Category Archives: Downtown

Hot July on the Strip; Alon: Stayin’ alive

Posted on August 31, 2016 by David McKee

Whales returned to the Strip with a vengeance in July, with baccarat play spurring a 17% revenue increase. The month was probably even bigger but, due to a peculiarity of Nevada casino accounting, slot revenues from the last weekend of … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, California, Downtown, Entertainment, Genting, International, James Packer, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Marketing, Mesquite, Michael Gaughan, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Reno, Scientific Games, Sports, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off on Hot July on the Strip; Alon: Stayin’ alive

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 29, 2016 by David McKee

“Everything I built — the Golden Nugget, Mirage, Treasure Island, Wynn-Encore, were because of him. You name the buildings, including UNLV, and Parry Thomas’ fingerprints are everywhere in this valley.” — Steve Wynn, eulogizing banker and power-broker Thomas, who revolutionized the Nevada … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, history, MGM Mirage, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

New ally for Mashpee; Adelson: My way or the highway

Posted on August 26, 2016 by David McKee

In the latest twist of the Project First Light saga, the Justice Department has interceded on behalf of the Mashpee Wampanoag. It has asked a federal judge to revisit his ruling that the Mashpee lacked standing and that the Interior … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Downtown, Environment, Galaxy Entertainment, Harrah's, history, Internet gambling, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Oklahoma, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Station Casinos, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off on New ally for Mashpee; Adelson: My way or the highway

See Scoundrel’s and die; Caesars fumbles the ball

Posted on August 26, 2016 by David McKee

It’s been a long time since the Nevada Gaming Commission even suspended a license. (I believe it was dive bar Snick’s Place, back in 2009, but I could be wrong.) However, the NGC has taken back the license of Scoundrel’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Derek Stevens, Dining, Downtown, Election, Harrah's, Law enforcement, MGM Mirage, New York, Racinos, Regulation, Slot routes, The Strip | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 15, 2016 by David McKee

“Truly, I think the brand is so powerful, that when other people would have maybe went under, I think that helped carry us because people are very loyal to the Binion brand. I think if we could survive the bad … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, history, Terry Caudill | 2 Comments

Cold comfort for Wynn; Nebraska racino initiative crashes and burns

Posted on August 12, 2016 by David McKee

As Wynn Resorts predicted in its last earnings call, it will get more table games from the Macao government after Wynn Palace opens … 50 tables, phased in over two years. That’s a pretty mingy allocation but is in line … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Downtown, Election, Law enforcement, Macau, MGM Mirage, Nebraska, Philippines, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Technology, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Missouri is doing just fine, thanks; Cautious hope for Moulin Rouge

Posted on August 10, 2016 by David McKee

Pinnacle Entertainment did a masterful job of managing expectations in its quarterly earnings call, citing disruptive road work around Ameristar St. Charles as a potential setback from the property. Today, Missouri released its July gaming results and — surprise — … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Downtown, Environment, G2E, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Macau, Marketing, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Moulin Rouge, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Sports, Steve Wynn, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Missouri is doing just fine, thanks; Cautious hope for Moulin Rouge

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 4, 2016 by David McKee

“I had such a headache when I left. Two bigger egos there are not.” — Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman, commenting on ex-Mayor Oscar Goodman and former casino mogul Donald Trump, who once debated a potential Trump development for downtown … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Downtown, Economy, Oscar Goodman | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Trump Taj: Everybody loses; Mixed bag for Boyd

Posted on August 4, 2016 by David McKee

Labor Day weekend will be the final hurrah for Trump Taj Mahal. Owner Carl Icahn has expressed his intent to close the struggling casino rather than continue to negotiate with striking Unite-Here Local 54. ““I would never have thought Carl … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Carl Icahn, Churchill Downs, Donald Trump, Downtown, Economy, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Tropicana Entertainment, Unite-Here | Comments Off on Trump Taj: Everybody loses; Mixed bag for Boyd

June in Vegas: The house won; Wynn gets spanked in Macao

Posted on July 29, 2016 by David McKee

While a 10% increase in June gambling revenues on the Las Vegas Strip fell short of some Wall Street analysts’ projections, it was a healthy month nevertheless. Slot winnings were up 10% ($253 million) on only 1% higher coin-in. Luck … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boulder Strip, Downtown, Economy, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Macau, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Regulation, Reno, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on June in Vegas: The house won; Wynn gets spanked in Macao

“Baz” in my bonnet; Moulin Rouge back in play

Posted on July 14, 2016 by David McKee

Palazzo is currently hosting the second coming of Baz: Star-Crossed Love, a song-and-dance mishmash of iconic moments from such Baz Luhrmann epics as Gatsby, Moulin Rouge and Romeo + Juliet. (What, nothing from Australia? Awwwww.) There’s even a passing nod … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Entertainment, Moulin Rouge, Movies, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | Comments Off on “Baz” in my bonnet; Moulin Rouge back in play

Vegas: Weak on Strip, robust in locals play

Posted on June 30, 2016 by David McKee

One less weekend and a tough comparison with last year’s Mayweather-Pacquiao charade translated into a weak May for both the Las Vegas Strip, down 12%, and Nevada casinos in general, 4.5% off the pace. There were some sort of bright … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Downtown, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Macau, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Pansy Ho, Pennsylvania, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Station Casinos, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Vegas: Weak on Strip, robust in locals play

Hard May in Illinois; Buyer found for F-blew?

Posted on June 7, 2016 by David McKee

Casino patrons in Illinois are spending a bit more these days but there were 8% fewer of them last month, leading to a 6% revenue decline, partly due to one fewer weekend this year. On an individual basis, casinos tended … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Carl Icahn, Derek Stevens, Detroit, Downtown, Fontainebleau, GLPI, Harrah's, Illinois, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Slot routes, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Transportation, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off on Hard May in Illinois; Buyer found for F-blew?

Atlantic City back on death watch?; Money problems at Moulin Rouge

Posted on June 3, 2016 by David McKee

Things are suddenly looking grim for Atlantic City: A new Monmouth University poll shows voters evenly divided on a referendum to end the Boardwalk’s monopoly on casino gambling, an erosion of public support for the resort city. Assessing the situation … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Downtown, Economy, Election, Environment, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Problem gambling, Regulation, Riviera, Steve Wynn, Tilman Fertitta, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off on Atlantic City back on death watch?; Money problems at Moulin Rouge

Straub: Name my casino!; RAWA breathes its last … for now

Posted on May 27, 2016 by David McKee

Glenn Straub has either thrown up his hands over the task of renaming Revel or is feeling the spirit of democracy. Either way, he’s taking suggestions from the Twitterverse as to potential new monikers, with a $10,000 for the winning … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Charity, Downtown, Election, Entertainment, Glenn Straub, history, Internet gambling, Iowa, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Phil Ruffin, Politics, Revel, Sports, Tamares Group, Taxes, The Strip, Transportation, Tribal | 1 Comment

Lean April in Las Vegas; Boyd stands pat

Posted on May 27, 2016 by David McKee

April saw mixed fortunes the Las Vegas Strip. Although overall gambling revenue was only up 1.5%, winning percentages tended to favor the house by considerable amounts. For instance, although baccarat players wagered 21% more but house win was up 10%. “While … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, California, Downtown, Economy, Election, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Law enforcement, North Las Vegas, Reno, Sports, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Lean April in Las Vegas; Boyd stands pat

Sheldon’s big surprise; AGA attacks NFL silliness

Posted on May 25, 2016 by David McKee

Sheldon Adelson is feeling bullish on the Las Vegas market these days. Undeterred by the debut of T-Mobile Arena, he is proposing a 17,500-seat concert venue, to be built on underutilized land behind Venelazzo. Adelson has formed a consortium with … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, California, Downtown, Entertainment, Geoff Freeman, history, Hooters, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Texas, The Strip | Comments Off on Sheldon’s big surprise; AGA attacks NFL silliness

Wall Street loves Red Rock; ColSux foiled again

Posted on May 24, 2016 by David McKee

Wall Street analysts are initiating coverage of Red Rock Resorts and they like what they see. JP Morgan‘s Joseph Greff put a $25 price target on the stock, emboldened in part by RRR’s acquisition of the Palms and its growing … Continue reading →

Posted in Columbia Sussex, Dining, Downtown, Economy, Environment, Harrah's, history, Kentucky, Palms, Reno, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Wall Street loves Red Rock; ColSux foiled again

Macao: The 9% solution; It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s Steve Wynn

Posted on May 19, 2016 by David McKee

Supply has overrun demand in Macao, where a wave of impending megaresorts is rolling in on an emaciated marketplace. But optimistic noises are being heard at Global Gaming Expo Asia, amid the robotic croupiers and other new toys. “The sentiments … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, G2E, International, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Taxes | Comments Off on Macao: The 9% solution; It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s Steve Wynn

Quote of the Day

Posted on May 16, 2016 by David McKee

“We can’t be trapped in a 40-year-old [gaming] paradigm … It very well may be that it is an athletic event.” — Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval (R), on the quandary posed by e-sports, which his Nevada Gaming Policy Committee is pondering whether … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Regulation, Sports, Technology, The Strip | Comments Off on Quote of the Day