Category Archives: TV

Titanic exhibit in peril; It’s Greek to them

Posted on September 4, 2018 by David McKee

Luxor‘s display of Titanic relics has hit an iceberg in the form of a bankruptcy court auction against owner Premier Exhibitions. It’s likely the collection will be kept intact, not dispersed to the four winds, although the latter might be … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Caesars Entertainment, Downtown, Hard Rock International, history, International, Las Vegas Sands, Marijuana, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Movies, Penn National, Regulation, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, TV, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off

When in Rome …

Posted on August 16, 2018 by David McKee

… don’t advertise sports betting. Actually you can’t, thanks to a new “Dignity Decree” that was the first priority of Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte‘s right-wing government. The provocation was a proliferation of gaming advertising during Italy‘s World Cup games. As a … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Australia, Baseball, Boyd Gaming, California, Eldorado Resorts, Environment, International, Marketing, Nevada, Penn National, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Tribal, TV, Wall Street | Comments Off

MGM lauds Springfield as Mandalay Bay woes increase

Posted on July 25, 2018 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International is targeting Hartford (and five other media markets) with its initial TV spot for MGM Springfield, whose opening is now less than a month away. The ad, which you can see for yourself, has shoutouts to virtually … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, Elaine Wynn, Environment, Law enforcement, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Reno, Rhode Island, Sexual misconduct, Sports betting, Taxes, TV, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Sheldon’s sphere; Macao renewal delayed

Posted on July 23, 2018 by David McKee

In a wise move, Las Vegas Sands is investing $75 million in the event sphere being built behind Venelazzo by Madison Square Garden Co. By taking an equity position in the innovative venue, Sands presumably gains the potential to redeploy … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Iowa, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Nebraska, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, TV | Comments Off

East Windsor, Take Two; MGM, Sands eat Ho’s lunch

Posted on June 15, 2018 by David McKee

“From the start, we pledged to create a world class facility that will be a draw for people throughout the entire region,” said Mashantucket Tribal Chairman Rodney Butler of the tribe’s satellite casino in East Windsor. Nice try, Mr. Chairman, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Foxwoods, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, TV | Comments Off

Elaine calls the shots; Now it’s Encore Boston Harbor

Posted on May 3, 2018 by David McKee

Wynn Resorts has been ceding to the wishes of Elaine Wynn of late but it got its back up when she demanded the removal of board member John Jay Hagenbuch. Ms. Wynn views him as a crony of her ex-husband … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colorado, Elaine Wynn, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Florida, Foxwoods, Hard Rock International, International, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, Moulin Rouge, Politics, Regulation, Revel, Steve Wynn, Tilman Fertitta, TV, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

Nevada: A sinful state of affairs

Posted on February 21, 2018 by David McKee

Nevada had better look to its laurels. The Silver State has been ranked only as the third most sinful in America. That’s probably because we’re down at #30 in the “hatred and anger” category, a good place to be. We’re … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Florida, Law enforcement, Maine, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Nevada, TV, Vermont | Comments Off

Louisiana stutters; MLB rigs the odds

Posted on February 16, 2018 by David McKee

Gambling in Louisiana was a bit off the pace last month, down 4% ($187 million). Most of that was due to a terrible Baton Rouge market, tumbling 21%, while Lake Charles (+2%) remained immune. New Orleans (-2%) and Shreveport/Bossier City … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Kazuo Okada, Louisiana, Missouri, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Sports, Steve Wynn, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, TV, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

MGM Cotai gets rave review; Cracking the Millennial code

Posted on January 29, 2018 by David McKee

MGM Grand Cotai continues to miss opening deadlines, the latest obstacle being the government’s continued failure to issue a hotel license. “The licence application for the opening of the five-star hotel MGM Cotai and establishments inside the property is still … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, CityCenter, Genting, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Macau, Marketing, MGM Mirage, New York, Regulation, Technology, TV | Comments Off

Like a Virgin

Posted on January 24, 2018 by David McKee

Back when Morgans Hotel Group paid a $770 million king’s ransom for the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino it became the poster child for overpriced assets. Now that Brookfield Asset Management has had enough, it fits right in with Virgin Hotels‘ … Continue reading →

Posted in Culinary Union, Hard Rock Hotel, Morgans Hotel Group, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Sports, Taxes, TV, Warner Gaming | 1 Comment

Caesars ruins Atlantic City’s Christmas; Abandon ship

Posted on January 15, 2018 by David McKee

December put a bit of a chill on the Atlantic City casino economy, down 2% for the month, with an overall gross of $186 million. Over by the fireplace, Internet gambling was nice and warm, up 13%. Slot revenues were … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Dining, Florida, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Kazuo Okada, Law enforcement, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, Regulation, Revel, Security, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, TV | Comments Off

Pennsylvania towns shun casinos; Macao mobbed up

Posted on January 5, 2018 by David McKee

Mini-casinos are as popular in Pennsylvania as an outbreak of typhus. Some 936 towns have ixnayed the idea of hosting slot parlors in their back yards. Extant casino operators will have to bid at least $7.5 million (and have a site … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, California, Charity, Churchill Downs, Economy, Foxwoods, Genting, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, LVCVA, Macau, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, Regulation, South Korea, Sports, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Mob, Tourism, Tribal, TV | Comments Off

Strip’s Thanksgiving turkey; Sports betting overhyped?

Posted on December 29, 2017 by David McKee

Despite a neutral calendar (i.e., same number of weekend days) and a 2% increase in baccarat wagers, the Las Vegas Strip managed to plummet 25% in table game win, pulling overall revenue 6% downward. Had it not been for that game, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Delaware, Donald Trump, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Lucky Dragon, LVCVA, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Regulation, Reno, Sports, Tribal, Trump Entertainment Resorts, TV | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on December 4, 2017 by David McKee

“With Mr. Trump’s outsized viewership back in 2005, everybody from Billy Bush on up to the top brass on the 52nd floor had to stroke the ego of the big cash cow along the way to higher earnings.” — Mr. Bush, … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, TV | Comments Off

Tally-ho, friends!; NY State casinos cry uncle

Posted on October 30, 2017 by David McKee

As Sigma Derby games at MGM Grand and The D continue to eke out a perilous existence, getting by on spare parts cannibalized from other machines, they have a new rival. Konami Gaming has taken note of the enduring popularity … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball, Derek Stevens, Dining, Economy, Genting, IGT, International, Jeff Guard, Macau, MGM Mirage, New York, Sports, Taxes, Technology, Tourism, TV | 1 Comment

Mandalay mystery deepens; Today Vegas, tomorrow the Moon

Posted on October 20, 2017 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International finds itself on the defensive following the Stephen Paddock killing spree. Rachel Sheppard, a California woman who survived three gunshot wounds, is suing MGM for negligence (she’s also going after the maker of the bump stocks that … Continue reading →

Posted in Mandalay Bay Massacre, MGM Mirage, TV | 1 Comment

New MGM ad stirs controversy; Macao heightens security

Posted on October 19, 2017 by David McKee

Among the victims of Stephen Paddock‘s domestic terrorism was MGM Resorts International‘s “Welcome to the Show” ad campaign. The aftermath of a mass murder was hardly the time to be proclaiming that you’re “in the ‘Holy Sh*t!’ business” or to promise … Continue reading →

Posted in Genting, Harrah's, Macau, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Marijuana, Marketing, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Regulation, Technology, The Strip, TV, Unite-Here | Comments Off

Freeman goes native; MGM hits a three-pointer

Posted on October 18, 2017 by David McKee

American Gaming Association President Geoff Freeman was in Oklahoma City yesterday to talk up the economic benefits of Native American gaming. While one might be tempted to say they speak for themselves, the AGA rolled out some pretty powerful numbers. … Continue reading →

Posted in Alaska, Animals, California, Cosmopolitan, Florida, Foxwoods, George Maloof, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Oklahoma, Sports, Texas, The Strip, Tribal, TV | Comments Off

Wynn backhands MGM security measures

Posted on October 10, 2017 by David McKee

Steve Wynn is having a told-you-so moment in the aftermath of Stephen Paddock‘s shooting rampage. Guesting on Fox News Sunday, the Wynn Resorts CEO said, “The scenario that we’re aware of would have indicated that he didn’t let anyone in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Law enforcement, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, TV | 1 Comment

MGM gets potty-mouthed; New York casino flops

Posted on September 22, 2017 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International‘s casinos-without-gaming new ad campaign is playing to divided opinions. For instance, the company has 100,000 square feet of gaming at Bellagio but you won’t spot so much as a pair of dice in the ad, yet MGM … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Genting, International, Lawrence Ho, Marijuana, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, New York, Philippines, Politics, Sports, Tribal, TV | 2 Comments