Category Archives: MGM Mirage

Carey: raptures and wreckage; Vegas’ affordability tested

Posted on May 8, 2015 by David McKee

Our most giddy local gossip merchant experienced multiple verbal orgasms when describing Mariah Carey‘s Caesars Palace residency show. Even the Second Coming of Jesus Christ would have a hard time living up to this nonstop gush. (Helpful hint: If Carey … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Florida, Harrah's, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Politics, Sports, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal | 1 Comment

Well done, Horseshoe; Hard Rock gets hacked

Posted on May 5, 2015 by David McKee

Last week, Horseshoe Baltimore found itself a sitting duck during the civil disturbances that followed the death of Freddy Gray. With police imposing a 10 p.m.-5 a.m. curfew, Horseshoe had no choice but to curtail its operating hours, closing at 9 … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Dan Gilbert, Georgia, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Maryland, MGM Mirage, South Carolina, Warner Gaming | Comments Off on Well done, Horseshoe; Hard Rock gets hacked

Crystals for sale again; Hit-and-run Sheldon

Posted on May 5, 2015 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International isn’t hurting for cash, having just posted a $170 million profit for 1Q15, far outstripping analysts’ projections (and despite an 11% falloff due to Macao). However, its Crystals shopping mall is back on the market, carrying a $1 … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, history, Macau, MGM Mirage, Riviera, Sheldon Adelson, SLS Las Vegas, Sports, The Strip, Westgate LV | Comments Off on Crystals for sale again; Hit-and-run Sheldon

Chicago casino push gathers steam

Posted on May 4, 2015 by David McKee

It’s been a while since we’ve heard about a casino in Chicago but that doesn’t mean Mayor Rahm Emanuel (D, below) has given up. Far from it. He’s looking at a $839 million pension obligation and a $300 million budget … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, Economy, Entertainment, Illinois, MGM Mirage, Politics, Racinos, Slot routes, The Strip | Comments Off on Chicago casino push gathers steam

Ohio casinos: Half a loaf better than none; Brighter days for Macao?

Posted on May 4, 2015 by David McKee

Ohio cities are trying to use casino revenues to keep pace with Gov. John Kasich‘s austerity regime — and partly succeeding. “It is an important part of the budget, particularly when you look at the fact the state has eliminated almost … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Environment, history, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Penn National, Philippines, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Wall Street | Comments Off on Ohio casinos: Half a loaf better than none; Brighter days for Macao?

MGM: The lion meows; GLPI: Still hungry

Posted on May 4, 2015 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International needed to increase net revenue this past quarter by 2% to meet Wall Street forecasts and offset inflation. Instead, revenue stayed flat and the Leo the Lion came in $33 million on cash-flow forecasts and down $12 … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Economy, GLPI, Louisiana, Macau, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on MGM: The lion meows; GLPI: Still hungry

The world according to Wynn

Posted on May 1, 2015 by David McKee

Nobody likes a sore winner and Steve Wynn has nothing but unkind words for Elaine Wynn, a week after she was voted off the Wynn Resorts board. His dismissive attitude toward her criticisms of the board’s composition makes me skeptical … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Election, Macau, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 1 Comment

Murren takes sanguine view; Straub’s struggles

Posted on April 30, 2015 by David McKee

With MGM Resorts International having rejected one REIT proposal, in part because it relied too much on asset sales, Union Gaming is teeing up another. It’s not providing specifics but says it would provide “additional financial flexibility without the disruption of … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Japan, Macau, MGM Mirage, Politics, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, South Carolina, Sports, Technology, Transportation, Wall Street | Comments Off on Murren takes sanguine view; Straub’s struggles

MayPac: Winners and losers; Adelson, Wynn take big hits

Posted on April 30, 2015 by David McKee

Not a punch has been thrown yet but already we know some things about the outcome of the hype-driven Floyd “Money” Mayweather and Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao fight, including the fact that with guaranteed purses for both fighters, they win just … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, New Hampshire, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on MayPac: Winners and losers; Adelson, Wynn take big hits

Penn nabs the Trop; Smog City

Posted on April 29, 2015 by David McKee

After years of hinting, feinting and fanning the flames of speculation, Penn National Gaming went out and bought its long-desired Strip casino: Tropicana Resort & Casino. The old gal has had difficulties keeping up with the times but Union Gaming … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Carl Icahn, Environment, Fontainebleau, GLPI, M Resort, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Macao casinos feel the heat; $41 million jackpot voided

Posted on April 27, 2015 by David McKee

When the government of Macao makes a suggestion, it’s more like an order. For instance, last week, Secretary for Economy & Finance Lionel Leong summoned representatives of all six casino concessionaires to a meeting in which he ‘requested’ increased hiring and … Continue reading →

Posted in Aristocrat, Economy, Iowa, Isle of Capri, Macau, Marketing, Maryland, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off on Macao casinos feel the heat; $41 million jackpot voided

Shame on Arizona; Big plans for Gold Strike

Posted on April 24, 2015 by David McKee

With Gov. Doug Ducey opposed, along with a state gaming agency that refuses to OK its casino, the Tohono O’odham Nation has to decide whether to insist upon a December opening or bow to the state’s objections. Despite having lost time … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Politics, Regulation, Rhode Island, Tribal | Comments Off on Shame on Arizona; Big plans for Gold Strike

Sands, Penn and Pinnacle report

Posted on April 23, 2015 by David McKee

“Tough to find positives … worse than feared” were the attention-grabbing headlines on Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli‘s summary of Las Vegas Sands‘ first-quarter report. Of the crisis in Macao, he wrote, “While management remains optimistic with respect to cost … Continue reading →

Posted in California, GLPI, Indiana, Louisiana, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Sands, Penn and Pinnacle report

Trump blocks progress in Atlantic City; Legal trouble for Penn

Posted on April 15, 2015 by David McKee

Although they enjoyed a same-store increase of 1% last month, Atlantic City casinos pulled in 14% less than last year at this time, grossing $191 million (more than some entire Midwestern states, it should be noted). Twelve percent less coin-in … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Kansas, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Revel, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off on Trump blocks progress in Atlantic City; Legal trouble for Penn

Freeman takes aim; Pinnacle commands high price

Posted on April 15, 2015 by David McKee

Geoff Freeman continues his aggressive agenda at the American Gaming Association. In a move possibly intended to take the heat off American online casinos, he’ll calling for — and promising the AGA will take the lead in — a beatdown … Continue reading →

Posted in Geoff Freeman, GLPI, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Taxes, Wall Street | Comments Off on Freeman takes aim; Pinnacle commands high price

Revel: Crippled giant; Tough choice in Indiana

Posted on April 13, 2015 by David McKee

It may feel good for Glenn Straub to spit defiance (“We will never give in to blackmail. Let them dig their own grave, along with endangering other peoples’ lives.”) at the ACR power plant that just cut off water and … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Economy, Glenn Straub, Indiana, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Politics, Revel, The Strip | 1 Comment

Pansy Ho on the campaign trail; Connecticut tribes optimistic

Posted on April 13, 2015 by David McKee

MGM China would probably prefer that its co-chairwoman, Pansy Ho, stay out of the headlines, considering the negative publicity she’s generated over the years. But she opened up to the media this week, specifically the newspaper of which she is … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Entertainment, Foxwoods, Hooters, Internet gambling, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Movies, Palms, Pansy Ho, Pennsylvania, Regulation, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on Pansy Ho on the campaign trail; Connecticut tribes optimistic

Good year for Atlantic City

Posted on April 8, 2015 by David McKee

Boardwalker boosters like Glenn Straub who says Atlantic City‘s still got plenty of life in it can point to today’s headlines: The city’s casinos increased their operating profit last year by 45%. Unless you count the defunct Revel (-$48.5 million) … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Economy, Entertainment, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, New York, Revel, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Trump Entertainment Resorts | 1 Comment

Misery in Macao; Penn’s good fortune

Posted on April 7, 2015 by David McKee

Macao took such a hard hit last month that distinction lies not in which casino did best but whose business was least bad. And, with the territorial government promising to help Peking further ratchet up its anti-graft campaign, Operation Skynet, … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Economy, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Illinois, Macau, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Ohio, Penn National, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Misery in Macao; Penn’s good fortune

Reid-Adelson lovefest; Massachusetts meddling

Posted on April 7, 2015 by David McKee

Now that he’s no longer standing for reelection, Sen. Harry Reid (D) has flung himself fully into the arms of Sheldon Adelson, calling for a ban on online gambling that might even extend to Nevada‘s fledgling I-poker industry (although Reid’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, CityCenter, Harry Reid, Illinois, Internet gambling, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Politics, Regulation, Rhode Island, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Reid-Adelson lovefest; Massachusetts meddling