Category Archives: Downtown

Sigma Derby, anyone?; No welcome mat for Wynn

Posted on July 16, 2010 by David McKee

Now from an unpleasant topic to a pleasant one: The oddball casino games that we like to play. For instance, I know we have a few fans of Sigma Derby in the house and MGM Grand obliges us by keeping … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Downtown, Entertainment, Horseracing, Massachusetts, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip | 5 Comments

S&G hither & yon

Posted on July 12, 2010 by David McKee

Last weekend’s usual barrage of errands, veterinary appointments, etc., was interrupted long enough for Yr. Humble Blogger to guest-host another edition of The Strip Podcast. In it, I reveal my shameful ignorance of televised poker (something I literally tuned out … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Architecture, Cannery Casino Resorts, CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, Dining, Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, MGM Mirage, Missouri, North Las Vegas, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Technology, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, TV, Wall Street, World Series of Poker | 1 Comment

Vegas continues to confound

Posted on July 7, 2010 by David McKee

A friend recently posed to me the question of how Nevada‘s casino revenues can be so anemic at a time when casino floors appear so crowded (only 100K fewer visitors in April 2009 than two years earlier). I’m coming around … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Current, Downtown, Economy, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, North Las Vegas, Regulation, The Strip | 3 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on July 6, 2010 by David McKee

“Clearly, there will be overbuilding and other costly mistakes if the boosterish mania for growth and promotion are not balanced by careful planning in the 1990s.” — historian Eugene Moehring, in his 1989 history of Las Vegas, Resort City in … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Economy, history, The Strip, Transportation | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

So long, Sue, and thanks for playing

Posted on June 9, 2010 by David McKee

It’s back to her day job for Archon Corp. Secretary-Treasurer Sue Lowden, whose political aspirations experienced an embarrassing meltdown that some would call karmic,  redefining “epic fail.” Now she can focus on repairing a corporate image which The Newspaper That … Continue reading →

Posted in Archon Corp., Boyd Gaming, Current, Downtown, Economy, Election, Harry Reid, history, Laughlin, MGM Mirage, Michael Gaughan, Midnight Jim Gibbons, Movies, North Las Vegas, Phil Ruffin, Politics, Regulation, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Mob, The Strip, Wall Street | 2 Comments

This is what “recovery” looks like

Posted on June 9, 2010 by David McKee

Here’s our new business model: a Strip that hasn’t gotten past “dead cat bounce” yet and emaciated revenues elsewhere. Instead of longing for the snows of yesterday and invoking the magic number “2007,” the top minds in the industry are … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Current, Detroit, Downtown, Economy, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, MGM Mirage, Regulation, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Trailer Station strikes!

Posted on June 8, 2010 by David McKee

That elusive critter, native to Nevada, the “Trailer Station”* was sighted earlier today by visiting S&G readers. United Coin had set up shop on W. Charleston Boulevard, in the former Skinny Dugan’s Pub. (This is a mandatory ritual for gaming-enabled … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Downtown, Election, Politics, Slot routes, Station Casinos | Comments Off on Trailer Station strikes!

“Yup, it’s in bad shape”

Posted on June 4, 2010 by David McKee

That’s what a correspondent wrote after seeing a ginormous photo of the sadly faded Paris-Las Vegas “balloon” marquee. For the grisly details click here. Planet Hollywood, this could be you. Just give it a few years. On the subject of … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Atlantic City, Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Colony Capital, Current, Donald Trump, Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Tamares Group, The Strip, Tourism | 3 Comments

Rearranging the deck chairs

Posted on June 2, 2010 by David McKee

Although bankruptcy at the Riviera is more a matter of “when” than “if,” the only casino in town with three CEOs hasn’t stopped trying on the entertainment front: In a town that has Frank Caliendo and Terry Fator, any impressionist … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Don Barden, Downtown, Entertainment, Harrah's, Movies, Planet Hollywood, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | 1 Comment

Motley Crew

Posted on May 26, 2010 by David McKee

(Editor’s note: Whoever labeled the photo at left misplaced the captions. FF3 is the guy having the good hair day and brother Lorenzo is the one with the handkerchief in his breast pocket.) In my 15 years of following the … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Cannery Casino Resorts, CityCenter, Colony Capital, Current, Downtown, Economy, George Maloof, Goldman Sachs, James Packer, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Station Casinos, Tourism, Wall Street | 6 Comments

Case Bets: Singapore; Reid vs. tribes; Lady Luck, Take 3; Mob war, etc.

Posted on May 26, 2010 by David McKee

Tourism to Singapore jumped 20% last month, surpassing expectations. Resorts World Sentosa and — no surprise — the opening of Marina Bay Sands are credited for the success. Another stumbling block has arisen to the casino market in Massachusetts. A … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Archon Corp., Downtown, Genting, Harrah's, Harry Reid, Massachusetts, Movies, Oklahoma, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Slot routes, Taxes, The Mob, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal | 6 Comments

Shel & Bill, together again; Coup for HRH

Posted on May 25, 2010 by David McKee

As though yoked by karma, Las Vegas Sands CEO Sheldon Adelson and former sidekick William Weidner — the Jon & Kate Gosselin of the casino industry — seem destined to remain unwillingly chained together through eternity. Most recently, they’ve been … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Current, Downtown, Economy, Genting, Harrah's, Herbst Gaming, M Resort, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, Morgans Hotel Group, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Texas, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Shel & Bill, together again; Coup for HRH

X Train derailed; Wynn trumps Trump

Posted on May 24, 2010 by David McKee

It may already be time to stick a fork in the so-called X Train, which would use existing rail lines to carry gamblers from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. According to The Associated Press, X Train is being sued by … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Columbia Sussex, Donald Trump, Downtown, Golden Gaming, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Transportation, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on May 21, 2010 by David McKee

“Fremont [Street] Experience was ahead of its time but now it’s having its renaissance … Now, if you go down there on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday [night], it’s the new Bourbon Street, only a lot cleaner.” — MEET CEO … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Downtown | 3 Comments

“Trailer Stations” a-comin’!

Posted on May 18, 2010 by David McKee

If you’ve ever wanted to play in one of those eight-hour, slots-in-a-trailer casinos that United Coin sets up to help Company X preserve the gambling entitlement underlying a closed building or a vacant piece of land, here’s your chance. Three … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Slot routes, Tourism | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on May 12, 2010 by David McKee

“The gentleman involved in Neonopolis is a wonderful salesman. He has been to the club one time, and he has an amazing skill. I’ve had several meetings with him, and he has a very positive approach and he gets you … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Entertainment | 1 Comment

Nevada: No recovery yet

Posted on May 11, 2010 by David McKee

“We hit the bottom and are slowly climbing out,” contends Nevada Gaming Control Board analyst Frank Streshley, trying to put the best spin on a flat March. There were definitely some silver linings. Who’da thunk Laughlin (2.5%), Reno (5%) and … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, California, CityCenter, Current, Downtown, Economy, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, LVCVA, Marketing, Mesquite, MGM Mirage, Reno, Sports, The Strip | 10 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on May 5, 2010 by David McKee

“There was a time where I wouldn’t walk in there for fear of getting a secondary lung disease. Now, it’s as cool and neat as a place as there is in the entire downtown.” — Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Downtown, Oscar Goodman | 4 Comments

An arena in every pot

Posted on April 7, 2010 by David McKee

A scrum of casino owners and would-be owners is swarming the Clark County Commission with proposed arenas. The Las Vegas City Council may be able to get into the act, as Cordish Cos. is studying the feasibility of a stadium … Continue reading →

Posted in Archon Corp., Cordish Co., Current, Downtown, Dubai, Economy, Entertainment, Gary Goett, Harrah's, Michael Gaughan, Oscar Goodman, Sports, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation | 1 Comment

Gold Strike Tunica exonerated; “Trek” frittered away

Posted on April 6, 2010 by David McKee

The honor of MGM Mirage‘s Gold Strike Tunica has been restored by reader Sin City Cyn, who writes: “Speaking of resort fees … I promised to report back on the pool fee situation at Tunica’s Gold Strike. I’m happy to … Continue reading →

Posted in Colony Capital, Current, Downtown, Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Station Casinos, Tourism, TV | 5 Comments