Category Archives: The Strip

The importance of being Steve Wynn; Sheldon’s fan club

Posted on October 25, 2013 by David McKee

“Even the Red Sox aren’t that popular in Everett,” says Steve Wynn, alluding to recent poll numbers. Heady stuff. So, while he comes down off Cloud Nine, let’s look at a pretty impressive 3Q13 — if not as boffo as … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Entertainment, Hard Rock International, Macau, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 24, 2013 by David McKee

“Interesting time for joke-telling, given the fact this deal fell through because of a Gansevoort partner being tied to Russian organized crime. But, hey, what’s a little underworld connection between friends.” — Vital Vegas, commenting on Gansevoort Hotel Group‘s official … Continue reading →

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

Case Bets: Caesars, Ceylon, Cosmo and clubbing

Posted on October 22, 2013 by David McKee

It’s G-Day plus four and questions continue to mount about Caesars Entertainment‘s partnership with the Gansevoort hotel chain. In particular, what didn’t the company’s compliance not know about Arik Kislin and when did they not know it? Suffolk Downs might … Continue reading →

Posted in Cosmopolitan, Culinary Union, Entertainment, Harrah's, International, James Packer, Macau, Sheldon Adelson, The Mob, The Strip | Comments Off on Case Bets: Caesars, Ceylon, Cosmo and clubbing

Tragedy on the Strip

Posted on October 21, 2013 by David McKee

Proving that there is no grudge too trivial to be settled by gunplay, a would-be patron of Drai’s allegedly shot two Bally’s Las Vegas security guards and killed a club patron after “demanding a refund because the club wasn’t full.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Harrah's, The Strip | Comments Off on Tragedy on the Strip

What’s Steve Wynn thinking?; Best news of the week

Posted on October 18, 2013 by David McKee

If Steve Wynn is trying to talk himself out of contention in Massachusetts, he’s doing a good job of it. Yesterday, he told the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, “We’re scared to death — not that you won’t pick us, but that … Continue reading →

Posted in ABBA, Alex Yemenidjian, Current, Election, Entertainment, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, New York, Regulation, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 2 Comments

The bill that wouldn’t die; Taking a wrecking ball to “Jubilee!”

Posted on October 17, 2013 by David McKee

Illinois legislators continue to butt their heads against Gov. Pat Quinn‘s opposition to casino expansion (and a terrible gambling economy). Impervious to reality, state Rep. Robert Rita (D) is introducing yet another bill for five casinos and airport slot routes. … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, Illinois, Macau, Mississippi, Ohio, Penn National, Politics, Stanley Ho, The Mob, The Strip | Comments Off on The bill that wouldn’t die; Taking a wrecking ball to “Jubilee!”

Singin’ the blues in Pennsylvania, Louisiana

Posted on October 16, 2013 by David McKee

Even slight improvements in consumer spending weren’t enough to help Pennsylvania. Gross gambling revenue fell 6%. Thanks to strong table play, Sands Bethlehem was able to buck the trend, staying flat for September. By contrast, Harrah’s Philadelphia — in a … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Neil Bluhm, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Singin’ the blues in Pennsylvania, Louisiana

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 14, 2013 by David McKee

“[W]hat you and I and most decent people consider vulgar, depraved and perverted” — Las Vegas Sands attorney Charles McCrea Jr.’s description of The Act, the sex show inside Palazzo that closed last weekend. Vulgarity? Depravity? Perversion? Aren’t those the … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Mississippi’s plight and other Case Bets

Posted on October 14, 2013 by David McKee

At the risk of sounding apocalyptic, the best years of the Mississippi casino industry may be behind it. This year’s revenue is projected to top out at $2.15 million, well below 2007’s all-time peak of $2.9 million. Admissions were 3.7 … Continue reading →

Posted in Detroit, Economy, Mississippi, Regulation, Taxes, The Strip | 1 Comment

Florida: Clear as mud; MGM lands Lakers

Posted on October 9, 2013 by David McKee

So, the Florida Lege commissioned this $400,000 study of casino expansion and nobody can agree on what it means. Spectrum Gaming Group, which performed the survey, is having to explain why it projected so much more revenue when Genting Group … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Delaware, Economy, Florida, Genting, MGM Mirage, Politics, Racinos, Sports, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Florida: Clear as mud; MGM lands Lakers

Freeman flunks; Casino insecurity; Between a Hard Rock and a good deed

Posted on October 8, 2013 by David McKee

It’s a good thing that American Gaming Association President Geoff Freeman hightailed it to Barcelona this week to give a speech. During Global Gaming Expo, his signature achievement was to stake the AGA’s credibility on a Justin Timberlake movie. Freeman … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Atlantic City, Charity, Delaware, Economy, Election, G2E, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Indiana, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Movies, New York, Penn National, Regulation, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on Freeman flunks; Casino insecurity; Between a Hard Rock and a good deed

Big fellow on the Strip

Posted on October 8, 2013 by David McKee

I’m definitely feeling the love for MGM Resorts International, for its role in helping to save O.D., a giant sea turtle, by bringing him to Las Vegas. It’s feel-good story that will linger in your heart, whether or not it … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, MGM Mirage, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on Big fellow on the Strip

Sammy Boy’s long shot

Posted on October 8, 2013 by David McKee

Work continues apace on the conversion of the Sahara into the SLS Las Vegas.  This CBS This Morning piece raises more questions than it answers. For instance, by putting so much emphasis on restaurant, hotel, pool and nightclub revenue streams … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Sahara, Sam Nazarian, The Strip | Comments Off on Sammy Boy’s long shot

How Caesars does it

Posted on October 7, 2013 by David McKee

While we think the idea of a bake sale to reduce Caesars Entertainment‘s $23.5 billion debt is satirical, you never know. It wouldn’t be the most cockamamie idea ever to emerge from Gary Loveman‘s office. We asked one of our … Continue reading →

Posted in Charity, Harrah's, Missouri, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Learning to love the Boardwalk again

Posted on October 4, 2013 by David McKee

In a surprising — but not unwelcome — turn of events two Philadelphia casino investors are looking at getting into Atlantic City. It’s amazing the effect legalized Internet betting can have. Business partners George Miller and Kevin Flynn own 0.5% … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Colony Capital, Current, Dining, Donald Trump, Hard Rock Hotel, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Pennsylvania, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta | 2 Comments

What did Lee Amaitis know and when did he know it?

Posted on October 4, 2013 by David McKee

According to the Wall Street Journal, the founder of Cantor Gaming — Lee Amaitis (left) — is under federal scrutiny for an alleged role in illegal sports wagering. Already one Cantor exec, Michael Cantor, has copped a plea for facilitated the … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Cantor Gaming, Entertainment, Massachusetts, Penn National, Regulation, The Strip | Comments Off on What did Lee Amaitis know and when did he know it?

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 3, 2013 by David McKee

“However, with baccarat volumes showing signs of stagnation …  and slots (flat over the LTM period) stable but uninspiring, we continue to struggle with the cadence and sustainability of this Strip recovery in the near to medium term.” — Deutsche … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

D-Day for Mohegans, Penn; MGM restructures

Posted on October 2, 2013 by David McKee

In Massachusetts, initial approval will be granted or denied to Mohegan Sun and to Penn National Gaming as prospective operators. In both cases, it seems unlikely that the Massachusetts Gaming Commission with unearth any dead bodies. The focus will be … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Current, Dubai, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on D-Day for Mohegans, Penn; MGM restructures

“Mob” exits Trop; Goretorium exiting Vegas?; Adelson keeps losing

Posted on October 1, 2013 by David McKee

Having served its purpose in getting the (rather soporific) Mob Attraction off the ground — including forgiving some lease payments — the Tropicana Las Vegas finds itself kicked to the curb. The Attraction will move to a new site (reputedly … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Current, Entertainment, Harrah's, Macau, Phil Ruffin, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | Comments Off on “Mob” exits Trop; Goretorium exiting Vegas?; Adelson keeps losing

August: Hot on the Strip

Posted on September 30, 2013 by David McKee

Boy, did the house win big last August. Las Vegas Strip gambling revenues were up 20%, driven by exceptionally lucky baccarat play (win up 55.5%), in a month when 1.5% less was wagered on the game. (A modest increase in … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Current, Downtown, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, North Las Vegas, Reno, The Strip | Comments Off on August: Hot on the Strip