Category Archives: The Strip

In defense of Sheldon Adelson

Posted on April 4, 2014 by David McKee

A disclaimer: I tend to agree with Jeffrey Compton that Sheldon Adelson‘s “actions seem nothing but ego-driven overkill.” And by getting into bed with Bible Belt religious conservatives — to whom any form of gambling, not just on the Internet, … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, history, Internet gambling, Iowa, Isle of Capri, Macau, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on In defense of Sheldon Adelson

What’s “incidental” & other Case Bets

Posted on April 2, 2014 by David McKee

When the Clark County Commission went out of its way to define “tavern gaming” in 2011, it went into all sorts of minutiae about kitchens and such. But it neglected to address the elephant in the room: How much gambling … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Foxwoods, Golden Gaming, Goldman Sachs, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Regulation, Slot routes, South Carolina, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tribal | 1 Comment

Sheldon Adelson, sacred monster; New Jersey ‘Net

Posted on April 2, 2014 by David McKee

In case you hadn’t heard, Sheldon Adelson is a pretty rich fella. A run-up in Las Vegas Sands stock over the last two days has put $2.1 billion extra in his pocket. This, inevitably, has sparked further discussion of his … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Internet gambling, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Sheldon Adelson, sacred monster; New Jersey ‘Net

Saratoga screw-up

Posted on April 2, 2014 by David McKee

In its haste to make a statement on gambling, Saratoga Springs may have cut the legs right out from under Saratoga Casino & Raceway. Rules for application, released yesterday, say that “a prospective casino operator must have a resolution of … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, New York, Planet Hollywood, Racinos, Regulation, The Strip | Comments Off on Saratoga screw-up

The best of Las Vegas; Neil Bluhm returns

Posted on April 1, 2014 by David McKee

Although I can’t imagine that too many of our readers are strangers to Las Vegas, perhaps there are a few. In that case, USA Today found somebody — well, me — to offer some helpful tips. For instance, here’s the … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Downtown, Entertainment, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Regulation, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on The best of Las Vegas; Neil Bluhm returns

High rolling

Posted on April 1, 2014 by David McKee

Las Vegas has its newest icon and the local media are duly wowed. The Review-Journal hauled out a stock of familiar superlatives — “stylish … trendy … hip.” The Las Vegas Sun wasn’t much more restrained. Then there was passenger … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Dining, Entertainment, Harrah's, The Strip | Comments Off on High rolling

Gentlemen, place your bids

Posted on March 31, 2014 by David McKee

Today, New York State starts taking bids on the four casinos it will soon be licensing upstate. At yet, there is no mechanism in place for determining licensing fees or whether the surrounding communities want the casinos or not. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Entertainment, Genting, Harrah's, Massachusetts, New York, Regulation, The Strip, Transportation | Comments Off on Gentlemen, place your bids

Okada thwarted again; Granite State stalemate

Posted on March 30, 2014 by David McKee

Kazuo Okada‘s Universal Entertainment Corp. has pulled out of a deal to develop a $2 billion casino megaresort in the Philippines. Universal isn’t talking but jilted partner Century Properties Group is less reticent. Planning to contest the divorce, it says … Continue reading →

Posted in Delaware, Harrah's, International, Japan, New Hampshire, Politics, Problem gambling, The Strip | Comments Off on Okada thwarted again; Granite State stalemate

You are Number Six

Posted on March 26, 2014 by David McKee

Say, isn’t that Rover from The Prisoner chilling out with some party animals at a Las Vegas beach, over to the left there? Anyway, since pool-party season is open now, don’t say I didn’t warn you. S&G is grossing you … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, The Strip, TV | Comments Off on You are Number Six

Upside down at Cosmo; Casino beggars; Tribal casinos set new record

Posted on March 26, 2014 by David McKee

If a 3% ROI is your idea of a good return on a casino, have we got the place for you: The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. It continues to narrow losses and improved gambling revenues 25%. Last year, the Cosmo’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, California, Colorado, Cosmopolitan, Delaware, Dining, Entertainment, Harrah's, Kansas, Macau, New York, Oklahoma, Racinos, Singapore, Taxes, Texas, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal | 1 Comment

No cause for jubilation; Cool spring at IGT

Posted on March 26, 2014 by David McKee

Audience feedback on the revamped, urbanized Jubilee! is starting to pour in … and it’s devastating. How bad can it be, I hear you say? Try this: “Like trying to save the Hindenburg with a bicycle pump … hands-down the … Continue reading →

Posted in Don Barden, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, IGT, Missouri, The Strip, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Twin setbacks in Massachusetts

Posted on March 20, 2014 by David McKee

After all the tsuris that’s gone into bringing casinos to Massachusetts, it may be for naught. In two months, public support has gone from 53% to 46% (against 43% opposed), according to MassINC Polling Group. That means that, if casino … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Culinary Union, Goldman Sachs, Macau, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Revel, Steve Wynn, The Strip | Comments Off on Twin setbacks in Massachusetts

Dramatic turnarounds in Massachusetts; Tribe-on-tribe conflict in California

Posted on March 19, 2014 by David McKee

Hopes that the Mashpee Wampanoags have for a casino got a big lift on March 12. That’s when Interior Department Solicitor Hilary Tompkins ruled that tribes not recognized before 1934 weren’t excluded from casino eligibility. In her interpretation of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, California, Culinary Union, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Goldman Sachs, Harrah's, Horseracing, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Regulation, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Tamares Group, Terry Caudill, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal | Comments Off on Dramatic turnarounds in Massachusetts; Tribe-on-tribe conflict in California

‘Pawn Shop’ moves to Strip

Posted on March 14, 2014 by David McKee

If you haven’t seen Pawn Shop Live! at the Golden Nugget, you’ve still got a couple of weeks to do so but on April 17 it reopens at the Riviera. Don’t go expecting a stage version of Pawn Stars. Directed … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Downtown, Entertainment, Riviera, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, TV | Comments Off on ‘Pawn Shop’ moves to Strip

Nose candy at Mandalay Bay; Remembering Gaughan

Posted on March 13, 2014 by David McKee

It’s a measure of how lucrative nightclubs are that casino companies are willing to run the attendant risks. (Put another way, by contrast to nightclubs, casinos look as staid as banks.) Case in point, MGM Resorts International‘s half-million-dollar settlement with … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Economy, Foxwoods, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Problem gambling, Regulation, Station Casinos, The Strip, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off on Nose candy at Mandalay Bay; Remembering Gaughan

Optimism around the industry

Posted on March 13, 2014 by David McKee

Las Vegas‘ premier casino companies have been showing their wares at the  J.P. Morgan Gaming, Lodging, Restaurant & Leisure Management Access Forum. Among the pilgrims was Wynn Resorts CFO Matt Maddox, who reported that Wynncore is increasing revenue per available room … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, International, Internet gambling, Japan, Louisiana, Macau, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street | Comments Off on Optimism around the industry

Adelson: Sore winner; Good news from Atlantic City

Posted on March 12, 2014 by David McKee

Macao’s 2013 casino haul of $45 billion seems pretty mind-boggling on its own merits. That number could be $115 billion by 2018. Much of that growth will be driven by post-2015 projects of Melco Crown Entertainment and Galaxy Entertainment Group. … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Current, Donald Trump, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, Mohegan Sun, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Jackie Gaughan, 1920-2014

Posted on March 12, 2014 by David McKee

The humility with which Jackie Gaughan did business would be un-thought-of in today’s casino world. He’d come to work through the front door and his “office” was a hotel room adapted for the purpose. At various times, Jackie owned all or … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, history, Regulation, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 2 Comments

Culinary: Two down, 14 to go; Quiet crisis at Sands

Posted on March 11, 2014 by David McKee

Culinary Union-represented workers at the Riviera and at Treasure Island have cause for celebration, being the beneficiaries of new, five-year collective bargaining agreements.  Culinary Secretary-Treasurer Geoconda Arguello-Kline took the extra step of hailing the Riviera deal as “mutually beneficial” to … Continue reading →

Posted in Charity, Culinary Union, Delaware, Macau, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Ohio, Phil Ruffin, Racinos, Regulation, Riviera, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, The Strip | Comments Off on Culinary: Two down, 14 to go; Quiet crisis at Sands

Quote of the Day

Posted on March 11, 2014 by David McKee

“Whoever determined that 12 noon was the perfect check-in, check-out time was thinking of the housekeeping shift, not the guest.” — Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration professor of marketing Chekitan Dev, on the Palms‘ new, round-the-clock checkout policy. It’ll be … Continue reading →

Posted in Dan Lee, Palms, The Strip | 1 Comment