Category Archives: The Strip

Trop sale: More fizzle than sizzle

Posted on March 28, 2020 by David McKee

Remember how Penn National Gaming tantalized us with its sale process for the Tropicana Las Vegas, hinting at a bidding war and outright predicting a massive cash haul for the company? Well, Penn was evidently so bereft of suitors that yesterday it … Continue reading →

Posted in GLPI, Maryland, Penn National, Pennsylvania, The Strip | 2 Comments

Hiccup at Resorts World LV; Coping with a crisis

Posted on March 27, 2020 by David McKee

In case you’ve been wondering, yes, construction is continuing at Resorts World Las Vegas. There will be a partial abatement after a worker tested positive for Coronavirus. As a consequence, work on an unspecified part of the metaresort will be … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Health, International, Resorts World LV, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, Vermont | Comments Off on Hiccup at Resorts World LV; Coping with a crisis

The last good month; NBA to resurrect in Vegas?

Posted on March 26, 2020 by David McKee

Las Vegas Strip gaming revenue was flat in February at $596 million and probably should have been better, given the presence of an extra weekend day. (Statewide, revenues were up 3%.) Strip slots were robust, gaining 7% on 7.5% higher … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Charity, China, Conventions, Downtown, Economy, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Mesquite, North Las Vegas, Reno, Sports betting, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, TV, Wendover | 2 Comments

One picture = 1K words

Posted on March 26, 2020 by David McKee

Bellagio conservatory, yesterday.

Posted in MGM Resorts International, The Strip | Comments Off on One picture = 1K words

Stimulus is here, recovery … who knows?

Posted on March 26, 2020 by David McKee

It’s still not a done deal but what Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R) calls “emergency relief” emerged from the Senate yesterday. A few jerks tried to hold it up with the preposterous argument that “the expanded unemployment benefits were overly … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Caesars Entertainment, China, Conventions, Cretins, Donald Trump, Downtown, Economy, Environment, Galaxy Entertainment, Health, International, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Politics, South Korea, Terry Caudill, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, TV, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Stimulus is here, recovery … who knows?

Wynn Resorts defended; Trump stiffs hotel employees

Posted on March 24, 2020 by David McKee

JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff came riding to the aid of Wynn Resorts this week. “COVID-19’s evolving impact has created a lot of share price carnage in the gaming and lodging sector, to state the obvious. Its impact should be … Continue reading →

Posted in China, Current, Donald Trump, Downtown Grand, Economy, Environment, Florida, Health, International, Internet gambling, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Problem gambling, Regulation, The Strip, Tourism, Unite-Here, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Murren sacked

Posted on March 23, 2020 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International canned CEO Jim Murren yesterday, while nobody was looking, promoting Bill Hornbuckle acting CEO and president. Hornbuckle should have been Murren’s heir apparent but the exiled CEO had preferred to go on a candidate search. MGM explained … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, CityCenter, Donald Trump, Health, history, International, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, Phil Ruffin, Sexual misconduct, The Strip | 2 Comments

Stitt catches a break; Station, Gaughan step up to the plate

Posted on March 21, 2020 by David McKee

Did the government of Oklahoma screw up the exclusivity agreement that gave it power over tribal gambling? That’s the contention of a new legal brief from the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes, who say that the recent expansion of lottery offerings … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Charity, Dan Gilbert, Downtown, Genting, Golden Gaming, Health, International, Internet gambling, Lotteries, MGM Resorts International, Michael Gaughan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Sahara, Singapore, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Taxes, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, William Hill | 1 Comment

Sign of the Times

Posted on March 21, 2020 by David McKee
Posted in The Strip | Comments Off on Sign of the Times

Notes in the time of Coronavirus

Posted on March 20, 2020 by David McKee

Saying her city “cannot survive” a month-long shutdown, Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman (D) wants Gov. Steve Sisolak (D) to drastically reduce his 30-day casino closure. We admire Goodman normally but think she’s out of her depth here or, as … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Caesars Entertainment, Conventions, Cretins, Economy, Election, Genting, Horseracing, International, Las Vegas Raiders, Nevada, New York, Sports, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street, Washington State | Comments Off on Notes in the time of Coronavirus

Where do we go from here?

Posted on March 19, 2020 by David McKee

In the process of canceling its 2020 earnings guidance, Marriott International gave some oblique insight into how the casino industry is likely to cope with the Coronavirus quarantine. Occupancy, it said, had fallen to 25%, compared to 70% last year. … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Alabama, Baseball, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, Charity, Economy, Health, Illinois, Indiana, International, Internet gambling, Iowa, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Movies, Oregon, Penn National, Real Estate, Regulation, Sahara, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, South Korea, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Life after casinos; Sheldon is george

Posted on March 19, 2020 by David McKee

“The situation continues to evolve and will escalate rapidly and dramatically. These are unprecedented actions in an extraordinary situation, but they could be the difference in saving lives and keeping people safe.” So said Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) on Sunday, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, China, Cordish Co., e-sports, Economy, Entertainment, Foxwoods, Health, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Politics, Rush Street Gaming, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, TV, Wisconsin | 1 Comment

Tarnished Golden; Exec blasts Japan

Posted on March 18, 2020 by David McKee

Golden Gaming was coming off a strong 4Q19: Net revenues at its Nevada casinos were 24% higher, to $134 million, and its slot routes were up 4.5% to $73 million. However, JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff warned investors to “stay … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Economy, Golden Gaming, Health, Horseracing, Japan, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nevada, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Real Estate, Singapore, Slot routes, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Tarnished Golden; Exec blasts Japan

Las Vegas is closed

Posted on March 18, 2020 by David McKee

America‘s favorite 24-hour town has finally caved to the inevitable and done what neither Sept. 11 nor the Great Recession made it do. It has turned out the lights and hung the “Closed for business” sign in the window. Finally … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Canada, Cosmopolitan, Culinary Union, Dining, Downtown, Economy, Election, Golden Gaming, Health, Illinois, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, Phil Ruffin, Real Estate, Regulation, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Las Vegas is closed

Darkness at noon

Posted on March 17, 2020 by David McKee

Casino dominos continue to topple. The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is the latest Las Vegas Strip casino to close thanks to Covid-19, “temporarily.” (Well, none of the closures has been permanent but there are different degrees of temporary-ness, MGM Resorts … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Connecticut, Cosmopolitan, Detroit, Dining, Foxwoods, Health, Las Vegas Raiders, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, New Jersey, New York, Penn National, Sports, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Darkness at noon

Sports betting kneecapped; What Sauce!

Posted on March 16, 2020 by David McKee

We’re far from knowing the full ramifications of widespread sports cancellations and postponements upon the gaming industry. However, the impact upon sports betting looks to be deep and dire. Last March, Nevada casinos saw $499 million in handle and $39.5 … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, California, Charity, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Philippines, Planet Hollywood, Regulation, Resort fees, Sports, Sports betting, The Rio, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Sports betting kneecapped; What Sauce!

Casino closures sweep the country

Posted on March 16, 2020 by David McKee

We’re all going through what are called “adjustment reactions,” including casino executives across the country. They’d like to stay open for business—many are—but others are being forced to close or making the difficult choice to go dark on their own. … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Conventions, Cordish Co., Derek Stevens, Downtown, e-sports, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Health, IGT, Illinois, Indiana, Las Vegas Sands, Maryland, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Scientific Games, Sports, Station Casinos, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Crisis mode hits Las Vegas

Posted on March 14, 2020 by David McKee

Our country is still trying to grasp the ramifications of Coronavirus, as Broadway goes dark, Disneyland and Disneyworld are closed, The Masters and Boston Marathon are postponed, and cancellations of sporting and cultural events (here and abroad) comprise a list longer … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Caesars Entertainment, Conventions, Dining, Donald Trump, Entertainment, Health, LVCVA, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Pets, The Strip, Tourism, Wynn Resorts | 5 Comments

Trump a public menace … Trump Plaza, that is

Posted on March 13, 2020 by David McKee

Carl Icahn clings to dilapidated Trump Plaza like a child to a favorite toy. But he may be forced to face reality whether he likes it or not. It’s ‘Look out below’ for pedestrians passing the corpse of the casino, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, Detroit, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, FanDuel, Hard Rock International, Health, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, New Jersey, Ocean Resort, Penn National, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

Bad news for Golden Knights, MGM; Lady Gaga honored

Posted on March 12, 2020 by David McKee

T-Mobile Arena is going to be a lot quieter now that the National Hockey League has suspended its season indefinitely. It is leaving the door open to eventual resumption of play, asking constituent arenas to keep ice time available through … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Donald Trump, Election, Entertainment, Health, MGM Resorts International, Sports, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on Bad news for Golden Knights, MGM; Lady Gaga honored