Category Archives: Downtown

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

Sports betting gearing up in Pennsylvania; Downtown Grand expands

Posted on January 9, 2019 by David McKee

It will be all systems ‘go’ for sports betting at Parx Casino tomorrow if the casino successfully completes a test run today. This would make Parx the fourth Pennsylvania casino to offer sports wagering, preceded by Hollywood Casino, near Harrisburg, Rivers … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Downtown Grand, Genting, Greenwood Racing, International, Midnight Jim Gibbons, New Jersey, Penn National, Pets, Problem gambling, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting | Comments Off

Berman returns; All-star New Year’s Eve

Posted on December 28, 2018 by David McKee

Don’t say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Lyle Berman, 77, who was once in on the ground floor of tribal gaming is now purchasing two companies with the purpose of merging them to form an e-sports major … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Caesars Entertainment, California, Downtown, e-sports, Economy, Entertainment, Genting, International, Lyle Berman, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, PokerStars, Security, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Strip outstrips Nevada; Trouble for Resorts World

Posted on December 27, 2018 by David McKee

Business was booming last month on the Las Vegas Strip. Gaming revenues shot up 10% to $534.5 million. Statewide, the increase was 6.5% to $967 million. Driving those Strip numbers was a mind-boggling 53% explosion in baccarat win on 26% … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boulder Strip, Downtown, Economy, Genting, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Massachusetts, Mesquite, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Reno, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

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

Uncle Sam wants your sports bet; Strip outperforms Nevada

Posted on November 27, 2018 by David McKee

Credit Suisse analyst Cameron McKnight had an ominous take on sports betting, as regards federal intervention and “integrity fees.” “Federal action on sports betting sounds more likely, though our contacts disagree on scope,” he warned, adding, “On integrity fees, we … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, DFS, Downtown, Economy, Illinois, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Las Vegas, Sports betting, The Strip, Transportation, Wall Street | Comments Off

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

Strip tanks in September; Adelson vs. Buffett

Posted on October 30, 2018 by David McKee

If you want to know what it’s hard to get financing to develop on the Las Vegas Strip you could either A) ask Steven Witkoff or B) look at the latest, very blah numbers from September — $546 million. That 4% … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Downtown, Economy, Election, Environment, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off

Adelson eats Wynn’s lunch; Thumbs up for Boyd

Posted on October 26, 2018 by David McKee

Credit Suisse analyst Cameron McKnight reports that Sands China is stealing Macao market share from Wynn Resorts. Renovated VIP rooms at Sands properties are credited with the shift in business. Also, Sands “stated that while its very confident of [concession] … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Downtown, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Hard Rock International, Hawaii, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Sports, Sports betting, Tamares Group, Tourism, Transportation, Wall Street, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Adelson nixes Greek casino; ‘George’ promo at Plaza

Posted on October 25, 2018 by David McKee

It’s all Greek to Sheldon Adelson. The mogul has dropped out of the running for a casino in Greece. That leaves Caesars Entertainment, Hard Rock International (which recently pulled out of contention for a casino in Cyprus) and Mohegan Sun … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Downtown, Economy, Hard Rock International, International, Las Vegas Sands, Marketing, Mohegan Sun, Tamares Group, Tourism | Comments Off

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

Dog days on the Strip

Posted on September 27, 2018 by David McKee

August numbers are in and casinos on the Las Vegas Strip tanked, down 12.5%. Credit Suisse analyst Cameron McKnight called this result “not as bad as feared,” which prompts one to wonder what a worst-case scenario would look like. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, California, Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, Florida, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Mesquite, MGM Resorts International, North Las Vegas, Oklahoma, Reno, Tamares Group, The Strip, Transportation, Tribal, Wall Street | 3 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

MGM: Riding out the storm

Posted on September 24, 2018 by David McKee

As Golden Week nears in Macao, hotel rooms are sold out at all Wynn Macau properties. MGM Grand Paradise has one night open while struggling MGM Cotai has three nights of vacancies (and this without its full complement of rooms). … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Downtown, Environment, Hard Rock International, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Marijuana, MGM Resorts International, Ohio, Oklahoma, Taxes, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Boyd captures Valley Forge; An historic first at the Plaza

Posted on September 19, 2018 by David McKee

Boyd Gaming is officially in the Pennsylvania market, having closed its $280.5 million purchase of Valley Forge Casino Resort. The company now gets to grapple for a piece of the crowded Philadelphia market. And don’t think Harrah’s Philadelphia won’t tout … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Charity, Dan Gilbert, Downtown, Greenwood Racing, Internet gambling, Iowa, Las Vegas Sands, Marketing, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Sports betting, Tamares Group, Technology, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

State of D-nile; Red-tag sale at Caesars

Posted on September 5, 2018 by David McKee

Xstal Campbell, a former dancing barmaid at The D, will be testifying before the Nevada Gaming Control Board today, along with other, unidentified casino workers. The subject will be sexual harassment. Ms. Campbell, who also will try her case before … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Caesars Entertainment, Culinary Union, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Economy, Marketing, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

Titanic exhibit in peril; It’s Greek to them

Posted on September 4, 2018 by David McKee

Luxor‘s display of Titanic relics has hit an iceberg in the form of a bankruptcy court auction against owner Premier Exhibitions. It’s likely the collection will be kept intact, not dispersed to the four winds, although the latter might be … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Caesars Entertainment, Downtown, Hard Rock International, history, International, Las Vegas Sands, Marijuana, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Movies, Penn National, Regulation, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, TV, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off