Category Archives: International

Sheldon’s smokin’ (something)

Posted on April 30, 2010 by David McKee

If any other gaming CEO than Sheldon Adelson opened the most expensive casino ever ($5.5 billion) and projected it would recoup its tab in five years — requiring a return on investment well above 20% when you take operating costs … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colony Capital, Entertainment, Fontainebleau, Harrah's, International, Macau, Marketing, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Planet Hollywood, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Station Casinos, Wall Street, World Series of Poker | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 28, 2010 by David McKee

“What, perhaps you ask, is ‘Gossiness’? Well, nobody exactly knows, except that it is very likely in coming years to be an Urban Dictionary entry synonymous with an act that thinks it can burst on the Vegas scene and expect … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, George Maloof, Harrah's, International, The Strip | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Harrah’s red-headed stepchild

Posted on April 23, 2010 by David McKee

If we (you, me, everybody) had a dollar for ever time we heard a rumor that Harrah’s Entertainment was putting The Rio on the block, we could pool enough moolah to amortize CEO Gary Loveman‘s recent $100,000 pay cut. Our … Continue reading →

Posted in Archon Corp., Atlantic City, Current, Economy, George Maloof, Harrah's, International, James Packer, Laughlin, Planet Hollywood, Station Casinos, The Strip, Wall Street | 10 Comments

Steve Wynn may take his ball …

Posted on April 22, 2010 by David McKee

… and move to Macao. Or so he says. Given Steve Wynn‘s long track record of thinking aloud, I’d assign a low probability to this trial-balloon idea. Besides, in the U.S. the mogul can pop off at the government without … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Economy, International, Macau, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip, TV | 1 Comment

Harrah’s robbing Peter to buy Paul

Posted on April 15, 2010 by David McKee

When executives of Harrah’s Entertainment credit “hard-nosed” negotiating tactics for their success is reducing the company’s preposterous debt level, one suspects that threats of default and bankruptcy serve as the rhetorical equivalents of the rubber hose and brass knuckles. It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Archon Corp., Current, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Macau, Mississippi, Planet Hollywood, Politics, Regulation, Riviera, The Strip, Wall Street, World Series of Poker | Comments Off on Harrah’s robbing Peter to buy Paul

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 13, 2010 by David McKee

“This is a Nevada variation of ‘too big to fail.’ The big growth market is Asia, and if you want to be in the gaming business you need to be in Asia. Therefore, you have to do things the way … Continue reading →

Posted in International, Macau, MGM Mirage, Pansy Ho, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, The Mob | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 7, 2010 by David McKee

“My concern is they overspent on the two integrated resorts. Instead of allowing both casinos to open in a more relaxed way during the first few years, the [integrated resorts] are now under tremendous pressure.” — Singapore-based casino consultant Ronald … Continue reading →

Posted in Genting, International, Macau, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Tourism | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Could Steve Wynn jilt Philadelphia?

Posted on April 2, 2010 by David McKee

What’s Steve Wynn supposedly doing in Atlantic City this weekend and why is he allegedly kicking the tires on casino properties there? Well, it is a buyer’s market and half of Borgata is up for grabs (as would be Trump … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Colony Capital, Current, Donald Trump, Entertainment, International, Macau, MGM Mirage, Pansy Ho, Pennsylvania, Phil Ruffin, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Regulation, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 10 Comments

Las Vegas is beaten at its own game …

Posted on April 2, 2010 by David McKee

Royal Casino SPA & Hotel Resort from Vivid Cafe on Vimeo. … by Riga? I want to hop the next plane to Latvia after seeing this extremely sexy short film (approx. 7 minutes) showcasing the Royal Spa & Casino, which … Continue reading →

Posted in International, M Resort, Marketing, MGM Mirage, The Strip, TV | Comments Off on Las Vegas is beaten at its own game …

Quote of the Day

Posted on March 30, 2010 by David McKee

“[Grand Casino], which is situated virtually on the Swiss and French borders, is no longer protected by border guards because Switzerland recently joined the Schengen visa-free area in Europe.” — Which is how 10 hoodlums struck a Basel casino in … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, International, The Mob | 1 Comment

There are no triads in Macao

Posted on March 30, 2010 by David McKee

Yeah, and if you believe that, boy, do I have a dandy bridge in Brooklyn to sell you. Not only are triads alive, well and operating in Macao, they succeeded in infiltrating Sands Macao, according to a detailed investigative report … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Florida, International, Macau, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Stanley Ho, The Mob | 2 Comments

$290 million for Borgata

Posted on March 29, 2010 by David McKee

That’s what MGM Mirage’s half is expected to bring and it won’t happen until next year, according to J.P. Morgan‘s latest set of estimates. We could debate whether or not MGM should have started shopping the place a year ago, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Current, Economy, Harrah's, International, Macau, MGM Mirage, Pansy Ho, Regulation, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tourism, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off on $290 million for Borgata

MGM & Stanley Ho: The consequences of desperation

Posted on March 23, 2010 by David McKee

Contrary to the confident prediction of Las Vegas Review-Journal Publisher Sherman Frederick, the ramifications of the report of the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement on the relationship between MGM Mirage, Pansy Ho and father Stanley Ho have been as … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, International, Macau, MGM Mirage, Pansy Ho, Regulation, Stanley Ho, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on March 18, 2010 by David McKee

“These tall edifices produced a disturbing impression, for they were held to invade the realms and to jeopardise the composure of the feng-shui. These were the spirits of wind and water … all that needs to be said about them … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, International, Macau, Stanley Ho | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

This just in: Stanley Ho is mobbed up

Posted on March 17, 2010 by David McKee

Yeah, I know … no shit, Sherlock. With the notable exception of the Las Vegas Business Press‘ Matt Ward, precious few journalists have been willing to come forward and report what everybody’s tacitly agreed, ever since the Macanese casino market … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Current, International, Macau, MGM Mirage, Pansy Ho, Regulation, Stanley Ho, The Mob | 3 Comments

Capping Macao

Posted on March 16, 2010 by David McKee

Compared to the acrimony currently flowing on the Strip, a stunning new policy directive from across the Pacific practically qualifies as “happy-talk news” … With casino revenues increasing at a jet-propelled pace, China has yet again applied the brakes to … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, International, Macau, Plaza, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Tourism, Wall Street | 6 Comments

CityCenter: Guilty by association

Posted on March 15, 2010 by David McKee

This new attack ad, fired today, represents the latest salvo in what might be called The War Over CityCenter. Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV), not having been shy to take credit for CityCenter’s completion, is fair game. Where the ad may … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Colony Capital, Current, Dubai, Economy, Election, Entertainment, Harrah's, Harry Reid, International, MGM Mirage, Planet Hollywood, Politics, Regulation, Riviera, Station Casinos, Taxes, The Strip | 2 Comments

Fortune doesn’t favor the Boyd

Posted on March 10, 2010 by David McKee

Fortune, in the sense of “destiny,” supposedly favors the bold. Fortune, the magazine, holds no great affection for Boyd Gaming. Since the company is one for which I’ve long had high regard, it gives me no pleasure to report this. … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Charity, Current, Harrah's, International, Isle of Capri, Macau, MGM Mirage, Movies, Penn National, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | 4 Comments

From one Isle to another

Posted on March 8, 2010 by David McKee

Let’s start the week with a salute to a company that’s doing the right thing. Between its Florida and Missouri operations, Isle of Capri Casinos employs some 170 citizens of Haiti. Their salaries go to support family members on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Charity, Current, Environment, Florida, Harrah's, International, Isle of Capri, Missouri, Movies, TV | 2 Comments

Case Bets: “Viva Elvis,” Loveman in Macao, Icahn in A.C., etc.

Posted on February 24, 2010 by David McKee

Viva Elvis vs. Love. The Sun‘s John Katsilometes pivots it to a question of “Whose music is better?” I’m not going there but I think he really nails why one show seemed right up Cirque du Soleil‘s alley while the … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Carl Icahn, Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Current, Don Barden, Donald Trump, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, Indiana, International, Isle of Capri, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment | 5 Comments