Category Archives: Politics

“The Paddy Factor”

Posted on September 29, 2011 by David McKee

(For film buffs: “The Paddy Factor” was the working title of what became the classic gangster movie, The Long Good Friday … and the rest was history.) A new “Paddy factor” got flung into the Vegas equation this week when … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Harrah's, Horseracing, Illinois, International, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Movies, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Technology, The Strip | 1 Comment

How to get things done in Macao? Bribery!

Posted on September 12, 2011 by David McKee

OK, so it’s called “paying a premium,” but Steve Wynn finally pried 51 acres of Cotai Strip™ landfill real estate loose from Macao by forking over $193 million ($3.8 million an acre), plus annual lease payments. In return. he’s got … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Election, Florida, Genting, International, Internet gambling, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

Gaming is on the march

Posted on September 9, 2011 by David McKee

Add Kentucky to the states that have casino-style gambling, at least temporarily. Owners of Kentucky Downs found a loophole in Bluegrass State law and galloped through it. “Instant Racing” is the sort of VLT game you might find at a … Continue reading →

Posted in Cannery Casino Resorts, Current, Economy, Election, Genting, Harrah's, Horseracing, Isle of Capri, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Warner Gaming | 6 Comments

Thaw in Massachusetts? Hilton has left the building

Posted on August 25, 2011 by David McKee

After screwing the pooch in the previous legislature, it looks as though Gov. Deval Patrick (D-MA) and state lawmakers are finally on the same page regarding casino expansion in the Bay State. Analyst Joseph Greff rates the solons’ chances of … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally Technologies, Colony Capital, Current, Economy, Genting, Horseracing, IGT, Isle of Capri, Kansas, Marketing, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Singapore, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street, Warner Gaming, WMS Industries | 2 Comments

Anyone remember the Gold Standard?

Posted on August 16, 2011 by David McKee

In 50 years, I’ve managed to outlive a number of institutions, ranging from the Berlin Wall to the Gold Standard. Some news outlets are commemorating the occasion, including The Alyona Show, which seems to be the libertarian equivalent to Countdown … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Election, International, Politics, TV | Comments Off

Case Bets: Station, Isle, Cosmo, Loveman & the horsey set

Posted on August 16, 2011 by David McKee

Revenue growth accelerated at Station Casinos in 2Q11, with cash flow up 8.5% (compared to +4% for the year so far). Keeping room rates steady at an average of $71 appears to have boosted occupancy, up from 81% to an … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Cosmopolitan, Current, Dining, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Marketing, Missouri, Penn National, Pokergeddon, Politics, Racinos, The Strip | 1 Comment

Lost: Steve Wynn’s marbles

Posted on July 21, 2011 by David McKee

Oh Christ, Steve Wynn, grow up already. Busy Wall Street analysts were held hostage to a 433-word talk-radio tirade while they were probably itching to write up quarterly earnings reports. When other CEOs might have been bragging on an “amazing … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Boyd Gaming, California, Carl Icahn, CityCenter, Economy, Florida, Fontainebleau, Harrah's, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Massachusetts, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Texas, The Strip, Tourism | 5 Comments

“Family friendly Vegas” is back; Putting the “gone” in Longoria; A mess in Mississippi

Posted on July 13, 2011 by David McKee

Actually, it never left, as any casual visit to the Strip will prove. But, strapped for a marketing position, Trump International is going for the wholesome niche with a vengeance. Stuck with a lemon, Trump marketing execs are making lemonade … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Architecture, CityCenter, Current, Donald Trump, Economy, Entertainment, Environment, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Politics, Regulation, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal | 2 Comments

Restarting in Ohio

Posted on July 1, 2011 by David McKee

Now that Penn National Gaming and Rock Ohio Caesars have waved the white flag to Gov. Jon Kasich‘s monetary demands, work is resuming at their once-stalled Ohio casinos. In the case of ROC’s Cleveland casino, Rock Ventures and Caesars Entertainment … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Current, Harrah's, Horseracing, Ohio, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Taxes | 1 Comment

Illinois: Optimism or suicide?

Posted on June 24, 2011 by David McKee

It doesn’t matter to state Rep. Lou Lang (D, right) that Illinois‘ casino revenues are puny compared to those of neighboring Indiana or that St. Louis-area players are defecting in droves. He wants racinos and more casinos, by golly, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Current, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, Internet gambling, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Missouri, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Texas, Tribal | 2 Comments

Genting’s amphibious strategy

Posted on June 24, 2011 by David McKee

There may not be Vegas-style casinos in Florida yet (at least not non-tribal ones) but Genting Bhd is taking a gamble of its own. While Sheldon Adelson talks about putting $3 billion into the Miami area, Genting is already doing … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Florida, Genting, Harrah's, International, Macau, MGM Mirage, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal | 2 Comments

This is interesting …

Posted on June 20, 2011 by David McKee

A congressional candidate from Nevada has launched his campaign with this Red Scare-style (and somewhat jingoistic) blast at the nation upon whom some of the state’s largest employers — Las Vegas Sands, Wynn Resorts and MGM Resorts International — depend … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Election, Harrah's, International, Macau, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Michael Gaughan, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn | Comments Off

Shopping spree: Boyd, Melco, Sands; Trouble in Adelsonia

Posted on June 16, 2011 by David McKee

For those of you waiting for Boyd Gaming to do something with all its undrawn credit, the moment has arrived. Having surveyed the chips on the board, Boyd has pounced upon … IP Casino Resort Spa (née Imperial Palace Biloxi) … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Cretins, Current, Economy, Florida, Harrah's, history, International, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

They’ve seen the future …

Posted on June 10, 2011 by David McKee

… and it’s Singapore. That’s good news if you’re Sheldon Adelson, less auspicious if you’ve got a weak track record as a developer (coughCaesars Entertainmentcough). And if Chad Mollman‘s correct, does this mean Steve Wynn has soured on his proposed … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Election, Harrah's, Harry Reid, International, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, New York, Pokergeddon, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Texas, Tourism, Tribal | 1 Comment

Those evil casinos; Lost in Yonkers; Found in Bethlehem

Posted on June 10, 2011 by David McKee

Floating down the river of DeNile, Sharron Angle says a senatorial seat that was rightfully hers was filched by “the casinos,” among other malefactors. Of course, this is the same woman who would have subtracted CityCenter from the local tax … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, CityCenter, Current, Election, Maine, New York, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism | 1 Comment

We like Paul LePage; Little Red Sheldonhood

Posted on June 9, 2011 by David McKee

Although Maine‘s governor says he’ll veto bills to authorize a pair of racinos and a Lewiston casino, that’s not why S&G gives him the thumbs-up. No, it’s because he’s thwarting legislators from playing favorites. Lawmakers are trying to do an … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, International, Macau, Maine, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | Comments Off

The Strip in April: Down and yet up; Gettysburg: The south loses again

Posted on June 9, 2011 by David McKee

According to the Nevada Gaming Control Board, casino revenue in the state was down 2% in April … except that it wasn’t. Since the month ended on a Saturday, slot revenue from the last two days of April got slopped … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, California, Current, Economy, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, International, Isle of Capri, Lake Tahoe, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Wall Street | Comments Off

The ‘hot’ list that’s not; Grumpy old Fulton; A threat from Quinn

Posted on June 3, 2011 by David McKee

A sudden barrage of commissions has been getting between me and S&G. At the very least, I can get a few quick hits in before the weekend. For instance … Earth to Vegas.com … while I realize that Las Vegas … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, Horseracing, Illinois, MGM Mirage, Movies, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, TV | 3 Comments

Ruffin it; Atlantic City: up in smoke?

Posted on May 31, 2011 by David McKee

“Nightclubs — we just didn’t fare well with them. There are so many nightclubs. Everyone’s got just one or two. Ours were just marginal.” That’s Treasure Island owner Phil Ruffin‘s argument for repositioning the pirate place for a mid-market, middle-aged … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Cirque du Soleil, Dennis Gomes, Donald Trump, Economy, Entertainment, Environment, Hard Rock Hotel, Harrah's, history, Horseracing, Kansas, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, Morgans Hotel Group, New York, Pennsylvania, Phil Ruffin, Politics, Problem gambling, Racinos, Regulation, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street, Warner Gaming | 1 Comment

Illinois’ suicide pact; Donald Trump, freeloader

Posted on May 31, 2011 by David McKee

Whether you spent Memorial Day grilling some bratwurst or, like me, crawling around with Murphy’s Oil Soap and a cleaning cloth, we did no harm. That can’t be said for the Illinois House of Representatives, which opened a can of … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally Technologies, Current, Donald Trump, Economy, Horseracing, IGT, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Slot routes, Taxes, The Strip, WMS Industries | 3 Comments