Category Archives: Election

Wynn cashes out; X Train back on track; Newport Grand out of luck

Posted on November 19, 2012 by David McKee

Caught between the twin hazards of prospective higher taxes on investment income and the looming fiscal cliff, Steve Wynn made headlines today with his $750 million Thanksgiving special dividend, which ought to help pay for all those Black Friday purchases … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Downtown, Election, Penn National, Racinos, Steve Wynn, Tamares Group, Taxes, Transportation, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Louisiana be crazy; Maryland: If you can’t beat ’em …; Revel on the ropes

Posted on November 15, 2012 by David McKee

Casino revenues in the Pelican State were up 2% last month, entirely upon the strength of Pinnacle Entertainment‘s L’Auberge Baton Rouge (above). It propelled the Baton Rouge market 58% upward, grossing $11 million at the expense of Argosy Baton Rouge … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Cordish Co., Current, Economy, Election, Harrah's, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Revel, Taxes, Wall Street | 4 Comments

Missouri: Penn vs. Penn; Pinnacle debacle deepens

Posted on November 13, 2012 by David McKee

This just in: It’s another winning strategy from those gaming-industry masterminds at Colony Capital. God forbid you’re playing at the Atlantic Club and work up an appetite. Or did Tom Barrack hear about “Stiff of the Year” and wants to … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Atlantic City, Colony Capital, Colorado, Dining, Economy, Election, Genting, Harrah's, Illinois, International, Isle of Capri, Kansas, Marketing, Maryland, Missouri, Movies, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Election wrap-up: Winners & losers

Posted on November 7, 2012 by David McKee

But first, because it will never, ever get old … Also this, from @daveweigel: “[Florida] exit poll: Obama winning Jewish vote by 40 points. 40 points. Nice work, Sheldon Adelson.” We’ll tap dance on Sheldon’s head some more further down, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colony Capital, Colorado, Cordish Co., Cretins, Current, Donald Trump, Economy, Election, Florida, Goldman Sachs, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Maine, Marketing, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Shuffle Master, Steve Wynn, Tribal, TV, Wall Street, West Virginia | 4 Comments

L-O-S-E-R

Posted on November 7, 2012 by David McKee

Sorry, Sheldon Adelson, but American democracy is not for sale to the highest bidder. Now go back to doing what you do best: opening overseas casino markets … far overseas, preferably.

Posted in Current, Election, Sheldon Adelson | 2 Comments

Where’s Sheldo?; Stiffed by Aliante?

Posted on November 6, 2012 by David McKee

That’s the question posed today by Esquire‘s Jason Whited, who tries to find the Blofeld-like mastermind. “Anyplace other than Las Vegas,” seems to be the answer. “Political types here and across the country speak of him in almost hushed tones,” … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Election, Marketing, North Las Vegas, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn | 6 Comments

Betting on our future; Wretched excess in Maryland; Penn perseveres

Posted on November 6, 2012 by David McKee

While the voters have not yet spoken (although they’re getting an early start here), the betting markets are feeling less restraint. While the amount wagered online on the results of today’s presidential election — $16 million, according to one source … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Cordish Co., Current, Election, Harrah's, Illinois, International, Internet gambling, Iowa, Marketing, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Penn National, Politics, Tribal | Comments Off on Betting on our future; Wretched excess in Maryland; Penn perseveres

Quote of the Day

Posted on November 6, 2012 by David McKee

“America might be better off it it dropped bombshells on Gloria Allred and Donald Trump, rather than the other way around.” — Charles C. W. Cooke, on the mercifully almost-over election cycle.

Posted in Dennis Gomes, Donald Trump, Election | 1 Comment

Election Special: Maryland, down to the wire

Posted on November 5, 2012 by David McKee

And now the biggie: Question 7. The quickest way to summarize this is to paraphrase what C.S. Lewis said of Christianity — that slot parlors in Maryland hadn’t been tried and found wanting but were an idea that had been … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Cordish Co., Current, Economy, Election, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Taxes, TV, West Virginia | 4 Comments

Atlantic City open for business

Posted on November 2, 2012 by David McKee

Actually, a few hardy souls — like fearless restaurateur Montgomery Dahm, who was semper fidelis to his fellow citizens — never closed. Add Tun Tavern to your list of must-see stops when you visit Atlantic City. Ditto Ducktown Tavern & … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Current, Dining, Economy, Election, Environment, Florida, Racinos, Revel, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | 2 Comments

No-win situation; October surprise

Posted on November 1, 2012 by David McKee

You might say Mitt Romney was for gambling before he was against it. Both as a 1994 Senate candidate and later as governor, he advocated slot parlors and later VLTs in Massachusetts. (He also proposed to extort $75 million apiece … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cantor Gaming, Current, Election, Harrah's, International, Massachusetts, Regulation, Taxes, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Cosmo: Yes, we have gambling!; Election Special 2: Palm Beach

Posted on October 30, 2012 by David McKee

For the umpteenth time, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas has been obliged to go to the media and say, ‘Yes, we not only have gambling but we actually like it, we really do.’ It’s a message that got kicked under … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Cosmopolitan, Current, Dining, Economy, Election, Florida, Isle of Capri, Marketing, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Cosmo: Yes, we have gambling!; Election Special 2: Palm Beach

Atlantic City and Sandy’s silver lining; Adelson to cop a plea?

Posted on October 29, 2012 by David McKee

At the risk of taking Hurricane Sandy too lightly, in some respects the storm — currently on a path straight for Atlantic City — represents a strange blessing in disguise for the Boardwalk. With the city all buttoned up as … Continue reading →

Posted in Cretins, Current, Donald Trump, Economy, Election, Environment, Macau, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 26, 2012 by David McKee

“For my part, I have no problem characterizing these corporate-centric super-PACs as treasonous. They are designed to subvert American democracy and turn our country over to the moneyed aristocracy. Their aspirations are apostasy to the notion of democratic governance that … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

He shoots, he scores!; Zynga zinged; Hill puts leg before wicket

Posted on October 24, 2012 by David McKee

Monday’s interview with Interblock global sales supremo Tom O’Brien (right) yielded some passing observations that are probably too peripheral for my upcoming Casino Life piece … but perfect for S&G. Interblock maintains field offices in Las Vegas (soon to become … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Boyd Gaming, Current, Election, Genting, IGT, International, Internet gambling, James Packer, Macau, Regulation, Singapore, Technology, TV | Comments Off on He shoots, he scores!; Zynga zinged; Hill puts leg before wicket

And some fourth-graders shall lead them

Posted on October 23, 2012 by David McKee

Finally, something constructive comes out of the “Call Me Maybe” phenomenon. If the cute and inspirational Harlem Prep Hawks are any indication, our country’s future is bright indeed. As they sing, “Vote for somebody.” (Or something.) Your franchise is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Election, Entertainment | Comments Off on And some fourth-graders shall lead them

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 22, 2012 by David McKee

“I’m a Republican and I’m not voting for Mitt Romney at all! You want to know why? Because of these constant phone calls!” — unidentified, irate Las Vegas Philharmonic patron, overheard speaking to a telemarketer in a Smith Center for … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Downtown, Election | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Election special 1: Oregon, Nevada, Michigan & Rhode Island

Posted on October 17, 2012 by David McKee

It’s time to wind up the S&G electoral machinery and look at casino-related ballot questions that you might be asked to weigh come November. In Arkansas, we’ve already had the piquant spectacle of a gambling ballot initiative that was struck … Continue reading →

Posted in Detroit, Economy, Election, Harry Reid, Illinois, International, Maryland, Massachusetts, Racinos, Rhode Island, Sheldon Adelson, Shuffle Master, Taxes, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Election special 1: Oregon, Nevada, Michigan & Rhode Island

When money talks, few are deaf

Posted on October 12, 2012 by David McKee

When addressing the subject of Sheldon Adelson (must we?), the extent to which he has stolen Wynn’s thunder and lightning was made manifest by a lengthy Politico.com profile. Adelson (right, ca. 1998), who can often behave like a colicky infant, … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Election, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Macau, MGM Mirage, Politics, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Tourism, TV, Wall Street | 1 Comment

You can’t cure stupidity

Posted on October 11, 2012 by David McKee

For the record, I wouldn’t know John Oceguera from a manhole cover and the amount of ‘truthiness’ in this ad is of no concern to me. But it’s in heavy rotation on Las Vegas TV stations and makes me grind … Continue reading →

Posted in Cretins, Current, Election, Marketing, TV | Comments Off on You can’t cure stupidity