Category Archives: LVCVA

It’s Adelson’s nation, we just live here

Posted on October 17, 2018 by David McKee

If democracy is for sale then Sheldon Adelson appears to have the winning bid. Having already pumped $55 million into the Senate Leadership Fund and Congressional Leadership Fund earlier this year, he’s donating untold millions more in an 11th-hour attempt … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Entertainment, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, LVCVA, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on It’s Adelson’s nation, we just live here

MGM: They’ll take Yonkers; Vegas gets flunked

Posted on May 29, 2018 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International‘s pursuit of a casino in Bridgeport has been revealed as the sham that it is. How? Because MGM and MGM Growth Properties just plunked down $850 million for Empire City Casino in Yonkers, putting them squarely in the much-coveted … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Genting, LVCVA, MGM Mirage, New York, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

The lost generation; Wynn shareholders rebel

Posted on May 25, 2018 by David McKee

Casinos’ fascination with Millennials appears to be a one-way street. A new survey by YouGov found that 47% of respondents ages 18-34 found casinos “depressing.” (I think I know what they mean.) As a matter of fact, older age brackets … Continue reading →

Posted in Internet gambling, LVCVA, Macau, Marketing, Michael Gaughan, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Stanley Ho, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on The lost generation; Wynn shareholders rebel

Bringing back sexy; They did a bad, bad thing

Posted on May 24, 2018 by David McKee

In search of a novel angle to market Las Vegas, the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority has come up with a new campaign. And. It. Is. Hawt. Because lesbians. Although, if you’re a mushy romantic at heart, this mini-movie is sure to … Continue reading →

Posted in Foxwoods, Internet gambling, LVCVA, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Regulation, Reno, Sports, The Strip | 2 Comments

Smashing concept at Palms; Strike vote today

Posted on May 22, 2018 by David McKee

Station Casinos is firing up the marketing machine for the rollout of its $620 million re-do of the Palms. The new ad campaign is branded “From Dust to Gold” and is heavy on the smashing of glitzy objects. Whether gleeful … Continue reading →

Posted in Culinary Union, Current, Economy, George Maloof, history, Internet gambling, LVCVA, Marketing, Mississippi, Sports, Station Casinos, The Strip | Comments Off on Smashing concept at Palms; Strike vote today

MGM, Wynn woo Wall Street

Posted on May 11, 2018 by David McKee

This week, in conjunction with the opening of Park MGM, the parent company rolled out the red carpet for Wall Street analysts. “While there were no major announcements/surprises, we felt management put forth a thorough effort to better articulate its … Continue reading →

Posted in Elaine Wynn, Japan, LVCVA, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Transportation, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on MGM, Wynn woo Wall Street

Culinary, Caesars clash; Resort fees repel visitors

Posted on May 3, 2018 by David McKee

It’s collective-bargaining time in Las Vegas and the Culinary Union is dickering with Caesars Entertainment through the media. “Having rooms with a ‘Do Not Disturb’ on for days makes me shaky. I am constantly going into a room that staff hasn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, California, CityCenter, Culinary Union, Election, Harrah's, Horseracing, LVCVA, Mandalay Bay Massacre, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, New York, Palms, Resort fees, Security, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

Mandalay Bay victims compensated; Elton John goes nuclear

Posted on March 5, 2018 by David McKee

There is no dollar value adequate for a human life but the going rate this week is $275,000. That’s how much will be donated to the families of each of the 58 people killed at Mandalay Bay. According to WFAA-TV, “$275,000 … Continue reading →

Posted in Charity, Entertainment, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, LVCVA, Mandalay Bay Massacre, The Strip, Tribal, Unite-Here | 2 Comments

Wynn reverses himself; New name, plans for F-blew

Posted on February 12, 2018 by David McKee

Wynn Resorts took a step closer to being taken over or sold off in pieces last weekend. Ex-CEO Steve Wynn submitted a letter saying that the now-famous 2010 stockholders’ agreement which binds Elaine Wynn’s shares with his was “invalid and unenforceable … Continue reading →

Posted in Fontainebleau, Genting, LVCVA, Riviera, Steve Wynn, Steven Witkoff, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Pennsylvania towns shun casinos; Macao mobbed up

Posted on January 5, 2018 by David McKee

Mini-casinos are as popular in Pennsylvania as an outbreak of typhus. Some 936 towns have ixnayed the idea of hosting slot parlors in their back yards. Extant casino operators will have to bid at least $7.5 million (and have a site … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, California, Charity, Churchill Downs, Economy, Foxwoods, Genting, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, LVCVA, Macau, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, Regulation, South Korea, Sports, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Mob, Tourism, Tribal, TV | Comments Off on Pennsylvania towns shun casinos; Macao mobbed up

Strip’s Thanksgiving turkey; Sports betting overhyped?

Posted on December 29, 2017 by David McKee

Despite a neutral calendar (i.e., same number of weekend days) and a 2% increase in baccarat wagers, the Las Vegas Strip managed to plummet 25% in table game win, pulling overall revenue 6% downward. Had it not been for that game, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Delaware, Donald Trump, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Lucky Dragon, LVCVA, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Regulation, Reno, Sports, Tribal, Trump Entertainment Resorts, TV | 1 Comment

Wynn’s new frontier

Posted on December 14, 2017 by David McKee

Wynn Resorts made it official last night: It had paid just under $335 million for the old New Frontier site, which it is taking over from James Packer. The deal makes a fool of Packer, who paid $570 million for … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cretins, Current, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Donald Trump, Florida, Genting, Hard Rock International, James Packer, Lucky Dragon, LVCVA, MGM Mirage, Minnesota, Penn National, Phil Ruffin, Riviera, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Wynn’s new frontier

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 9, 2017 by David McKee

“We’re going to let people know that we are strong, and that we’ll be coming through this and coming out of this in a strong fashion. A lot of people spent a lot money and a lot of years building this … Continue reading →

Posted in LVCVA, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Marketing | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

F-blew: Here we go again; Trop makes Hoosier history

Posted on September 19, 2017 by David McKee

Steven Witkoff hasn’t closed on the Fontainebleau sale yet, never mind receiving a gaming license, and he’s already being cast as the savior of the Las Vegas Strip. However, there are some dark clouds on Fontainebleau’s horizon. Despite the $1.3 … Continue reading →

Posted in Carl Icahn, Eldorado Resorts, Fontainebleau, Genting, history, Indiana, Internet gambling, LVCVA, Marketing, Massachusetts, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Reno, Steven Witkoff, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment | 1 Comment

F-blew sold; Turmoil at Westgate

Posted on August 30, 2017 by David McKee

It’s official. Carl Icahn has the Fontainebleau monkey off his back. He found a couple of chumps, er, investment firms in the form of Witkoff Group and New Valley, who bought F-blew for a cool $600 million. When you consider … Continue reading →

Posted in Carl Icahn, Fontainebleau, Genting, LVCVA, Sheldon Adelson, SLS Las Vegas, The Strip, Wall Street, Westgate LV | 2 Comments

F-blew sale rumored; New Jersey legitimizes DFS

Posted on August 28, 2017 by David McKee

According to VitalVegas, Carl Icahn finally has finally hooked a big one and the upshot will be a long-delayed sale of Fontainebleau for $650 million. Uncle Carl has long since recouped his bargain-basement purchase price by selling off everything wasn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Carl Icahn, Derek Stevens, Donald Trump, Downtown, Fontainebleau, Genting, GLPI, Hard Rock Hotel, Harrah's, history, Internet gambling, Lucky Dragon, LVCVA, M Resort, MGM Mirage, North Las Vegas, Palms, Penn National, Politics, SLS Las Vegas, Station Casinos, Taxes, Terry Caudill, The Strip, Wall Street, Westgate LV | 1 Comment

Mickey Mouse comes to Sin City; Unrest at MGM

Posted on August 3, 2017 by David McKee

Locals might cringe every time the “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” cliché is trotted out — in part because what happens there usually finds its way to YouTube within hours, if not minutes. However, the staying power of … Continue reading →

Posted in Cosmopolitan, Culinary Union, e-sports, Economy, history, LVCVA, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Taxes, The Strip, Transportation | Comments Off on Mickey Mouse comes to Sin City; Unrest at MGM

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 7, 2017 by David McKee

“The survey showed that 69 percent of people gambled while on their trip to Las Vegas, down 18 percent from 1996 when 87 percent of tourists said they gambled. Those gamblers were playing an average of 1.9 hours a day … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, LVCVA, Tourism | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Riviera: Now they tell us!; Paddy Power’s bad electoral bet

Posted on November 10, 2016 by David McKee

Turns out there was more contaminated soil at the Riviera site than originally estimated … 23 times more. According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, what was originally estimated to be 430 tons of toxic dirt turned out to be 9,980. … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Donald Trump, Election, Florida, Internet gambling, LVCVA, Movies, Racinos, Riviera, Seminole Tribe, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Riviera: Now they tell us!; Paddy Power’s bad electoral bet

So long, Riviera

Posted on August 17, 2016 by David McKee

For those of us who couldn’t be there, this was the scene as the remaining vestiges of the Riviera swooned gracefully into a pile of debris. You can see spectators scurrying to evade the dust cloud, as it threatens to … Continue reading →

Posted in history, LVCVA, MGM Mirage, Riviera, The Strip | Comments Off on So long, Riviera