Category Archives: MGM Mirage

A modest proposal; Boyd on the prowl

Posted on October 3, 2017 by David McKee

Warning: You’re probably not going to like this post. That being said, the catastrophe at Mandalay Bay demands a more proactive response from the casino industry. There is always a certain element of risk in life, but we can ameliorate … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, G2E, Geoff Freeman, history, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Macau, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Palms, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

Hot numbers in August; MGM Cotai postponed

Posted on October 2, 2017 by David McKee

Although visitation to Las Vegas was down 2% in August, room revenues and rates were both up 3% (with a hotel room costing you $125/night on average) and occupancy at 91%. JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff credited the Floyd Mayweather-Conor McPherson … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Colony Capital, Cosmopolitan, Downtown, Economy, Fontainebleau, Foxwoods, Hard Rock Hotel, International, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Macau, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, North Las Vegas, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Reno | Comments Off

Mass murder at Mandalay Bay

Posted on October 2, 2017 by David McKee

I’m angry today. Angry because, for whatever reason, Las Vegas has become the site of the biggest incident of domestic terrorism in U.S. history, as gunman Stephen Paddock killed at least 50 people (subsequently updated to 58) at a Mandalay Bay concert … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, history, Hooters, Law enforcement, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Mesquite, MGM Mirage, The Strip, Transportation | 1 Comment

Case Bets

Posted on September 28, 2017 by David McKee

Rock in Rio having been one-and-done for MGM Resorts International, word is that the latter is pursuing the Kaaboo music festival for its mostly vacant outdoor-concert space up on Sahara Avenue. For the moment, Kaboo says it has “no plans” to … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Entertainment, Foxwoods, MGM Mirage, Movies, Sheldon Adelson, Technology, The Strip | 1 Comment

Firebugs in Macao; New slots at Harrah’s

Posted on September 27, 2017 by David McKee

Already slowed by construction fatalities, jinx-prone Grand Lisboa Palace has now been ravaged by fire. The best that CEO Angela Leong could say about the casino’s late-2018 opening date was that it was now uncertain. Sociedade de Jogos de Macau … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, California, Economy, GameCO, Harrah's, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Nevada, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Technology, Tribal | Comments Off

Trump to bigfoot Connecticut controversy?

Posted on September 26, 2017 by David McKee

Could we see heavy-footed federal intervention in the MGM Resorts International vs. Connecticut tribes slugfest? Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim (D) hopes so. A supporter of Donald Trump‘s presidential campaign, he’s hoping the White House will stomp into the Nutmeg State fray, interceding … Continue reading →

Posted in DFS, Donald Trump, Economy, Election, Foxwoods, Galaxy Entertainment, Genting, Geoff Freeman, International, Macau, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Regulation, Singapore, Sports, The Strip | Comments Off

Quote of the Day

Posted on September 25, 2017 by David McKee

“I can’t imagine any scenario in which the tribal nations would agree to open up the compact on those grounds. I can’t imagine entering into an agreement with any entity that would endanger our agreement with the tribal nations.” — Connecticut … Continue reading →

Posted in Foxwoods, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Taxes | Comments Off

MGM gets potty-mouthed; New York casino flops

Posted on September 22, 2017 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International‘s casinos-without-gaming new ad campaign is playing to divided opinions. For instance, the company has 100,000 square feet of gaming at Bellagio but you won’t spot so much as a pair of dice in the ad, yet MGM … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Genting, International, Lawrence Ho, Marijuana, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, New York, Philippines, Politics, Sports, Tribal, TV | 2 Comments

Hall of Fame game

Posted on September 21, 2017 by David McKee

Inductees to the American Gaming Association‘s Gaming Hall of Fame have sometimes been questionable (mobbed-up Clifford Perlman, for one) but this year’s foursome are unlikely to stir controversy. In a family affair, Paragon Gaming CEO Diana Bennett joins her late father … Continue reading →

Posted in Aristocrat, Entertainment, Geoff Freeman, history, Hooters, International, Lake Tahoe, MGM Mirage, North Las Vegas, Paragon Gaming, Riviera, Sahara, Sam Nazarian, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Mob, The Strip, Westgate LV | Comments Off

MGM Bridgeport … ?!?; Battle lines drawn in Maine

Posted on September 20, 2017 by David McKee

Poor MGM Springfield. It’s not even finished and MGM Resorts International is already off on a snipe hunt in Connecticut. Like Steve Wynn many years ago, it is proposing a casino for Bridgeport. MGM says it is prepared to invest … Continue reading →

Posted in e-sports, Economy, Election, Foxwoods, history, Maine, Marketing, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, Politics, Regulation, TV | Comments Off

Adelson cools on Japan; Revel mystery deepens

Posted on September 18, 2017 by David McKee

Details of Japan‘s casino-implementation bill are starting to trickle out: a blend of tax rates for mass-market play (22%) and VIP action (12%), a minimum gambling age of 20 and casino square floors no bigger than 15,000 square feet. Limitations like … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Dining, Election, Entertainment, Galaxy Entertainment, Glenn Straub, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Japan, Marijuana, MGM Mirage, Politics, Regulation, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Light at end of Atlantic City tunnel; Madonna gets played

Posted on September 14, 2017 by David McKee

There’s one reason to look forward to November in Atlantic City: Revenue comparisons will no longer have to include the dead weight of Trump Taj Mahal. Gaming revenues were up 3.5% on the Boardwalk last month but add the Taj … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Aristocrat, Atlantic City, Cosmopolitan, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Entertainment, Harrah's, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Paragon Gaming, Scientific Games, Sports, Technology, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Westgate LV | Comments Off

Bye, bye, Vegas Club; Murren accepts minority status

Posted on September 13, 2017 by David McKee

One of our favorite sources, VitalVegas author Scott Roeben, is interviewed at length by Nevada Public Radio on what, if anything, the introduction of virtual reality to the Las Vegas Strip means for the big casinos. In part, Roeben says, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, CityCenter, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Downtown Grand, e-sports, Fontainebleau, Genting, Japan, Lucky Dragon, MGM Mirage, Palms, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Placidity in Indiana; Irma inconveniences card sharps

Posted on September 11, 2017 by David McKee

It was a flat August in the Hoosier State, as casino executives look toward Four Winds Casino in South Bend with trepidation. Perhaps it is the vampiric rise of slot routes in Illinois, but the northern tier of Indiana casinos … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Dan Lee, Eldorado Resorts, Environment, Florida, Full House Resorts, GLPI, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, Isle of Capri, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Seminole Tribe, The Strip, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street, World Series of Poker | Comments Off

Illinois lackluster, Ohio strong; New attraction for Strip

Posted on September 8, 2017 by David McKee

Illinois is coming off a flat August. The good news is that it’s an improvement on last year’s 2% decline. The bad news is that the lost business doesn’t appear to be coming back. Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli reports … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Dining, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Illinois, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

MGM sells National Harbor; High accolade for Turning Stone

Posted on September 7, 2017 by David McKee

MGM National Harbor continues to grow the Maryland casino market, while taking down its main competitors. (Would we call this a “category killer”?) In the meantime, the small casinos are doing just fine. Last month Penn National Gaming‘s Hollywood Perryville was … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Racinos, Rhode Island, Slot routes, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off

Fontainebleau plans take shape; Newton blitzes sports books

Posted on September 5, 2017 by David McKee

Fontainebleau continues to make news. First off, lead investor Steven Witkoff and his partners plan to re-name the unfinished resort. Good idea, as “Fontainebleau” brings nothing but bad karma and negative associations to anyone who frequents the Las Vegas Strip. … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, California, Environment, Fontainebleau, Harrah's, history, Lawrence Ho, Macau, MGM Mirage, Sports, Station Casinos, Steven Witkoff, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Galaxy dominates Macao; Costner’s casino flops

Posted on September 1, 2017 by David McKee

For a company that entered Macao with zero casino experience, Galaxy Entertainment is taking the veterans to school. In 2Q17, its cash flow grew 45%, to $420 million, a figure not seen since 2012. Galaxy is also leading the pack in terms … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Galaxy Entertainment, Iowa, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Movies, Paragon Gaming, Sahara, Sam Nazarian, Sheldon Adelson, SLS Las Vegas, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, South Dakota, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | Comments Off

Strip disappoints, locals casinos dominate; Indiana ignores tribal casino

Posted on August 30, 2017 by David McKee

Poor table play punished the Las Vegas Strip last month, driving revenues down 8%. Locals casinos, by contrast, were up 13%, possibly helped by some end-of-June coin lingering in the slot hoppers. But, if so, what’s the Strip’s excuse for … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Charity, Downtown, Economy, Environment, Harrah's, Indiana, International, Japan, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Lawrence Ho, Louisiana, Macau, Majestic Star, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Pansy Ho, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, West Virginia | Comments Off

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