Category Archives: Steve Wynn

Wynn vs. Okada: The appraisal; Mob Experience returns … like you cared

Posted on February 22, 2012 by David McKee

Wall Street analysts are weighing in on Wynn Resorts‘ preemptive strike against Kazuo Okada last weekend. Surprisingly, J.P. Morgan‘s Joseph Greff rates it as a positive in re Steve Wynn‘s ambitions for expansion into Japan and says it doesn’t hurt … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Cosmopolitan, Current, Election, Entertainment, Harrah's, International, Macau, Movies, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Mob, The Strip, TV, Wall Street | Comments Off on Wynn vs. Okada: The appraisal; Mob Experience returns … like you cared

Wynn vs. Okada: Payback Time

Posted on February 20, 2012 by David McKee

Looks like Kazuo Okada brought a knife to a gunfight with Steve Wynn. The latter has spent the last year having former FBI boss Louis Freeh and sundry investigators check up on Okada — and what a lot of dirt … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Election, Florida, Genting, International, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street | 4 Comments

Sands’ new strategy: Blame Genting; Big Gaming backs Romney

Posted on February 15, 2012 by David McKee

First, the good news. Las Vegas Sands is signaling that it is not going to take its ball and come home from Florida, regardless of what lobbyist Nick Iarossi said last week. However, Sands’ emissary to the Sunshine State, Andy … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Colony Capital, Current, Donald Trump, Downtown, Economy, Election, Florida, Genting, Goldman Sachs, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, LVCVA, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Tamares Group, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Okada vs. Wynn, Round Two; Nevada wins, players lose

Posted on February 14, 2012 by David McKee

Having spent all weekend and most of yesterday laboring over an in-depth think piece for CityLife (a future-of-Vegas thing), I’ll admit to being pretty well fried. But the news never sleeps — much as one might wish otherwise, sometimes — … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Cretins, Current, Dining, International, Macau, Marketing, Midnight Jim Gibbons, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 14, 2012 by David McKee

“It’s one of the imperatives of the Las Vegas hype machine that we never allow ourselves to dwell on our mistakes, publicly or privately. How many people remember Avenue Q at Wynn? Hairspray at Luxor? Columbia Sussex at the Tropicana? … Continue reading →

Posted in Columbia Sussex, Entertainment, history, MGM Mirage, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 3 Comments

Vegas’ December: Better than it looks?

Posted on February 9, 2012 by David McKee

If today’s numbers from the Nevada Gaming Control Board indicate that December was good for business — especially on the Las Vegas Strip (up 4% … 7% if you take baccarat out of the equation) — January ought to have … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Current, Downtown, Economy, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Massachusetts, North Las Vegas, Reno, Rhode Island, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off on Vegas’ December: Better than it looks?

From the mailbag: Florida

Posted on February 8, 2012 by David McKee

From the Sunshine State comes this dispatch from one of S&G‘s far-flung network of reader correspondents. This player is obviously quite familiar with the state of gambling in the great State of Florida … Mardi Gras Casino opened with $100 … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Florida, Genting, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Marketing, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Tribal, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Adelson does damage control; Caesars IPO Part 2: Boom or bust?

Posted on February 8, 2012 by David McKee

It was “unfortunate” for Sheldon Adelson that he wore the uniform of the United States of America, the country that made him rich? Seriously? Not many of us would use our spouses as human shields. But then again, not many … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Charity, Cordish Co., Don Barden, Economy, Election, Harrah's, history, Illinois, Indiana, International, Macau, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off on Adelson does damage control; Caesars IPO Part 2: Boom or bust?

Adelson’s perfidy and big karmic payback

Posted on February 6, 2012 by David McKee

Last Saturday, Sheldon Adelson personally presided over the Special Supplemental Sheldon Adelson Presidential Caucuses (an event hijacked from the state GOP) at the Dr. Miriam & Sheldon G. Adelson Educational Campus … and stepped in it again. Adelson’s footpads, according … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Election, Florida, Macau, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Epic failure in Florida; Epic blowhard in Vegas

Posted on February 3, 2012 by David McKee

Neither the very conspicuous efforts of Genting Berhad and Las Vegas Sands nor the quieter ones of Wynn Resorts and Caesars Entertainment were sufficient to overcome entrenched conservatism in the Florida Legislature. State Rep. Erik Fresen (R) waved the surrender … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Donald Trump, Economy, Election, Genting, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tribal | 1 Comment

Case Bets: Okada in Manila; Big shots fall hard

Posted on February 1, 2012 by David McKee

Rushing in where angels fear to tread, Kazuo Okada (right) has broken ground on his $2 billion, two-casino megaresort in the Philippines. You may remember the project as a bitter point of contention between Okada and erstwhile BFF Steve Wynn, … Continue reading →

Posted in Cretins, Current, Encore, Hard Rock Hotel, International, Morgans Hotel Group, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Case Bets: Okada in Manila; Big shots fall hard

Dear Floridians …; Mission unfinished; Blue skies

Posted on January 30, 2012 by David McKee

Sarah Palin says, “vote for Newt, annoy a liberal, vote Newt.” I say, “Vote Newt, please, because the concurrent stream of Sheldon Adelson stories is a blogger’s dream come true. Keep that gravy train going!” (Besides, it’s had the side … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Atlantic City, Current, Election, Environment, Florida, Harrah's, International, Louisiana, Marketing, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Politics, Problem gambling, Sheldon Adelson, South Carolina, Steve Wynn, TV | 3 Comments

The clueless Adelson; A happy birthday; Big Brother Penn

Posted on January 27, 2012 by David McKee

Yes, it’s yet another exciting episode of The New(t) Adventures of Sheldon Adelson. When, in typically unsubtle (read: crass) fashion, the casino potentate began pouring kegs full of money into the current presidential race, it was bound to set off … Continue reading →

Posted in Columbia Sussex, Current, Election, Environment, Harrah's, M Resort, Macau, Missouri, Ohio, Penn National, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn | 3 Comments

Wynn & Okada: The bromance sours

Posted on January 13, 2012 by David McKee

Today’s Wall Street Journal confirms yesterday’s S&G tea-leaf reading that Kazuo Okada was being a naughty boy, bruiting about possible Wynn Resorts involvement in the Philippines, even showing “designs similar to iconic Wynn casinos, according to people familiar with the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Current, International, Macau, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Wynn & Okada: The bromance sours

Trouble at Wynncore; ‘Phantom’ exorcised

Posted on January 12, 2012 by David McKee

Steve Wynn (no introduction required) and old pal — and major investor — Kazuo Okada are having a falling-out that spilled into the files of the SEC. Okada has lined up heavyweight Las Vegas law firm Lionel Sawyer & Collins … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Entertainment, Harrah's, International, Macau, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Belated Christmas presents, Part II

Posted on January 11, 2012 by David McKee

If the good news keeps raining down like this, I might have to start using the R-word … as in “recovery.” In November, Nevada‘s $880 million gross was good for a 7% upsurge. The Las Vegas Strip beat the statewide … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boulder Strip, CityCenter, Colony Capital, Current, Detroit, Downtown, Economy, Goldman Sachs, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, MGM Mirage, North Las Vegas, Reno, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Sunshine State sap

Posted on January 10, 2012 by David McKee

Backers of Florida casinos, working under the rubric of Associated Industries of Florida, evidently take voters down there for simpletons. Their ‘See Spot Run’ pitch for casino-based destination resorts describes something that sounds very much like Venelazzo or Wynncore, then … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Florida, history, Macau, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal | Comments Off on Sunshine State sap

Pennsylvania gives thanks; Aqueduct, superstar

Posted on December 16, 2011 by David McKee

This has been a terrible fortnight for S&G but, hey, we’ve got some good news from Pennsylvania. Last month’s gambling revenues were reported this morning and they’re up 12%, thanks mostly to the growing popularity of table games. (Atlantic City, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally Technologies, Cannery Casino Resorts, Current, Economy, Genting, IGT, Illinois, Macau, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Steve Wynn, Tribal, Wall Street, WMS Industries | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on December 12, 2011 by David McKee

“Let me say this: Trees don’t grow to the sky. There is clearly a saturation point, and as you add additional competition, everybody’s total win will be going down.” — Rivers Casino owner Neil Bluhm, in reference to Illinois market. … Continue reading →

Posted in Illinois, Neil Bluhm, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

‘Grimm’ reaper; Marathon ordeal; Last call for queries

Posted on December 12, 2011 by David McKee

Las Vegas made the Sunday funny pages this week. One could get all irate about Mike Peters‘ dig at gambling and the Strip. However, if he wanted to equate casinos with fleapits, he could have chosen more wisely than he … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Environment, Florida, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, MGM Mirage, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 1 Comment