Category Archives: The Strip

Johnny Casino, thug; Truce at the Trop; The T-Word

Posted on May 13, 2011 by David McKee

Although the Mob may have left Las Vegas, its strong-arm tactics are still in use. Respected casino architect Paul Steelman found that out when he wouldn’t give a job to John Ensign‘s borderline-illiterate former chief of staff, Doug Hampton. Drunk … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Colony Capital, Columbia Sussex, Culinary Union, Current, Dennis Gomes, Donald Trump, Economy, Harrah's, Harry Reid, Kansas, MGM Mirage, Penn National, The Mob, The Strip, Tourism, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Riviera goes on nostalgia kick

Posted on May 12, 2011 by David McKee

As the Sahara wheezes towards the grave Sam Nazarian dug for it and the Tropicana Las Vegas goes “South Beach” in a blaze of blinding white, the Riviera is left in sole possession of the “old school” niche on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Economy, Encore, Entertainment, Marketing, Riviera, Sahara, The Strip, Tourism | 4 Comments

Goett … Goett … gone

Posted on May 12, 2011 by David McKee

In addition to his core site of 100 acres across from M Resort, would-be Olympia Gaming mogul Gary Goett is also shopping around an additional 260 gaming-enabled acres directly to the north. Goett’s asking price? A cool million an acre, … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Current, Downtown, Economy, Gary Goett, Herbst Gaming, International, Marketing, Mesquite, Michael Gaughan, North Las Vegas, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | 2 Comments

Kasich screws casinos; Adelson screws the pooch

Posted on May 12, 2011 by David McKee

Our next-to-worst fears for Ohio have come to pass: Caesars Rock Ohio has temporarily pulled the plug on both its Cincinnati (above) and Cleveland casinos. It’s the latest escalation in a war between developers and state government, which wants to … Continue reading →

Posted in Cannery Casino Resorts, Current, Economy, Hard Rock Hotel, International, Kansas, Macau, Marketing, Ohio, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, TV, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Trump’d

Posted on May 11, 2011 by David McKee

With his sham presidential “campaign” disintegrating faster than a hydrogen-filled zeppelin, inept casino operator Donald Trump‘s much-hyped Sunday announcement turns out to have been a put-on, too. Trump lackey Michael Cohen is still trying to pump air into the deflating … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cretins, Current, Donald Trump, Election, Marketing, Penn National, Phil Ruffin, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, TV, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Has Illinois finally bottomed out? Trop shakeup; Big markdown on Trump

Posted on May 6, 2011 by David McKee

Sorry to disappoint, but we won’t have the answer until June–August, three straight months with the same number of weekend days as last year. By that point we’ll know whether April‘s 2% increase was the beginning of a trend. Last … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Carl Icahn, Colony Capital, Columbia Sussex, Current, Donald Trump, Economy, Entertainment, Environment, George Maloof, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Penn National, Phil Ruffin, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment | 3 Comments

A message from Steve Wynn

Posted on May 4, 2011 by David McKee

Our favorite casino mogul, Steve Wynn, reminds us that his is a “more restrained” and private form of procession to the pronubial altar, and should be treated with discretion by the media … Which reminds me that Daily Fiasco requested … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Encore, Entertainment, Marketing, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 8 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on May 4, 2011 by David McKee

“They should have captured Bin Laden alive and made him continually go through airport security for the rest of his life.” — V Theatre hypnotist-in-residence Marc Savard, on his Facebook page.

Posted in Current, Entertainment, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

John Kasich, casino killer

Posted on May 3, 2011 by David McKee

Aw, isn’t this great? After Gov. John Kasich (R-OH) made the ludicrous claim that Ohio voters didn’t know what they were getting into when they approved a casino initiative in 2008, his legislative allies are trying to up the ante. … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Election, Harrah's, history, Kentucky, Lyle Berman, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, TV, Wall Street | 6 Comments

Steve, Steve, what gives?

Posted on May 3, 2011 by David McKee

Dear Steve Wynn: No this really isn’t about that truly unfortunate (to put it gently) wedding video that Wynn Las Vegas put on YouTube last Monday. Although, as Hunter Hillegas posted on Twitter, “That video kinda freaks me out. Also, … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Cretins, Donald Trump, Dubai, Economy, Entertainment, history, Internet gambling, Macau, MGM Mirage, Pokergeddon, Politics, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Technology, The Strip | 4 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on May 3, 2011 by David McKee

“My strength has always been the economy and that’s what I’m best at.” — Donald Trump, to Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Laura Myers, whilst riding to half-finished 75% unsold, lawsuit-plagued, $1.2 billion Trump International last week. Hilarity is optional.

Posted in Donald Trump, Economy, The Strip | 2 Comments

Vegas’ highest-paid Elvis impersonator

Posted on May 2, 2011 by David McKee

Yes, it’s Steve Wynn. Although Wynn Las Vegas is claiming this video went viral over the weekend, I have a strong certainty that a certain F-bomb barrage across the street at Treasure Island racked up more views. Also, given some … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Entertainment, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Movies, Pokergeddon, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 1 Comment

Boyd exits Florida; Mixed messages from the Riv; The revenge of Adelson

Posted on May 2, 2011 by David McKee

Regardless of whether or not resort casinos are voted into law in Florida, one company that won’t be in the running is Boyd Gaming. The firm threw in the towel on the Miami market today. The Sunshine State “no longer … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Colony Capital, Current, Donald Trump, Economy, Entertainment, Florida, Genting, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, M Resort, Macau, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Riviera, Sahara, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Was Pokergeddon a setup?

Posted on May 2, 2011 by David McKee

In his latest column, “Prohibition Is Not Regulation” (an early draft can be seen here) gaming-law guru I. Nelson Rose rakes the Obama administration for choosing “to ignore the lessons of history and take worst aspects of the choices available.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on May 2, 2011 by David McKee

“It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent fuckin’ alliances with any portion of the foreign world; so far, I mean, as we are now at liberty to do it; for let me not be understood as capable … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Donald Trump, history, Phil Ruffin, The Strip | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Inside the mind of Trump

Posted on April 30, 2011 by David McKee

One of the problems with appointing oneself The Ultimate Arbiter of Truth is that ultimately your own veracity comes under the spotlight, as does the “truthiness” of your financial claims. And if the Ultimate Arbiter in question happens to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Donald Trump, International, Phil Ruffin, The Strip | Comments Off on Inside the mind of Trump

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 30, 2011 by David McKee

Sahara dealer says Sam N. can go suck it. The pit boss agrees. — haiku by BigHoss at VegasTripping.com.

Posted in Current, Sahara, The Strip | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Nazarian totally busted …

Posted on April 29, 2011 by David McKee

… by Chuck Monster, who’s learned that SBE Entertainment‘s deal with MGM Resorts International includes dumping the Club Sahara loyalty program database into the lion’s “low roller walled garden,” Circus Circus Players Club. Which is pretty much what S&G expected … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Carl Icahn, CityCenter, Columbia Sussex, Current, Dennis Gomes, Economy, Entertainment, Fontainebleau, Harrah's, Lake Tahoe, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Sahara, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | 6 Comments

Steve Wynn preaches austerity

Posted on April 29, 2011 by David McKee

On the subject of debt, Steve Wynn speaks with some moral authority, having been one of the very few casino moguls who didn’t snort credit like cocaine during the bubble years. However, his professed solicitude for the working man has … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Economy, Phil Ruffin, Steve Wynn, The Strip, TV | 1 Comment

Quote of the %#@&ing Day

Posted on April 29, 2011 by David McKee

Last night at Treasure Island … For more F-bombs, check out Fox 5‘s coverage.

Posted in Current, Donald Trump, Economy, Encore, International, Phil Ruffin, The Strip | 7 Comments