Quote of the Day

Posted on July 31, 2012 by David McKee

“I remember staying up  late many Saturday nights to watch Porky’s, Meatballs and Revenge of the Nerds on HBO. And like any, red-blooded, prepubescent male, I always thought there was way too much story between the shower scenes. This is my chance to fix that.” — Troy Heard, writer, co-lyricist and director of Summer Camp! The Musical (music by Angela Chan), which plays Aug. 10-26 at the Onyx Theatre. Heard is fresh off  a sold-out smash with The Great American Trailer Park Musical. Can he make the jump from Sahara Avenue to the Strip? Sirc Michaels‘ production of Evil Dead 4-D already did so and Michaels’ Awesome 80s Prom premiered at Planet Hollywood. Meanwhile, imported Surf The Musical appears to be sucking wind (‘twofer’ ticket offers in its second week, fer crissakes). Its only favorable pull quote? From incorrigible sycophant and quote whore Robin Leach, who else?

Posted in Cretins, Current, Entertainment, Movies, Planet Hollywood | 1 Comment

Good news for online gambling? Bad news for Rio

Posted on July 31, 2012 by David McKee

• Anti-gambling prick Rep. Steve King (R-IA) may find himself under investigation. Unfortunately, he’s not being investigated for being an anti-gambling prick. But it might remove one more obstacle to online poker.

• The online-gambling world wet its panties last weekend over the (dubiously sourced) prospect of the U.S. Department of Justice OK’ing a Full Tilt Poker buyout of PokerStars, theoretically enabling Full Tilt to re-enter the U.S. market. This was fueled mainly by chat-room chaff and a self-serving statement by PokerStars spokesman Eric Hollreiser. Supposedly, Full Tilt will pony up $420 million for PokerStars plus $330 million to cover unpaid winnings. “[C]ustomers will see their monies well in time for Christmas shopping,” trilled reporter Wendeen Eolis. (Note that the $330 million payout would still leave $60 million worth of winnings hanging in the breeze.)

While there is no truth to the rumor that I was present at the Battle of the Marne, I do recall something about World War I being “over by Christmas.” And that’s also what they said just before a little skirmish we like to call the Battle of the Bulge. Even Eolis herself appeared to be backpedaling yesterday. “Temperance” has been encouraged among online punters … like that’s gonna happen.

Elsewhere in town … I hear terrible things about the new Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Harrah's, history, Internet gambling, Politics, Regulation, Tourism, Transportation | 2 Comments

Fire island; The Illinois creep

Posted on July 31, 2012 by David McKee

If you drove past Treasure Island this morning and saw a veritable armada of emergency vehicles jammed into an access road and spilling out on Spring Mountain Road, the good news is that things are under control. The bad news is that an air-conditioning unit on the top of Phil Ruffin‘s place caught fire. Twelve floors were flooded with smoke and 14 guests and employee were treated for smoke inhalation. Fortunately, Clark County‘s finest had it out in the space of an hour. Of course, for anyone who witnessed the Monte Carlo fire, this sort of incident always makes one fear the worst. Give it a couple of days and the full story should come to light, pardon the pun.

Update: It’s been seven hours and already Clark County and Treasure Island are bickering over the severity of this morning’s fire. (My instinct is to believe the county.) “Casino play was not affected.” Whew! Good to know that everyone’s priorities are still in order.

It’s been — how long? — since slot routes were legalized in Illinois and the state is finally ready … to begin testing them. Labor Day weekend should mark the beginning of a fortnight of tests at — Wow! Continue reading →

Posted in Archon Corp., Dining, Harrah's, Illinois, Monte Carlo fire, Phil Ruffin, Slot routes, The Strip | Comments Off on Fire island; The Illinois creep

*Must* we see this?

Posted on July 25, 2012 by David McKee

Sorry, PR folks, but how many decades has it been since a Carrot Top sighting was news? In other breaking events, the sun rose this morning. And, if my eyes don’t deceive me, there’s been some serious attrition in the Tropicana Las Vegas‘ Dancing with the Stars cast. Say not so, Alex Yemenidjian!

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Entertainment, The Strip | 3 Comments

He’s Gaughan and done it again

Posted on July 24, 2012 by David McKee

Where others in Las Vegas hold back, Michael Gaughan plunges boldly forward. Using its iView platform, Bally Technologies has been holding virtual horse races, streamed across the slot floors of various tribal casinos. Pechanga Resort & Casino in California and Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino have been quick out of the chute, as has mammoth Mohegan Sun Casino. (As usual, tribal casinos continue to outpace industrial ones in their deployment of new technology.) So far the only private-sector adoptee has been Continue reading →

Posted in Bally Technologies, California, Current, Entertainment, Horseracing, Michael Gaughan, Pennsylvania, Technology, Tribal | 6 Comments

For sale: One casino marquee, slightly used

Posted on July 22, 2012 by David McKee

It looks like the new owner of Fitzgeralds/The D is a little hard up for cash. Rather than donate the Fitzgeralds marquee to the Neon Museum, he’s liquidating the big display on eBay — and for a mere $25,000. At 10 feet tall and 30 feet long (complete with transformers) it should make a nice addition to the back yard of your house and I’m sorry it won’t annoy the neighbors one little bit, although your electric might spike just a titch. Just call “Dave” at 702-332-5566 and tell ’em S&G sent you. Or maybe you can still find it at Medusa’s Antiques, in one of the ritzier precincts of Downtown Vegas.

Correction: I’m informed that the Neon Museum rebuffed the offer of the marquee — too big even for them. They’ll always have the Fitzgeralds leprechaun in his little orb.

Posted in Architecture, Current, Derek Stevens, Downtown, history | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on July 18, 2012 by David McKee

“The minor was in contact with the four drink servers, at least two dealers, a floor supervisor and at least 10 other Harrah’s employees, none of whom asked for identification, the complaint says.” — from a Las Vegas Sun story about Caesars Entertainment getting totally busted for allowing underage drinking and gambling at four of its Strip properties (Caesars Palace, The Rio, Harrah’s Las Vegas and Flamingo Las Vegas) and being fined a whopping $100,000. That’ll show ’em. Evidently the company’s “very strict policy” about keeping out underage players doesn’t always extend to carding them when they order drinks. But hey, when your company is $19.5 billion in the hole and sinking, who can afford to be persnickety, right?

Posted in Current, Harrah's, Regulation, The Strip | 5 Comments

Wipeout: “Surf the Musical”

Posted on July 18, 2012 by David McKee

All photos: © Scott Roeben

Surf the Musical officially washed ashore last night at Planet Hollywood and one can only hope this bit of flotsam goes out with the next ebb tide. Although it’s not quite as craptastic as a four-song media preview suggested, that’s a relative compliment indeed. Like musical pemmican, Surf compresses over 25 Beach Boys songs into approximately 90 minutes. How is this done? By dint of a simple, Do Your Own Jukebox Musical formula that you can try at home. It goes like this: A) song; B) five lines of dialogue; C) lame song cue; D) next song. Repeat two-dozen times and you have Surf. Need to cram “Help Me, Rhonda” in there? Easy! Just call one of the characters Rhonda (wickedly talented Nikki Tuazon). Want to motivate “In My Room”? Have the heroine get sent to her room. Is “Don’t Worry, Baby” kinda weird for a father/daughter scene? Screw dramaturgy! This gig’s about scoring some bread, man.

To call librettist Burton Young‘s nonsensical book rudimentary and trivial would be a libel upon rudiments and a heinous insult to trivia. It’s got slightly less logic than The Castle of Fu Manchu and 100% fewer ninjas:

Sorry. I just watched that pile of crap last night and it was still more fun than Surf, which eats dirt from China (to quote Back to the Beach). That’s not the fault of the incredibly talented and flexible cast …. with one debilitating exception. No, the blame can be laid at the feet of Continue reading →

Posted in ABBA, Cirque du Soleil, Entertainment, Harrah's, Movies, Planet Hollywood, Technology, The Strip | 3 Comments

End of an experiment

Posted on July 16, 2012 by David McKee

Insurgo Theater Movement‘s residency at the Plaza Las Vegas ended not with a bang but a Facebook whimper five hours ago: “Greetings mes braves! Insurgo is no longer producing at The Plaza. We want to thank them for a great run and wonderful hospitality! If you’re looking for live theatre, check out The Onyx [Theatre], Las Vegas Little Theatre, Sirc Michaels Productions, Cockroach Theatre, and Atlas Theatre. It’s been a pleasure to perform for you.” (The inclusion of Atlas is odd; it hasn’t produced in over a year.)

One of the few people who saw this coming was LVA‘s own Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Downtown, Entertainment, Tamares Group | 1 Comment

Something for the Monday blues

Posted on July 16, 2012 by David McKee

We could all use a laugh these days, so I present to you the song stylings of Mitt Romney. It’s a good thing he’s only running for President of the United States and not in our republic’s most important plebiscite: American Idol, where he wouldn’t make it past the first round. It comforts me to know that while I’ll never be as wealthy or handsome as ex-Gov. Romney, I can kick his ass in karaoke.

Posted in Current, Election, Entertainment | 1 Comment

Starship to Victorville … and sundry curiosities

Posted on July 11, 2012 by David McKee

No, I don’t know who Cobra Starship is but their “#1Nite” (yes, that’s how they spell it) is the sort of bubble-gum pop that ought to stick to the top of the charts. It’s another entry in that can’t-fail music-video genre, “Wacky Weekend in Vegas.” What sets this one somewhat apart is the use of the Neon Museum and the Pinball Hall of Fame among its locations, which also include nightlife’s version of a pilgrimage to Lourdes: Pure.

Bet you didn’t know that it’s possible to simultaneously drive past Binion’s Gambling Hall and Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, California, Dining, Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, Harry Reid, MGM Mirage, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, TV | Comments Off on Starship to Victorville … and sundry curiosities

The wreck of the Sierra Rose; LVH: The smell of death; TWU (sur)renders unto Caesars

Posted on July 11, 2012 by David McKee

It was inevitable that this Lake Tahoe marine disaster would go viral. Besides, as an S&G reader astutely pointed out, the sinking of the Sierra Rose makes a tidy metaphor for Nevada‘s economy: a top-heavy S.S. McMansion now half-underwater due to a lack of structural integrity. Think of it as Fontainebleau in ship form.

Considering that the Sierra Rose was lumbered with questionable accoutrements like granite fireplaces and a helipad (despite being only 86 feet from stem to stern), its owners are darned fortunate that this $3.2 million “town home on a barge” didn’t Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colony Capital, Detroit, Economy, Entertainment, Fontainebleau, Goldman Sachs, Harrah's, Hooters, Lake Tahoe, Riviera, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Last weekend at The Mirage; “Jersey Boys” rumble

Posted on July 9, 2012 by David McKee

It was bound to happen: Not one, not two, but four douchebags trying to get tables at The Mirage‘s Carnegie Deli wearing nothing more than swimming trunks and flip-flops. That’s taking “casual” just a mite far. What’s the over/under on how much longer it will be until someone wanders onto a casino floor completely naked. And where is it likeliest to occur? My money’s on The Palms, probably on a Sunday.

Trouble in Paris-dise. Word via the grapevine is that Jersey Boys presenters BASE Entertainment are not feeling l’amour for Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, Current, Dining, Entertainment, George Maloof, Harrah's, Marketing, MGM Mirage, The Strip, Tourism | 3 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on July 9, 2012 by David McKee


“Jenny! That lady is dancing in her bra and panties. That’s disgusting!” — my 13-year-old niece, Sydney, getting her first glimpse of a go-go dancer Revolution Lounge at The Mirage. I do not think Sin City is her millieu.

Posted in Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Tourism | 2 Comments

Sigma Derby rides again; Revel vs. Maryland Live!, Round One; Idiocy epidemic at Trump Taj

Posted on July 3, 2012 by David McKee

Just when it seemed hope was lost … The D is reintroducing Sigma Derby to Downtown. In one fell swoop of utter brilliance, owner Derek Stevens has staked a prohibitive claim to Gaming Executive of the Year. To be completely honest, slot machines bore me. But I’ve never seen an electronic game — anywhere! — that generated as much social interaction and value for the dollar as Sigma Derby. That must be why most casinos hate it so and MGM Grand kinda, sorta tolerates it. Players, however, love it madly and an LVA staffer tells me it’s one of the top “Question of the Day” queries of all time. The Sigma Derby machine is holding a meet-and-greet for local media this afternoon. Normally, I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Stevens has put Sigma Derby in The D’s upper-floor “Vintage Casino,” home to coin-in slots and handle-pull Wheel of Fortune. It’s not a new Sigma Derby machine, mind you, but one “that has been refurbished to its original glory, including the signature canopy.” Your move, MGM. Perhaps it’s time to bring back Luxor‘s camel-race game.

I don’t know if Stevens has succumbed to passionate lobbying by Jeff_in_OKC but sometimes going forward means taking a step back and that’s what The D has done. It’s also gone ’round-the-clock at its popular — and insanely affordable — Vue Bar, which previous management kept on a very short leash.

Scottish verdict. The Baltimore Post-Examiner is passionately ambivalent over whether Revel or Cordish Gaming‘s new Maryland Live! offers the better Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Columbia Sussex, Cordish Co., Current, Dennis Gomes, Donald Trump, Downtown, Entertainment, Harrah's, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Problem gambling, Regulation, Revel, Technology, The Strip | 5 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on July 3, 2012 by David McKee

“[X] took five years to build at a cost of $2.4 billion. The building is nearly two million square feet, and will offer the latest technology at check-in, creature comforts … including a spa and several dining options, and almost 300 slot machines.” — Care to guess the casino? It’s — wait for it — Terminal 3 at McCarran International Airport. The public sector seems to be doing a good job of minding its pennies. To find a Las Vegas Strip casino megaresort built for less than $2.4 billion, you’d have to go back to the late 20th century.

Posted in Current, The Strip, Transportation | 1 Comment

Those were the days

Posted on July 2, 2012 by David McKee

From the collection of Charles Phoenix: The year is 1963. The place, Glitter Gulch. Those were the days when “Vegas” was a mythic, unique American place — and gambling was gambling, not “gaming.” About the only thing that hasn’t changed is the alluring fantasy of growing up to be Don Draper or a pre-LSD Roger Sterling. Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, history, TV | Comments Off on Those were the days

Isle knows how to sell it; “Gamming” at the Cosmo

Posted on June 28, 2012 by David McKee

If you’ve been watching casino-preview videos for the last dozen years, you’ve become inured to all the usual tropes, including the de rigeur, 3-D flyby and the glowing executive testimonials. Give Isle of Capri Casinos credit for realizing that the format has been done to death. They’ve taken all the stock elements, sliced and diced them like a Benihana chef, and the result is this very nimbly edited and fast-paced promo. It doesn’t introduce anything new into the montage so much as intermix all those familiar ingredients in a way that holds your attention. The assured and speedy patter of Isle Casino Cape Girardeau General Manager Chet Koch, a true industry veteran.

What you don’t want in a spot like this is Continue reading →

Posted in Cosmopolitan, Current, Entertainment, Isle of Capri, Marketing, Missouri, Technology, The Strip | 2 Comments

The face of LVA; Local man curses electricity

Posted on June 28, 2012 by David McKee

Reports of return (by me) have been greatly exaggerated. After knocking off two travel guides, a feature story and a book review over the last week, I’m practically having to prop my eyes open with toothpicks. And then there are a half-dozen “Question of the Day” queries to answer and a couple of Desert Companion profiles to file. Uff da! In the meantime, allow me to introduce you to …

… Mojo, our resident iguana. She’s somewhat of a celebrity amongst LVA subscribers and has even been the subject of at least one “Question of the Day” herself. I took this portrait of her on Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Dining, Internet gambling, Pets, Steve Wynn, TV | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 25, 2012 by David McKee

“President Eastwood” has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?

Posted in Current | 3 Comments