Category Archives: MGM Mirage

What if they gave a tax and nobody paid?; Fewer comps for video poker?

Posted on September 2, 2016 by David McKee

Just when it seemed there was no line in the sand that casinos wouldn’t draw regarding taxation, gambling halls in Pennsylvania have finally had enough of state levies. Paying $5 million for five years (and $250,000 a year after that) … Continue reading →

Posted in Cosmopolitan, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Technology, The Strip | 1 Comment

Case Bets: Aria, Atlantic City, etc.

Posted on September 1, 2016 by David McKee

Inside Aria‘s “eye in the sky” … and also probably the last time you’ll see a player in a tuxedo on a Las Vegas casino floor. * After eight long years — and without including Internet revenue — all eight Atlantic … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, CityCenter, Economy, Election, Internet gambling, Macau, MGM Mirage, New York, Oklahoma, Regulation, Technology, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Case Bets: Aria, Atlantic City, etc.

Icahn intransigent at Taj; Olympic betting a flop; Relief for Caesars

Posted on August 30, 2016 by David McKee

For someone who claims he’s trying to save Trump Taj Mahal, owner Carl Icahn sure acts like he’s hellbent on closing it. A counteroffer from striking Unite-Here that would cost the casino only $1.3 million a year to preserve health … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Harrah's, Illinois, MGM Mirage, Nevada, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment, Unite-Here, Westgate LV | 1 Comment

Packer in a pickle?; Adelson speaks, R-J listens; Big casino sale in Philippines

Posted on August 29, 2016 by David McKee

We haven’t been able to confirm for certain whether or not James Packer‘s latest attempt to conquer Las Vegas, the casino-resort Alon, is definitely kaput. It definitely hasn’t evolved beyond some exquisitely vague, bare-bones documents filed with Clark County. However, we … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Environment, International, Internet gambling, Iowa, James Packer, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Philippines, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Taxes, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal | Comments Off on Packer in a pickle?; Adelson speaks, R-J listens; Big casino sale in Philippines

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 29, 2016 by David McKee

“Everything I built — the Golden Nugget, Mirage, Treasure Island, Wynn-Encore, were because of him. You name the buildings, including UNLV, and Parry Thomas’ fingerprints are everywhere in this valley.” — Steve Wynn, eulogizing banker and power-broker Thomas, who revolutionized the Nevada … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, history, MGM Mirage, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Loveman’s chickens come home to roost; Are casinos blowing off a $12 trillion demographic?

Posted on August 29, 2016 by David McKee

As cheap as it’s been lately, we hope you haven’t bought any Caesars Entertainment stock. Shares dropped 12% and kept falling right after Judge Benjamin Goldgar declined to extend protection of Caesars from creditor litigation any longer, which means that … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Boyd Gaming, Cannery Casino Resorts, Genting, Harrah's, International, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Station Casinos, Wall Street | Comments Off on Loveman’s chickens come home to roost; Are casinos blowing off a $12 trillion demographic?

New ally for Mashpee; Adelson: My way or the highway

Posted on August 26, 2016 by David McKee

In the latest twist of the Project First Light saga, the Justice Department has interceded on behalf of the Mashpee Wampanoag. It has asked a federal judge to revisit his ruling that the Mashpee lacked standing and that the Interior … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Downtown, Environment, Galaxy Entertainment, Harrah's, history, Internet gambling, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Oklahoma, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Station Casinos, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off on New ally for Mashpee; Adelson: My way or the highway

See Scoundrel’s and die; Caesars fumbles the ball

Posted on August 26, 2016 by David McKee

It’s been a long time since the Nevada Gaming Commission even suspended a license. (I believe it was dive bar Snick’s Place, back in 2009, but I could be wrong.) However, the NGC has taken back the license of Scoundrel’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Derek Stevens, Dining, Downtown, Election, Harrah's, Law enforcement, MGM Mirage, New York, Racinos, Regulation, Slot routes, The Strip | 1 Comment

MGM goes on the attack; Wynn’s new “masterpiece;” Isle out of Louisiana

Posted on August 23, 2016 by David McKee

This story pretty much writes itself. While MGM Resorts International cowboys up and makes it clear who’s sponsoring the ad — not hiding behind some phony-baloney PAC name like “Citizens for a Stronger Connecticut” — but the commercial is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Carl Icahn, Foxwoods, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Macau, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Racinos, Steve Wynn, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Caesars vs. Caesars; Wynn Palace opens

Posted on August 23, 2016 by David McKee

In a surrealistic turn of events, Caesars Entertainment Operating Co. has filed suit against parent Caesars Entertainment, and against majority owners Apollo Management and Texas Pacific Group. This bit of shadow puppetry is apparently intended to get at the goodies … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Entertainment, Florida, Galaxy Entertainment, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Nevada, New York, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Caesars vs. Caesars; Wynn Palace opens

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 18, 2016 by David McKee

“The other candidate seems determined to needlessly antagonize our allies and trading partners by pledging to tear up NAFTA and other hard-won trade agreements. One candidate works to create stability and certainty, qualities the market loves and rewards. The other … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, MGM Mirage, Wall Street | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Wynn: Overextended in Macao?

Posted on August 18, 2016 by David McKee

Daiwa Securities Group put “sell” ratings on Wynn Macau Ltd. and Sands China, arguing that projections that the Wynn Palace and Parisian megaresorts would reverse declines in Macao gambling “remain overly optimistic.” Analysts Adrian Chan and Jamie Soo wrote that … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Dining, Galaxy Entertainment, International, Isle of Capri, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, New York, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off on Wynn: Overextended in Macao?

MGM’s China gambit; Mixed quarter for Station

Posted on August 17, 2016 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International and Pansy Ho are performing a fancy juggling act with MGM stock. The former is going to buy an additional 188 million shares in MGM China, increasing its hold on the property to 56%. In return, Ms. … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Culinary Union, Economy, Election, Isle of Capri, Macau, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Nevada, Palms, Pansy Ho, Penn National, Reno, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Tribal, Wall Street | 2 Comments

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

Big month for Atlantic City; Wanna be president?

Posted on August 12, 2016 by David McKee

Casino gambling revenue in Atlantic City was up 5%, to $258 million, last month and Internet gaming revenues pole-vaulted 39%, exceeding $17 million. Higher coin-in at the slots translated into a 3% growth in one-armed banditry while a 7% increase … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Election, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, Unite-Here, Westgate LV | Comments Off on Big month for Atlantic City; Wanna be president?

Cold comfort for Wynn; Nebraska racino initiative crashes and burns

Posted on August 12, 2016 by David McKee

As Wynn Resorts predicted in its last earnings call, it will get more table games from the Macao government after Wynn Palace opens … 50 tables, phased in over two years. That’s a pretty mingy allocation but is in line … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Downtown, Election, Law enforcement, Macau, MGM Mirage, Nebraska, Philippines, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Technology, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Stratosphere bucks consumer trend; New way to bet coming to Nevada

Posted on August 12, 2016 by David McKee

Better slot play, stronger restaurant business and greater hotel occupancy (which drove up rates) conspired to improve American Casino & Entertainment Properties‘ revenue and profitability in 2Q16. Net revenue — i.e., not profit — is on a 10-month upward roll, … Continue reading →

Posted in ACEP, Animals, Boulder Strip, Laughlin, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, PokerStars, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Technology, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on Stratosphere bucks consumer trend; New way to bet coming to Nevada

Case Bets: Wynn Boston Harbor, sports betting, cockfighting and a fire

Posted on August 11, 2016 by David McKee

There’s big money to be made at Wynn Boston Harbor. Primary contractor Suffolk Construction is hoping to entice subcontractors with a bundle of bids valued at $1 billion for services and supplies. That’s almost half the construction budget for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, CityCenter, Geoff Freeman, Law enforcement, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Case Bets: Wynn Boston Harbor, sports betting, cockfighting and a fire

Missouri is doing just fine, thanks; Cautious hope for Moulin Rouge

Posted on August 10, 2016 by David McKee

Pinnacle Entertainment did a masterful job of managing expectations in its quarterly earnings call, citing disruptive road work around Ameristar St. Charles as a potential setback from the property. Today, Missouri released its July gaming results and — surprise — … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Downtown, Environment, G2E, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Macau, Marketing, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Moulin Rouge, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Sports, Steve Wynn, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Missouri is doing just fine, thanks; Cautious hope for Moulin Rouge

New vibe for Venetian; Atlantic City workers flee to D.C.

Posted on August 9, 2016 by David McKee

  For the first time in 17 years, The Venetian is using TV advertising. We’re not only impressed by the length of the abstention but also by the fact that Las Vegas Sands has done so well without the assistance of … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cosmopolitan, Election, Entertainment, Environment, Harrah's, Marketing, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, TV | Comments Off on New vibe for Venetian; Atlantic City workers flee to D.C.