Category Archives: MGM Mirage

See Laughlin and die

Posted on February 3, 2010 by David McKee

It’s standard industry practice to jam slot machines up as close to the front door as humanly possible. Hell, if they could put them out on the street, they would. (Casino Royale actually has machines on the Strip, but they’re … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Entertainment, Laughlin, Macau, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Station Casinos, The Strip, TV | 8 Comments

Feast or famine

Posted on February 3, 2010 by David McKee

While we in Las Vegas struggle to reconcile long nightclub lines and (depending on which casino you visit) full gaming floors with but smallish increases in revenue and visitation, it’s one big-ass Christmas over in Macao. Revenue skyrocketed 63% last … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, Harry Reid, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Pansy Ho, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, The Strip | Comments Off on Feast or famine

Gettin’ “Gossy” with it

Posted on February 3, 2010 by David McKee

Our staff is definitely having too much fun today. They’ve suggested a new, Gossyfied look for Lance Burton … which certainly beats the Criss Angel-ic angst currently adorning his billboards. Personally, having recently seen Burton in performance, I can’t decide … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, Entertainment, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, The Strip | Comments Off on Gettin’ “Gossy” with it

Big love

Posted on February 3, 2010 by David McKee

This latest tempest in a teaspoon has inspired a yawningly predictable reaction amongst Nevada politicians. The lone witty note was struck by Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority President Rossi Ralenkotter, who deployed irony in lieu of indignation: “While we … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Detroit, Economy, Harry Reid, LVCVA, Macau, MGM Mirage, Movies, Oscar Goodman, Pennsylvania, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | 3 Comments

Carrot Top announces nat’l pro…

Posted on February 1, 2010 by David McKee

Carrot Top announces nat’l prop contest. 1st prize: a comped stay @ Luxor. If that’s the grand prize I’d hate to see what also-rans get.

Posted in Current, Entertainment, MGM Mirage, The Strip | 1 Comment

Garth: That’s the way it is

Posted on January 28, 2010 by David McKee

Amid all the ink that’s been spilled about the phenomenon that is Garth Brooks at Wynncore, we have a winner. No review is more eloquent, detailed or well-observed than the one newly penned by my estimable CityLife colleague Mike Prevatt. … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Economy, Election, Encore, Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Midnight Jim Gibbons, Oscar Goodman, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Wayne F. Newton | 1 Comment

Case Bets: Words to live by, Mike Ensign, Danny Tarkanian

Posted on January 28, 2010 by David McKee

“Don’t have a lifetime of regret from sticking with a career that pays the bills; choose a vocation that fascinates you.” That’s one of several maxims passed down by the mother of Raving Consulting Vice President of Operations Christine Faria. … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Election, Harry Reid, MGM Mirage, Politics | 2 Comments

Two minutes at Mandarin Oriental

Posted on January 27, 2010 by David McKee

It can’t be as cool as it looks, right? Trust me … it’s cooler.

Posted in CityCenter, Current, Dining, MGM Mirage, The Strip, Tourism | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 26, 2010 by David McKee

“He’s gone all Criss Angel and it’s not for the better.” — LVA staffer’s comment on the gloomy, vampiric-looking Lance Burton who haunts the newish ads for his Monte Carlo show.

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

Ghost town

Posted on January 22, 2010 by David McKee

Economic forecasting is a forbiddingly tricky science but you still have to wonder what convinced MGM Mirage that there was either A) an unabated market for ultra-high-end retail in Las Vegas or B) that such demand as already existed could … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, CityCenter, Current, Dining, Economy, Entertainment, George Maloof, MGM Mirage, The Strip, Tourism | 7 Comments

From the mail bag

Posted on January 20, 2010 by David McKee

“How is that nobody seems to be giving (dis)credit where it’s due regarding the failure of the Monorail? It’s pretty simple — the damn thing is too far from the Strip. If you’re standing on the corner in front of … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation | Comments Off on From the mail bag

Case Bets: Net Bets, Harrah’s money grab & why China matters

Posted on January 20, 2010 by David McKee

Mark Juliano, CEO of Trump Entertainment Resorts, has been all over the papers lately. First, he came out in support of a massive taxpayer subsidy (backed by two unions) that would forgive Revel 75% of its room and sales taxes … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Current, Donald Trump, Economy, Harrah's, Horseracing, International, Internet gambling, Macau, MGM Mirage, Midnight Jim Gibbons, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Taxes, The Strip | 3 Comments

Gunplay at the Four Queens

Posted on January 15, 2010 by David McKee

Neither the Las Vegas Sun nor the Las Vegas Review-Journal can be bothered to report it on their Web sites but there was a shooting in the wee hours of Friday morning at the Four Queens, downtown. After having to … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Downtown, Harrah's, Macau, MGM Mirage, The Strip | 9 Comments

From the S&G Twitter feed …

Posted on January 14, 2010 by David McKee

• Fertittas sell 10% of UFC to Abu Dhabi, new LV sugar daddy, presumably to stave off [Boyd Gaming] takeover of [Station Casinos]. http://tinyurl.com/yzhbmv2 • [Penn National Gaming] gets deadline extension in [Kansas]. http://tinyurl.com/yawfuqk • Aria room rates continue to … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Current, Entertainment, Florida, International, Kansas, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Sports, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tribal, TV | 5 Comments

This just in …

Posted on January 13, 2010 by David McKee

A colleague writes … “Aliante Station is currently charging more than Caesars Palace for rooms???* No wonder Station Casinos are in trouble! What kind of a “special offer” is $135/night?!” (* … and only $4 less than Vdara.)

Posted in CityCenter, Current, Economy, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, North Las Vegas, Station Casinos, The Strip | 1 Comment

Big payoff for Pennsylvania

Posted on January 12, 2010 by David McKee

Gov. Ed Rendell (D) and other state leaders have got to be feeling the love for the Keystone State‘s budding casino industry, which generated over $1 billion in tax revenue last year. That boffo return was achieved without table games … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Cannery Casino Resorts, Economy, Harrah's, IGT, Indiana, Kentucky, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Technology, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, TV | 2 Comments

That casino smell

Posted on January 11, 2010 by David McKee

As you step through the front doors of Aria‘s check-in foyer, a too-heavy musk is jammed up your nostrils. It smells like the same suffocating attar that’s employed in Venelazzo, except maybe heavier. The good news is that if you … Continue reading →

Posted in Archon Corp., Atlantic City, Baseball, CityCenter, Current, Economy, Florida, Harry Reid, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Sports | 4 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 11, 2010 by David McKee

“However, weekend room rates at Aria are equal to or great than those at Bellagio in only 6/13 periods (46% of the time).” — from a J.P. Morgan room-rate survey. You just can’t beat a classic.

Posted in CityCenter, Current, Economy, MGM Mirage, The Strip, Tourism | 1 Comment

It’s a miracle!

Posted on January 8, 2010 by David McKee

You’re looking at a photo that was imbedded in a new Riviera press release and — praise be! — Fontainebleau has disappeared. Yes, vanished, gone as though it were never there: like it was all a bad dream. Yes, yes, … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Fontainebleau, MGM Mirage, Riviera, Sahara | 5 Comments

It could be worse … couldn’t it?

Posted on January 8, 2010 by David McKee

That’s what passes for optimism these days when confronted by ledgers like those posted by casinos in Illinois and Indiana for December. While the former’s 5% decline hardly looks like cause for celebration, it at least suggests the Land of … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Current, Don Barden, Economy, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Taxes, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment | 1 Comment