Category Archives: Neil Bluhm

From the mailbag: Wynn in Philly

Posted on April 7, 2010 by David McKee

A longtime observer of the industry (and player) has this to say about Steve Wynn‘s revised sales pitch to the City of Philadelphia … “Unlike too many folks, I don’t worship Steve Wynn (in fact, I’ll never forgive him for … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Current, Harrah's, Maryland, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Steve Wynn, West Virginia | 2 Comments

Wynn delivers

Posted on April 6, 2010 by David McKee

Surprising as ever, Steve Wynn showed up in Philadelphia yesterday bearing a sheaf of renderings for his proposed casinos — three weeks ahead of schedule. Wynn’s final design looks a mite grander than the one he let Steve Friess photograph, … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Architecture, Bally Technologies, Current, Economy, Isle of Capri, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Tribal | 1 Comment

Wynn & the Ship of Phools

Posted on April 1, 2010 by David McKee

Whisking in just under the wire, Wynn Resorts submitted its financing package for the soon-to-be-ex-Foxwoods casino project in Philadelphia. Evidently Steve Wynn has thought better of slugging his new casino “SW,”* as reflected at left in the photo taken by … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Cannery Casino Resorts, Macau, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Tribal, Wall Street | 7 Comments

Pennsylvania: Give Adelson a break; Harrah’s latest excuses

Posted on March 9, 2010 by David McKee

While principle dictates that Las Vegas Sands ought to be held to the terms of its agreement with the State of Pennsylvania, recent developments give one pause. Namely, why should Steve Wynn get favorable treatment enjoyed by no other casino … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Columbia Sussex, Economy, George Maloof, Harrah's, Illinois, Louisiana, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Tribal, Wall Street | 3 Comments

The good, the bad & the very ugly photo

Posted on March 2, 2010 by David McKee

For perhaps the first time in his career, Steve Wynn is being called “cheesy.” It’s in connection with his new Philadelphia casino project, the erstwhile Foxwoods. (If, has been mooted, it’s just called “S.W.“, that would be pretentious but not … Continue reading →

Posted in Cannery Casino Resorts, Economy, Harrah's, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Tribal, Wall Street | 10 Comments

Case Bets: Wynn in Philly, topless in Vegas, Pegasus crashes

Posted on February 22, 2010 by David McKee

It’s a slow news day in the industry, though not without its amusing elements. For instance, the Philadelphia Inquirer devoted a significant amount of ink to the weighty question of whether half-dozen casinos in the greater Philly area might be … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cannery Casino Resorts, CityCenter, Current, Economy, Entertainment, Genting, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tribal | 1 Comment

Macao even more profitable than previously thought

Posted on February 10, 2010 by David McKee

If the Chinese government isn’t handing free money to casino operators in Macao, they’re getting the next best thing: free land. Due to the exceptionally slow-moving nature of Macanese governmental paperwork, casino developers have been able to build on their … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes | 4 Comments

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

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

From the S&G Twitter feed …

Posted on January 5, 2010 by David McKee

Whilst I try to decipher my notes from the New Year’s Day performance by Carlos Mencia, here’s what you’ve been missing if you don’t follow the S&G Twitter feed (Twitter handle: @stiffsgeorges): • Pittsburgh‘s Rivers Casino sacks exec team, brings … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Cordish Co., Current, Entertainment, Florida, Harrah's, International, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Planet Hollywood, Racinos, Riviera, Singapore | Comments Off

Case Bets: Casino Jack, Harrah’s, Trump, Recovery?

Posted on December 30, 2009 by David McKee

It’s another sad chapter, in the tattered and disgraceful saga of Sun Cruz Casinos. As you recall, this now-idled cruises-to-nowhere fleet was briefly owned by Jack Abramoff, by dint of a tiny bit of fraud. That’s one of the many … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Donald Trump, Economy, Florida, Harrah's, Laughlin, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Planet Hollywood, Station Casinos, The Mob, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off

‘Tis the season

Posted on December 23, 2009 by David McKee

Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson cuts the ribbon on Boot Hill Casino. The gentleman at the rear in the red tie is the Kansas Lottery’s Ed Van Petten, taking time out from carrying water for Mike Ensign. Having been on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Archon Corp., Boyd Gaming, Cannery Casino Resorts, Carl Icahn, CityCenter, Colony Capital, Columbia Sussex, Don Barden, Donald Trump, Economy, Election, Entertainment, Environment, Fontainebleau, Harrah's, Harry Reid, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Jack Binion, James Packer, Kansas, M Resort, Macau, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Oscar Goodman, Penn National, Pets, Phil Ruffin, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal | 8 Comments

Case Bets: Greektown, Adelson, Philadelphia & Stanley Ho

Posted on December 22, 2009 by David McKee

If a management company increases your revenues in the teeth of the Great Recession — and despite your casino’s well-publicized financial problems — what do you do? Kick them out, of course, if you’re Greektown Casino and you’ve no further … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Detroit, Macau, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, New York, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Tribal | 3 Comments

Is Adelson mad? Trump trumped & Kerzner booted

Posted on December 1, 2009 by David McKee

In an interview with Reuters, Sheldon Adelson said Las Vegas Sands might launch operations in India, Thailand and Japan as soon as 2010. Given the ropey financial condition of his company, the fact that Marina Bay Sands will open at … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Atlantic City, Current, Detroit, Donald Trump, Economy, Genting, Harrah's, International, Kansas, Macau, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Planet Hollywood, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Stanley Ho, Taxes, Tourism, Tribal | 1 Comment

Boyd: A waiting game

Posted on October 27, 2009 by David McKee

That’s the economic forecast of J.P. Morgan analysts after Boyd Gaming came in slightly under its cash-flow projections for the third quarter. Borgata remained a bright spot, reaching record levels of market share in Atlantic City (a staggering 19%) in … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Current, Downtown, Economy, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Morgans Hotel Group, Neil Bluhm, New York, Pennsylvania, Racinos, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | 6 Comments

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

Hope for Boardwalk?

Posted on October 13, 2009 by David McKee

As you know, S&G puts more stock in year/year comparisons than sequential ones, but the most recent set from Atlantic City affords a slender reed of hope. With the help of tighter slots, A.C. held its September decline to 6%, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Carl Icahn, Colony Capital, Current, Economy, Harrah's, Marketing, Maryland, Neil Bluhm, New York, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Tourism, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off

What's a Trump casino worth?

Posted on October 8, 2009 by David McKee

Only $14 million in cash (plus a $100 million equity infusion), according to The Donald. Bondholders say, we’ll see your $115 million and raise you $100 million. The latter would recoup at least some — but not very much — … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Baseball, Current, Donald Trump, Fontainebleau, Harrah's, Harry Reid, Horseracing, Illinois, International, Internet gambling, Lawrence Ho, M Resort, Macau, Massachusetts, Melco Crown Entertainment, Neil Bluhm, Ohio, Oklahoma, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, Sports, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Texas, Tribal | Comments Off

Masters of the Obvious II

Posted on September 29, 2009 by David McKee

Regarding the punting of casinos from Penghu, the great minds of Wall Street put on their thinking caps and came up with the following, as paraphrased by the Las Vegas Review-Journal: "analysts said the vote could be a viewed as … Continue reading →

Posted in Don Barden, Economy, International, Macau, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Wall Street | Comments Off

Crime doesn't pay; Wyden wimps out

Posted on September 25, 2009 by David McKee

Five dimes worth of damage, $40,000 bail — and all to wrest a measly two grand from some vending machines at Harrah’s Atlantic City. That’s the losing bet made by two security guards. Couple this with the floormen who destroyed … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Harrah's, Harry Reid, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Louisiana, Neil Bluhm, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Planet Hollywood, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Technology, Wall Street | Comments Off