Category Archives: Harrah's

Election 2010: Around the horn

Posted on November 3, 2010 by David McKee

Let’s get to it, with some help from Wells Fargo gaming analyst Carlo Santarelli … Cordish Gaming won big in Maryland, where voters upheld an initiative to ratify the zoning of its Arundel Mills Mall casino project. Penn National Gaming, … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Bally Technologies, California, Cordish Co., Economy, Election, Harrah's, IGT, International, Iowa, Isle of Capri, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Tribal, Wall Street, West Virginia, WMS Industries | 3 Comments

Big Brother is watching you …

Posted on November 2, 2010 by David McKee

… and his name is Gary Loveman. While the Harrah’s Entertainment CEO hasn’t left a paper trail, several of his top lieutenants — including veeps Jan Jones (governmental affairs), Rick Mazer (boss of the Flamingo, Harrah’s Las Vegas, Imperial Palace, … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Election, Harrah's, Harry Reid, Politics, The Strip, TV | 13 Comments

Last-minute election tidbits: Ohio & California

Posted on November 2, 2010 by David McKee

Prospects for expansion of VLT gambling to the Buckeye State’s racetracks are looking slightly better now that Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland has inched his way back into contention with GOP rival Jon Kasich (left). The personable Kasich is a difficult … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Economy, Election, Environment, Harrah's, Ohio, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sports, Station Casinos, Texas, Tribal | 6 Comments

Murren: I heart CityCenter; Wynn: I heart China; Angle: I heart Latinos … plus Boyd’s new fragrance

Posted on October 29, 2010 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International and old ball and chain Dubai World have consummated a deal to extend $1.8 billion in CityCenter loans, a reworking that MGM CEO Jim Murren calls “a capital structure that’s much more … in keeping with a … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Cannery Casino Resorts, CityCenter, Columbia Sussex, Current, Dubai, Economy, Election, Environment, Harrah's, Macau, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, TV, Wall Street | 6 Comments

Harrah’s to the rescue; Penn Nat’l bigfoots Maryland dispute

Posted on October 26, 2010 by David McKee

If — as appears to be the case — a deal to have Harrah’s Entertainment take over the stalled Foxwoods casino project in Philadelphia is all but done, hopefully it will render the question moot as to whether the casino … Continue reading →

Posted in Charity, Cordish Co., Current, Election, Harrah's, Maryland, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Tribal | Comments Off on Harrah’s to the rescue; Penn Nat’l bigfoots Maryland dispute

Singapore: Mission accomplished

Posted on October 25, 2010 by David McKee

A curious item popped up on the Manila Web site MB.com last week. Remember how Macao was “Asia’s Las Vegas”? The new meme is “More Than Just the New Vegas” (emphasis added). The lengthy puff piece rather strenuously posited Macao … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Dining, Genting, Harrah's, International, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Marketing, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on Singapore: Mission accomplished

Galaxy Cotai postponed; MGM stages a comeback

Posted on October 25, 2010 by David McKee

It’s not official but, seeing as two top executives at the Macao megaresort (including its COO) just got the chop, it appears pretty likely. A project that was expected to open in late March of next year now looks as … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Current, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, Harry Reid, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Pansy Ho, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Tropicana Entertainment, TV, Wall Street | 1 Comment

No Borgata buyout for Boyd

Posted on October 25, 2010 by David McKee

As expected, Boyd Gaming has punted on its purchase option for MGM Resorts International‘s half of Borgata. With the emergence of investor Leonard Green as potential co-owner — as opposed to another casino company — Boyd gets what it surely … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Penn National | 3 Comments

Harrah’s on new spending spree

Posted on October 18, 2010 by David McKee

As predicted and dreaded by skeptical bond analysts, proceeds from Harrah’s Entertainment‘s semi-IPO of 17% of the company, it has been officially disclosed, will be rolled into retail therapy for CEO Gary Loveman. An anticipated $575 million will be used … Continue reading →

Posted in Colony Capital, Current, Economy, Entertainment, Fontainebleau, George Maloof, Harrah's, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, The Strip, TV, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Adelson wins twice over

Posted on October 18, 2010 by David McKee

Bowing to reality, Macao‘s government will accede to Las Vegas Sands‘ desire — and rather desperate need — for 5,000 additional guest workers in order to complete long-delayed Venetian Oriental (left). Even with an infusion of Mainland laborers, the megaresort’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Cannery Casino Resorts, Current, Don Barden, Election, Harrah's, Macau, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off on Adelson wins twice over

Dr. Loveman on the case; Death Ray designer stays mum

Posted on October 15, 2010 by David McKee

Confronted with an anemic patient — i.e., the Las Vegas Strip — attending physician Gary Loveman, Ph.D, has been prescribing a series of stimuli. (Possibly the only “economic stimulus” that all Americans can support.) Since customers are spending more selectively, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, CityCenter, Current, Dining, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Riviera, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Vdara Death Ray | 7 Comments

Macao: The fine art of spin

Posted on October 14, 2010 by David McKee

No wonder Steve Wynn and Sheldon Adelson love it in China. Where else are you going to find such a compliant media, able to extract a silver lining from the darkest of clouds. For instance, “cost overruns” are something that … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Harrah's, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Pansy Ho, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Macao: The fine art of spin

Kerkorian’s mixed message; Winners & Losers

Posted on October 13, 2010 by David McKee

Earlier this week, Hudson Securities analyst Robert LaFleur — something of a maverick in the gaming sector — voiced doubts about MGM Resorts International‘s ability to sustain its debt covenants. With an overhang of $13 million in debt, few properties … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Current, Detroit, Economy, Harrah's, International, Louisiana, M Resort, Macau, MGM Mirage, Morgans Hotel Group, Neil Bluhm, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Vdara Death Ray, Wall Street | 4 Comments

Singapore: Our whales lose more than your whales!

Posted on October 12, 2010 by David McKee

Think you’re so big, Las Vegas? Well, Singapore just went all “In your face” on Sin City. One area tycoon recently blew $50 million at Marina Bay Sands and/or Resorts World Sentosa. Not to be outdone, a Singaporean zillionaire dropped … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boulder Strip, Economy, Entertainment, Environment, Genting, Goldman Sachs, Harrah's, Lake Tahoe, Missouri, Pinnacle Entertainment, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Tamares Group, The Strip | 2 Comments

Atlantic City: It could have been worse; Hard Rock changes its tune

Posted on October 12, 2010 by David McKee

OK, so September’s numbers from Atlantic City only represent one month of competition from SugarHouse, in Philadelphia. However, with every other casino in Pennsylvania having enjoyed two full months of table games, a 12% dropoff isn’t as bad as I … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Carl Icahn, Colony Capital, Current, Detroit, Dining, Donald Trump, Economy, Harrah's, M Resort, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Morgans Hotel Group, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment | 2 Comments

Celebrity justice; Harrah’s goes to the dogs

Posted on October 12, 2010 by David McKee

As you all probably know by now, Palms owner George Maloof was busted on a DUI last weekend. Under any other circumstances, it would be endearing to learn that the generally unassuming Maloof doesn’t have himself chauffeured about town. Lack … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, CityCenter, Columbia Sussex, Downtown, Economy, Election, Entertainment, Harrah's, Herbst Gaming, Lake Las Vegas, MGM Mirage, Monte Carlo fire, Pets, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 2 Comments

The whales of August

Posted on October 8, 2010 by David McKee

Nevada had another big casino bounce — $944.5 million, its largest since February’s $947 million. However, some of the positive auguries are real and some are misleading. To get the big one out of the way, Strip slot revenues were … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Current, Economy, Harrah's, Kansas, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Louisiana, North Las Vegas, Regulation, Reno, The Strip, Tourism, Vdara Death Ray, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Lost horizon

Posted on October 6, 2010 by David McKee

Even as the window of opportunity is slamming shut, “Casino companies are finally starting to see [Internet gambling] as a possible growth engine for the industry and are hoping for congressional help,” writes Motley Fool columnist Travis Hoium. That’d be … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Election, Harrah's, Harry Reid, Internet gambling, Macau, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Technology, The Strip | 3 Comments

Ameristar’s altruism … and so much more

Posted on October 6, 2010 by David McKee

Gaming regulators in Missouri got a little unsolicited advice from Ameristar Casinos as to where to put Casino License #13. Ameristar Vice President of Government Relations & Public Affairs Troy Stremming commissioned a study on the matter. Its shocking conclusion: … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Arizona, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, California, Colony Capital, Cretins, Current, Dennis Gomes, Economy, Genting, Harrah's, Horseracing, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Macau, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Missouri, New York, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Tourism, Tribal, TV, West Virginia | 5 Comments

Ask Anthony?

Posted on October 6, 2010 by David McKee

Former Harrah’s Entertainment veep and Santo Gaming founder Anthony F. Santo is six days into his stewarship of Tamares Group‘s downtown Las Vegas casinos. But he’s not putting all his eggs in Tamares’ basket. His company was handed the reins … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, Current, Harrah's, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Reno, Tamares Group, The Strip, Tourism, Vdara Death Ray, Wall Street | 6 Comments