Category Archives: Entertainment

Saratoga screw-up

Posted on April 2, 2014 by David McKee

In its haste to make a statement on gambling, Saratoga Springs may have cut the legs right out from under Saratoga Casino & Raceway. Rules for application, released yesterday, say that “a prospective casino operator must have a resolution of … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, New York, Planet Hollywood, Racinos, Regulation, The Strip | Comments Off on Saratoga screw-up

The best of Las Vegas; Neil Bluhm returns

Posted on April 1, 2014 by David McKee

Although I can’t imagine that too many of our readers are strangers to Las Vegas, perhaps there are a few. In that case, USA Today found somebody — well, me — to offer some helpful tips. For instance, here’s the … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Downtown, Entertainment, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Regulation, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on The best of Las Vegas; Neil Bluhm returns

High rolling

Posted on April 1, 2014 by David McKee

Las Vegas has its newest icon and the local media are duly wowed. The Review-Journal hauled out a stock of familiar superlatives — “stylish … trendy … hip.” The Las Vegas Sun wasn’t much more restrained. Then there was passenger … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Dining, Entertainment, Harrah's, The Strip | Comments Off on High rolling

Gentlemen, place your bids

Posted on March 31, 2014 by David McKee

Today, New York State starts taking bids on the four casinos it will soon be licensing upstate. At yet, there is no mechanism in place for determining licensing fees or whether the surrounding communities want the casinos or not. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Entertainment, Genting, Harrah's, Massachusetts, New York, Regulation, The Strip, Transportation | Comments Off on Gentlemen, place your bids

You are Number Six

Posted on March 26, 2014 by David McKee

Say, isn’t that Rover from The Prisoner chilling out with some party animals at a Las Vegas beach, over to the left there? Anyway, since pool-party season is open now, don’t say I didn’t warn you. S&G is grossing you … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, The Strip, TV | Comments Off on You are Number Six

Upside down at Cosmo; Casino beggars; Tribal casinos set new record

Posted on March 26, 2014 by David McKee

If a 3% ROI is your idea of a good return on a casino, have we got the place for you: The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. It continues to narrow losses and improved gambling revenues 25%. Last year, the Cosmo’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, California, Colorado, Cosmopolitan, Delaware, Dining, Entertainment, Harrah's, Kansas, Macau, New York, Oklahoma, Racinos, Singapore, Taxes, Texas, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal | 1 Comment

No cause for jubilation; Cool spring at IGT

Posted on March 26, 2014 by David McKee

Audience feedback on the revamped, urbanized Jubilee! is starting to pour in … and it’s devastating. How bad can it be, I hear you say? Try this: “Like trying to save the Hindenburg with a bicycle pump … hands-down the … Continue reading →

Posted in Don Barden, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, IGT, Missouri, The Strip, Wall Street | 2 Comments

‘Pawn Shop’ moves to Strip

Posted on March 14, 2014 by David McKee

If you haven’t seen Pawn Shop Live! at the Golden Nugget, you’ve still got a couple of weeks to do so but on April 17 it reopens at the Riviera. Don’t go expecting a stage version of Pawn Stars. Directed … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Downtown, Entertainment, Riviera, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, TV | Comments Off on ‘Pawn Shop’ moves to Strip

Rocky Mountain high roller; Playing spoiler in Boston

Posted on March 11, 2014 by David McKee

“Recreational horse racing to me is more appealing than recreational pot.” So says one of the backers of expanded gambling in Colorado, state Rep. Don Coram (R). “We’re opposed because the way the initiative is written it gives the owner of … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Colorado, Election, Entertainment, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Regulation, Rhode Island, Tribal | Comments Off on Rocky Mountain high roller; Playing spoiler in Boston

Building better mousetraps

Posted on March 6, 2014 by David McKee

Were I Steve Wynn, I would be feeling somewhat discouraged by my prospects in Massachusetts. Just look at what happened to Cordish Gaming. Its Leominster slot-parlor proposal got high marks, but was ultimately passed over because Penn National Gaming‘s rival … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cordish Co., Entertainment, Horseracing, Marketing, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Reno, Steve Wynn, Technology, Transportation, Warner Gaming | Comments Off on Building better mousetraps

Empire State scramble; Stalemate in Kentucky; Too cozy in Ohio?

Posted on March 5, 2014 by David McKee

Casino expansion continues to speed along in New York State, where college president Mark Gearan (right) has been formally installed as New York State Gaming Commission chairman, filling out the five-member body. Prior to taking office, he was presented with some … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Downtown, Entertainment, Horseracing, Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Technology, The Strip | Comments Off on Empire State scramble; Stalemate in Kentucky; Too cozy in Ohio?

And then there were three; Atlantic City under pressure again

Posted on February 20, 2014 by David McKee

Nevada gaming authorities will have to start reporting the Silver State’s online-gambling revenue now that South Point has entered the lists under its Real Gaming banner. (We won’t get the numbers until late March.) The site ” is offering tournament play … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Election, Entertainment, Florida, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Michael Gaughan, Regulation, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on And then there were three; Atlantic City under pressure again

Wranglers find new home; Riding El Loco

Posted on February 19, 2014 by David McKee

Having been turfed out of The Orleans, the Las Vegas Wranglers hockey team has been bereft of a home. But they’ve paired up with Tamares Gaming in an unusual move. The Wranglers — rink, stands, zamboni and all — will … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally Technologies, Boyd Gaming, Downtown, Entertainment, MGM Mirage, New York, Racinos, Sports, Tamares Group, Technology, The Strip | Comments Off on Wranglers find new home; Riding El Loco

The video poker king of Vegas; Adelson: Whodunit?

Posted on February 17, 2014 by David McKee

On the local video poker scene, it’s an arms race between Golden Gaming and the Dotty’s chain. With twice as many establishments at Dotty’s, Golden can legitimately claim victory. It recently snapped up a couple of Mom-and-Pop slot bars and … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, California, Entertainment, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, The Strip | 1 Comment

Through a looking glass, brightly

Posted on February 6, 2014 by David McKee

So much for my crystal ball. Two projects that I openly doubted are now close to fruition and a third is showing fitful signs of life. (Another, Howard Bulloch‘s Ferris wheel, appears to be being dismantled.) Yesterday, SLS Las Vegas … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Cannery Casino Resorts, Entertainment, Hard Rock Hotel, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Planet Hollywood, Sahara, Sam Nazarian, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Transportation | Comments Off on Through a looking glass, brightly

“Million Dollar” hokum

Posted on February 5, 2014 by David McKee

Judging by the sea of happy, AARP-eligible faces behind us (on a Sunday night, too), Harrah’s Las Vegas has a long-term winner in Broadway pickup Million Dollar Quartet. The crowd dug the music, the period outfits, the liberal artistic license … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Harrah's, history | Comments Off on “Million Dollar” hokum

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 3, 2014 by David McKee

“Audiences may have had the same reaction I did in my first review of Zarkana. I wrote that the character played by Paul Bisson ‘just seems to be trying so hard to tell us something. As he gesticulates and sings so … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, Current, Entertainment, MGM Mirage | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

D-Day in Philly; Al Sharpton’s casino-boss buddy; Angst in Maine

Posted on January 27, 2014 by David McKee

It’s death-grapple time in Philadelphia, where five competing proposals will be aired for the final time before the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. Even a supporter of casino expansion in the city, like Jeffries LLC‘s John Maxwell, concedes there will be … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Cosmopolitan, Entertainment, Greenwood Racing, Maine, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, The Strip, Tomato King Procacci, Tourism, Tribal | Comments Off on D-Day in Philly; Al Sharpton’s casino-boss buddy; Angst in Maine

Case Bets: Massachusetts, Biloxi, Betcoin and Cosmo

Posted on January 22, 2014 by David McKee

In a TV interview, Massachusetts Gaming Commission Chairman Stephen Crosby tipped his hand, indicating that approval of MGM Springfield is far more likely than not. However, the MGC might be making some demands of its own, above and beyond what … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, Cosmopolitan, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Entertainment, Harrah's, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, New York, Regulation, Taxes, Technology, The Strip | Comments Off on Case Bets: Massachusetts, Biloxi, Betcoin and Cosmo

Vive la difference; Early ‘Net bets from Jersey; 99 years or bust

Posted on January 14, 2014 by David McKee

Since before its opening, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas has marketed itself to “the curious class,” and you’ll certainly be intrigued — and perhaps a bit befuddled — by its newest ad, which seems to be promoting a new brand … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Australia, Cosmopolitan, Entertainment, Internet gambling, James Packer, Marketing, The Strip | 1 Comment