Category Archives: The Strip

Overexuberance in New Jersey, generosity in Maryland

Posted on December 27, 2013 by David McKee

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) is setting himself up for a fall with his blue-sky projections of Internet-gambling revenue. Eilers Research has projected that it will take two or three years for gambling revenue to reach $227 million … … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Economy, Goldman Sachs, Harrah's, history, Illinois, Internet gambling, Macau, Maryland, Massachusetts, Regulation, Slot routes, Taxes, The Mob, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Overexuberance in New Jersey, generosity in Maryland

Case Bets: Britney, Bally, Sheldon & O’Shea’s

Posted on December 27, 2013 by David McKee

Tonight’s a big night for Planet Hollywood, as it debuts its new, Britney Spears headliner show. However, judging from public disinterest in Spears’ recent TV special, Caesars Entertainment may be drawing to a weak hand. “Bally Technologies Inc. received some … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally Technologies, Entertainment, Harrah's, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | Comments Off on Case Bets: Britney, Bally, Sheldon & O’Shea’s

Quote of the Day

Posted on December 26, 2013 by David McKee

“I think it’s the only place that’s going to have the Chicago Bears at one end and Beyonce at the other end, and an arena in both places. It’s a unique place — it’s not like Kansas City. It can … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Sports, The Strip | 2 Comments

SLS to get oddball neighbor?

Posted on December 24, 2013 by David McKee

Everybody’s entitled to a dream, however implausible. Back when Christopher Milam was plotting to build the Silver State Arena on the former Wet ‘n Wild site, we had a lot of problems with Milam’s concept. However, it seems the essence … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Archon Corp., Sam Nazarian, Sports, The Strip | 2 Comments

Curtains for Atlantic Club; Foxwoods rides again

Posted on December 23, 2013 by David McKee

In a curious bankruptcy-court resolution, the Atlantic Club Hotel was sold to two buyers. Tropicana Entertainment — probably getting the better part of the deal — paid $8.4 million for the gambling equipment and player database. Caesars Entertainment spent $15 … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, CityCenter, Colony Capital, Foxwoods, Harrah's, Massachusetts, Regulation, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Curtains for Atlantic Club; Foxwoods rides again

Genting, Steve Wynn & so much more

Posted on December 17, 2013 by David McKee

Genting Group has narrowed its price target for finishing Resorts World Vegas. It will spend between $3 billion and $4 billion to complete the project (for which it has already paid $350 million for land). For a post-recession Vegas that’s … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Colorado, Current, Dubai, Economy, Florida, Fontainebleau, Foxwoods, Genting, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, New York, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 2 Comments

Falling out in Philly; Falling apart at Caesars

Posted on December 17, 2013 by David McKee

SugarHouse Casino has finally said what needed to be said: The Philadelphia market is tapped out for casinos. It’s not entirely a  disinterested stance; SugarHouse is finishing a $155 million expansion and vulnerable to new competition. But the numbers have … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Maryland, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta | 1 Comment

‘Twas the toga before Christmas

Posted on December 12, 2013 by David McKee

While it was saying “Bah, humbug!” to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, along with a lump of coal, Caesars Entertainment released this cheerful swatch of Christmas kitch to the public. (Special thanks to those entertainers — like Taylor Hicks — who … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Entertainment, Harrah's, The Strip | Comments Off on ‘Twas the toga before Christmas

Fizz-le

Posted on December 9, 2013 by David McKee

Caesars Palace has no shortage of excellent dining and drinking venues. A recent walk-through drove that point home. So I suppose it’s entitled to have a turkey amidst the cornucopia and Fizz is it. We visited last week and will … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Entertainment, Harrah's, The Strip | Comments Off on Fizz-le

Casinos on the dole; Conflict in Massachusetts

Posted on December 5, 2013 by David McKee

We’ve come 180 degrees in the evolution of the casino industry in the U.S. State governments once embraced them as what Dover Downs Gaming & Entertainment CEO Denis McGlynn calls a “sin-tax pot of gold.” Now they’re flailing amidst overmuch competition … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Casinos on the dole; Conflict in Massachusetts

Caesars’ big bazaar; Psychic powers in Massachusetts; When is a profit not a profit?

Posted on December 4, 2013 by David McKee

Linq is shaping up handsomely and its Ferris wheel just had its last gondola added yesterday. So, if we can put Caesars Entertainment‘s debt problems aside for a second, the company is doing very nicely in the capex department, where … Continue reading →

Posted in Delaware, Harrah's, International, Iowa, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Racinos, Regulation, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Caesars’ big bazaar; Psychic powers in Massachusetts; When is a profit not a profit?

Any way out for Caesars?

Posted on November 22, 2013 by David McKee

Woodfield Consulting Group has put a “strong sell” recommendation on Caesars Entertainment stock, deeming it “a poor equity investment choice that offers low expected return to equity investors with high speculative risk.” Noting that Caesars has six years’ and $17 … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Harrah's, Japan, Maryland, Ohio, The Strip, Wall Street | 5 Comments

Discord over Macao, harmony at MGM

Posted on November 21, 2013 by David McKee

If there’s anything murkier than the gambling subculture of Macao, it’s the report on same issued by  U.S.-China Economic Security Review Commission. Its conclusion that money laundering “might be out there” won’t come to a shock to anyone. U.S. casino companies … Continue reading →

Posted in Culinary Union, Current, Macau, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off on Discord over Macao, harmony at MGM

Quote of the Day

Posted on November 21, 2013 by David McKee

“Baccarat has saved the Strip’s bacon.” — Dr. David G. Schwartz, director of the Center for Gaming Research at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, on the importance of table games.

Posted in The Strip | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Foxwoods, Suffolk struggling in Massachusetts

Posted on November 14, 2013 by David McKee

Foxwoods Resorts Casino‘s inability to keep its financial house in order has, as predicted, caught up with it in Massachusetts. The tribally owned casino’s debt burden put it in the hot seat before the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. Chairman Stephen Crosby … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Foxwoods, Genting, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, New York, Racinos, Technology, The Mob, The Strip | 1 Comment

CityCenter 1.5; Casinos vs. Atlantic City, Round Two

Posted on November 5, 2013 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International and Anschutz Entertainment Group have unfurled the big- and small-picture details of their 12-acre, 20,000-seat arena. For an in-depth description, I direct you to Alan Snel‘s excellent account. The announcement refuels speculation that AEG (operator of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Colony Capital, Current, Economy, Hard Rock International, International, Japan, Macau, MGM Mirage, Politics, Sports, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street, Wisconsin | Comments Off on CityCenter 1.5; Casinos vs. Atlantic City, Round Two

Election Day!; Mad Max; Deadpan humor in Wisconsin

Posted on November 5, 2013 by David McKee

Today’s a big day for casino-related votes in New York State and Massachusetts. In the former, New York City holds the key to the outcome. The Five Boroughs are expected to represent for 42% of statewide voting. Mind you, NYC wouldn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Current, Economy, Election, Foxwoods, Harrah's, history, Horseracing, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, New York, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Election Day!; Mad Max; Deadpan humor in Wisconsin

Falling upward in Nevada; MGM: The Lion meows

Posted on October 31, 2013 by David McKee

Helped by a wee bit of late-August slot revenue, Nevada posted a 7% revenue gain this month, for a $959 haul. The Strip performed spectacularly, up 13%, and Downtown edged 2% higher. Lake Tahoe vaulted 23% but Reno fell off … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, CityCenter, Current, Downtown, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Macau, Mesquite, MGM Mirage, North Las Vegas, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Wall Street | Comments Off on Falling upward in Nevada; MGM: The Lion meows

Let us now praise Scott Walker

Posted on October 30, 2013 by David McKee

For someone often regarded as brash and confrontational, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) has been mediating an intrastate tribal dispute in a judicious, deliberative fashion. He’s extended the timeline on his yea-or-nay decision, the better to sort through varying figures … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Economy, Illinois, The Strip, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Let us now praise Scott Walker

MGM’s, Wynn’s odds worsen in Massachusetts

Posted on October 28, 2013 by David McKee

Did anyone envision a scenario whereby all three of Massachusetts‘ casinos could be tribally owned? It could happen. Leaving aside the chance of expanded gambling in Connecticut, the prospect that MGM Resorts International will be weighed in the balance and … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Entertainment, Foxwoods, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Pansy Ho, Penn National, Regulation, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal | Comments Off on MGM’s, Wynn’s odds worsen in Massachusetts