Category Archives: Sports

Why is this man smiling? (And other Case Bets)

Posted on April 11, 2011 by David McKee

Because Sen. Harry Reid‘s decision not to importune lenders on behalf of Fontainebleau (unlike CityCenter) means he steered clear of a widening circle of litigation and recrimination, that’s why. Among those in the hot seat are hapless James Packer and … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Carl Icahn, Colony Capital, Current, Dennis Gomes, Donald Trump, Economy, Fontainebleau, Harrah's, Harry Reid, James Packer, Regulation, Sports, Tourism, Tropicana Entertainment | 6 Comments

Station hearts Goodman … Carolyn, that is

Posted on April 4, 2011 by David McKee

In what may be a historic first, Frank Fertitta III, Lorenzo Fertitta and their rival Texas cousin Tilman Fertitta all agree upon something: Carolyn Goodman‘s mayoral candidacy. As in, they’re for it. Once you lump together Zuffa (parent of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Current, Don Barden, Donald Trump, Downtown, Election, Florida, Golden Gaming, history, International, Jack Binion, Michael Gaughan, Oscar Goodman, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Station Casinos, Tamares Group, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta | 2 Comments

Programming note …

Posted on April 1, 2011 by David McKee

As of now, the S&G “Comments” feature is working again. It mysteriously conked out last week, although it took me several days to cotton onto the problem. I just figured nobody was reading my shit. (The two scenarios are not, … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Sports, Technology | 1 Comment

Salvation for Illinois? “Golden Boys” strike again

Posted on March 31, 2011 by David McKee

According to lobbyists for MGM Resorts International‘s Grand Victoria riverboat, the smoking ban in Illinois has stove in casino revenues by 33%. Statewide, the average is -28% since 2008 — costing the state no small amount of tax monies — … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Current, Economy, Florida, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Politics, Regulation, Sports, Station Casinos, Taxes, Tilman Fertitta, TV | Comments Off on Salvation for Illinois? “Golden Boys” strike again

Caesars steals Riv’s thunder; Trouble in Adelsonia

Posted on March 24, 2011 by David McKee

Obviously, the headline from today will be approval by the Nevada Gaming Commission of a partnership between Caesars Entertainment and Israeli-owned, Gibraltar-based 888 Holdings. Since it is simultaneously getting permission to shack up with Internet casino operator 888 and opposing … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Downtown, Election, Florida, Harry Reid, Hawaii, International, Internet gambling, Iowa, Macau, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Midnight Jim Gibbons, Oscar Goodman, Politics, Regulation, Riviera, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Tamares Group, Wall Street | Comments Off on Caesars steals Riv’s thunder; Trouble in Adelsonia

More fun with geography; Langford & The Man; Caesars’ rough week

Posted on March 18, 2011 by David McKee

What’s in a mile? A lot more than you might think, especially if you’re a Maine legislator. Confronted with a pesky requirement that gambling venues in the Pine Tree State must have 100-mile exclusivity zones, some would redefine a “mile” … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Don Barden, Economy, Election, Harrah's, Horseracing, Illinois, Indiana, Macau, Maine, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Taxes, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Las Vegas Sands: Who’s minding the store?

Posted on February 15, 2011 by David McKee

Investors would do well to ask that, not least because of CEO Sheldon Adelson‘s attitude of, ‘The buck stops here … except when it doesn’t.’ To hear Adelson tell it, everything that goes awry at Las Vegas Sands and Sands … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, Current, Genting, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Marketing, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Pansy Ho, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Sports, Stanley Ho, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Mob, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off on Las Vegas Sands: Who’s minding the store?

Have you seen this man?

Posted on February 10, 2011 by David McKee

That guy, the fourth goombah from the left. That’s Milton Jaffe, onetime managing director of the Stardust and someone whose dusty trail I’m trying to retrace for LVA.com’s “Question of the Day.” (Second from the left is Joe DiMaggio and … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Current, Entertainment, Harrah's, history, MGM Mirage, Silverton, Sports, The Mob, The Strip | 3 Comments

What did I just say?

Posted on January 12, 2011 by David McKee

I’m one state closer to making the “under” on my over/under of states likely to put online wagering on the docket this session. Both houses of the New Jersey Legislature have given their approval to a bill that now goes … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cordish Co., Current, Election, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Maryland, Massachusetts, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Regulation, Sports, Taxes | 1 Comment

I knew the NFL was bad this year …

Posted on December 30, 2010 by David McKee

… but not to the point of having 0-0 teams in the playoffs, as this ESPN graphic would have us believe. Thankfully, the Kissing Suzy Kolber blog archived this great moment in TV sports, so we can be assured that … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Sports, TV | 1 Comment

Hard Rock: No end of trouble on Paradise

Posted on December 28, 2010 by David McKee

Once again the blogosphere has caught the MSM napping. Report On Vegas informs readers that the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is having a rough time meeting its bills (this was the augury of doom for Barrick Gaming‘s short-lived stewardship … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Current, Don Barden, Downtown, Economy, Harrah's, Lake Tahoe, Morgans Hotel Group, Pennsylvania, Sports, Tamares Group, The Strip, Tribal, TV | 3 Comments

The Gossy 500

Posted on December 23, 2010 by David McKee

If you’re not watching heavy amounts of ESPN you may have missed this … … because nothing says “NASCAR” quite like a pallid British crooner in a slouch hat and tuxedo. Christmas in Vegas: Regarding that travel advice I gave … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Marketing, Sports, The Strip, Tourism, TV | 1 Comment

Good news, bad news in Atlantic City; Feinstein: “Stay on the rez!”; Buffalo Bill’s rides again

Posted on December 2, 2010 by David McKee

For once, however, it’s mostly good. Almost entirely good, in fact. The headline item is that Dennis Gomes‘ purchase of Resorts Atlantic City has cleared licensing, sweeping out the disastrous Colony Capital era. Gomes and financier Morris Bailey say $31.5 … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Atlantic City, California, Colony Capital, Cosmopolitan, Current, Dining, Donald Trump, Economy, Harry Reid, Herbst Gaming, M Resort, Marketing, Mississippi, Morgans Hotel Group, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Sports, Technology, The Strip, Tribal, TV | 4 Comments

Juice job of 2011

Posted on November 8, 2010 by David McKee

Harrah’s Entertainment and the AFL-CIO have collected the requisite 20,000 signatures to place its request for a publicly funded stadium out back of Imperial Palace (currently a vast, dark wasteland) before Nevada solons. CEO Gary Loveman would throw in some … Continue reading →

Posted in Archon Corp., Economy, Election, Harrah's, Politics, Sports, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism | 2 Comments

Last-minute election tidbits: Ohio & California

Posted on November 2, 2010 by David McKee

Prospects for expansion of VLT gambling to the Buckeye State’s racetracks are looking slightly better now that Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland has inched his way back into contention with GOP rival Jon Kasich (left). The personable Kasich is a difficult … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Economy, Election, Environment, Harrah's, Ohio, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sports, Station Casinos, Texas, Tribal | 6 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 27, 2010 by David McKee

“If it tastes good, I spit it out.” — former NBA great — and popular Vegas high roller — Charles Barkley on his diet, which has enabled him to shed 45 pounds thus far.

Posted in Current, Sports | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Cantor’s been a naughty boy

Posted on October 11, 2010 by David McKee

There’s a certain whiff of desperation to this Cantor Gaming spot, pimping their casino-in-one gaming devices (which, in addition to their cutting-edge technology, apparently make chicks find you totally hot). The gadgetry and software, which were legalized five years ago, … Continue reading →

Posted in M Resort, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Technology, TV | 4 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on September 29, 2010 by David McKee

“This guy. [long pause] Brian Urlacher. [longer pause] He’ll hit ya.” — Jon Gruden, demonstrating characteristic gridiron insight during the most recent installment of Monday Night Football.

Posted in Sports, TV | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Barrack 1, Bankers 0; Criminal stupidity

Posted on September 24, 2010 by David McKee

A skirmish over the fate of the Atlantic City Hilton ended in victory for Colony Capital. A Superior Court judge decided there were too many unresolved issues in the dissolution of Colony’s East Coast casino portfolio to warrant taking the … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, California, Colony Capital, Columbia Sussex, Current, Economy, Harrah's, Horseracing, International, Lake Tahoe, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sports, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Wasted … and the 77% solution

Posted on August 10, 2010 by David McKee

Not even the cachet of Carey Hart and occasional appearances by Pink were enough to keep Wasted Space going. The Hard Rock Hotel is calling it quits on the club, bumping it in favor of a race and sports book. … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Architecture, CityCenter, Current, Economy, Entertainment, George Maloof, Harrah's, M Resort, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Midnight Jim Gibbons, Morgans Hotel Group, Pennsylvania, Riviera, Sports, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation | 5 Comments