Category Archives: Politics

“YCMIU”

Posted on February 12, 2010 by David McKee

As I learned earlier today, that’s PDA shorthand for “You can’t make it up.” (It was used by Jon Ralston in reference to a certain governor’s claim to 11-plus years of celibacy … but I digress.) Actually, maybe you can … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Massachusetts, Politics, Problem gambling, Taxes | Comments Off on “YCMIU”

Aqueduct: Penn got hosed

Posted on February 12, 2010 by David McKee

Despite its runaway hyperbole, this Empire State editorial makes a good point: The Aqueduct racino deal smells like a week-old fish and ought to be investigated. (It isn’t — but it should be.) Since all bids involved multiple players, sorting … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Downtown, Fontainebleau, Harrah's, Macau, MGM Mirage, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Sahara, Steve Wynn, Tamares Group, The Strip, Tribal, TV | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 11, 2010 by David McKee

“We will have to eliminate programs and services which make some people feel good, but which we simply can no longer afford.” — Gov. Jim Gibbons (R-NV), proposing to zero-out — among other things — the state’s $1.8 million in … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Midnight Jim Gibbons, Politics, Problem gambling | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 10, 2010 by David McKee

“If there was this kind of trepidation in Las Vegas, there’d be no Las Vegas.” — a reader’s reaction to the one-step-forward/two-steps-backward dysfunction that is ongoing in Kansas. Then again, it could soon be moot.

Posted in Kansas, Lyle Berman, Politics, Regulation, Tribal | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

A funny thing happened …

Posted on February 8, 2010 by David McKee

I was touring the Erotic Heritage Museum, when my guide, doctoral student Amanda Morgan, made the following observation: “As you know, Nevada is very conservative. If you look at the population of people in Las Vegas and looked at the … Continue reading →

Posted in California, CityCenter, Election, MGM Mirage, Midnight Jim Gibbons, Politics, The Strip, TV | 4 Comments

Lowden’s interesting omission

Posted on February 4, 2010 by David McKee

Here, for your viewing pleasure, is Archon Corp. Treasurer Sue Lowden‘s newest ad spot. I saw it on the tube this morning and was struck by the euphemistic way it gets around having to describe her as a “casino executive,” … Continue reading →

Posted in Archon Corp., Election, Marketing, Politics, TV | 5 Comments

Case Bets: Laughlin postmortem, Newton grounded, Gibbons robs problem gamblers

Posted on February 4, 2010 by David McKee

It’s an S&G Special Austerity Edition (i.e., no pictures) … Three grand. That’s the value of a human life in Nevada. The Washingtonian who crashed his car into Laughlin‘s Edgewater casino, killing two and injuring seven, is out on $6,000 … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Current, Detroit, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, IGT, Laughlin, MGM Mirage, Midnight Jim Gibbons, Movies, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Reno, Transportation, TV, Wall Street, Wayne F. Newton | Comments Off on Case Bets: Laughlin postmortem, Newton grounded, Gibbons robs problem gamblers

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

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 2, 2010 by David McKee

“When times are tough, you tighten your belts. You don’t go buying a boat when you can barely pay your mortgage. You don’t blow a bunch of cash in Vegas when you’re trying to save for college.” — President Barack … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Midnight Jim Gibbons, Politics | 5 Comments

All aboard for Victorville

Posted on January 29, 2010 by David McKee

San Francisco will have the federal funds to build high-speed rail to Anaheim. (Doubtless the Bible Belters are already shrieking about hordes of “sodomites” descending upon Disneyland and corrupting its spiritual purity.) Las Vegans and Southern Californians, meanwhile, will have … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Harry Reid, Midnight Jim Gibbons, Politics, Tourism, Transportation | 2 Comments

Curtis pwns Cavuto

Posted on January 28, 2010 by David McKee

Neil Cavuto, a loud, whiny, obnoxious ass-clown and former Enron apologist tries to get our own Anthony Curtis to buy into his setup. Cavuto — as usual — doesn’t know what he’s talking about and Anthony does the impossible … … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Election, Politics, TV, Wall Street | 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

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 28, 2010 by David McKee

“[President Barack] Obama‘s team, content to have bailed out Wall Street, seem to now run the rest of the economy on a cash accounting basis. That’s bad, self-defeating policy.” — The Washington Note Publisher Steve Clemons, accusing the White House … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, International, Macau, Midnight Jim Gibbons, Politics, Transportation, Wall Street | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Illegal casino bucks mar NV governor’s race

Posted on January 27, 2010 by David McKee

OK, with a candidate field that includes scandal-prone incumbent Midnight Jim Gibbons, you might ask, “What’s there to mar?” Well, how ’bout illegal overseas campaign cash funneled to former North Las Vegas Mayor Michael Montandon (left) by the reclusive owners … Continue reading →

Posted in Archon Corp., Boyd Gaming, Election, Harry Reid, International, Midnight Jim Gibbons, North Las Vegas, Politics, Station Casinos | 2 Comments

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

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 15, 2010 by David McKee

“Therefore, it is imperative that you encourage President Obama to publicly acknowledge that Las Vegas and all of Nevada is a wonderful place for business or pleasure and that Americans should visit and conduct business in Nevada.” — demand made … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Cretins, Current, Economy, Election, Harry Reid, Midnight Jim Gibbons, Politics | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

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

From the S&G Twitter feed …

Posted on January 12, 2010 by David McKee

For those of you who aren’t following it, here’s what you’ve been missing: • Station [Casinos] shuts Cherry @ Red Rock [Resort], ends flirtation w. Strip-ish nightlife. In Summerlin? Right casino, wrong place. http://tinyurl.com/ye36uqm • @IOC_Brand Jim Perry, Virginia McDowell … Continue reading →

Posted in California, CityCenter, Current, Economy, Election, Entertainment, Florida, Harrah's, IGT, International, Isle of Capri, Kansas, Lyle Berman, Mississippi, Politics, Regulation, Station Casinos, Technology, TV | Comments Off on From the S&G Twitter feed …

California, by the numbers

Posted on January 12, 2010 by David McKee

Capitol Weekly breaks down the vital statistics of California’s tribal-casino industry, in case you were curious. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) needn’t worry about additional slot capacity causing traffic jams and more crime: Golden State tribal casinos are mired in a … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Economy, Politics, Tribal | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 12, 2010 by David McKee

“I don’t think it’s anything he should resign over at all. I’m just hoping at some point we take one of these things that’s made into this huge racial divide and use it as an opportunity to have some meaningful … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Harry Reid, Politics | 2 Comments