Category Archives: Marketing

Quote of the Day

Posted on December 11, 2012 by David McKee

I think this fellow is a bit hazy on the definition of “notoriety,” wouldn’t you agree?

Posted in Marketing | 4 Comments

Wynn comes (back) to Massachusetts; Revel’s rattling tin cup

Posted on December 5, 2012 by David McKee

Despite several months of doom-and-gloom economic predictions from Steve Wynn, the mogul has decided to “buy American” again, not only returning to the site of previous skirmishes (Philadelphia) but also taking a second run at Massachusetts. S&G was no fan … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Atlantic City, Cannery Casino Resorts, Current, Economy, Election, Environment, Harrah's, Marketing, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Revel, Steve Wynn, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Wynn comes (back) to Massachusetts; Revel’s rattling tin cup

Springfield: Ameristar pulls the chicken switch

Posted on December 3, 2012 by David McKee

In an even more surprising development than Steve Wynn getting voted out of Foxborough, the seemingly leading contender for a western Massachusetts casino abruptly withdrew from the fray last Friday night. In a stunning abdication, Ameristar Casinos CEO Gordon Kanofsky … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Current, Marketing, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Springfield: Ameristar pulls the chicken switch

Cosmo, your consultant is calling

Posted on November 27, 2012 by David McKee

Judging by the low regard in which most casino companies’ social-media operations are held, I suspect somebody like this (simulated) consultant probably had the ears of many a gaming CEO.

Posted in Marketing, Technology | Comments Off on Cosmo, your consultant is calling

Bad timing

Posted on November 21, 2012 by David McKee

Is it any wonder that Trump International and other Donald Trump-branded hotels are struggling when they wait until the day before Thanksgiving to blast this offer to their customer base? Wouldn’t you think people had made their Black Friday and … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Donald Trump, Marketing, The Strip, Tourism | 4 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on November 15, 2012 by David McKee

“Players are no longer loyal, they simply go where they get the best price. They are shoppers who flit from one store to another, looking for bargains, giveaways, closeouts, going-out-of-business sales. And guess who taught them to do it? That’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Marketing | 1 Comment

Missouri: Penn vs. Penn; Pinnacle debacle deepens

Posted on November 13, 2012 by David McKee

This just in: It’s another winning strategy from those gaming-industry masterminds at Colony Capital. God forbid you’re playing at the Atlantic Club and work up an appetite. Or did Tom Barrack hear about “Stiff of the Year” and wants to … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Atlantic City, Colony Capital, Colorado, Dining, Economy, Election, Genting, Harrah's, Illinois, International, Isle of Capri, Kansas, Marketing, Maryland, Missouri, Movies, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | 2 Comments

D, Trop try something different; Cannibalization comes to Ohio

Posted on November 12, 2012 by David McKee

Nothing says ‘November in Las Vegas‘ quite like a beach club. Yes, after unending delays, Nov. 16 is the date certain for the opening of Bagatelle Beach & Supper Club. If Bagatelle does, as promised, deliver “afternoons that transport guests … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Current, Dan Gilbert, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, Marketing, MTR Gaming, Ohio, Penn National, Racinos, The Strip | Comments Off on D, Trop try something different; Cannibalization comes to Ohio

Pinnacle’s Vietnamese quagmire; Caesars’ South American pullback

Posted on November 12, 2012 by David McKee

Last Friday, Pinnacle Entertainment tiptoed out with a little bombshell that may have detonated into your e-mail or stock portfolio. In brief: Vietnam‘s planned Ho Tram Strip casino resort is in deep shit. As a 26% owner of the project, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Current, Dan Gilbert, Harrah's, International, Marketing, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Pinnacle Entertainment, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Election wrap-up: Winners & losers

Posted on November 7, 2012 by David McKee

But first, because it will never, ever get old … Also this, from @daveweigel: “[Florida] exit poll: Obama winning Jewish vote by 40 points. 40 points. Nice work, Sheldon Adelson.” We’ll tap dance on Sheldon’s head some more further down, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colony Capital, Colorado, Cordish Co., Cretins, Current, Donald Trump, Economy, Election, Florida, Goldman Sachs, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Maine, Marketing, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Shuffle Master, Steve Wynn, Tribal, TV, Wall Street, West Virginia | 4 Comments

Where’s Sheldo?; Stiffed by Aliante?

Posted on November 6, 2012 by David McKee

That’s the question posed today by Esquire‘s Jason Whited, who tries to find the Blofeld-like mastermind. “Anyplace other than Las Vegas,” seems to be the answer. “Political types here and across the country speak of him in almost hushed tones,” … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Election, Marketing, North Las Vegas, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn | 6 Comments

Betting on our future; Wretched excess in Maryland; Penn perseveres

Posted on November 6, 2012 by David McKee

While the voters have not yet spoken (although they’re getting an early start here), the betting markets are feeling less restraint. While the amount wagered online on the results of today’s presidential election — $16 million, according to one source … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Cordish Co., Current, Election, Harrah's, Illinois, International, Internet gambling, Iowa, Marketing, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Penn National, Politics, Tribal | Comments Off on Betting on our future; Wretched excess in Maryland; Penn perseveres

Third-quarter blahs: Ameristar, Boyd, MGM; Crackdown in Alabama

Posted on November 2, 2012 by David McKee

While nobody quite matched the $221 million loss posted by Caesars Entertainment, the gaming industry didn’t lack for underachievers in 3Q12, thanks largely to softness in domestic casino markets. Ameristar Casinos reported a $16 million profit, despite a 2% revenue … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Ameristar, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Colorado, Current, Detroit, Downtown, Environment, Harrah's, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Penn National, Steve Wynn, The Strip | Comments Off on Third-quarter blahs: Ameristar, Boyd, MGM; Crackdown in Alabama

You can’t cure stupidity

Posted on October 31, 2012 by David McKee

Although I’m sure Tao Beach had its heart in the right place when it crafted this promotion for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, its brain fell clear out its butt. Not only does this public-disservice message appear to have been dreamed … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Marketing, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | 2 Comments

Cosmo: Yes, we have gambling!; Election Special 2: Palm Beach

Posted on October 30, 2012 by David McKee

For the umpteenth time, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas has been obliged to go to the media and say, ‘Yes, we not only have gambling but we actually like it, we really do.’ It’s a message that got kicked under … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Cosmopolitan, Current, Dining, Economy, Election, Florida, Isle of Capri, Marketing, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Cosmo: Yes, we have gambling!; Election Special 2: Palm Beach

Aliante: Alone again, naturally

Posted on October 30, 2012 by David McKee

After a year as a management-only company, Station Casinos is departing the soon-to-be-former (effective Nov. 1) Aliante Station and taking its brand with it. To celebrate the occasion, Virgen Inc. PR firm busted out every font in its computer (really, … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Economy, Isle of Capri, Marketing, Missouri, North Las Vegas, Pinnacle Entertainment, Station Casinos, Wall Street | 1 Comment

A few days at the Riv, Part One

Posted on October 29, 2012 by David McKee

A big S&G ‘thank you’ to generous reader Jeff_in_OKC and his lovely wife Lisa, who shared the following observations from a recent Las Vegas sojourn, with a particular emphasis on the Riviera: Although I will pick some nits, I must … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Dining, Entertainment, Marketing, Riviera, The Strip | 1 Comment

Shadow-puppetry at the Sahara; TropiHilton of LV; Melco goes southerly

Posted on October 26, 2012 by David McKee

“Lightweight” might be a apt term to describe the braintrust forming around the SLS/Sahara project. So would “miscast.” Reporting to casino novice and owner Sam Nazarian, its president will be J.P. Morgan investment banker Sam Bakhshandehpour. His main qualification for … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Colony Capital, Cosmopolitan, Current, Goldman Sachs, Harrah's, International, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Marketing, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Planet Hollywood, Sahara, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off on Shadow-puppetry at the Sahara; TropiHilton of LV; Melco goes southerly

More slump at Trump; Home woes ease

Posted on October 25, 2012 by David McKee

Trump International is hawking bargain rates for the Yuletide season, including price-matching, Saks Fifth Avenue discounts, “guaranteed late check out” (translation: Please stay with us!) and more. The sheer plethora of discounts and giveaways hints at an increasing level of … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Donald Trump, Economy, Illinois, International, Marketing, Midnight Jim Gibbons, Phil Ruffin, The Strip, Tourism | 4 Comments

Trial and error in the Far East

Posted on October 23, 2012 by David McKee

Whenever one goes to a gaming expo, one of the main lines of product on display is the robo-dealer. You know: An electronically run roulette, blackjack, baccarat, craps or sic bo “table” (more of a big workstation, in reality), presided … Continue reading →

Posted in International, Macau, Marketing, Singapore, Technology | Comments Off on Trial and error in the Far East