviera, The Strip, Tourism | 1 Comment

Case Bets: CityCenter, Boyd odyssey, Massachusetts & the “Admiral”

Posted on November 2, 2009 by David McKee

There’s continued apprehension about MGM Mirage‘s $8.5 billion, 7,200-unit CityCenter, especially now that hotel rooms there are going for less than ones at either the Venetian or Encore. (Thinking positively: Who knew CityCenter was going to be so affordable?) Business … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Current, Economy, Encore, Harrah's, Kansas, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | 8 Comments

Go Phils!

Posted on October 30, 2009 by David McKee

Since my sister practices law in the City of Brotherly Love, my rooting interest in the current World Series is with the Philadelphia Phillies. Besides, it’s difficult to warm up to the ruthless efficiency of the New York Yankees as … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball, Current, New York, Pennsylvania, Sports, Station Casinos | 2 Comments

Case Bets: Pinnacle, Pennsylvania, Harrah’s & Sands

Posted on October 30, 2009 by David McKee

Third quarter at PNK: 3Q09 numbers are out for Pinnacle Entertainment and the comparisons cover the spectrum from very good (Lumiere Place up 19%), good (+5% at L’Auberge du Lac) and lousy (-13% aboard Boomtown New Orleans). Once a free-spending … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Atlantic City, Current, Detroit, Economy, Harrah's, Louisiana, Macau, Marketing, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Problem gambling, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Tribal, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Case Bets: ColSux, Wynn, Agassi, Lake LV, ‘Vega$’

Posted on October 30, 2009 by David McKee

Proverbial “flu-like symptoms” have me feeling light-headed and rather woozy (a delayed reaction to Wayne Newton?), for which the doctor prescribes a dosage of Case Bets … Another ColSux sale: Struggling hotelier Columbia Sussex has, for the not-inconsiderable sum of … Continue reading →

Posted in Columbia Sussex, Current, Dining, Downtown, Encore, Iowa, Lake Las Vegas, Louisiana, Oscar Goodman, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, TV | 3 Comments

Signs of the Times

Posted on October 29, 2009 by David McKee

Oh, how I wish I’d had the presence of mind to snap a photo of the Tropicana Las Vegas marquee last night. It reads, in part: WAYNE NEWTON Once Before I Go NOW The concluding imperative makes the sign look … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Current, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, International, The Strip, TV | 6 Comments

Critiqued by Tomlin

Posted on October 28, 2009 by David McKee

When conducting interviews, I rarely think about how I’m doing them other than thinking that the questions are tumbling out sounding stupid or that I’m blathering on like the dreaded Charlie Rose (an excellent example of how not to interview … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Entertainment, MGM Mirage, The Strip | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 28, 2009 by David McKee

“It’s not legal, and anyone who thinks this is legal is wrong. They are guilty of a misdemeanor if they do this.” — Steve Wynn, who’s not a lawyer but plays one in the newspapers. If he’d read a little, … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Entertainment, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 3 Comments

“Don’t panic”

Posted on October 28, 2009 by David McKee

Most of you will recognize that as a critical maxim from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. It’s also what to do if you comments don’t appear straightaway on the S&G site. In our new setup they won’t post immediately … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Current, Entertainment, Sahara, The Strip, TV | 1 Comment

Boyd: A waiting game

Posted on October 27, 2009 by David McKee

That’s the economic forecast of J.P. Morgan analysts after Boyd Gaming came in slightly under its cash-flow projections for the third quarter. Borgata remained a bright spot, reaching record levels of market share in Atlantic City (a staggering 19%) in … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Current, Downtown, Economy, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Morgans Hotel Group, Neil Bluhm, New York, Pennsylvania, Racinos, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | 6 Comments

Loveman’s Folly

Posted on October 27, 2009 by David McKee

Back when Harrah’s Entertainment was surrendering to the cold, clammy embrace of Texas Pacific Group and Apollo Management, the bean counters assured CEO Gary Loveman that Harrah’s could carry almost $30 billion in debt and sustain a 20% revenue decrease. … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Harrah's, Wall Street | Comments Off on Loveman’s Folly

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 27, 2009 by David McKee

“The environment in China is much more free than here. Do they feel they are being deprived of their human rights? No.”  — Steve Wynn, doing his best Sheldon Adelson impersonation.

Posted in Current, International, Macau, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn | 2 Comments

Adieu F-bleau, hello Hollywood?

Posted on October 26, 2009 by David McKee

Look what just fell into the S&G mailbag: Beginning January 1, 2010 Penn National Gaming will partner with RPM Advertising to develop and execute a brand identity for Hollywood Casinos.  The full service assignment will incorporate research, brand development, media … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Current, Donald Trump, Economy, Entertainment, Fontainebleau, Harrah's, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip, TV | 1 Comment

Ya think?

Posted on October 26, 2009 by David McKee

From the latest news bulletin "blasted" by the Las Vegas Review-Journal: "Las Vegas police are investigating a shooting on Sahara Avenue near Nellis Boulevard in which a man was struck in the head by gunfire today. "Police spokesman Ramon Denby … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Current | Comments Off on Ya think?

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 26, 2009 by David McKee

Moral: A posh accent may make you sound smart but does not confer actual knowledge upon you.

Posted in Current | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 26, 2009 by David McKee

"If C.C. Sabathia starts game one of the World Series, the Yankees will know they have won tonight." — Fox Sports baseball analyst Tim McCarver, sinking to bathyspheric depths of belaboring the obvious, early in Sunday's game six of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball, Current, New York, Sports, TV | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 23, 2009 by David McKee

“Steve Wynn was the worst offender on that score. Last year, he used his aircraft for a $1 million of personal travel, which Wynn [Resorts] shareholders paid for. To do $1 million worth of travel, I worked it out that … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Steve Wynn, Transportation, Wall Street | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Programming notes

Posted on October 23, 2009 by David McKee

The time has come, the walrus said, to switch over to WordPress, so regularly scheduled S&G mirth and merriment will be temporarily suspended whilst we learn the new setup. My apologies for the temporary lack of service. Secondly, thanks to … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Technology | Comments Off on Programming notes