Category Archives: Singapore

2014 is the new 2007; Good news from Pennsylvania, Detroit

Posted on December 7, 2010 by David McKee

It will take Las Vegas seven years to return to its former prosperity. Or so concludes a new report from consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers, which sees casino revenue improving in late 2011 (in line with a Moody’s Investor Service report that … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, CityCenter, Current, Detroit, Economy, Harrah's, International, Macau, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Plaza, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | 5 Comments

Macao smacks down Adelson

Posted on December 2, 2010 by David McKee

So the Chinese government was just bluffing, huh? Talk about taking land back was merely political posturing, was it? Once again, Wall Street and hubristic casino barons alike have been given a sharp reminder just who’s calling the shots over … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Steelman: Small is profitable

Posted on November 15, 2010 by David McKee

Before he got elbowed aside in favor of ‘starchitects,’ Paul Steelman was one of the go-to designers on the Las Vegas Strip. He’s also one of the very few people who can say they’ve worked — without repercussion — for … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, CityCenter, Current, Dining, Economy, Entertainment, IGT, International, Macau, MGM Mirage, Morgans Hotel Group, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation | 5 Comments

Singapore: Our whales lose more than your whales!

Posted on October 12, 2010 by David McKee

Think you’re so big, Las Vegas? Well, Singapore just went all “In your face” on Sin City. One area tycoon recently blew $50 million at Marina Bay Sands and/or Resorts World Sentosa. Not to be outdone, a Singaporean zillionaire dropped … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boulder Strip, Economy, Entertainment, Environment, Genting, Goldman Sachs, Harrah's, Lake Tahoe, Missouri, Pinnacle Entertainment, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Tamares Group, The Strip | 2 Comments

Singapore keeps on booming; Kudos to WMS, Golden Gaming

Posted on September 9, 2010 by David McKee

While it’s still a stretch that Sheldon Adelson is going to bank an annual $1 billion profit on Marina Bay Sands, as he predicts, he’s making money hand over fist there anyway. J.P. Morgan analysts say Marina Bay is on … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Current, Downtown, Economy, Golden Gaming, Marketing, Morgans Hotel Group, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Technology, Wall Street, WMS Industries | Comments Off on Singapore keeps on booming; Kudos to WMS, Golden Gaming

Harrah’s does it again (and again … and again)

Posted on September 9, 2010 by David McKee

Hey, Gary Loveman, don’t let the doorknob hit you in the butt as you skedaddle out of Kansas for the second time.  Ever-fickle, Harrah’s Entertainment turned tail and ran from the Sunflower State on the very date its Wichita-area proposal … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, California, Current, Economy, Encore, Entertainment, Harrah's, Kansas, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Planet Hollywood, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Shuffle Master, Singapore, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal | 6 Comments

Suicidal in New Jersey

Posted on August 18, 2010 by David McKee

Atlantic City can just plain go to hell. That’s the message from several prominent — or simply loud — Democratic lawmakers who say Gov. Chris Christie‘s rescue plan for the city is spinach and to heck with it. Noisiest of … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colony Capital, Current, Donald Trump, Economy, Entertainment, Genting, Harrah's, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Marketing, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Singapore, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Singapore packs ’em in

Posted on August 16, 2010 by David McKee

Results are in for the first quarter of a fully operational Resorts World Sentosa and they point to a $2.5 billion gross this year, $1.5 billion in cash flow and an ROI of 32% at the $4.74 billion metaresort. J.P. … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Genting, history, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Wall Street | 1 Comment

New shakeup at Melco; Adelson goes tropical

Posted on August 13, 2010 by David McKee

Those of you for whom Melco Crown Entertainment has been a bumpy ride are about to experience additional turbulence. CFO Simon Dewhurst has stepped down and MPEL board has — rather late in the day — decided “to find a … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Current, International, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Case Bets: New Jersey; A lucky guy; Genting’s good fortune

Posted on August 9, 2010 by David McKee

Garden State Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.) may have excluded sports betting as a new revenue source for the state’s besieged casino industry. As expected, state Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D, left) tuned the governor out and continues to pursue legalization of … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Colony Capital, Cordish Co., Current, Donald Trump, Downtown, Economy, Genting, Harrah's, International, Macau, New York, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Singapore, Sports, Tamares Group, Tourism | 1 Comment

Business is booming … overseas

Posted on August 3, 2010 by David McKee

At some point, Peking may decide that Macao is overheated but for the moment it’s simply red-hot. Revenues vaulted 70% last month, to the tune of $2 billion U.S. dollars (or $25,435,856,924 Zimbabwean), the second-best number in Macanese history. Wynn … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Current, Economy, Genting, International, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Marketing, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Movies, Pansy Ho, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Technology, Tourism, Transportation, Wall Street | 1 Comment

What’s that smell at Red Rock?

Posted on July 20, 2010 by David McKee

No, it’s not the ethical stench of the Station Casinos‘ LBO/bankruptcy/reorganization process. It’s the hazmat situation brought on by the careless handling of chemicals. Chlorine was pumped into an acid tank, causing respiratory irritation, a few hospitalizations — a no … Continue reading →

Posted in Cosmopolitan, Current, Environment, International, Macau, Marketing, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism | 1 Comment

Galaviz hearts Singapore — with caution

Posted on July 19, 2010 by David McKee

Analysts continue to do a 180 from their cautious outlook on Singapore five years ago. Among those raining plaudits on the early performance of the city-state’s two megaresorts is Jonathan Galaviz of Galaviz & Co. He estimates that Singapore will … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Genting, International, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Tourism, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Wynn Beantown?; Adelson likes it rough; “Chico Station,” etc.

Posted on July 15, 2010 by David McKee

“Two can play this game.” That’s the message coming from Steve Wynn. Since his former Philadelphia partners are now playing footsie with Harrah’s Entertainment, Wynn is turning his back on the City of Brotherly Love and shifting his gaze to … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Environment, George Maloof, Harrah's, Horseracing, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Sports, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Tribal, TV | Comments Off on Wynn Beantown?; Adelson likes it rough; “Chico Station,” etc.

It’s Sheldon’s world, we just live in it

Posted on July 9, 2010 by David McKee

Oh, how I envy Sheldon Adelson. My own hair grows thinner and grayer while his becomes thicker and darker. (The photo at left, shows Classic Sheldon, circa 1999.) But I digress … Adelson is one of the stars of an … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, Current, Economy, Florida, International, Macau, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Stanley Ho, Taxes, Texas, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | 4 Comments

Cosmo sets a date

Posted on June 30, 2010 by David McKee

Dec. 15 is the Cosmopolitan‘s date with destiny. That’s when it begins rolling out its room inventory and casino product. That doesn’t sound very exciting, does it? It’s hard to get worked up about a place so grammatically challenged it … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, Current, Economy, Entertainment, Genting, International, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | 1 Comment

View from the top

Posted on June 26, 2010 by David McKee

Marina Bay Sands opened its SkyPark, as seen last Friday: Thanks to Ian Sutton of GamingFloor.com for the tip.

Posted in Architecture, Current, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore | 1 Comment

“Complete disaster” at Marina Bay Sands

Posted on June 9, 2010 by David McKee

That’s what litigants allege about the premiere convention at Las Vegas Sands‘ $5.5 billion Singapore behemoth. In its countersuit to Sands’ opening broadside, the Inter-Pacific Bar Association essentially accuses Station of promising a five-star experience and delivering a Walmart one … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Current, Economy, Pets, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Station Casinos, Technology, The Strip | Comments Off on “Complete disaster” at Marina Bay Sands

Sands Bethlehem breaks ground … again

Posted on June 8, 2010 by David McKee

No, that’s not a joke. Las Vegas Sands held a “grand re-groundbreaking” on the hotel portion of its white elephant, Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem. When money ran short, Sands ditched everything but the parking lot and casino, leaving the hotel … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Current, Economy, Marketing, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Technology, Tribal, TV | 1 Comment

Harrah’s $1.5B Bratislava bet; Marina Bay Sands booms; Falcons swoop upon Hilton, etc.

Posted on June 2, 2010 by David McKee

With almost no exception other than The Newspaper That Shall Remain Nameless, a $1.85 billion Metropolis project headed up by Harrah’s Entertainment has flown completely under the radar of the U.S. media ever since its announcement last October. Oh, some … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Atlantic City, Colony Capital, Current, Economy, Environment, Genting, Harrah's, International, James Packer, Labor, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Pansy Ho, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Tribal, TV, Wall Street | 2 Comments