Category Archives: MGM Mirage

Paging Gary Loveman …

Posted on May 19, 2010 by David McKee

When it comes to bankruptcy, the Fertitta Brothers are pikers compared to magician Steve Wyrick, whose eponymous “entertainment complex” went “Poof!” last Dec. 10. At the time, Wyrick harangued LVA for announcing the closure, saying his return was imminent. We’re … Continue reading →

Posted in Archon Corp., Current, Election, Entertainment, Harrah's, Macau, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, Planet Hollywood, Regulation, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Mob, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Paging Gary Loveman …

More political football at CityCenter

Posted on May 18, 2010 by David McKee

Due to the Las Vegas Review-Journal‘s bizarre campaign to secede from the Internet, we dare not even link to an excellent Howard Stutz rundown of MGM Mirage‘s attempt to gain the high ground in the fractious “Who screwed up CityCenter” … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Archon Corp., Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Current, Economy, Election, Harry Reid, Labor, MGM Mirage, Midnight Jim Gibbons, Movies, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation | 1 Comment

“The American consumer is toast”

Posted on May 14, 2010 by David McKee

If you think MGM Mirage CEO Jim Murren sounds apocalyptic when he forecasts no major development on the Las Vegas Strip until circa 2020 (heck, Carl Icahn may keep Fontainebleau on ice until 2015) then get a load of this … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, CityCenter, Columbia Sussex, Current, Economy, Fontainebleau, Genting, Harrah's, Herbst Gaming, Mesquite, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Technology, The Strip, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment | 3 Comments

This just in …

Posted on May 13, 2010 by David McKee

Casino regulators in Iowa have dealt a sweeping rebuff to Gov. Chet Culver (D). While the Hawkeye State’s Racing & Gaming Commission gave its nod to a casino targeted primarily at the South Dakota market, it backhanded three other proposals. … Continue reading →

Posted in Colony Capital, Current, Economy, Entertainment, Iowa, MGM Mirage, Politics, Regulation, The Strip | Comments Off on This just in …

CityCenter, political football *du jour*

Posted on May 13, 2010 by David McKee

Now that the all-too-inevitable “Who screwed up CityCenter?” unpleasantness between MGM Mirage and Perini Building has escalated into full-blown litigation and subcontractors fend for themselves, Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) has been caught in the crossfire. His main rival, Archon Corp. … Continue reading →

Posted in Archon Corp., CityCenter, Current, Election, Harry Reid, MGM Mirage, Politics, The Strip | Comments Off on CityCenter, political football *du jour*

Nevada: No recovery yet

Posted on May 11, 2010 by David McKee

“We hit the bottom and are slowly climbing out,” contends Nevada Gaming Control Board analyst Frank Streshley, trying to put the best spin on a flat March. There were definitely some silver linings. Who’da thunk Laughlin (2.5%), Reno (5%) and … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, California, CityCenter, Current, Downtown, Economy, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, LVCVA, Marketing, Mesquite, MGM Mirage, Reno, Sports, The Strip | 10 Comments

While Atlantic City burns …

Posted on May 7, 2010 by David McKee

While Atlantic City burns, Gov. Chris Christie fiddles. After coming into office saying the right things about helping the state’s casino industry, Christie has spent most of first months in office dithering uselessly. Having waited until A) the Revel project … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Atlantic City, CityCenter, Colony Capital, Current, Dining, Donald Trump, Economy, Election, Environment, Harrah's, Louisiana, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Planet Hollywood, Politics, Regulation, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street | 4 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on May 7, 2010 by David McKee

“It could never have worked if we had done it in phases. We could never have created what I wanted, which is this urbanization that is going to be so vitally important and makes it so different from another resort. … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, CityCenter, MGM Mirage, The Strip | 7 Comments

Illinois’ results are good, Sands’ are better

Posted on May 7, 2010 by David McKee

Praise be! Casino revenues in Illinois were actually flat (+0.5%) last month. It’s mainly a consequence of Penn National‘s Empress Joliet being back in the fray, raking in $40 million. (You’ll recall that, a year ago, its pavilion was but … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Harrah's, Macau, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, The Strip | Comments Off on Illinois’ results are good, Sands’ are better

Or maybe Excalibur …

Posted on May 7, 2010 by David McKee

Former Mandalay Resort Group boss Mike Ensign‘s payoff of his son’s mistress (which is under investigation for “structuring,” i.e., tax avoidance) is but one of many salacious matters that have brought Senate Ethics Committee staffers to Sin City. They got … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, MGM Mirage, Politics, TV | Comments Off on Or maybe Excalibur …

Vegas’ secret shame revealed

Posted on May 5, 2010 by David McKee

Thanks to last night’s episode of Dancing with the Stars, all America knows that Cirque du Soleil has unleashed a campy, fugly Elvis Presley “tribute” show upon the Strip. (I wonder which of the six credited choreographers was responsible for … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Entertainment, MGM Mirage, The Strip, TV | 1 Comment

Macao’s best month ever

Posted on May 3, 2010 by David McKee

Pace T.S. Eliot, April was not the cruelest month for Macao. Quite the contrary: The protectorate posted gambling revenues of $1.72 billion, a single-month record. Galaxy Entertainment (whose new Cotai Strip™ pleasure palace is pictured, above) brought up the rear, … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, International, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Macao’s best month ever

Steve Wynn may take his ball …

Posted on April 22, 2010 by David McKee

… and move to Macao. Or so he says. Given Steve Wynn‘s long track record of thinking aloud, I’d assign a low probability to this trial-balloon idea. Besides, in the U.S. the mogul can pop off at the government without … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Economy, International, Macau, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip, TV | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 22, 2010 by David McKee

“It’s retribution, and it’s an incredibly bad business decision because there is so much brand equity wrapped up in that Mirage name. Kirk Kerkorian would not have bought those resorts were it not for all the value and mystique that … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, MGM Mirage, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | 2 Comments

MGM pre-reports

Posted on April 14, 2010 by David McKee

Aria: Nice rooms; anybody there? First, the good news: A managerial shakeup at MGM Grand Macau yielded a $54 million swing in operating income, turning what had been a modest loss last year into a considerable profit in 1Q10. Also, … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Detroit, Economy, Illinois, Macau, MGM Mirage, Pansy Ho, Stanley Ho, The Strip, Wall Street | 8 Comments

A “Titanic” offer

Posted on April 13, 2010 by David McKee

Through Sunday, Luxor is celebrating — if that’s the word — the 98th anniversary of the sinking of the RMS Titanic. For instance, tonight you can swap your exhibit ticket for a free drink or appetizer at (where else?) Tacos … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Dining, Entertainment, Marketing, MGM Mirage, The Strip | Comments Off on A “Titanic” offer

Betting on Adelson

Posted on April 13, 2010 by David McKee

Analysts at J.P. Morgan are downright bullish on Las Vegas Sands, raising their stock price target by over 25% (to $29/share). Their ebullience is motivated in large part by expectations for Marina Bay Sands, which they estimate will garner 55% … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, CityCenter, Economy, Indiana, Kansas, Lyle Berman, Macau, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Pinnacle Entertainment, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 13, 2010 by David McKee

“This is a Nevada variation of ‘too big to fail.’ The big growth market is Asia, and if you want to be in the gaming business you need to be in Asia. Therefore, you have to do things the way … Continue reading →

Posted in International, Macau, MGM Mirage, Pansy Ho, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, The Mob | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Another day at Harrah’s

Posted on April 13, 2010 by David McKee

When you’re $19 billion or so in the hole, what’s another half-billion, right? Such is the case for Harrah’s Entertainment, which intends to issue $500 million in second-priority secured notes (soon upped to $750 million) due 2018. The notes are … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off on Another day at Harrah’s

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 12, 2010 by David McKee

“Then again, being unable to keep his hands off a lifeless hunk of plastic is just what [Spencer] Pratt does. [Heidi] Montag vowed to recapture his attention by having a Blu-Ray player installed in her left boob.” — Daily Fiasco’s … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Cretins, Entertainment, MGM Mirage, The Strip, TV | Comments Off on Quote of the Day