Category Archives: MGM Mirage

They’re just wild about Harry

Posted on October 30, 2009 by David McKee

Despite his (at best) tepid standing with the Nevada electorate — whether the right or the left — Sen. Harry Reid (D) has almost every important name in the casino industry in his corner. Sheldon Adelson may yet choose to … Continue reading →

Posted in Archon Corp., Cordish Co., Economy, Election, Entertainment, Harrah's, Harry Reid, International, Macau, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Taxes, TV, Wall Street | Comments Off on They’re just wild about Harry

Critiqued by Tomlin

Posted on October 28, 2009 by David McKee

When conducting interviews, I rarely think about how I’m doing them other than thinking that the questions are tumbling out sounding stupid or that I’m blathering on like the dreaded Charlie Rose (an excellent example of how not to interview … Continue reading →

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

Adieu F-bleau, hello Hollywood?

Posted on October 26, 2009 by David McKee

Look what just fell into the S&G mailbag: Beginning January 1, 2010 Penn National Gaming will partner with RPM Advertising to develop and execute a brand identity for Hollywood Casinos.  The full service assignment will incorporate research, brand development, media … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Current, Donald Trump, Economy, Entertainment, Fontainebleau, Harrah's, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip, TV | 1 Comment

MGM: CityCenter worth $4.88 billion

Posted on October 20, 2009 by David McKee

MGM Mirage has announced that it's writing off approximately $1.3 billion (i.e., taking an "impairment charge") against CityCenter, with $348 million of that chalked up to falling real estate values. (Some $174 million of that will apparently be fobbed off … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Columbia Sussex, Current, Economy, Kansas, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Regulation, Taxes, Tourism, Transportation, Wall Street | Comments Off on MGM: CityCenter worth $4.88 billion

A deal @ Vdara

Posted on October 19, 2009 by David McKee

Just as I said, CityCenter is becoming the mid-market epicenter of Las Vegas. Today's mailbag yielded a $129/night offer for Vdara, plus $50 in amenity credits — more evidence of the downward pressure CityCenter is exerting on the Strip. But … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Current, Economy, Marketing, MGM Mirage, The Strip | Comments Off on A deal @ Vdara

Only in Nevada

Posted on October 16, 2009 by David McKee

To end the week on a note of levity: For the second time this year, both Gov. Jim Gibbons and Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki got it into their heads to be out of state simultaneously. (One senses that they don't … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Election, Harry Reid, Marketing, MGM Mirage, New York, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | Comments Off on Only in Nevada

Aria drives prices … down

Posted on October 16, 2009 by David McKee

Contrary to repeated assertions by J.P. Morgan, it would appear that MGM Mirage is putting out promotional specials for Bellagio … and very aggressively so. Note however, that Steve Wynn's masterpiece is maintaining its price point and Aria is the … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, CityCenter, Current, Downtown, Economy, Harrah's, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Riviera, Sahara, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on Aria drives prices … down

F'bleau: Wait 'til 2012; Satre returns

Posted on October 16, 2009 by David McKee

That’s basically the message coming out of bankruptcy court, where Fontainebleau ownership requested permission to scrap all conventions and meetings through October 2011. Among many other disclosures in the fast-moving Chapter 11 was the sacking of seven top executives. (A … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colony Capital, Cosmopolitan, Economy, Fontainebleau, Harrah's, IGT, Macau, MGM Mirage, Pansy Ho | 2 Comments

Signs of the Times

Posted on October 15, 2009 by David McKee

In less than an hour, Steve Wynn is going to make an extra-special, triple-secret, top-hush "entertainment announcement" via a Wynn Resorts Web-cast. Don't tell anyone but … he's going to reveal that Garth Brooks will be playing Encore. Which we … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Encore, Entertainment, George Maloof, MGM Mirage, Steve Wynn, The Strip | Comments Off on Signs of the Times

Night of the living dead

Posted on October 15, 2009 by David McKee

Will the last person leaving the Riviera please take down the Charo in Concert, Abra-ca-Sexy! and Tom Stevens posters? Everything about last night's visit to the casino suggested a business that's died but doesn't realize it. Not that it helps … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Economy, Entertainment, Fontainebleau, Illinois, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Riviera, The Strip | Comments Off on Night of the living dead

Macao giveth, Macao taketh away

Posted on October 13, 2009 by David McKee

Casino operators in Macao better make the most of the recent relaxation of visa quotas into the enclave. What the government gives with one hand, it partly reclaims with the other. Casino expansion remains out of the question and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Detroit, Economy, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off on Macao giveth, Macao taketh away

Why does Steve Wynn hate America?

Posted on October 13, 2009 by David McKee

Or maybe the question should be, What was Steve Wynn smoking before he told CNBC "Money Honey" Maria Bartiromo that Wynn Macau was making more than all other 30 Macao casinos combined? Perhaps he meant his joint is the single-highest-grossing … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Economy, Encore, Entertainment, Harrah's, International, Macau, MGM Mirage, Planet Hollywood, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, TV | Comments Off on Why does Steve Wynn hate America?

Leaving Las Vegas

Posted on October 12, 2009 by David McKee

At least 28,000 have done so over the two years-plus (probably more when you allow for the people still moving here). What are the likely consequences of Las Vegas‘ pegging its future on a one-trick economy? And is it going … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, CityCenter, Current, Detroit, Economy, Election, Horseracing, Indiana, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Racinos, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal | Comments Off on Leaving Las Vegas

Leaving Las Vegas

Posted on October 12, 2009 by David McKee

At least 28,000 have done so over the two years-plus (probably more when you allow for the people still moving here). What are the likely consequences of Las Vegas‘ pegging its future on a one-trick economy? And is it going … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, CityCenter, Current, Detroit, Economy, Election, Horseracing, Indiana, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Racinos, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal | Comments Off on Leaving Las Vegas

East Coast antics

Posted on October 12, 2009 by David McKee

Wrong again. There I was, thinking the proposed $10 million upfront fee for table games in Pennsylvania was a done deal when the GOP-controlled state Senate upped it to $15 million (and if you don’t pay by June 1, it … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Economy, Entertainment, Environment, Harrah's, Horseracing, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on East Coast antics

Nothing says Canadian Thanksgiving …

Posted on October 8, 2009 by David McKee

… like a three-night stay at Monte Carlo. For $509, you get a trio of room nights and a prix-fixe meal at Brand. But the offer expires today, so take off, eh?

Posted in Dining, International, MGM Mirage, The Strip | Comments Off on Nothing says Canadian Thanksgiving …

$300 mil for F'bleau?

Posted on October 6, 2009 by David McKee

That’s the latest; namely, that Penn National Gaming will put down less than $300 million as a “stalking horse” bid on Fontainebleau. Penn would also be on the hook for the costs of the project’s bankruptcy proceedings. Potentially getting a … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Economy, Fontainebleau, Harry Reid, James Packer, Macau, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on $300 mil for F'bleau?

Want your ass kicked?

Posted on October 5, 2009 by David McKee

Then go hang out at Stack. If they don’t like your looks, the in-house goons will be sicced on you. And Las Vegans wonder at the schadenfreude so many people feel with regard to Sin City’s current doldrums. No magic … Continue reading →

Posted in Colorado, Dining, Election, Harrah's, Illinois, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, South Carolina, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation | Comments Off on Want your ass kicked?

From the mailbag #8

Posted on October 5, 2009 by David McKee

“Doesn’t the IOC realise it will be winter in Brazil in August, 2016?” — comment Blackberried in by a reader, regarding the award of the ’16 games to Rio de Janeiro. Y’know, I’d been wondering about that myself. The average … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colony Capital, Current, Donald Trump, Election, International, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Oscar Goodman, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore | 1 Comment

Macao's blockbuster month

Posted on October 2, 2009 by David McKee

A flurry of good news to end the week, starting in Macao: September, the first month affected by a relaxation of severe visa restrictions imposed on the mainland, saw a 53% jump in Macanese gambling revenues. In terms of market … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Current, Economy, Entertainment, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Marketing, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on Macao's blockbuster month