Category Archives: history

Good news for online gambling? Bad news for Rio

Posted on July 31, 2012 by David McKee

• Anti-gambling prick Rep. Steve King (R-IA) may find himself under investigation. Unfortunately, he’s not being investigated for being an anti-gambling prick. But it might remove one more obstacle to online poker. • The online-gambling world wet its panties last … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Harrah's, history, Internet gambling, Politics, Regulation, Tourism, Transportation | 2 Comments

For sale: One casino marquee, slightly used

Posted on July 22, 2012 by David McKee

It looks like the new owner of Fitzgeralds/The D is a little hard up for cash. Rather than donate the Fitzgeralds marquee to the Neon Museum, he’s liquidating the big display on eBay — and for a mere $25,000. At 10 … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Current, Derek Stevens, Downtown, history | 2 Comments

Those were the days

Posted on July 2, 2012 by David McKee

From the collection of Charles Phoenix: The year is 1963. The place, Glitter Gulch. Those were the days when “Vegas” was a mythic, unique American place — and gambling was gambling, not “gaming.” About the only thing that hasn’t changed … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, history, TV | Comments Off on Those were the days

“He’s just a stooge”

Posted on June 20, 2012 by David McKee

While I’m still on semi-hiatus, working on travel guides for USA Today (the Downtown one got submitted last night), here’s a reminder that when Caesars Entertainment persuades — “coerces” might be more like it — its lenders into writing off … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball, California, Economy, Harrah's, history, Internet gambling, Ohio, Tourism, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Trump’s greatest accomplishment

Posted on June 15, 2012 by David McKee

While we can’t blame — much as we might like — the downfall of Atlantic City on Donald Trump, if one individual contributed to its precipitous decline more than any other, it was the guy with the orange combover. Seriously, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Donald Trump, Economy, history, Steve Wynn | 2 Comments

Loveman heir abdicates; VLTs hit Ohio tomorrow; Wayne’s World II

Posted on May 31, 2012 by David McKee

Shares of Caesars Entertainment sank today on the news that CFO Jonathan Halkyard has quit, taking an equivalent position at NV Energy. Although the latter’s financial outlook is far rosier, with scant long-term debt, its revenue base ($611 million last … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Dan Gilbert, Economy, Harrah's, history, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street, Wayne F. Newton | Comments Off on Loveman heir abdicates; VLTs hit Ohio tomorrow; Wayne’s World II

Quote of the Day

Posted on May 22, 2012 by David McKee

“Tradition is the illegitimate son of grief. Tradition is a way to honor the unknowable generations that came before, to show them the false respect of unquestioning alliegance [sic]. Slavery was a tradition. Patriarchy was a tradition. There are lots … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

One Vegas castastrophe, slightly used

Posted on May 16, 2012 by David McKee

If you’ve got a spare $1,450 handy, you can be the proud owner of the London Clubs marquee that formerly adorned Planet Hollywood‘s façade back when it was still the Aladdin, plus one baccarat chip, shipping and handling not included. … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Harrah's, history, Planet Hollywood, The Strip | 5 Comments

Canada to Caesars: “Bonehead!”; What’s (hidden) in a logo?

Posted on May 14, 2012 by David McKee

You can’t ask for a better diagnosis of what might be loosely called Caesars Entertainment‘s business plan than this anonymous comment from a Las Vegas Review-Journal reader: “Right now, their strategy for getting out of the hole appears to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Harrah's, history, Horseracing, International, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | 3 Comments

“It was 20 years ago today …”

Posted on May 8, 2012 by David McKee

Well, not quite. But with the Southern Gaming Summit convening today in Biloxi, it’s as good a moment as any to look back on the quaint beginnings of what’s now a kind of American Riviera. Eleven casinos, 5,598 hotel rooms, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Carl Icahn, Columbia Sussex, Current, history, Isle of Capri, Marketing, Mississippi, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on “It was 20 years ago today …”

Steve Wynn’s better half

Posted on May 7, 2012 by David McKee

In the unlikely event that Steve Wynn is abducted by aliens and thrown into a Chinese political prison, Wynn Resorts need look no farther than ex-wife Elaine Wynn for continuity of vision. (And, make no mistake, there isn’t a discernible … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Election, Encore, Fontainebleau, history, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 3 Comments

A blast from the past

Posted on May 1, 2012 by David McKee

In one of history’s curious quirks, a battle in New York probate court involves a fortune that was partly made right here in Las Vegas. A pair of clarifications are in order. The late Huguette Clark (left) has 50 blood … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, history, New York, TV | Comments Off on A blast from the past

The continuing adventures of Sheldon Adelson, Harry Reid and the GSA

Posted on April 14, 2012 by David McKee

First, the good news. Business is off and running at brand-new Sands Cotai Central, whose Himalaya casino (372 tables, 600 slots) opened last Wednesday. In total square footage, it overtakes Venetian Macao for status as the world’s largest casino (30% … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, California, Current, Economy, Election, Florida, Genting, Harrah's, Harry Reid, history, International, Macau, Massachusetts, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Stanley Ho, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, TV, Wall Street | 5 Comments

Crash landing

Posted on April 12, 2012 by David McKee

Over the last two days, while I’ve been at home, supervising having the roof put back on our house (seriously!), some of you have been kind enough to send variations of this story. It will soon be the subject of … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Entertainment, history, Movies, Tourism, TV | Comments Off on Crash landing

Andy Choy takes your questions

Posted on March 27, 2012 by David McKee

The music you play in the casino hasn’t changed for a very long time. It’s all sad, lost love, women complaining about bad, bad men, and very loud music. It makes me want to run out of the casino. Don’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Dining, Entertainment, history, Marketing, Riviera, Technology, The Strip | 10 Comments

Saucer crash; Whither Harmon Crossing?

Posted on March 22, 2012 by David McKee

Yesterday afternoon, a heterogenous smattering of Las Vegas media toured the new Area 51 wing of the National Atomic Testing Museum.”Wing” might be a generous term for this cramped, fetid space. The subtitle of the exhibit is Myth or Reality, … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Architecture, CityCenter, Current, Downtown, Entertainment, Harrah's, history, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on Saucer crash; Whither Harmon Crossing?

R.I.P., Dennis Gomes; Casino avalanche in Michigan; Life after UIGEA

Posted on March 8, 2012 by David McKee

There are few real characters in the casino industry anymore. Dennis Gomes (1944-2012) was one of them. His recent death put a premature “full stop” on one of the most colorful and wide-ranging careers gaming has seen. After all, how … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colony Capital, Dennis Gomes, Detroit, Donald Trump, Economy, Election, Harrah's, history, Illinois, International, Internet gambling, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Movies, Ohio, Penn National, Pokergeddon, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, The Mob, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on R.I.P., Dennis Gomes; Casino avalanche in Michigan; Life after UIGEA

Vegas gets its groove back; “Zarkana” comes to Aria

Posted on March 7, 2012 by David McKee

In terms of quantity, quality and proximity, the Los Angeles Times is the closest thing Las Vegas has to a major metropolitan daily. (Hell, the Sacramento Bee puts the Las Vegas Review-Journal to shame.) Indeed, the LAT treats Sin City … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Architecture, Arizona, Boyd Gaming, California, Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, Dining, Donald Trump, Downtown, Entertainment, Harrah's, history, Macau, MGM Mirage, Movies, Phil Ruffin, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Tamares Group, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on Vegas gets its groove back; “Zarkana” comes to Aria

Adelson to sign “Mormon”? What is “theD”?

Posted on March 7, 2012 by David McKee

Las Vegas‘ new performing arts palace, The Smith Center, has opened coveted the Broadway hit, The Book of Mormon. However, a heavyweight competitor could snatch Mormon from under Smith CEO Myron Martin‘s nose. Rumor has Las Vegas Sands in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Downtown, Entertainment, Harrah's, history, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, The Strip | 10 Comments

Las Vegas: What’s next?

Posted on February 16, 2012 by David McKee

If I had a crystal ball for Las Vegas’ future, I’d be a wealthier man. Not having one, I consulting some fellows far more perspicacious than myself. In no particular order they include Dennis Conrad, scholars Bill Eadington, Eugene Moehring … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, history, Macau, MGM Mirage, Movies, New York, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, Tribal | 4 Comments