Category Archives: The Strip

Packer bows out; Adelson puts moves on Brazil

Posted on May 12, 2017 by David McKee

There’s now 100% less “Crown” in Melco Crown Entertainment. Colorful casino baron James Packer has sold his share in the company for $1.2 billion. Reuters describes the move as “ending a fraught offshore expansion and freeing up cash for new … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Australia, Boyd Gaming, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Iowa, James Packer, Japan, Lawrence Ho, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Station Casinos, The Crown 18, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Packer bows out; Adelson puts moves on Brazil

Big month in Maryland; Kentucky Derby sets record

Posted on May 9, 2017 by David McKee

MGM National Harbor took the top spot in Maryland last month, grossing $50 million to Maryland Live‘s $45 million. “We view this as positive/encouraging for MGM, as it shows the property’s momentum has sustained into April,” wrote JP Morgan analyst … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Galaxy Entertainment, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Horseracing, Illinois, Japan, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off on Big month in Maryland; Kentucky Derby sets record

Quote of the Day

Posted on May 3, 2017 by David McKee

“What Steve [Wynn] did was put scale to it. He kept the elegance, the personality, the landscape, buildings, the interiors and the games. But the most important element of our Las Vegas experience is what occurs between the visitors’ ears. … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Steve Wynn, The Strip | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Paradise Park approved; Sweeping compromise in Florida

Posted on April 28, 2017 by David McKee

Wynn Paradise Park is finally a “go,” the Wynn Resorts board having given a downsized version of the resort its blessing, Construction of the 20-acre lagoon and accompanying convention center may begin before the year is out, perhaps as early … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Genting, Illinois, Internet gambling, Kansas, Macau, Pennsylvania, Politics, Problem gambling, Racinos, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal | 1 Comment

REITs meet the Street; Martinez wins in New Mexico

Posted on April 28, 2017 by David McKee

REITs Gaming & Leisure Properties and MGM Growth Properties both checked in with Wall Street yesterday, and further acquisitions were on the mind of both. In the case of MGM, its next target of opportunity is MGM National Harbor (“on … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Economy, GLPI, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on REITs meet the Street; Martinez wins in New Mexico

Freeman: Sports betting is coming; Second thoughts on Paradise Park

Posted on April 27, 2017 by David McKee

It could be a case of wishing that legalization of sports betting will make it so. Or maybe Geoff Freeman is privy to intelligence that he’s not shared with the rest of us. Either way, he thinks a sports-betting repeal … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Carl Icahn, Dining, Donald Trump, Geoff Freeman, Goldman Sachs, history, Laughlin, Politics, Sports, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Transportation, Tropicana Entertainment | 1 Comment

Baccarat bonanza on Strip

Posted on April 26, 2017 by David McKee

Despite being clocked at baccarat, Las Vegas Strip casinos took in 8% more last month, a jump Wall Street is attributing to the Easter holiday and the much-anticipated Con-Agg expo. Baccarat play was 6% down and casinos won 16% less. … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Downtown, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Mesquite, North Las Vegas, Reno, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Baccarat bonanza on Strip

Wynn: Paradise deferred

Posted on April 26, 2017 by David McKee

Perhaps it’s the distraction caused by casino legalization in Japan. Perhaps it’s the cost creep (now up to $2.4 billion) at Wynn Boston Harbor. Whatever the reason, Wynn Resorts has scaled down its plans for Wynn Paradise Park. Rest assured, … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Economy, Entertainment, Indiana, Iowa, Macau, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street, Warner Gaming | Comments Off on Wynn: Paradise deferred

Adelson buys Trump; Caesars, MGM stiff players

Posted on April 19, 2017 by David McKee

We always knew Sheldon Adelson was fundamentally shameless — remember when he would gush with praise of Red China? — and this photo of him cuddling up to sometime anti-Semite Steve Bannon just proves it. What’s newsworthy, though, is why Adelson may have … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Harrah's, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | Comments Off on Adelson buys Trump; Caesars, MGM stiff players

Bellagio is burning; Parking valets stiffed

Posted on April 14, 2017 by David McKee

Remember the Monte Carlo fire and how it was fueled by construction foam? It was much the same story last night when the south “arm” of Bellagio caught on fire, a blaze which raged for 25 minutes. “You can smell that sulfur,” said … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Cosmopolitan, Cretins, Economy, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Monte Carlo fire, Planet Hollywood, Technology, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Bellagio is burning; Parking valets stiffed

The Cathedral of St. Al Davis

Posted on April 11, 2017 by David McKee

The eternal flame in honor of St. Al is just too much. * Could South Carolina rush in where Georgia has hesitated? The Palmetto State has costly infrastructure problems and Gov. Henry McMaster (R) has indicated he would veto

Posted in Architecture, Georgia, Planet Hollywood, Politics, South Carolina, Sports, Technology, The Strip | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 10, 2017 by David McKee

“When we first announced ‘Britney: Piece of Me’ four years ago, we were certain that Britney’s residency would revolutionize the entertainment landscape in Las Vegas, and are thrilled at how successful the show has been. Caesars Entertainment has always led … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Harrah's, Planet Hollywood, The Strip | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Exit Trump, enter Hard Rock; Casinos in Cuba again?

Posted on April 10, 2017 by David McKee

Hard Rock International is putting its money where its mouth is, judging from the preview it gave of the Hard Rocked Trump Taj Mahal. The most obvious changes will be on the exterior, where all the tiki-tacky Trump theming will … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Columbia Sussex, Donald Trump, Economy, Entertainment, Foxwoods, Hard Rock International, International, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Politics, Sports, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Trump Entertainment Resorts | 1 Comment

Bicycle Casino gets busted; Macao bounces back

Posted on April 5, 2017 by David McKee

For the second time in its history, the Feds have busted the Bicycle Hotel & Casino, in Bell Gardens, California. They’re hot on the trail of laundered money and think Bicycle was providing some drip-dry service. Agents from multilateral task … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Law enforcement, Macau, Sports, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Bicycle Casino gets busted; Macao bounces back

Trump keeps them guessing; Meet your new neighbor, Steve Wynn

Posted on April 4, 2017 by David McKee

Could the president of the United States build a Las Vegas casino? That’s regulatory terra incognito that Nevada regulators will have to explore as Phil Ruffin and Donald Trump continue with their plan to erect a Trump-branded casino next door … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Donald Trump, Economy, Law enforcement, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Movies, New York, Phil Ruffin, Regulation, Riviera, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Mob, The Strip | Comments Off on Trump keeps them guessing; Meet your new neighbor, Steve Wynn

Cutting the Gordian Knot in Florida; New Hampshire tries yet again

Posted on April 3, 2017 by David McKee

Daily fantasy sports is expected to be legalized in Florida with little fuss. Resolving the casino-gambling impasse — that’s another story. Next week, a committee of the Legislature will try to reconcile two radically different bills. The state Senate one … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Japan, New Hampshire, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Singapore, Taxes, Technology, The Strip | Comments Off on Cutting the Gordian Knot in Florida; New Hampshire tries yet again

Trump’s Amman Castle?; Wynn goes 0-for-2

Posted on March 30, 2017 by David McKee

Gambling is illegal in Jordan but that doesn’t stop Donald Trump. The new president’s company has renewed the trademark for a Jordanian casino. This won’t play well with religious hawks in the Hashemite kingdom, who went into full cry when … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Genting, Glenn Straub, International, Internet gambling, Japan, Macau, Revel, Steve Wynn, The Strip | Comments Off on Trump’s Amman Castle?; Wynn goes 0-for-2

Penn gets bigger; Cool February in Nevada

Posted on March 28, 2017 by David McKee

Not many casino companies would double down on the Tunica market, let alone triple down. However, Penn National Gaming has an appetite for risk plus a track record of taking distressed properties and turning them around. So, in addition to … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Colony Capital, Downtown, Harrah's, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Maryland, Mesquite, Mississippi, Nevada, Ohio, Penn National, Reno, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Penn gets bigger; Cool February in Nevada

It’s official: Las Vegas Raiders; Crime on the Strip

Posted on March 27, 2017 by David McKee

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell having slammed the door on Oakland, we’re going to have to follow Adam Schefter‘s lead and get used to saying “Las Vegas Raiders.” Needless to say, this is a huge coup for Sin City, all the bigger … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Geoff Freeman, Harrah's, Law enforcement, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, The Strip, World Series of Poker | Comments Off on It’s official: Las Vegas Raiders; Crime on the Strip

Trump’s Vegas Castle?; Florida Lege speaks with forked tongue

Posted on March 24, 2017 by David McKee

Just a few months ago, the idea of a Donald Trump-branded casino on the Las Vegas Strip would have seemed like a joke. Trump’s brand equity in gaming had dwindled to zilch and the man himself was out of gaming … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Donald Trump, Economy, Florida, Internet gambling, Macau, Mississippi, Phil Ruffin, Politics, Racinos, Seminole Tribe, The Strip, Transportation | Comments Off on Trump’s Vegas Castle?; Florida Lege speaks with forked tongue