Category Archives: The Strip

Why Trump won’t run

Posted on April 29, 2011 by David McKee

Two words: Mob ties. Yes, Donald “100 Percent Clean” Trump did business — repeatedly — with a man he believed (or, best case, seriously feared) to be the murderer of Jimmy Hoffa. He also employed an individual identified by U.S. … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Current, Donald Trump, Economy, Florida, history, Isle of Capri, New York, Politics, Regulation, Riviera, Sahara, Sheldon Adelson, The Mob, The Strip, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment | 2 Comments

The verdict: Céline vs. Gladys; End is nigh for Sahara; Plaza 2.0

Posted on April 28, 2011 by David McKee

As Yr. Humble Blogger opines in this week’s Las Vegas CityLife, Céline Dion may be quite something but Gladys Knight is Something Else. If you’re a paying customer, Knight’s Tropicana Las Vegas show is by far the better value: longer, … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Architecture, Dining, Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, Environment, Harrah's, Mississippi, Politics, Sahara, Tamares Group, The Strip | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 28, 2011 by David McKee

“When Boyd [Gaming] stopped work on Echelon, everyone thought they were crazy. Now it looks like genius.” — executive from a rival Las Vegas Strip casino operator, overheard at a media event in Town Square recently.

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Current, Economy, The Strip | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Big Brother is watching you … at Cosmo; Trump vs. Trump

Posted on April 28, 2011 by David McKee

So much for that “right amount of wrong.” The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas put itself on the map with a batch of pervy-looking TV spots touting itself as the Ground Zero of decadence in Sin City. So how much wrong … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, Current, Donald Trump, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Movies, Phil Ruffin, Regulation, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, TV | 3 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 27, 2011 by David McKee

“Provocative design and erotic revelry will converge to create a uniquely aesthetic nightlife experience at Gallery Nightclub at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. Oversized frames adorn the walls, showcasing original photography depicting voyeuristic imagery as an erotic backdrop for guests. … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Current, Entertainment, Harrah's, Marketing, Planet Hollywood, The Strip | 2 Comments

Steve Wynn, victim?

Posted on April 27, 2011 by David McKee

Watch the latest video at video.foxbusiness.com Is the casino mogul the victim of, as he says, “prejudice”? You decide. Dealers and nightclub employees whose tips he’s confiscated may not be passing him the crying towel, however.

Posted in Current, Economy, Election, International, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 4 Comments

Not priced to move; The end of Southern Highlands

Posted on April 26, 2011 by David McKee

Recently I was asked about the future of the Key Largo Casino, long defunct — a casualty of last decade’s condo craze. The photo above is some handiwork of Colliers International and I’ve borrowed it to illustrate the excellent geographical … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Cannery Casino Resorts, Columbia Sussex, Current, Economy, Gary Goett, M Resort, Penn National, Regulation, Station Casinos, The Strip, Warner Gaming | 1 Comment

New era at the Riv

Posted on April 25, 2011 by David McKee

It sure looks at lot like the old one, especially with Robert Vannucci still calling the shots over there, according to the grapevine: “Experience action-packed wrestling as Lil Macho Man, Tiny Terminator, Lil Rampage, Nasty Boy, Baby Chucky, Lil Devil … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Current, Economy, Entertainment, Marketing, Movies, Pets, Riviera, Sahara, Sports, The Strip, Tourism, TV | 12 Comments

Austerity, MGM style; Only in Nevada

Posted on April 25, 2011 by David McKee

Despite a decidedly underwhelming financial performance in 2009, MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren managed to take home $13.75 million in overall compensation. Last year, he had to make ends meet on $9.8 million. Snarkiness aside, this actually shows that … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Election, Entertainment, Environment, Harrah's, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Midnight Jim Gibbons, North Las Vegas, Politics, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip, TV, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Meet $2 Million Mike; The Big Easier

Posted on April 25, 2011 by David McKee

Casino podcasts (MGM Resorts International‘s in particular) have been razzed in the past for a lack of content. No such gripes about Las Vegas Sands‘ latest offering, 10 minutes in the company of COO Michael Leven (who derives his nickname … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Current, Economy, Florida, Harrah's, International, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Macau, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Trump plays the Strip

Posted on April 25, 2011 by David McKee

It looks like Phil Ruffin tired of Mystere and needed a new clown show. In other news: Bad tidings for Steve Wynn; his presidential candidate of choice, Gov. Haley Barbour (R-MS) is folding his tent.

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, Current, Donald Trump, Election, Entertainment, Marketing, Phil Ruffin, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 8 Comments

Blockbuster month in Pennsylvania; Resurgence in Atlantic City; Douchebag of the Decade

Posted on April 20, 2011 by David McKee

You want good news? We’ve got your good news right here: Casino revenues in Pennsylvania rocketed 24% last month. (35% if you include SugarHouse but that’s an apples-to-oranges metric.) Since, on a same-store basis, slot winnings were just slightly down, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cannery Casino Resorts, Cretins, Current, Dennis Gomes, Dining, Donald Trump, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, Marketing, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, Tribal | 3 Comments

‘Pokergeddon’ as it happens

Posted on April 15, 2011 by David McKee

Today’s Department of Justice/FBI surprise attack on PokerStars, Absolute Poker and Full Tilt Poker is a story that’s moving so fast that there’s scarcely time to mull or comment upon it. Almost nobody saw this coming, although Nathan Vardi of … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball, Current, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Politics, Regulation, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Low-rolling at Aria; MGM ups China ante; That doggone Desert Xpress

Posted on April 14, 2011 by David McKee

A SoCal-based player kindly shared this image from the latest Aria/M life offer: My friend ran an experienced eye over the chips on the rail and concluded that it “must be the lowest-minimum craps table Aria has ever seen,” as … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Cantor Gaming, CityCenter, Current, Harry Reid, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Marketing, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Movies, Pansy Ho, Problem gambling, Regulation, Stanley Ho, Technology, The Strip, Transportation, Wall Street | Comments Off on Low-rolling at Aria; MGM ups China ante; That doggone Desert Xpress

Caught between a skank and a Hard Rock; Kasich vs. casinos

Posted on April 11, 2011 by David McKee

Morgans Hotel Group may have skedaddled out of Las Vegas, tail firmly between legs, but it’s not free of trouble linked to its calamitous Sin City sojourn. During Morgans stewardship of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, it offered $300,000 … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Economy, Entertainment, Florida, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, International, Internet gambling, Iowa, Louisiana, MGM Mirage, Morgans Hotel Group, Ohio, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Blast from the past

Posted on April 11, 2011 by David McKee

Has Steve Wynn taken voice lessons? The unmistakable, mellifluous baritone that soothingly emanates from the mogul’s prerecorded messages to hotel guests and Web site visitors is a far cry from the high-pitched, nasal tones heard in this ancient TV interview. … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, history, Steve Wynn, The Mob, The Strip, TV | Comments Off on Blast from the past

Marriott moots LV casino

Posted on April 8, 2011 by David McKee

Offering Sin City a slim reed of hope, Marriott International has let it be known — through “trailer station” operator United Coin — that it hopes to build a 3,500-room casino-hotel directly opposite the Las Vegas Convention Center. Considering the … Continue reading →

Posted in Colony Capital, Current, Florida, Harrah's, history, LVCVA, Mississippi, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal | 5 Comments

As Steve Wynn said …

Posted on April 8, 2011 by David McKee

… you have to admire Donald Trump because it’s not easy to go bankrupt when you own three casinos. The years! The billions! The hairdos! His current ego-gratification tour is taking him to Arizona. I dare him to come on … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Current, Donald Trump, Economy, Election, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Cantor’s new brand: Slots for tots

Posted on April 6, 2011 by David McKee

Other than as a medium for sports betting, mobile-gambling devices have resolutely failed to catch on in Las Vegas casinos. Provider/operator Cantor Gaming has made a few inroads but mostly at one-off properties like M Resort and the Hard Rock … Continue reading →

Posted in Cantor Gaming, Cirque du Soleil, Cosmopolitan, Cretins, Current, Economy, Entertainment, Hard Rock Hotel, Harrah's, Internet gambling, M Resort, Midnight Jim Gibbons, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Technology, The Strip | 2 Comments

Goodman and Station win Round One; MGM’s Free(dom) Ride

Posted on April 6, 2011 by David McKee

The Las Vegas electorate had a lovely parting gift for Victor Chaltiel and Sheldon Adelson. Which is to say that Carolyn Goodman didn’t win the Las Vegas mayoralty outright yesterday but is a relatively low hurdle away from inheriting husband … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Downtown, Election, Entertainment, Harrah's, history, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Midnight Jim Gibbons, Oscar Goodman, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, The Mob, The Strip, TV | 1 Comment