Category Archives: Fontainebleau

Blast from the past

Posted on February 26, 2010 by David McKee

Since we’ve been talking about Archon Corp. this week — and because I didn’t want the last post of the week to be about feet — here’s an old ad for the Wet ‘n Wild water park, whose closure really … Continue reading →

Posted in Archon Corp., Entertainment, Fontainebleau, Marketing, The Strip, Tourism | 6 Comments

Aqueduct: Penn got hosed

Posted on February 12, 2010 by David McKee

Despite its runaway hyperbole, this Empire State editorial makes a good point: The Aqueduct racino deal smells like a week-old fish and ought to be investigated. (It isn’t — but it should be.) Since all bids involved multiple players, sorting … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Downtown, Fontainebleau, Harrah's, Macau, MGM Mirage, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Sahara, Steve Wynn, Tamares Group, The Strip, Tribal, TV | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 29, 2010 by David McKee

“Bidder for Fontainebleau says Las Vegas probably a bit overbuilt” — caption for Las Vegas Review-Journal story about Carl Icahn‘s F-bleau acquistion. “Probably a bit overbuilt” … now there’s a masterful understatement.

Posted in Carl Icahn, Economy, Fontainebleau, The Strip, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Planet Ho abdicates to Harrah’s

Posted on January 15, 2010 by David McKee

Sheraton Operating Corp. is bugging out of Planet Hollywood Resort — which has already lost some of its top management — and handing the keys to Harrah’s Entertainment. The latter will have something of a challenge filling the nearly 2,500 … Continue reading →

Posted in Carl Icahn, CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, Current, Economy, Fontainebleau, Harrah's, International, Marketing, Penn National, Planet Hollywood, The Strip, Wall Street | 4 Comments

It’s a miracle!

Posted on January 8, 2010 by David McKee

You’re looking at a photo that was imbedded in a new Riviera press release and — praise be! — Fontainebleau has disappeared. Yes, vanished, gone as though it were never there: like it was all a bad dream. Yes, yes, … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Fontainebleau, MGM Mirage, Riviera, Sahara | 5 Comments

Case Bets: Mohegan Sun, Alabama, Weidner, Dubai & a big bet on MGM Mirage

Posted on January 4, 2010 by David McKee

Could default or bankruptcy be in the offing for Mohegan Sun? The tribal supercasino’s attempts to get out from under an onerous fee arrangement with Sol Kerzner and Len Wolman are not only facing heavy weather, Mohegan Sun is also … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Carl Icahn, Charity, CityCenter, Current, Dubai, Economy, Election, Entertainment, Fontainebleau, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Riviera, Sahara, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Taxes, Technology, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

‘Tis the season

Posted on December 23, 2009 by David McKee

Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson cuts the ribbon on Boot Hill Casino. The gentleman at the rear in the red tie is the Kansas Lottery’s Ed Van Petten, taking time out from carrying water for Mike Ensign. Having been on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Archon Corp., Boyd Gaming, Cannery Casino Resorts, Carl Icahn, CityCenter, Colony Capital, Columbia Sussex, Don Barden, Donald Trump, Economy, Election, Entertainment, Environment, Fontainebleau, Harrah's, Harry Reid, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Jack Binion, James Packer, Kansas, M Resort, Macau, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Oscar Goodman, Penn National, Pets, Phil Ruffin, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal | 8 Comments

CityCenter giblets

Posted on December 17, 2009 by David McKee

While I’m gathering my thoughts — and notes — from yesterday’s Orgy o’CityCenter (and trying to maintain a Cone of Deafness, as far as other commentators), here are a few stray tidbits: Even MGM Mirage CEO Jim Murren can’t hide … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Colony Capital, Cosmopolitan, Current, Donald Trump, Dubai, Economy, Entertainment, Fontainebleau, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, TV | 3 Comments

Bonuses for F-bleau; MGM plants flag in India

Posted on December 11, 2009 by David McKee

When your hopelessly over-budget resort project is bankrupt, stuck in the mud, mired in lawsuits and is basically a total writeoff, there’s only one thing to do. Award year-end bonuses, that’s what. Fontainebleau Chief Restructuring Officer Howard Karawan wants to … Continue reading →

Posted in Carl Icahn, Current, Economy, Fontainebleau, Genting, International, MGM Mirage, Penn National, The Strip | 6 Comments

Wall Street hearts Penn

Posted on December 9, 2009 by David McKee

Table games having been approved for Charles Town Races & Slots by a 60/40 margin, stock analysts are lurving Penn National Gaming … so long as Penn’s infatuation with Fontainebleau turns out to have been a passing malady. While those … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Election, Fontainebleau, Harrah's, Kansas, Missouri, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, The Strip, Wall Street | 5 Comments

Blast from the past

Posted on December 8, 2009 by David McKee

In this case, it’s a blast of hot air from the pages of the defunct and dreadful Liberty Watch magazine, whose back numbers still adorn the Web, but whose ink-and-paper incarnation has devolved into a loose smattering of blogs. Let’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Colony Capital, Fontainebleau, Harrah's, Indiana, Macau, MGM Mirage, Michael Gaughan, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Who’s better for F’bleau: Icahn or Penn?

Posted on December 8, 2009 by David McKee

That’s the unspoken question hanging over a lengthy piece in yesterday’s Las Vegas Sun. While Penn National Gaming is willing to commit $1.5 billion or more to finishing Fontainebleau, lead bidder Carl Icahn may be able to do the job … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Carl Icahn, CityCenter, Columbia Sussex, Current, Economy, Fontainebleau, Kansas, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Penn National, Planet Hollywood, Regulation, Station Casinos, The Strip, Wall Street | 2 Comments

F-bleau: It’s Icahn’s … or is it?

Posted on November 24, 2009 by David McKee

True to form, Carl Icahn sprang when you least expected him to, sneaking up on Penn National Gaming in bankruptcy court to outbid it for the bankrupt Fontainebleau in the first round of bartering (a process that will drag into … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Carl Icahn, Current, Economy, Fontainebleau, IGT, Louisiana, Morgans Hotel Group, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, The Strip, Wall Street | 6 Comments

Trouble in River City

Posted on November 9, 2009 by David McKee

In a shocking development that’s bound to set tongues a-wagging, Pinnacle Entertainment CEO Dan Lee has “resigned to pursue other business interests” (industry-speak for “Don’t let the doorknob hit you in the butt”). The buzz is that Pinnacle’s strategy was … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Columbia Sussex, Current, Economy, Fontainebleau, Harrah's, Louisiana, Missouri, Pinnacle Entertainment, Planet Hollywood, Politics, Regulation, Station Casinos | 8 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on November 2, 2009 by David McKee

“Penn [National Gaming] said it is still struggling with a consumer spending pullback prompted by the recession. Gamblers have spent less in the casino on non-gaming components such as food, drinks and hotels during the economic downturn as they look … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Fontainebleau, Pennsylvania, Wall Street | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Dark days for the clown house?

Posted on November 2, 2009 by David McKee

During all the economic Sturm und Drang of the last two years, MGM Mirage has — to its great credit — not been shy about offering comps, discounts and promotions to keep people coming back. However, its latest promotional allowances … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Current, Economy, Fontainebleau, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Riviera, The Strip, Tourism | 1 Comment

Adieu F-bleau, hello Hollywood?

Posted on October 26, 2009 by David McKee

Look what just fell into the S&G mailbag: Beginning January 1, 2010 Penn National Gaming will partner with RPM Advertising to develop and execute a brand identity for Hollywood Casinos.  The full service assignment will incorporate research, brand development, media … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Current, Donald Trump, Economy, Entertainment, Fontainebleau, Harrah's, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip, TV | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 21, 2009 by David McKee

Penn National Gaming "has not lost its senses and, [contends] that at the right price and through the right vehicle (and only with a sizable strategic partner who would bring something special to the project, presumably some hotel experience), its … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Fontainebleau, Penn National, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

F'bleau: Wait 'til 2012; Satre returns

Posted on October 16, 2009 by David McKee

That’s basically the message coming out of bankruptcy court, where Fontainebleau ownership requested permission to scrap all conventions and meetings through October 2011. Among many other disclosures in the fast-moving Chapter 11 was the sacking of seven top executives. (A … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colony Capital, Cosmopolitan, Economy, Fontainebleau, Harrah's, IGT, Macau, MGM Mirage, Pansy Ho | 2 Comments

Night of the living dead

Posted on October 15, 2009 by David McKee

Will the last person leaving the Riviera please take down the Charo in Concert, Abra-ca-Sexy! and Tom Stevens posters? Everything about last night's visit to the casino suggested a business that's died but doesn't realize it. Not that it helps … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Economy, Entertainment, Fontainebleau, Illinois, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Riviera, The Strip | Comments Off on Night of the living dead