Category Archives: The Strip

Las Vegas slides toward crisis as market tanks

Posted on March 12, 2020 by David McKee

Coronavirus having been officially been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, it was only a matter of time before the impact hit Las Vegas. Not much time, either. Late yesterday, the National Association of Broadcasters pulled the plug … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Conventions, DFS, Donald Trump, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Health, International, Las Vegas Sands, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, New York, Sheldon Adelson, South Korea, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Twin River, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

The new theme of Las Vegas

Posted on March 11, 2020 by David McKee

As seen (and photographed) by reader Greg Askins …

Posted in Health, The Strip | Comments Off on The new theme of Las Vegas

Gaming stocks immune to rally; Casinos get serious about coronavirus

Posted on March 11, 2020 by David McKee

Gaming stocks by and large didn’t feel the love on Wall Street yesterday, trending slightly downward, not counting 9% rallies for Station Casinos and Melco Resorts & Entertainment (the latter the only Macao operator to bounce back). The market recouped … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Alex Meruelo, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Cosmopolitan, Current, Detroit, Dining, Donald Trump, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Florida, Health, Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Maryland, Massachusetts, Maverick Gaming, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Penn National, Phil Ruffin, Reno, Rhode Island, Sahara, South Dakota, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Taxes, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Transportation, Vermont, Wall Street, Washington State, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Gaming stocks immune to rally; Casinos get serious about coronavirus

Panic in The Street, Vegas calmer

Posted on March 9, 2020 by David McKee

A stock market “circuit breaker” was deployed for the first time since the crash of 2008, when Wall Street opened for trading and stocks promptly nosedived. All major casino stocks are trading down, especially Wynn Resorts, Eldorado Resorts and Station Casinos. … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, China, Conventions, Diversity, Eldorado Resorts, Health, IGT, International, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Oregon, Philippines, Sports betting, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Panic in The Street, Vegas calmer

Vegas vs. virus II; Illinois, Maryland rally

Posted on March 6, 2020 by David McKee

Two presumed cases of coronavirus have been reported in Nevada. What’s the over/under on when panic sets in? Me, I’m contemplating a trip back to Las Vegas in the near future, so I’m working on my sangfroid. As one tourist … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Charity, Churchill Downs, Donald Trump, Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Health, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Penn National, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street, West Virginia, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Vegas vs. virus; Tribe puts $1 billion on table

Posted on March 4, 2020 by David McKee

Las Vegas is 20,000 attendees poorer now that Adobe Summit 2020 has pulled the plug on its convention. Although Sin City has been spared from coronavirus fears so far, withdrawals of this magnitude are at least as bad as a … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, China, Churchill Downs, Conventions, Donald Trump, Election, Health, International, Lotteries, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Real Estate, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Vegas vs. virus; Tribe puts $1 billion on table

Massachusetts’ Daddy Warbucks; Ghoulish new Flamingo show

Posted on March 4, 2020 by David McKee

Neil Bluhm doesn’t have an office in Massachusetts. Nor any employees. But Rush Street Gaming‘s Bay State affiliate spent the second-highest amount on lobbying last year. That’d be 662 dimes lavished on the pursuit of the state’s elusive, final casino … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Caesars Entertainment, California, Economy, Election, Entertainment, Health, history, Lotteries, Marketing, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Regulation, Resorts World LV, The Strip, TV | Comments Off on Massachusetts’ Daddy Warbucks; Ghoulish new Flamingo show

Macao sucks; Massachusetts tribe rebuffed … again

Posted on March 3, 2020 by David McKee

Macao was a ghost town last month, with hotel occupancy an anemic 12%. Gaming analysts, in addition to writing off 1Q20, are predicting a 50% declivity in the second quarter, with recovery not taking hold until October. Casino companies, meanwhile, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Caesars Entertainment, California, Conventions, Donald Trump, Economy, International, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Money laundering, Palms, Regulation, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Macao sucks; Massachusetts tribe rebuffed … again

Gaming exempt from Wall Street love; Harry-come-lately

Posted on March 3, 2020 by David McKee

Gaming stocks responded indifferently to yesterday’s Wall Street rally. Wynn Resorts was up and down but ultimately flat, MGM Resorts International ticked up 2%, Las Vegas Sands was flat and Melco Resorts & Entertainment slipped a percentage point. So much … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, China, Churchill Downs, Conventions, Dining, Donald Trump, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Election, Entertainment, Harry Reid, Health, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Oregon, South Korea, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Gaming exempt from Wall Street love; Harry-come-lately

Dream on (really); Golden gets downgrade

Posted on March 2, 2020 by David McKee

Dream on the south Las Vegas Strip is looking more like reality, Shopoff Real Estate Investments having purchased the requisite 5.25 acres. The exact location will be at the Strip at Russell Road, just south of Mandalay Bay. Calling the … Continue reading →

Posted in Conventions, Economy, Golden Gaming, Horseracing, Kansas, Las Vegas Raiders, Lotteries, Phil Ruffin, Politics, Problem gambling, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Taxes, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Dream on (really); Golden gets downgrade

Bank rides to Churchill Downs’ rescue; Las Vegas healthy

Posted on March 2, 2020 by David McKee

Last week Churchill Downs posted perfectly good 4Q19 numbers but Wall Street wasn’t buying it. CHDN shares slumped 14%. That prompted some weekend damage control from JP Morgan, which bumped its rating up from “neutral” to “overweight,” and sent analyst … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, China, Conventions, Donald Trump, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Health, history, Horseracing, Illinois, Indiana, International, Kentucky, Marketing, Problem gambling, Regulation, Rhode Island, Slot routes, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Wall Street, Washington State, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Bank rides to Churchill Downs’ rescue; Las Vegas healthy

Bennett returns, Aguilera leaves, Adelsons idolized

Posted on March 2, 2020 by David McKee

The Las Vegas Strip will be blessed for three nights in August, as Tony Bennett returns to The Venetian. He’ll play the 12th, 14th and 15th, with an assist from Antonia Bennett. Tickets start at $50, with a portion of … Continue reading →

Posted in Aristocrat, Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Entertainment, Florida, Health, history, IGT, Indiana, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Macau, Maine, Marijuana, MGM Resorts International, Oregon, Planet Hollywood, Problem gambling, Scientific Games, Scott Butera, Sheldon Adelson, Shuffle Master, Singapore, Sports, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, Tribal, Wisconsin | 1 Comment

Caution at Churchill Downs doesn’t impress Wall Street

Posted on February 28, 2020 by David McKee

Churchill Downs‘ stock reacted adversely to a cautious 4Q19 revenue report, as investors worried about the impact of coronavirus on the running of the Kentucky Derby, slated for May 2. JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff, although one of those staying … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Caesars Entertainment, Canada, Churchill Downs, Dining, Health, Horseracing, Illinois, International, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Macau, Money laundering, Regulation, Resort fees, Scientific Games, Slot routes, Sports betting, Taxes, The Mob, The Strip, Virginia, Wall Street, William Hill | Comments Off on Caution at Churchill Downs doesn’t impress Wall Street

Big January for the Strip; Mega-jottings

Posted on February 28, 2020 by David McKee

January was very good for the Las Vegas Strip, up 7.5% to $572 million. Baccarat played a big role, with winnings up 16% on 24% greater wagering. (In fairness, January 2019 was terrible for baccarat.) Other table games didn’t do … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Boulder Strip, Caesars Entertainment, China, Conventions, Downtown, Downtown Grand, Eldorado Resorts, Health, Illinois, International, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, North Las Vegas, Philippines, PokerStars, Regulation, Reno, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Wendover | 2 Comments

Politics as unusual; Macao stocks ailing

Posted on February 26, 2020 by David McKee

A pro-casino group in Pope County, Arkansas, may have committed an electoral no-no. Pope County Majority is accused of making in-kind contributions to two candidates and of making political endorsements, in effect becoming a PAC. PCM, which is trying to … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Caesars Entertainment, Economy, Election, Health, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Politics, Regulation, The Strip, Virginia, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Politics as unusual; Macao stocks ailing

Reeg savages Caesars; Catskills rescue plan

Posted on February 24, 2020 by David McKee

Having rashly committed $500 million in reinvestments to the Louisiana market (he’ll have to build whole new casinos to spend that much), Eldorado Resorts CEO Tom Reeg has to make those forfeited savings back somewhere. Potential sales of Caesars Entertainment‘s … Continue reading →

Posted in Alaska, Animals, Caesars Entertainment, Conventions, Donald Trump, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Election, Entertainment, Foxwoods, Genting, Internet gambling, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Lotteries, Louisiana, Marketing, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Planet Hollywood, Resorts World LV, Sexual misconduct, Sports betting, The Rio, The Strip | 1 Comment

Quickie caucus summary

Posted on February 22, 2020 by David McKee

Winner: Medicare for All. As reported in the Boston Globe, “As [Sen. Bernie] Sanders piled up wins at precincts inside casinos up and down the Las Vegas Strip, it seemed clear that he had overcome deep opposition from the leadership … Continue reading →

Posted in Culinary Union, Election, Harry Reid, Politics, The Strip | Comments Off on Quickie caucus summary

Life’s good if you’re Boyd; Caesars fire sale threatened

Posted on February 21, 2020 by David McKee

Boyd Gaming‘s share price got a bump from JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff, who wrote “We continue to believe BYD is well positioned in both U.S. regional gaming markets as well as the LV Locals market.” Since Boyd is ahead … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Conventions, Downtown, Eldorado Resorts, Election, GLPI, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Penn National, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Odds favor Bloomberg; Hilton returns to Vegas

Posted on February 20, 2020 by David McKee

As Saturday’s Nevada caucus nears, South Point oddsmaker Jimmy Vaccaro is boldly going where none of his colleagues have gone before, posting presidential odds. We’ll break them down by category. Vaccaro has Sen. Bernie Sanders (I), as expected, winning Nevada … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball, China, Connecticut, Cretins, Culinary Union, Election, International, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Macau, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mattress Mack, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, New Hampshire, Politics, Resorts World LV, Sahara, Scientific Games, Sports betting, Taxes, Technology, The Strip | 1 Comment

Wynn dominates Massachusetts; Scientific disappoints

Posted on February 19, 2020 by David McKee

Massachusetts casinos raked in $80 million last month, 60% of that—or $48.5 million—at Encore Boston Harbor. Holding onto a 26% share was MGM Springfield, grossing $20.5 million, while Plainridge Park won $11 million. That was a 10.5% decline for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Baseball, Economy, Internet gambling, Japan, Massachusetts, Maverick Gaming, MGM Resorts International, Oklahoma, Penn National, Scientific Games, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, Washington State, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Wynn dominates Massachusetts; Scientific disappoints