Category Archives: The Strip

Less KAOS, more chaos at Palms

Posted on November 6, 2019 by David McKee

Station Casinos has an excellent record as an operator. Why then did it misjudge its attempt to compete with the Las Vegas Strip in its takeover (and makeover) of the Palms? And while it knows its onions with regard to … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Colorado, Dining, Election, Entertainment, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Palms, Penn National, Real Estate, Sports betting, Station Casinos, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Less KAOS, more chaos at Palms

MGM’s architecture lauded; Sands number one in Asia

Posted on November 5, 2019 by David McKee

Congratulations to MGM China, whose MGM Cotai has won the annual Skyscraper Award from Emporis. We quite agree. MGM Cotai is the most striking casino-hotel design since Marina Bay Sands, a bold statement on behalf of modernity. (Sands, by contrast, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Genting, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, MGM Resorts International, New York, Singapore, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on MGM’s architecture lauded; Sands number one in Asia

Why does Massachusetts suck?

Posted on November 5, 2019 by David McKee

Did the casino industry drink its own bathwater vis-a-vis Massachusetts? The Boston Globe asks “whether the industry didn’t fully understand how tough it would be to attract gamblers in a regional market that has become increasingly competitive.” Both Encore Boston … Continue reading →

Posted in Carl Icahn, Economy, Fontainebleau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, New York, Penn National, Steven Witkoff, Taxes, The Strip, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Cordish bully on Philly

Posted on November 4, 2019 by David McKee

We’ll soon find out if the Philadelphia market can sustain five casinos when Cordish Gaming‘s Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia opens, next door to Citizens Bank Park (baseball) and close to Lincoln Financial Field (football) and Wells Fargo Center (basketball and … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, California, Charity, Cordish Co., Dan Gilbert, DFS, Donald Trump, Entertainment, Florida, Las Vegas Raiders, MGM Resorts International, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Sahara, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

The Drew makes bold promises; GLPI gleeful

Posted on November 1, 2019 by David McKee

Steven Witkoff buried the lead when announcing that Bobby Baldwin had been called out of retirement to become CEO of The Drew. Witkoff’s PR peeps said that the project was in “final preparations for construction,” which is the first movement … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Caesars Entertainment, California, CityCenter, Detroit, DFS, Dining, Fontainebleau, G2E, GLPI, history, Las Vegas Sands, Lotteries, Louisiana, Macau, Maryland, Michigan, Politics, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, Vdara Death Ray, Wall Street | Comments Off on The Drew makes bold promises; GLPI gleeful

Clarkson takes Vegas; Penn exudes confidence

Posted on November 1, 2019 by David McKee

It’s about time: Kelly Clarkson is coming to Las Vegas for a residency at Planet Hollywood, running from April 1 of next year through the following September. Having been on the scene for nearly 20 years (already?), Clarkson will have … Continue reading →

Posted in China, Current, Economy, Entertainment, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Penn National, Slot routes, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Vegas tourists, locals flex economic muscle

Posted on October 31, 2019 by David McKee

Both the Las Vegas Strip and Nevada casinos as a whole were up 7% in September, with locals action up a bullish 9.5%. “We think this data suggest less potential gaming-related risk to MGM’s 3Q19 results as well as [Station … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Conventions, Downtown, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, MGM Resorts International, Reno, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off on Vegas tourists, locals flex economic muscle

MGM: Everything must go

Posted on October 31, 2019 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International reported 3Q19 results and they were good enough to make the lion roar. Macao contributed $738 million, a 22% surge reflecting the ramp-up of MGM Cotai surely with $80 million in revenue. Also, CityCenter may be sucking … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, CityCenter, Detroit, Eldorado Resorts, Golden Gaming, Macau, Maryland, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, New York, Ohio, Philippines, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip | Comments Off on MGM: Everything must go

Case Bets

Posted on October 30, 2019 by David McKee

Jottings: Bart Blatstein wants to subdivide the Showboat lot into five parcels. The idea appears to be to build a casino where the volleyball court currently sits, making an end run around the gaming restriction placed on the property by … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Baseball, Caesars Entertainment, Colorado, Cosmopolitan, Election, International, Internet gambling, MGM Resorts International, Movies, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Air guitar; Forgiveness urged for Steve Wynn

Posted on October 28, 2019 by David McKee

The much-anticipated opening of Hard Rock International‘s guitar-shaped hotel-casino in Hollywood, Florida, drew celebrities from Hollywood, California (Johnny Depp), as well as ones who would attend the opening of an eyelid (Kim Kardashian). Hard Rock hopes to recreate the iconic … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Australia, Baseball, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Cosmopolitan, Florida, Genting, Hard Rock International, Hooters, Illinois, International, Japan, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Nevada, New York, Politics, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Scott Butera, Sexual misconduct, Sports, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Louisiana gets soaked; Surrender flag waved

Posted on October 24, 2019 by David McKee

Boyd Gaming warned us that Deep South results would be weak, following two hurricanes, and they didn’t exaggerate. Flood-affected Louisiana casino receipts plummeted 11% in September. Boyd casinos got the worst of it, down 10.5%. New Orleans was flat but … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, China, Churchill Downs, Crown Resorts, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Illinois, Isle of Capri, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Money laundering, Penn National, Regulation, Resort fees, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, The Mob, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street | Comments Off on Louisiana gets soaked; Surrender flag waved

Cosmo does it again; Georgia ponders casinos

Posted on October 24, 2019 by David McKee

It happened again. Smoke billowed over the Las Vegas Strip from an electrical fire at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas last night. No one was injured, thank God, and the damage appears to be minor. But it’s the second fire … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Baseball, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Cosmopolitan, Eldorado Resorts, Election, Foxwoods, Georgia, Greenwood Racing, Hard Rock International, Horseracing, IGT, Illinois, International, Lotteries, Louisiana, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Politics, Scientific Games, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Transportation | 1 Comment

Scientific rebuffed in R.I.; Golden, Boyd deliver

Posted on October 23, 2019 by David McKee

Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo (D) doubled down on her commitment to International Game Technology to run the state’s lottery by rebuffing an offer from Scientific Games, in tandem with Twin River Casinos. The Scientific proposal promised 1,100 jobs or … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Conventions, Downtown, Environment, Golden Gaming, Hawaii, IGT, Lotteries, North Las Vegas, Palms, Rhode Island, Scientific Games, Sports, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Scientific rebuffed in R.I.; Golden, Boyd deliver

Oklahoma, tribes ready to talk; Don’t geofence me in

Posted on October 22, 2019 by David McKee

Oct. 28 is the date appointed for Oklahoma gaming tribes to meet with Attorney General Mike Hunter and find out just what Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) wants from them. As one chief put it, “We’re anxiously awaiting what their proposal is.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Colorado, Dan Lee, DFS, Election, Full House Resorts, G2E, Genting, history, Indiana, Las Vegas Sands, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Oklahoma, Oregon, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Singapore, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

$6 million man; Tribal troubles

Posted on October 21, 2019 by David McKee

Las Vegas Sands can’t stay out of court. Marina Bay Sands is being sued by a Chinese gambler who says $6.6 million of his money was moved out of his account and disbursed to other individuals he didn’t know in … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Florida, Hard Rock International, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, New York, Singapore, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on $6 million man; Tribal troubles

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 21, 2019 by David McKee

“The opportunity to own 102 acres on the Las Vegas Strip was very interesting. From a strategic standpoint, Circus Circus is the most recognizable name on the North Strip. Treasure Island is the crown jewel in my portfolio, and Circus Circus … Continue reading →

Posted in MGM Resorts International, Phil Ruffin, The Strip | 1 Comment

Cornyn checkmates tribes; Crown steps in it again

Posted on October 21, 2019 by David McKee

In this corner, two Native American tribes. In that one, Texas Sen. John Cornyn (R). They say he’s playing politics with their casino aspirations. He says they’re trying to make an end run—by way of the U.S. Senate—of their obligation … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, China, Crown Resorts, Environment, Golden Gaming, Hard Rock International, Hooters, Illinois, Laughlin, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Mohegan Sun, Money laundering, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Politics, Slot routes, Texas, The Mob, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Cornyn checkmates tribes; Crown steps in it again

Macao economy flounders; Massachusetts bonanza illusory

Posted on October 18, 2019 by David McKee

Macao got a double-barreled blast of bad news. First off, China‘s gross domestic product has slowed to growth rates not seen in almost 30 years. In fact, the R-word (“recession”) was invoked. Slow investment growth was blamed, as was the … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, California, Charity, China, Downtown, Economy, Foxwoods, Las Vegas Raiders, Law enforcement, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Politics, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Macao economy flounders; Massachusetts bonanza illusory

Ocean surges in Atlantic City; Wall Street yawns at MGM sale

Posted on October 17, 2019 by David McKee

Atlantic City gambling revenue was off 3% last month and we’ll be generous, chalking it up to one less weekend day than last year. The Boardwalk grossed $224.5 million, led by Borgata with $57.5 million (a 5% slippage). Table win … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Eldorado Resorts, Greenwood Racing, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Japan, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, New Jersey, Ocean Resort, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Phil Ruffin, Real Estate, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

Boyd, Penn upbeat; DeSalvio leaves Encore Boston

Posted on October 16, 2019 by David McKee

J.P. Morgan analyst Joseph Greff continued his listening tour of Global Gaming Expo, meeting with Boyd Gaming CFO Josh Hirshberg. “We come away positive and highlight BYD’s attractive free cash flow generation and ensuing de-leveraging,” Greff reported. Despite wider concerns … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Derek Stevens, Detroit, Dining, G2E, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Palms, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Slot routes, Sports betting, Station Casinos, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment