Category Archives: Singapore

A few minutes with Sheldon Adelson

Posted on May 9, 2014 by David McKee

On Internet gambling: On his fear of the Vegas High Roller: “They don’t care about Sheldon Adelson” COURTESY: Bloomberg News

Posted in Harrah's, International, Macau, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, The Strip | Comments Off

Genting OK’d for Vegas; James Packer packs a punch

Posted on May 7, 2014 by David McKee

So thirsty is the State of Nevada for new casino investment that it may feel pressure not to look too closely at Genting Berhad, as its license application goes before the Nevada Gaming Control Board. Not that we’ve ever heard … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, Economy, Entertainment, Genting, International, James Packer, New York, Regulation, Singapore, Stanley Ho, The Strip | Comments Off

Affleck banned from HRH; Sands Bethlehem reprieved

Posted on May 2, 2014 by David McKee

You can do all manner of despicable things in a casino if you’re a high roller … but count one lousy card and you’re toast, mister. That’s the message being sent by Warner Gaming after it banned Ben Affleck from … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, Macau, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Technology, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Warner Gaming | 1 Comment

It’s good to be Sheldon Adelson

Posted on April 25, 2014 by David McKee

Posting a 21% increase in revenue, Las Vegas Sands reported 97 cents/share in earnings (Wall Street had expected $0.94). No surprise, Macao was the primary driver. Analysts were also pleased by a $810 million buyback of Sands shares, bolstering the … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Harrah's, Iowa, Macau, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

Monkey wrench for MGM; Klondike on the brink; Cheater’s justice

Posted on April 1, 2014 by David McKee

Remember that fast track that MGM National Harbor was on? Yes, forget about it. Politicians in Prince George’s County want to codify it into legislation that MGM Resorts International meet certain benchmarks of local hiring and minority contracting. (The company’s excellent … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Boulder Strip, Maryland, MGM Mirage, New York, Singapore | Comments Off

Upside down at Cosmo; Casino beggars; Tribal casinos set new record

Posted on March 26, 2014 by David McKee

If a 3% ROI is your idea of a good return on a casino, have we got the place for you: The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. It continues to narrow losses and improved gambling revenues 25%. Last year, the Cosmo’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, California, Colorado, Cosmopolitan, Delaware, Dining, Entertainment, Harrah's, Kansas, Macau, New York, Oklahoma, Racinos, Singapore, Taxes, Texas, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal | 1 Comment

Adelson needs elbow room; Critical mass in Florida

Posted on March 21, 2014 by David McKee

Sixty percent more hotel rooms. That’s what Sheldon Adelson says he needs at Marina Bay Sands and he hopes the government of Singapore will humor him and release the needed land. It’s greatly outperforming other hotels in the market. Last … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Florida, Genting, Japan, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Tribal | Comments Off

Bounty at Sands, Caesars

Posted on January 30, 2014 by David McKee

Yesterday wasn’t a bad day to be Las Vegas Sands, which reported a 19% increase in net revenues. Sands Cotai Central (up 61%) led the parade, which also prominently showcased Venetian Macao (+36%) and Venelazzo (up 25%, driven by a … Continue reading →

Posted in Culinary Union, Current, Harrah's, Macau, Maryland, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 23, 2014 by David McKee

“After a 2011 survey showed an increasing proportion of low-income gamblers playing with ever-larger sums, [Singapore] decided to prohibit entry by the unemployed, people on welfare and people who have filed for bankruptcy protection.” — the New York Times, carrying … Continue reading →

Posted in Problem gambling, Singapore | Comments Off

A Murren moment

Posted on January 6, 2014 by David McKee

“I don’t think people are going to stay home in their bunny slippers and play video instead of coming to Bellagio.” You have to like Jim Murren‘s refreshing lack of pretension. I’m taking a wait-and-see attitude on the project onrush … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Internet gambling, Japan, Macau, MGM Mirage, Singapore, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off

Defining a Vegas recovery; Big push in New Hampshire

Posted on January 6, 2014 by David McKee

Which would you rather have: More visitors three years straight or more spending per capita? That’s the choice Las Vegas has to make as it defines its recovery. On the bright side, ADRs are catching up with supply, with which … Continue reading →

Posted in Cannery Casino Resorts, Charity, Current, Economy, Iowa, New Hampshire, Ohio, Penn National, Singapore, The Strip, Wall Street, Warner Gaming | Comments Off

Adelson undeterred; Winners and losers

Posted on December 23, 2013 by David McKee

I’m not sure which part of this story is more alarming: That Affinity Gaming was the victim of a widespread identity-theft scheme for seven months … or that the company didn’t disclose it until late this year. It certainly makes … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Atlantic City, California, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Environment, Florida, Harrah's, Horseracing, International, Internet gambling, Japan, Macau, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Problem gambling, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Stanley Ho | Comments Off

Online gambling a hit in New Jersey; Crackdown in Singapre

Posted on December 3, 2013 by David McKee

Despite some small fits and starts, New Jersey was able to roll out Internet gambling to eager Garden State citizens and with no major issues. Moody’s Investor Service predicted $250 million-$500 million in revenues during the first year, while Gov. … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Harrah's, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Steve Wynn, Tilman Fertitta | Comments Off

Sheldon hits paydirt; Culinary Union talks trash

Posted on October 18, 2013 by David McKee

It’s good to be Sheldon Adelson, especially when your company is notching one record-setting month after another. Revenue for 3Q13 rose 32% and net profit shot 79% upwards. Next year, shareholders can look forward to a 60 cent bump in … Continue reading →

Posted in Cosmopolitan, Cretins, Culinary Union, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Harrah's, Macau, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Station Casinos, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Casino explosion in the Far East

Posted on October 10, 2013 by David McKee

Now that they’ve seen what Macao and Singapore can do with casino resorts, practically everyone else in the Pacific Rim wants in. Gaming is already big business in the Philippines, but Lawrence Ho and others like him are convinced they … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Genting, Harrah's, International, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore | Comments Off

Atlantic City: Exit Pinnacle, turnover at Revel; Invading Japan

Posted on October 1, 2013 by David McKee

It took three years and a frightful loss ($239 million), but Pinnacle Entertainment is finally shot of Lee’s Folly, the Sands Casino Hotel site that ex-CEO Dan Lee bought for $270 million during the boom years … and which promptly … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, International, Japan, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, Pinnacle Entertainment, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Station Casinos | 1 Comment

Bad day for Tomato King and Wynn

Posted on September 25, 2013 by David McKee

While the City of Philadelphia is officially neutral on who should get the last gambling license for the area, it’s not above giving the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board a not-so-gentle-nudge. At a hearing led by Deputy Mayor Alan Greenberger, two … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Cordish Co., Cosmopolitan, International, Macau, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Steve Wynn, Tomato King Procacci, Tourism | Comments Off

Wall Street comes to the Strip, meets the big boys

Posted on September 24, 2013 by David McKee

Investment firms like J.P. Morgan and Deutsche Bank have been sending emissaries to Las Vegas this week, to meet with all the major gaming firms during Global Gaming Expo. Since the latter is being held at Sands Expo Center, perhaps … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, G2E, Isle of Capri, Japan, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off

Adelson’s new BFF; Icahn’s pricey purchase; Fertitta out of A.C.?

Posted on September 4, 2013 by David McKee

Politics making strange bedfellows and all that, S&G woke up to find Sheldon Adelson enjoying connubial bliss with President Barack Obama. Both are pushing for military intervention in Syria, swimming against the tide of American public opinion. And to think … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Current, International, Internet gambling, Missouri, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Tilman Fertitta | Comments Off

Cosmo plunges again; Nevada signals surrender

Posted on August 5, 2013 by David McKee

Would somebody please sack the so-called casino management and marketing staff at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Everything at the Cosmo is improving except the gambling floor, which took a 20% nosedive in 2Q13, to $31 million. Losses were 25% … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colony Capital, Cosmopolitan, Current, Dining, Internet gambling, Macau, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, The Mob, The Strip | 5 Comments