Category Archives: Macau

Case Bets: Lake Las Vegas, Todd English, the CityCenter smear, Harrah’s Chester, etc.

Posted on March 16, 2010 by David McKee

Far on the outskirts of Sin City, the Kingdom of Make-Believe (aka Lake Las Vegas) is the newest and — in terms of acreage — biggest metaphor yet for the unrealistic expectations and sometimes insane assumptions which have laid our … Continue reading →

Posted in Archon Corp., CityCenter, Current, Dining, Dubai, Economy, Election, Harrah's, Harry Reid, Lake Las Vegas, Laughlin, Macau, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, TV | 14 Comments

Dare to compare

Posted on March 12, 2010 by David McKee

This compare-and-contrast montage of MGM Grand Macau, Wynn Macau and Sociedade de Jogos de Macau‘s Grand Lisboa provides a mini-education. At first blush, the MGM property looks a mite too fancy for its own good, though it compares favorably to … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Encore, Macau, MGM Mirage, Pansy Ho, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 2 Comments

House of cards

Posted on March 12, 2010 by David McKee

Literally. How Venetian Macao was recreated in playing-card form.

Posted in Macau, Sheldon Adelson, TV | Comments Off on House of cards

Who’s crazier: Adelson or Florida?

Posted on March 12, 2010 by David McKee

Pay no attention to the over-budget, behind-schedule megaresort in the background. Six casinos at $2 billion apiece. No joking, that’s what a Sheldon Adelson flunky is proposing in Florida. (I guess the white-out of Atlantic City isn’t the only snow … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Current, Economy, Macau, Pennsylvania, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Taxes, The Strip | 4 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

Best Strip bargain yet? Plus: Loveman’s verbal gymnastics, pool fees, etc.

Posted on March 5, 2010 by David McKee

Luke Jermay is a charming English mentalist who does a low-budget but worthwhile show at O’Shea’s. His presentation may not be as polished as that of rival Gerry McCambridge, but what Jermay lacks in razzmatazz, he makes up in personality. … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, George Maloof, Harrah's, James Packer, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, Minnesota, Planet Hollywood, The Strip | 6 Comments

Macao’s big ass-month

Posted on March 1, 2010 by David McKee

Casinos in Macao blew way past expectations, raking in $1.6 billion last month (a 70% increase). Stanley Ho‘s SJM widened its lead on Las Vegas Sands, although the latter had more market share (20%) than MGM Grand Macau and Galaxy … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Economy, Environment, Florida, Genting, Harrah's, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Macao’s big ass-month

Sands backslides, backpedals in Pennsylvania

Posted on March 1, 2010 by David McKee

Wow, there’s nothing like the rumor of an in-progress sale to light a fire under Las Vegas Sands to restart its desultory Sands Bethlehem. Sands CEO Sheldon Adelson tries to imply that resumption of the hotel is contingent upon getting … Continue reading →

Posted in Columbia Sussex, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, Lake Las Vegas, Macau, Massachusetts, Midnight Jim Gibbons, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, The Strip | 6 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

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 22, 2010 by David McKee

“The buck stopped with me. But if you don’t get the right information, it’s difficult to make common-sense decisions.” — Las Vegas Sands CEO Sheldon Adelson, passing the buck for his company’s near-collapse onto former LVS executives.

Posted in Economy, Macau, Sheldon Adelson, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Sheldon Adelson, TV star

Posted on February 19, 2010 by David McKee

There I was, wrapping up a two-day “staycation” with dinner at Metro Pizza when I looked up and … let’s say I’m lucky I didn’t choke to death from shock at what I saw. There was Las Vegas Sands potentate … Continue reading →

Posted in Archon Corp., Current, Economy, Entertainment, International, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Strip, TV, Wall Street, Wayne F. Newton | 1 Comment

Sands & MGM previewed

Posted on February 16, 2010 by David McKee

Weighing in ahead of Las Vegas Sands and MGM Mirage conference calls, J.P. Morgan analysts have some early projections. They remain bullish on Marina Bay Sands, although it may now open in late May. (Incredibly, Morgan says this one-month discrepancy … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Current, Economy, International, Macau, MGM Mirage, Pansy Ho, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | 6 Comments

Aqueduct: Penn got hosed

Posted on February 12, 2010 by David McKee

Despite its runaway hyperbole, this Empire State editorial makes a good point: The Aqueduct racino deal smells like a week-old fish and ought to be investigated. (It isn’t — but it should be.) Since all bids involved multiple players, sorting … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Downtown, Fontainebleau, Harrah's, Macau, MGM Mirage, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Sahara, Steve Wynn, Tamares Group, The Strip, Tribal, TV | 2 Comments

Macao even more profitable than previously thought

Posted on February 10, 2010 by David McKee

If the Chinese government isn’t handing free money to casino operators in Macao, they’re getting the next best thing: free land. Due to the exceptionally slow-moving nature of Macanese governmental paperwork, casino developers have been able to build on their … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes | 4 Comments

See Laughlin and die

Posted on February 3, 2010 by David McKee

It’s standard industry practice to jam slot machines up as close to the front door as humanly possible. Hell, if they could put them out on the street, they would. (Casino Royale actually has machines on the Strip, but they’re … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Entertainment, Laughlin, Macau, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Station Casinos, The Strip, TV | 8 Comments

Feast or famine

Posted on February 3, 2010 by David McKee

While we in Las Vegas struggle to reconcile long nightclub lines and (depending on which casino you visit) full gaming floors with but smallish increases in revenue and visitation, it’s one big-ass Christmas over in Macao. Revenue skyrocketed 63% last … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, Harry Reid, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Pansy Ho, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, The Strip | Comments Off on Feast or famine

Big love

Posted on February 3, 2010 by David McKee

This latest tempest in a teaspoon has inspired a yawningly predictable reaction amongst Nevada politicians. The lone witty note was struck by Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority President Rossi Ralenkotter, who deployed irony in lieu of indignation: “While we … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Detroit, Economy, Harry Reid, LVCVA, Macau, MGM Mirage, Movies, Oscar Goodman, Pennsylvania, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | 3 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 28, 2010 by David McKee

“[President Barack] Obama‘s team, content to have bailed out Wall Street, seem to now run the rest of the economy on a cash accounting basis. That’s bad, self-defeating policy.” — The Washington Note Publisher Steve Clemons, accusing the White House … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, International, Macau, Midnight Jim Gibbons, Politics, Transportation, Wall Street | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 27, 2010 by David McKee

“Once visiting Oceanus, one can see why it is not having a negative impact on Sands [Macao] (the quality of properties are vastly different).” — J.P. Morgan analyst Joseph Greff, politely dissing Stanley Ho‘s newest gambling den, built in a … Continue reading →

Posted in Macau, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Wall Street | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Case Bets: Net Bets, Harrah’s money grab & why China matters

Posted on January 20, 2010 by David McKee

Mark Juliano, CEO of Trump Entertainment Resorts, has been all over the papers lately. First, he came out in support of a massive taxpayer subsidy (backed by two unions) that would forgive Revel 75% of its room and sales taxes … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Current, Donald Trump, Economy, Harrah's, Horseracing, International, Internet gambling, Macau, MGM Mirage, Midnight Jim Gibbons, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Taxes, The Strip | 3 Comments