Category Archives: history

Quote of the Day

Posted on May 5, 2015 by David McKee

“The amazing thing about Las Vegas is how soon it forgets itself because it keeps reinventing itself.” — Splash choreographer Jeff Kutash on the closing of the Riviera, which took place at noon yesterday.

Posted in history, Riviera, The Strip | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Ohio casinos: Half a loaf better than none; Brighter days for Macao?

Posted on May 4, 2015 by David McKee

Ohio cities are trying to use casino revenues to keep pace with Gov. John Kasich‘s austerity regime — and partly succeeding. “It is an important part of the budget, particularly when you look at the fact the state has eliminated almost … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Environment, history, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Penn National, Philippines, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Wall Street | Comments Off on Ohio casinos: Half a loaf better than none; Brighter days for Macao?

Wynn frustrated with Macao; Adelson vs. Adelson

Posted on April 30, 2015 by David McKee

“Macau giveth and Macau taketh away for Wynn Resorts.” With that sentence the Las Vegas Review-Journal‘s Richard Velotta pithily summarized the precipitous reliance that Wynn and other Macanese operators have on that unpredictable market. “Our hopes for a turnaround during Chinese … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, history, Macau, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 29, 2015 by David McKee

“Outside the cabaret now called Le Bistro Lounge, however, the Riviera looked seedy, its decor suggesting that Jimmy Carter was still in the White House: pinball machines, worn carpet, old men in wheelchairs and oxygen masks joylessly playing the slot … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Riviera, The Strip | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Dr. Loveman’s voodoo; Reid hangs it up

Posted on March 30, 2015 by David McKee

Despite having wrought havoc upon Caesars Entertainment, Chairman Gary Loveman — looking alarmingly puffy and ill — manages to still find himself taken seriously as a talking head. He gave CNBC a dosage of his usual spin-doctoring. This includes one … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cordish Co., Geoff Freeman, Harrah's, Harry Reid, history, Japan, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Politics, TV, World Series of Poker | Comments Off on Dr. Loveman’s voodoo; Reid hangs it up

Straub’s new plan for Revel; Elaine Wynn gets rude treatment

Posted on March 2, 2015 by David McKee

Glenn Straub may be America’s newest casino owner but he’s quickly emerging as its most unpredictable. While he plans to reopen the gambling component of Revel, his latest brainwave is to add an anti-aging institution. Details are sketchy at present, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Glenn Straub, history, Kazuo Okada, Revel, Steve Wynn | 2 Comments

Straub still hearts Revel; Setback in Indiana

Posted on February 24, 2015 by David McKee

Glenn Straub‘s abusive/co-dependent relationship with Revel AC continues, even though federal bankruptcy court has driven a stake through his $95 million purchase agreement for the beached whale of a casino. As Judge Gloria Burns, who has presided over the soap … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, history, Indiana, Lake Tahoe, Politics, Revel, South Dakota, Taxes, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Building a better Cosmopolitan

Posted on February 20, 2015 by David McKee

Although awash in generalities, Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas CEO Bill McBeath did allow some form of insight into his plans for the resort. Allowing that casino-floor performance was “pretty anemic,” he hopes to make it more attractive to high rollers. … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Cosmopolitan, Dining, Donald Trump, Economy, history, MGM Mirage, Sports, The Strip | Comments Off on Building a better Cosmopolitan

Why the Riviera deal stinks

Posted on February 18, 2015 by David McKee

Occasional S&G contributor Jeff in OKC shares some blunt sentiment about this week’s biggest story: the planned sale and demolition of the Riviera, the most venerable casino on the Las Vegas Strip: I’m 56. A 100% pure Baby Boomer, born in 1958. … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Derek Stevens, Economy, history, LVCVA, Riviera, Tourism | 8 Comments

Straub’s time runs short; Smoke gets in Macao’s eyes

Posted on February 10, 2015 by David McKee

Glenn Straub may be $10 million the poorer after yet another deal for Revel has come apart at the seams. Straub wanted to expunge any obligations to Revel tenants. Federal courts would not let him. And, upon that impasse, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Downtown, Economy, Environment, George Maloof, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, history, Macau, Revel, Steve Wynn | 1 Comment

Leaning Tower of Vegas

Posted on February 10, 2015 by David McKee

OK, the Clarion/Greek Isles/Royal Resort/Royal Americana/Paddlewheel and erstwhile Debbie Reynolds Hollywood Hotel wasn’t a grand implosion and there was a bit of a malfunction with the elevator core, what? But we’ll take what we can get when it comes to … Continue reading →

Posted in history, The Strip | 2 Comments

The fall and rise of Gary Loveman

Posted on February 6, 2015 by David McKee

In a bankruptcy as enormous as that of Caesars Entertainment, you would expect its primary culprit to be held responsible — and this has happened, after a fashion. Gary Loveman is relinquishing his titles as president and CEO, but will … Continue reading →

Posted in Carl Icahn, Harrah's, history, Wall Street | 4 Comments

Boffo Christmas for Borgata; ColSux loses again

Posted on January 14, 2015 by David McKee

There wasn’t a lot of Christmas cheer to be had in Atlantic City, where citywide gambling revenues fell 13%. However, for the surviving operators, the take was up 7% on a “same-store” basis (i.e., discounting the casinos that have closed). … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Carl Icahn, Columbia Sussex, Harrah's, history, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Mohegan Sun, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off on Boffo Christmas for Borgata; ColSux loses again

Fly Mohegan; End of an era; Washington takes up i-gaming

Posted on January 13, 2015 by David McKee

“Never before has a traveler been able to leave New York City, fly to Mohegan [Sun], enjoy a world class show, have a terrific dining experience, play in the casino and be back home … by midnight.” So says Fly Blade … Continue reading →

Posted in Dubai, Genting, history, Internet gambling, Mohegan Sun, Pansy Ho, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Transportation | 1 Comment

Blast from the past

Posted on December 19, 2014 by David McKee

It’s time to revive the S&G tradition of a Friday film festival. Thanks to Bellagio Director of Productions Frank Coccaro for pointing the way to these nostalgia-inducing clips.

Posted in Architecture, Downtown, history, MGM Mirage | Comments Off on Blast from the past

Cokehead gets Nevada casino license; Cosmo sale near

Posted on December 4, 2014 by David McKee

Goodwill generated by the opening of SLS Las Vegas just went up Sam Nazarian‘s nose. The Los Angeles nightclub operator admitted to doing cocaine last April while living it up in Mexico. This is the kind of revelation casino pundits … Continue reading →

Posted in Cosmopolitan, Harrah's, history, Macau, Regulation, Sam Nazarian, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 1 Comment

Big Ease; The Mirage, 25 years later

Posted on November 20, 2014 by David McKee

Even with 19 non-tribal casinos and racinos to support, the Louisiana market continues to rebound. It was up 4% last month, with even 2% growth in the crowded Shreveport/Bossier City marketplace. El Dorado was the second-highest grosser and the percentage leader … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, CityCenter, Downtown, GLPI, Hard Rock Hotel, Harrah's, history, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Tropicana Entertainment | 1 Comment

Wild, wild East; Fertitta remembered

Posted on October 24, 2014 by David McKee

Imagine a Las Vegas in which to play you were required to lay out at least $65 … and where the average minimum bet was $270, maybe even $320. You’d have Macao, whose players dwarf Vegas’ ($20 average minimum bet) … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, history, International, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Macau, Michael Gaughan, Singapore, Station Casinos, The Strip, Warner Gaming | 1 Comment

JFK returns to Vegas, poker comes to Philly

Posted on October 17, 2014 by David McKee

Tourist attractions just haven’t been clicking for the New Tropicana Las Vegas. But it’s trying again with “The JFK Exhibition,” announced today. Although John F. Kennedy‘s connections to Las Vegas were part of the seamy underside of Camelot, that only … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Downtown, Environment, Harrah's, history, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Ohio, Oscar Goodman, Pennsylvania, The Strip | Comments Off on JFK returns to Vegas, poker comes to Philly

Steve Wynn, the early years

Posted on October 16, 2014 by David McKee

Steve Wynn is an irresistible storyteller. In this Wall Street Journal interview, he explains his origins in the casino business.

Posted in Atlantic City, history, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 2 Comments