Category Archives: Laughlin

From the mailbag #9

Posted on October 22, 2009 by David McKee

One reader asks, regarding senatorial aspirant Sue Lowden‘s esteemed Pioneer Hotel & Gambling Hall: I’m confused (as usual, but…) – Isn’t the Pioneer NOT a gambling hall now, its shell hosting an ABC convenience store & various other small shops? … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Archon Corp., Downtown, Entertainment, Harry Reid, Laughlin, Oscar Goodman, Tamares Group, Tourism, TV | Comments Off on From the mailbag #9

Goliath, computer nerd; Lowden Trek: The Wrath of Reid

Posted on October 20, 2009 by David McKee

As some may recall, the saga of Goliath, the LVA rescue kitten, had a happy ending. Not only has he found a new, loving home but the hyperactive little fellow (whose new owners renamed him "Murderface") has developed an interest … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Downtown, Election, Harry Reid, Laughlin, Pets, Politics, Tamares Group | Comments Off on Goliath, computer nerd; Lowden Trek: The Wrath of Reid

Blimps on the radar

Posted on September 10, 2009 by David McKee

Dipping into the dispatch box, S&G finds the following tidbits, courtesy of the nice people at J.P. Morgan: Alex Yemenidjian is serious about revamping the Tropicana Las Vegas. He's just inked a contract with Bally Technologies for a player-tracking system … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Atlantic City, Bally Technologies, CityCenter, Detroit, Economy, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, LVCVA, Marketing, MGM Mirage, North Las Vegas, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, The Strip, TV | Comments Off on Blimps on the radar

Colony Capital strikes (out) again; Big Bleauh

Posted on August 17, 2009 by David McKee

Despite taking a 22% gouge out of expenses, Colony Capital and its Goldman Sachs sidekicks managed to convert a 2Q08 profit to a $10.5 million 2Q09 loss. Revenues were down $30 million (or 40%), half of that from diminished room … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Colony Capital, Current, Economy, Fontainebleau, Genting, Harrah's, Laughlin, Mesquite, Penn National, Planet Hollywood, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Steve Wynn, The Strip | Comments Off on Colony Capital strikes (out) again; Big Bleauh

Carl Icahn, comedian?

Posted on August 11, 2009 by David McKee

"As a result of [Tropicana Entertainment's] continued use of the Tropicana marks in interstate commerce, the Tropicana marks have achieved fame and notoriety and are associated in the minds of consumers nationwide with a consistent level of high-quality casino, entertainment … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Columbia Sussex, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Carl Icahn, comedian?

Case Bets: California, Packer pickle, Macao pix, Holy Cow!, Singapore, RoboPoker, etc.

Posted on June 25, 2009 by David McKee

Editor’s note: An item involving Crown Ltd. contained factual errors, which have been corrected (as you’ll see). I apologize for the misinformation. My thanks to the reader who pulled my head out of my @$$. California gamblers stay and play … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Australia, California, Columbia Sussex, Current, Economy, Entertainment, G2E, Genting, Harrah's, Holy Cow, International, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Louisiana, Macau, New York, Penn National, Phil Ruffin, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Technology, The Strip, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Case Bets: California, Packer pickle, Macao pix, Holy Cow!, Singapore, RoboPoker, etc.

Looking for good news in Vegas

Posted on February 12, 2009 by David McKee

If I wanted to drive myself to strong drink, I could write about depressing, atrocious numbers coming out of Nevada casinos in December. But as that great philosopher, Linus in Peanuts, would remind me, it's better to light a single … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Downtown, Economy, Gary Goett, George Maloof, Harrah's, Laughlin, MGM Mirage, Michael Gaughan, Morgans Hotel Group, Station Casinos, Tamares Group, Texas, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Looking for good news in Vegas

From A(ztar) to Z(ilch)

Posted on January 13, 2009 by David McKee

If Tropicana Entertainment management's bankruptcy plan is accepted by the courts (one bond analyst thinks otherwise), former CEO/sole owner William J. Yung III will be left with — what's the technical term? — diddly squat. (So will his unsecured creditors, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Columbia Sussex, Economy, Indiana, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Louisiana, Marketing, Mississippi, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off on From A(ztar) to Z(ilch)

Nevada in October: It was the pits

Posted on December 10, 2008 by David McKee

Taken at face value, October's revenue numbers for Nevada casinos were calamitous. Looked at in context (i.e., coming off a 10% increase from October '06 to '07) they were … still bad. But I'm going to resist the temptation to … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Current, Downtown, Economy, Harrah's, Lake Las Vegas, Laughlin, Station Casinos, The Strip | Comments Off on Nevada in October: It was the pits

Columbia Sussex quickies

Posted on May 7, 2008 by David McKee

Tropicana Entertainment Co-President Scott Butera has really been working the phones — a salutary, welcome change from the truculence and stonewalling reporters came to expect from Columbia Sussex. (Apparently Las Vegas Tropicana execs were among those left in the dark about … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Columbia Sussex, Indiana, Laughlin, The Strip | Comments Off on Columbia Sussex quickies

'Sin Fund' falls upon evil days

Posted on March 5, 2008 by David McKee

Not so long ago, journalists like yours truly, were hailing the early success of the Ladenburg Thalmann Gaming & Casino Investment Fund (GACFX). Unfortunately, since its apogee in the fall of last year GACFX has been in a steep decline, … Continue reading →

Posted in Columbia Sussex, Current, Laughlin | Comments Off on 'Sin Fund' falls upon evil days

Case Bets: So long, HET … and plenty more

Posted on January 28, 2008 by David McKee

According to Bear Stearns, the privatization of Harrah’s Entertainment closed on schedule. HET stock finished trading just three cents shy of the $90/share buyout price. Voters in Miami-Dade County will be asked whether to allow

Posted in Atlantic City, Columbia Sussex, Election, Harrah's, Kansas, Laughlin, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off on Case Bets: So long, HET … and plenty more