Category Archives: Derek Stevens

The value of a dollar & other Case Bets

Posted on May 28, 2019 by David McKee

If you’re making up your casino budget, you might want to stay away from Atlantic City or New York State, where a dollar has only the buying power of 87 or 88 cents. By contrast, the same dollar spent in … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cosmopolitan, Derek Stevens, Economy, Hawaii, history, Indiana, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Sports betting, The Strip, TV, William Hill | Comments Off

Snakes in a casino & other Case Bets

Posted on May 16, 2019 by David McKee

Well, I’m never setting foot in Binion’s Gambling Hall again. A butt-ugly (but evidently non-poisonous) snake got in and made itself comfy in the roulette wheel. Security merely escorted the reptile inside, so there’s no telling whether there will be … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Caesars Entertainment, Charity, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Economy, Environment, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Nevada, Problem gambling, Real Estate, Technology, Transportation | Comments Off

Up and down the Strip; Land of the not-so-rising Sun

Posted on April 30, 2019 by David McKee

As a determination on its suitability in Massachusetts comes down to the wire (and opening date of Encore Boston Harbor is set for June 23), Wynn Resorts is trying to reap some positive karma. It has abandoned its pay-for-parking policy. … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, Japan, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, New Jersey, Resort fees, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Boyd, Churchill Downs garner raves; Indiana governor seduced

Posted on April 26, 2019 by David McKee

Boyd Gaming got a good review on Wall Street today, lauded both for slightly surpassing revenue expectations and for moving quickly to deleverage in the wake of the Valley Forge, Belterra and Ameristar acquisitions. Downtown continues to be Boyd’s bastion … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Charity, Churchill Downs, Current, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Florida, Hawaii, Horseracing, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Ohio, Palms, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Rhode Island, Slot routes, Spectacle Entertainment, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Taxes, Tribal, Wall Street, West Virginia, Westgate LV | 1 Comment

Re-enter the Dragon

Posted on April 23, 2019 by David McKee

Yes, the Lucky Dragon will be coming back, albeit under a new name. Construction magnate Don Ahern has made a $36 million purchase of the luckless casino, which still carries another $50 million in debt. (Hence the bargain price.) Ahern … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Caesars Entertainment, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Lucky Dragon, MGM Resorts International, Pets, Sports betting, Tamares Group, The Strip, TV | 1 Comment

Circa rustles up $$; Wynn slammed

Posted on April 3, 2019 by David McKee

Despite some distant jingoism in the halls of Congress, Derek Stevens in still putting his money—so to speak—on EB-5 investors. This Web site opens with a slide show of a soon-to-be Downtown icon, Circa, followed by the copy, “We have chosen … Continue reading →

Posted in Derek Stevens, Downtown, Lucky Dragon, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Movies, Regulation, Rhode Island, Sexual misconduct, SLS Las Vegas, Sports, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Adelson’s big trade-off; Nation bans casinos; Vegas hotel reopens

Posted on April 3, 2019 by David McKee

Not having gotten his way regarding a Las Vegas stadium, Sheldon Adelson turned to the government of Singapore and can now announce a major success. He will build a new hotel, a “state of the art” arena and additional convention … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Genting, International, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Singapore, Taxes, Terry Caudill, Wall Street | Comments Off

Stevens’ acumen questioned; Deejay era on downturn

Posted on March 7, 2019 by David McKee

A report has surfaced questioning the financial viability of $800 million Circa (written back when it was still 18 Fremont). In what seems like a preliminary shot fired across Derek Stevens‘ bow by Unite-Here, it asserts ” the project is … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Culinary Union, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, Environment, Hard Rock International, MGM Mirage, Ocean Resort, The Strip, Unite-Here, Wall Street | 3 Comments

King on the rag; Macao mobbed; Sheldon goes green

Posted on February 27, 2019 by David McKee

Better hurry and line up that Circa funding, Derek Stevens: Rep. Steve King (R) is coming after your EB-5 investors. King has introduced a bill, currently little more than a placeholder, to terminate the EB-5 program. In the past we’ve been … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Cirque du Soleil, Cretins, Delaware, Derek Stevens, Downtown Grand, Entertainment, Environment, Genting, Hard Rock International, International, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, South Korea, Sports betting, Terry Caudill, The Strip, Tourism, TV | 1 Comment

A tale of two Fertittas

Posted on February 13, 2019 by David McKee

Golden Nugget owner Tilman Fertitta is facing trouble close to home. $30.5 million in liens have been levied for unpaid work done at $400 million The Post Oak hotel in Houston. Like Sheldon Adelson, Fertitta blames the primary contractor and … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Economy, GLPI, Louisiana, MGM Resorts International, Palms, Problem gambling, Reno, Sports, Station Casinos, Texas, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street | Comments Off

Super Bowl hits and misses; Sigma Derby rides again

Posted on February 4, 2019 by David McKee

Super Bowl LIII is over and viewers are left to ponder such existential questions as “Is Julian Edelman a Hall of Famer?” and “Why are all NFL kickers bald?” The New England Patriots did the most important thing, i.e. covering the … Continue reading →

Posted in Derek Stevens, Downtown, Entertainment, history, International, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Paragon Gaming, Sigma Derby, Sports, Sports betting, Technology, TV | Comments Off

Oh, what a tangled web we weave …

Posted on January 21, 2019 by David McKee

… when we call our new casino Circa. An S&G source has done some research on the matter and found that “Circa” is trademarked to Michigan company NMH Acquisition. The Patent Office gave Circa “trademark serial number of 87960443.” NMH … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, CityCenter, Dan Lee, Derek Stevens, Downtown, International, MGM Resorts International, Politics, Regulation, Sports betting | Comments Off

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 14, 2019 by David McKee

“There is a lot of unmet demand for fun in Las Vegas,” — Derek Stevens, announcing his new project, Circa Resort & Casino.

Posted in Derek Stevens, Downtown | Comments Off

Deifik defects from Atlantic City; Stevens unveils new casino

Posted on January 11, 2019 by David McKee

That was brief. After six months of operation at Ocean Resort, owner Bruce Deifik wants out. Word is he’s found a mystery buyer, one who will invest $70 million in “a new buffet, additional hotel suites, gaming floor improvements and … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Bruce Deifik, Colorado, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Eldorado Resorts, Environment, Marketing, Revel, Sports betting, Tilman Fertitta, Transportation | 2 Comments

18 Fremont unveiled

Posted on December 10, 2018 by David McKee

Posted in Architecture, Derek Stevens, Downtown | 4 Comments

18 Fremont’s cover blown; Resorts World LV delayed yet again

Posted on December 10, 2018 by David McKee

Last week, Ryan Hess stole Derek Stevens‘ thunder, posting a stunning rendering for 18 Fremont on Twitter and linking to an EB-5 visa Web page that included more sexy pictures — six swimming pools — of the Stevens brothers’ upcoming … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Ameristar, Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Dan Gilbert, Derek Stevens, Dining, Downtown, Eldorado Resorts, Full House Resorts, Genting, Indiana, International, Isle of Capri, Lucky Dragon, LVCVA, Majestic Star, Missouri, Ohio, Penn National, Steven Witkoff, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Resorts World LV delayed (again); Lady Gaga reigns supreme

Posted on December 6, 2018 by David McKee

Resorts World Las Vegas has reached the 39th of a projected 60 floors. However, Genting Group is cautiously hedging its bet, telling Credit Suisse analyst Cameron McKnight the resort will be finished “by 2020,” not late 2019, as stated previously. Somehow … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Dubai, Economy, Entertainment, Genting, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Case Bets

Posted on November 7, 2018 by David McKee

In Nevada‘s Nye County, 70% of the electorate voted to elect a dead pimp to the Nevada Assembly. I guess this means that the GOP is going to have to unearth Dennis Hof‘s rotting corpse and prop it up in … Continue reading →

Posted in Culinary Union, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Election, International, Law enforcement | 1 Comment

Mohegan Sun shines

Posted on October 1, 2018 by David McKee

Congratulations to Mohegan Sun on being named ‘Best Hotel’ by readers of USA Today. I’ve never stayed there but would reckon this is quite a coup and shows yet again that tribal casinos don’t yield the palm to private-sector ones … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Meruelo, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, CityCenter, Derek Stevens, Dining, Downtown, Economy, Foxwoods, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New York, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Reno, Resort fees, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Tamares Group, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Culinary, Stevens clash; House lumps sports betting with terrorism

Posted on September 27, 2018 by David McKee

Labor contracts with the Culinary Union have long since expired but three casinos continue to hold out. Phil Ruffin‘s Treasure Island is one but there’s been no animus from the Culinary on that front. Where Derek Stevens is concerned it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Architecture, California, Culinary Union, Derek Stevens, Dining, Downtown, Georgia, Law enforcement, Politics, Regulation, Sports betting, Tribal | 1 Comment