Category Archives: Entertainment

Steve Wynn has left the building; Packer out, too

Posted on March 23, 2018 by David McKee

Wynn Resorts now has 100% less Steve Wynn now that the mogul has sold his entire stake in the company. At first blush this looks like a passive-aggressive lashing out at a firm that is now moving forward. However, Wynn … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Boyd Gaming, Crown Resorts, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Galaxy Entertainment, James Packer, Kazuo Okada, Massachusetts, Regulation, Reno, Sexual misconduct, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Betrayal

Posted on March 22, 2018 by David McKee

Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort Casino need to watch their backs. A bill to reopen the state’s casino-award process has made it to the floor of the Connecticut House. The word of the state, it seems, is not worth the … Continue reading →

Posted in Derek Stevens, Downtown, Entertainment, Foxwoods, Harrah's, history, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Sports, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta | Comments Off

Ruthless resort-fee robbery; Minstrel show at NY-NY

Posted on March 14, 2018 by David McKee

What do you do when occupancy declines? Why, raise the resort fees, of course! The odious levies went up 16% in 2016 and 11% last year, for an average of $34/night. Venetian/Palazzo recently upped its impost to $45 and other … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Dining, Entertainment, Law enforcement, MGM Mirage, Resort fees, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Sands Bethlehem becomes Wind Creek; Brazil nixes casinos

Posted on March 12, 2018 by David McKee

Sands Bethlehem‘s buyers are letting no grass grow beneath their feet. The Poarch Bank of Creek Indians will rename the megaresort Wind Creek Bethlehem. It remains to be seen whether they’ll have to deal with unionizing the work force: So … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Harrah's, International, Japan, Kazuo Okada, Pennsylvania, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Mandalay Bay victims compensated; Elton John goes nuclear

Posted on March 5, 2018 by David McKee

There is no dollar value adequate for a human life but the going rate this week is $275,000. That’s how much will be donated to the families of each of the 58 people killed at Mandalay Bay. According to WFAA-TV, “$275,000 … Continue reading →

Posted in Charity, Entertainment, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, LVCVA, Mandalay Bay Massacre, The Strip, Tribal, Unite-Here | 2 Comments

MGM Cotai plays to mixed reviews; Puzzling Pennsylvania strategies

Posted on March 1, 2018 by David McKee

“Vital in terms of the process of concession renewal,” is how MGM China CEO Grant Bowie described new, $3.4 billion MGM Cotai. The megaresort opened a year behind schedule but MGM undoubtedly hopes Macao authorities overlook that an focus instead … Continue reading →

Posted in e-sports, Entertainment, Foxwoods, Greenwood Racing, Internet gambling, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Taxes, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Hard Rock makes sweeping pledge; Wynn dodges a bullet

Posted on February 27, 2018 by David McKee

Having expanded the old Trump Taj Mahal concert venue by over 25%, Hard Rock International is promising the Boardwalk “more live music than Atlantic City has ever seen.” We’re talking 200 live events in Year One. “When’s the first time someone has … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Dining, Entertainment, Environment, Geoff Freeman, Hard Rock International, International, Japan, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Politics, Regulation, Revel, Sexual misconduct, The Strip, Transportation, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

MGM’s $3.4 billion gamble; A.C. Trop, Vegas Strip show promise

Posted on February 19, 2018 by David McKee

With concession renewal lurking around the 2020 corner, this might seem a risky time for MGM Resorts International to open a $3.4 billion casino in Macao. But MGM China CEO Grant Bowie says, “The concession renewal will not be determined by … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Columbia Sussex, Cosmopolitan, Dining, Entertainment, Harrah's, Macau, MGM Mirage, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Unite-Here, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Steve Wynn makes his case; Gambling stalemate in Florida

Posted on February 5, 2018 by David McKee

It’s no longer enough for employees of Wynn Resorts to reflect well upon the company. No, now Steve Wynn wants their gratitude. His confidential pep rallies have had all the watertight integrity of a colander. By reminding workers that the … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Detroit, DFS, Dining, Donald Trump, Election, Entertainment, Florida, Galaxy Entertainment, Genting, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Macau, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Movies, Politics, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Sexual misconduct, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

New investigation of Wynn; Eldorado on the prowl

Posted on January 31, 2018 by David McKee

After several days of uncertainty, it’s definitive: The Nevada Gaming Control Board will investigate the allegations of sex abuse against Steve Wynn. In the past the NGCB has been only too willing to look the other way when prominent Nevada … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colorado, Downtown, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Florida, history, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Macau, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Regulation, Reno, Sexual misconduct, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | Comments Off

The Macao mystery; Regional roundup

Posted on January 25, 2018 by David McKee

Steve Wynn was exuding confidence this week that Wynn Macau and Wynn Palace wouldn’t be nationalized by Macao, telling investors, “We are so stitched into that community, with our employees and our company, that we feel comfortable in this situation.” On … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Harrah's, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Penn National, Regulation, Sports, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off

SLS sale accelerates; New corruption worry for Macao

Posted on January 16, 2018 by David McKee

Lucky Dragon Casino‘s sudden demise had a dramatic effect on the sale of SLS Las Vegas, getting owner Stockbridge Capital Partners — no doubt newly aware of its precarious position — back to the bargaining table with Meruelo Group. According to … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Entertainment, Genting, Law enforcement, Lucky Dragon, Macau, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Sam Nazarian, SLS Las Vegas, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip | Comments Off

State of the Strip; Air Area 51

Posted on January 10, 2018 by David McKee

Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli met with a number of casino companies recently and came away with a sanguine prospect for the Las Vegas Strip. As for the operators, “Overall, we felt commentary pertaining to the LV locals market, regional … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Ameristar, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Culinary Union, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Harrah's, Indiana, International, Isle of Capri, Kentucky, Macau, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Reno, Sports, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off

Case Bets: Maryland, Illinois, New Jersey, The Strip, etc.

Posted on January 8, 2018 by David McKee

MGM National Harbor goes from strength to strength. Last month, it captured 40% of Maryland market share en route to a $56.5 million gross (for a property record of $1.8 million gross gaming revenue per day). Maryland Live, hanging onto … Continue reading →

Posted in Aristocrat, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, California, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Dining, Economy, Entertainment, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Illinois, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Politics, Sports, Station Casinos, The Strip, West Virginia | Comments Off

Merry Christmas

Posted on December 24, 2017 by David McKee

Las Vegas and Atlantic City (and, yes, Macao, you too) are decidedly more naughty than nice, so we have little choice but to welcome Christmas with the more insinuating, erotic Yuletide song ever penned — with performance to match from … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment | Comments Off

From our home to yours

Posted on December 23, 2017 by David McKee

Christmas for me is always synonymous with the sultry and yet angelic tones of Karen Carpenter, so I thought I’d share a little holiday cheer with you and yours. May Santa Claus be generous this year.

Posted in Entertainment | Comments Off

MGM goes Gaga; Douchebags drop anchor at Caesars

Posted on December 21, 2017 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International gained an infusion of identity (and hipness) for ultra-generic Park MGM by signing Lady Gaga to a 74-concert residency, a real coup for MGM. Her Ladyship tweeted the news herself: “The rumors are true! I will have my own residency … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Geoff Freeman, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Politics, Sports, Taxes, The Strip | Comments Off

Revel bought? Straub says no; R.I.P., Keely Smith

Posted on December 19, 2017 by David McKee

Revel/Ten may have yet another name soon, now that wannabe buyer Bruce Defik has done what Glenn Straub wouldn’t: apply for a New Jersey gaming license. Straub continues to assert that there is no deal in place but “a court … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, California, Detroit, Dining, Entertainment, Glenn Straub, history, Internet gambling, James Packer, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Revel, Station Casinos, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off

Senators have hissy fit; Vegas: Back to normal or not?

Posted on December 4, 2017 by David McKee

With Pennsylvania having joined the roster of Internet-gambling jurisdictions, Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D) and Lindsey Graham (R) are pushing the panic button, hard. In a concession to the reality that the Senate won’t be able to rewrite the Wire Act, … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Donald Trump, Economy, Entertainment, Foxwoods, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Japan, Lawrence Ho, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, Politics, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip | Comments Off

Strip loses, locals joints win; Aristocrat hooks Big Fish

Posted on November 30, 2017 by David McKee

Given the robustness of October 2017, last month’s Las Vegas Strip revenues ($529 million) were already facing a difficult comparison and the Stephen Paddock shooting spree didn’t help matters. Gambling revenues fell 6% last month along Las Vegas Boulevard. (Statewide, … Continue reading →

Posted in Aristocrat, Boulder Strip, Churchill Downs, Downtown, Entertainment, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Mesquite, North Las Vegas, Reno, Technology, The Strip | 2 Comments