Category Archives: Texas

Quote of the Day

Posted on July 6, 2011 by David McKee

“What does a Las Vegas resident do on the Fourth of July? I’ll tell you what a Vegas visitor does: He goes out on the Strip to look for imaginary fireworks.” — a visiting S&G reader, disappointed by the lack … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Texas, The Strip, Tourism, TV | Comments Off

Three inflatable objects …

Posted on June 27, 2011 by David McKee

… at the Flamingo Las Vegas pool area, last Saturday. One is a beach ball and the other two belong to Absinthe headliner Angel Porrino. Thank you, Caesars Entertainment, for giving me nightmares. My wife thinks the bikini top is … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Entertainment, Harrah's, Louisiana, Mississippi, Technology, Texas, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation | 3 Comments

Illinois: Optimism or suicide?

Posted on June 24, 2011 by David McKee

It doesn’t matter to state Rep. Lou Lang (D, right) that Illinois‘ casino revenues are puny compared to those of neighboring Indiana or that St. Louis-area players are defecting in droves. He wants racinos and more casinos, by golly, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Current, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, Internet gambling, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Missouri, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Texas, Tribal | 2 Comments

They’ve seen the future …

Posted on June 10, 2011 by David McKee

… and it’s Singapore. That’s good news if you’re Sheldon Adelson, less auspicious if you’ve got a weak track record as a developer (coughCaesars Entertainmentcough). And if Chad Mollman‘s correct, does this mean Steve Wynn has soured on his proposed … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Election, Harrah's, Harry Reid, International, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, New York, Pokergeddon, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Texas, Tourism, Tribal | 1 Comment

Sheldon Adelson’s court jester yuks it up

Posted on April 1, 2011 by David McKee

Las Vegas Sands-backed mayoral candidate Victor Chaltiel rolled out the following prank ad today … I’m not sure that there’s any percentage in going after the grandmotherly (but hopelessly vague) Carolyn Goodman in the snide fashion that is quickly becoming … Continue reading →

Posted in Archon Corp., Current, Downtown, Election, Florida, Harrah's, International, Laughlin, Macau, MGM Mirage, Minnesota, Mississippi, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Texas, The Strip, TV | 1 Comment

Gimme, Gimme, Gimme

Posted on March 23, 2011 by David McKee

… some money after midnight: Evidently it’s not enough that gaming revenues and other casino-related retail taxes underwrite the State of Nevada. Lawmakers would extend a grubby mitt into the casino kitty and scoop up any unclaimed moolah. “[W]hy does … Continue reading →

Posted in ABBA, Cretins, Current, Donald Trump, Economy, Election, Horseracing, Louisiana, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Texas, TV, Wall Street | Comments Off

“Hi, I’m John Ensign, your casino host”

Posted on March 7, 2011 by David McKee

In development that was a foregone conclusion to everyone but Sen. John Ensign (R) himself, the former casino executive and prospective heir to the Mandalay Resort Group fortune of Mike Ensign, announced his retirement from politics today. The former general … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Current, Election, Florida, history, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Texas, The Strip | 3 Comments

Dan Lee’s revenge & comeuppance for Penn in Louisiana

Posted on February 17, 2011 by David McKee

While the casino industry suffers no shortage of big egos, Penn National Gaming CEO Peter Carlino zooms past that, heading full speed toward arrogance. When not trying to use the political process to sandbag its competitors, Penn occasionally builds casinos. … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Current, Dan Lee, Economy, Kansas, Louisiana, M Resort, Missouri, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Texas, Wall Street | 9 Comments

Sheldon Adelson, Man of La Mancha

Posted on February 17, 2011 by David McKee

Life’s being pretty good these days to Las Vegas Sands, thanks in part to better-than-expected convention traffic at Marina Bay Sands (offsetting tepid meeting/expo biz in Macao). In addition to eyeballing Florida, Texas, Massachusetts and Japan, CEO Sheldon Adelson has … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Atlantic City, Current, Downtown, Economy, Florida, Genting, International, Macau, Massachusetts, Oscar Goodman, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Texas, The Strip, Tourism, TV | 2 Comments

Sheldon Adelson is so busted

Posted on December 10, 2010 by David McKee

Congratulations, Sheldon Adelson! You’ve just upped your street cred — and become the butt of 1,001 pimp jokes. Is the Las Vegas Sands CEO going to start hangin’ with Snoop Dogg and 50 Cent (or maybe Eliot Spitzer and Hugh … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, G2E, Internet gambling, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, Midnight Jim Gibbons, Pennsylvania, Planet Hollywood, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Texas, The Mob, The Strip, Tourism | 1 Comment

G2E bargain at Station; analysts split on Sands

Posted on November 8, 2010 by David McKee

If you’re looking for an affordable room in Las Vegas during Global Gaming Expo, try Expedia‘s German site (“.de”). A European-based S&G source reports finding rooms at Boulder Station going for €57 and Fiesta Rancho asking €59 — or $79 … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Florida, G2E, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Texas, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | 3 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

No (M)irage this time: Penn enters Vegas

Posted on October 8, 2010 by David McKee

They’ve been busy little beavers at Penn National Gaming, which is — would you believe it? — now the third-largest operator in the U.S. Never mind that Penn bought a horse track in Ohio, on top of building two casinos … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Current, Donald Trump, Fontainebleau, Harry Reid, Louisiana, M Resort, Marketing, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Texas, Wall Street, West Virginia | 7 Comments

Off to the races

Posted on September 10, 2010 by David McKee

Several gubernatorial jousts have serious implications for casino expansion in this great U.S. of A. In Ohio, Gov. Ted Strickland (D and once tipped as a possible vice-president) is trailing former Rep. John Kasich (R), based on poll results aggregated … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Atlantic City, Economy, Election, Harrah's, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Ohio, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Texas, Tribal | 1 Comment

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

Shel & Bill, together again; Coup for HRH

Posted on May 25, 2010 by David McKee

As though yoked by karma, Las Vegas Sands CEO Sheldon Adelson and former sidekick William Weidner — the Jon & Kate Gosselin of the casino industry — seem destined to remain unwillingly chained together through eternity. Most recently, they’ve been … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Current, Downtown, Economy, Genting, Harrah's, Herbst Gaming, M Resort, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, Morgans Hotel Group, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Texas, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

Hard time for Carruthers

Posted on January 8, 2010 by David McKee

Former Betonsports PLC CEO David Carruthers drew 33 months in the slammer for racketeering. The law under which he was convicted, Slick Billy Frist‘s odious UIGEA, is ludicrous and overdue for repeal, but the recklessnss of Carruthers and company founder … Continue reading →

Posted in International, Internet gambling, Regulation, Texas | Comments Off

We have (another) winner

Posted on December 18, 2009 by David McKee

Betcha they didn’t do this at Aria when the first decent-sized jackpot was hit. The gentleman on the right is Carlos Quintano, from Great Bend, Kan. Only 15 minutes after the doors of Boot Hill Casino & Resort* flew open, … Continue reading →

Posted in Archon Corp., CityCenter, Colorado, Kansas, Texas, Tribal | 1 Comment

What's a Trump casino worth?

Posted on October 8, 2009 by David McKee

Only $14 million in cash (plus a $100 million equity infusion), according to The Donald. Bondholders say, we’ll see your $115 million and raise you $100 million. The latter would recoup at least some — but not very much — … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Baseball, Current, Donald Trump, Fontainebleau, Harrah's, Harry Reid, Horseracing, Illinois, International, Internet gambling, Lawrence Ho, M Resort, Macau, Massachusetts, Melco Crown Entertainment, Neil Bluhm, Ohio, Oklahoma, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, Sports, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Texas, Tribal | Comments Off

Texas afterthoughts

Posted on April 10, 2009 by David McKee

My apologies for leaving regular readers high and dry on Thursday. I was KO'd by a viral infection of some sort. Between that and a couple of doses of Zicam, I spent most of the day drifting in and out … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball, Massachusetts, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Texas | Comments Off