Category Archives: history

Jackie Gaughan remembered; New York’s bullish expansion

Posted on March 18, 2014 by David McKee

Verbal tributes to the late Jackie Gaughan continue to roll in and may not end with yesterday’s funeral. He was remembered as a man who said “Honesty, character and morals are 75 percent of the job. I can teach you … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Downtown, history, MGM Mirage, New York, Tribal | Comments Off on Jackie Gaughan remembered; New York’s bullish expansion

Jackie Gaughan, 1920-2014

Posted on March 12, 2014 by David McKee

The humility with which Jackie Gaughan did business would be un-thought-of in today’s casino world. He’d come to work through the front door and his “office” was a hotel room adapted for the purpose. At various times, Jackie owned all or … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, history, Regulation, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 2 Comments

Across the Pacific

Posted on February 25, 2014 by David McKee

Rash or merely aggressive? That’s the question now that MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren has vowed to match Las Vegas Sands‘ Japanese investments dollar for dollar — as much as $10 billion. “We will overinvest early on to ensure, … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, history, Japan, Macau, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | Comments Off on Across the Pacific

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 17, 2014 by David McKee

“There was such a home, a personal feeling toward these casinos that were on the Strip like the Silver Slipper, the Dunes, the Sahara—all these places that you grew up with—these were all places that we had. This was our … Continue reading →

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Intimidation at Aria; Big sell-off at Wynn

Posted on February 10, 2014 by David McKee

Is Aria getting a little big for its britches? Nevada Gaming Control Board agents say they were harassed at the 4,000-room casino, specifically when trying to monitor the roulette wheel. “The complaint said two state agents who had not identified themselves … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, history, Macau, MGM Mirage, New York, Regulation, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Intimidation at Aria; Big sell-off at Wynn

Pathbreaker

Posted on February 6, 2014 by David McKee

  Las Vegas‘ history is incomplete without any mention of Paul Revere Williams, the pathbreaking ‘architect to the stars’ who designed some of Sin City’s most iconic non-casino buildings.

Posted in Architecture, history, The Strip | Comments Off on Pathbreaker

“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

Super Blowout

Posted on February 4, 2014 by David McKee

And, no, I don’t mean what happened on the field last Sunday at the Super Bowl. Nevada‘s sports books surpassed last year’s record $99 million handle and it wasn’t even close — $119 million. The nearly $20 million in profit … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Election, Florida, Foxwoods, Harrah's, history, Massachusetts, Regulation, Sports, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Super Blowout

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 2, 2014 by David McKee

“[Oliver] Cromwell, who claimed to be acting in God’s interest with the more-or-less indiscriminate slaughter of Catholics, was a puritan. He fervently believed in simple dress, simple speech and an end to the cloying fancies of royalty and monarchs. And he … Continue reading →

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Biloxi comes back

Posted on January 13, 2014 by David McKee

Time was when Biloxi was considered one of the three premier casino resorts in America. That, of course, was before Hurricane Katrina literally swept the city’s casino fleet from its moorings. The city has been trying to right the ship … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, history, Iowa, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Regulation | Comments Off on Biloxi comes back

All things …

Posted on January 7, 2014 by David McKee

… come to and end, good, bad or indifferent. I do not speak ill of MGM Resorts International‘s marquee for New York-New York, but 16 years was deemed enough, as MGM reconceptualizes NY-NY’s Strip frontage. Young Electric Sign Co. will … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Current, history, MGM Mirage, The Strip | 1 Comment

Overexuberance in New Jersey, generosity in Maryland

Posted on December 27, 2013 by David McKee

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) is setting himself up for a fall with his blue-sky projections of Internet-gambling revenue. Eilers Research has projected that it will take two or three years for gambling revenue to reach $227 million … … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Economy, Goldman Sachs, Harrah's, history, Illinois, Internet gambling, Macau, Maryland, Massachusetts, Regulation, Slot routes, Taxes, The Mob, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Overexuberance in New Jersey, generosity in Maryland

Is Loveman insane?

Posted on December 20, 2013 by David McKee

There are two bids on the table for Colony Capital‘s grind-joint Atlantic Club Hotel and one of them is from — wait for it — Caesars Entertainment. Now you’re saying to yourself, “Hey, David, isn’t Caesars in the process of … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colony Capital, Current, Harrah's, history, Tropicana Entertainment | 4 Comments

Wynn abandons Philly (again); Scramble at Suffolk

Posted on November 12, 2013 by David McKee

Twice in the past three years, Steve Wynn has pulled out of a casino project in Philadelphia. I don’t blame him. It’s a saturated market and trying to recoup the costs of a $926 million project in a timely manner … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, history, Illinois, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Texas | Comments Off on Wynn abandons Philly (again); Scramble at Suffolk

Election Day!; Mad Max; Deadpan humor in Wisconsin

Posted on November 5, 2013 by David McKee

Today’s a big day for casino-related votes in New York State and Massachusetts. In the former, New York City holds the key to the outcome. The Five Boroughs are expected to represent for 42% of statewide voting. Mind you, NYC wouldn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Current, Economy, Election, Foxwoods, Harrah's, history, Horseracing, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, New York, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Election Day!; Mad Max; Deadpan humor in Wisconsin

Breaking Boyd

Posted on October 31, 2013 by David McKee

Boyd Gaming missed Wall Street expectations last quarter, posting negative earnings of eight cents a share, compared to the $0.01/share profit the Street was anticipating. Deutsche Bank‘s Carlo Santarelli blamed “softer-than-expected net revenues … below the low-end of management’s guidance.” Las … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Current, Downtown, Environment, Greenwood Racing, history, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Penn National, Wall Street | Comments Off on Breaking Boyd

Isle gets some love; Second chance in New York

Posted on October 28, 2013 by David McKee

“A great pick.” That’s what Seeking Alpha says about Isle of Capri Casinos. Like so many regional operators, it hasn’t been posting lights-out numbers lately but its 16-casino portfolio makes it a bargain play for some. “It’s hard not to … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, history, Isle of Capri, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania, Reno, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Isle gets some love; Second chance in New York

Breakthrough in Wisconsin; Second chance in Biloxi

Posted on October 20, 2013 by David McKee

Approval of a Dairyland casino for the Menominee Tribe is still the longest of long shots, but there were faint cracks in the ice after a summit meeting earlier this week. Contrary to earlier reports, participants did a little bit … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Harrah's, history, Mississippi, Steve Wynn, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Breakthrough in Wisconsin; Second chance in Biloxi

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 29, 2013 by David McKee

Now that we’ve had our National Feel-Good Moment of the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, here’s a reminder to keep thinking about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and not just shove him back into the history books.

Posted in history | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 23, 2013 by David McKee

“Bill Harrah absolutely wanted to have the best and nicest facilities. Harrah’s Lake Tahoe was a five-star hotel when I worked for them. The facilities had to be spotless, they had to be clean … and the service had to … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, history | Comments Off on Quote of the Day