Quote of the Day

Posted on June 16, 2011 by David McKee

“Recent events call for a special sticker on the July cover. Look for it on newsstands.” — Hugh Hefner (no introduction needed), on the epic fail of his engagement to three-generations-younger Crystal Harris. That July Playboy cover’s going to enter history alongside the U.S. postage stamp with the upside-down biplane … or the more recent one showing New York-New York’s faux Statue of Liberty in lieu of the actual Lady Liberty.

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Where would Jesus play? Harrah’s!

Posted on June 14, 2011 by David McKee

In one of the most surprising press releases I have ever received, the 2011 Believe Crusade is coming to Harrah’s Tunica. Or rather, to “Harrah’s Mid-South Convention Center,” as the promotional materials euphemistically term it. Featuring every C-list African American celebrity not named Tyler Perry, the Crusade will include a car show and a golf tournament. Kick back with Jesus! This year’s slogan even has a Vegas-y ring to it: Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Harrah's, Macau, Marketing, Mississippi, Regulation, Reno, Tourism | 3 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 14, 2011 by David McKee

“When a buffoon such as Donald Trump can flirt with running for president, and receive chin-stroking coverage, you know something’s gone wrong. Trump must have thought it was hilarious. And he didn’t have to spend a penny for all that PR.” — The Guardian’s Richard Adams on the metamorphosis of presidential politics into a means of leveraging book and TV deals.

Posted in Donald Trump, Election, Marketing, TV | 6 Comments

Kasich wins, Caesars caves

Posted on June 13, 2011 by David McKee

Why is this man smiling? Because Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert and partner Caesars Entertainment just displayed all the backbone of a wet noodle, conceding to unspecified annual fee payments, so that they can get on with their Cleveland and Cincinnati casinos. Rival developer Penn National Gaming almost signed this shameful pact but walked out at the 11th hour. Rock Ohio Caesars (more like “Squishy Ohio Harrah’s”) has put Penn in a not-very-tenable position but one applauds the latter for not bowing to Gov. John Kasich‘s extortionate tactics. (One would applaud it more if Penn’s reason for balking wasn’t a desire to relocate its potential racinos in such a way as to maximize its spread of gaming positions across the Buckeye State.)

The “significant payout” to which ROC conceded was dressed up as “not involving tax increases.” There’s a word for that and the word is Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, Current, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, history, Iowa, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Penn National, Planet Hollywood, The Strip, Tourism | 3 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 12, 2011 by David McKee

“Meanwhile, it is impossible to convince the media to cover the United States $14 trillion budget or that the United States is footing the bill for 75 percent of all military operations in Libya. The fourth estate has become TMZ and the result is just another example of the decline of the United States.” — Todd Jacobs, the feeding frenzy set off by the release of a cache of ancient e-mails.

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They’ve seen the future …

Posted on June 10, 2011 by David McKee

… and it’s Singapore. That’s good news if you’re Sheldon Adelson, less auspicious if you’ve got a weak track record as a developer (coughCaesars Entertainmentcough). And if Chad Mollman‘s correct, does this mean Steve Wynn has soured on his proposed Boston casino? That Wynn’s getting to be a mighty fickle fellow these days.

Designers wanted. And, boy, does Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino in upstate New York need them: Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Election, Harrah's, Harry Reid, International, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, New York, Pokergeddon, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Texas, Tourism, Tribal | 1 Comment

Frosty spring on the Boardwalk; Tortoises vs. hares in Pennsylvania

Posted on June 10, 2011 by David McKee

Dennis Gomes‘ comeback trail at Resorts Atlantic City (left) finally hit a wall in May. The recovering casino was 4% off last year’s pace, although that’s above-average performance in market that took another thwack last month, down 9%. The feeble end of the Donald Trump era at what is now the Golden Nugget demonstrated the challenge ahead of new owner Tilman Fertitta: $11 million, -18% even from last year’s paltry tally. Trump Plaza remains in free fall, down 25%. Only the Bally’s Wild Wild West/Claridge behemoth (-16%) had a worse plunge in terms of sheer dollars, down $6.2 million, as opposed to the Plaza’s $4.3 million declivity. Caesars Atlantic City (-1%) defied the trend best of anybody.

At the tables, players wagered less and casinos won less (drop and win both Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Current, Dennis Gomes, Donald Trump, Economy, George Maloof, Harrah's, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Racinos, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Frosty spring on the Boardwalk; Tortoises vs. hares in Pennsylvania

Those evil casinos; Lost in Yonkers; Found in Bethlehem

Posted on June 10, 2011 by David McKee

Floating down the river of DeNile, Sharron Angle says a senatorial seat that was rightfully hers was filched by “the casinos,” among other malefactors. Of course, this is the same woman who would have subtracted CityCenter from the local tax base and thrown its employees onto the dole, arguing that it should have been aborted in mid-construction (because it just would have gone bankrupt anyway, Angle contended). So we’re not dealing with someone who’s got all her ponies on one string, are we?

Speaking of tax bases, the municipality otherwise known as Yonkers has to decide how much it’s worth to keep Yonkers Raceway propped up. The latter projects spending $40 million to add 350 VLTs — bringing its inventory to 5,850 — and 400 table games (craps, sic bo, baccarat). In return, it would like tax incentives. Seems reasonable. But here’s the rub: Business isn’t expected to be any better once the expansion is finished. It’s a defensive measure against Genting Bhd‘s nearby Aqueduct project. Or, as Raceway General Manager Bob Galtiero candidly put it, Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, CityCenter, Current, Election, Maine, New York, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 10, 2011 by David McKee

“[Nevada Gaming Control Board analyst Michael] Lawton said the taxes were up despite revenue being down because of credit play and collections from prior months. Lawton said that when players lose money gambling on casino credit, casinos tally the monthly revenue but it isn’t taxed until the winnings are actually collected.” — thereby explaining a frequently paradoxical line item on the State of Nevada’s monthly gambling-revenue reports (higher tax collections on lower revenues).

Posted in Economy, Regulation, Taxes | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

F-blew, Sahara solved

Posted on June 9, 2011 by David McKee

Hey, Carl Icahn and Sam Nazarian! Got an old casino — or maybe a new failsino — that needs demolition? Why settle for the few seconds’ thrill of an implosion? Bring Robosaurus to town, set up some bleachers, charge admission and put that bad boy to work. It’d be more entertaining, especially once he cuts loose with that flame-thrower, and you can make back some of the diñero you plowed into your piece of the Las Vegas Strip. And once Robosaurus gets done with F-blew, we’ll send him clomping down the Strip to finish off The Harmon. It’d be just like Cloverfield but without all that Shake-O-Vision crap.

Posted in Carl Icahn, CityCenter, Cloverfield monster, Entertainment, Florida, Fontainebleau, MGM Mirage, Movies, Sahara, The Strip | 2 Comments

We like Paul LePage; Little Red Sheldonhood

Posted on June 9, 2011 by David McKee

Although Maine‘s governor says he’ll veto bills to authorize a pair of racinos and a Lewiston casino, that’s not why S&G gives him the thumbs-up. No, it’s because he’s thwarting legislators from playing favorites. Lawmakers are trying to do an end-run around the initiative-and-referendum process and cut voters out of the equation altogether. But if the bills don’t make it out of the state house then they’ll go to the public in November.

Which is as it should be. Why should Penn National Gaming have had to take the long route in the Bangor area (and Black Bear Entertainment the same in Oxford County) while other potential operators are allowed the convenience of Continue reading →

Posted in Election, International, Macau, Maine, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | Comments Off on We like Paul LePage; Little Red Sheldonhood

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 9, 2011 by David McKee

“Higher education budget blows” — actual onscreen graphic during the 8:25 a.m. news update on KSNV-TV. Station owner Jim Rogers is a former chancellor of Nevada‘s higher-ed system.

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The Strip in April: Down and yet up; Gettysburg: The south loses again

Posted on June 9, 2011 by David McKee

According to the Nevada Gaming Control Board, casino revenue in the state was down 2% in April … except that it wasn’t. Since the month ended on a Saturday, slot revenue from the last two days of April got slopped in with the first dollars of May. This leaves Wall Street analysts to play 3-D chess and extrapolate what the results would have been if Nevadans reported their casino revenue the way the rest of the country does. The good news is that these regulatory monkeyshines won’t recur until the end of September.

In other words, what looks like a blah month was actually a good one, with revenues probably closer to $822 million (+2%) than the $806 million reported. Slot win would be +2.5% statewide and up 1% on the Strip. Even with an ongoing cutback in comps, players are spending a little Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, California, Current, Economy, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, International, Isle of Capri, Lake Tahoe, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Wall Street | Comments Off on The Strip in April: Down and yet up; Gettysburg: The south loses again

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 8, 2011 by David McKee

“It’s our job to take people and companies that are unsuitable and make them suitable.” — unnamed Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board administrator, explaining why his bureau has helped cover up drug-dealing and other criminal activity in order to help Keystone State casinos get their licenses.

Posted in Pennsylvania, Regulation | 2 Comments

Life’s good …

Posted on June 8, 2011 by David McKee

… if you happen to be George Maloof and can hang out at Palms Place on Sunday with a bunch of Miss USA contestants. However, as for young lovelies like …

… Miss Nevada, one Sarah Chapman, I’d advise staying away from Kerry Simon‘s junk-food-laden repast if you want to maintain that girlish figure. Those beauty contestants must have shrew-like appetites because the next night they … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Culinary Union, Current, Dining, Downtown, Economy, Election, Entertainment, George Maloof, Harrah's, Iowa, Isle of Capri, Penn National, Taxes, The Strip | Comments Off on Life’s good …

Illinois: How much worse can it get?

Posted on June 8, 2011 by David McKee

OK, the 9% dropoff in Illinois gambling dollars last month looks worse than it is because it mainly reflects the flood-enforced closure of Harrah’s Metropolis (left, -77%). All other casinos were down an aggregate 3%, and it didn’t much matter whether one was at the northeastern or southwestern end of the Land of Lincoln. The rest of the narrative is a familiar one: Jumer’s Casino Rock Island was up 5%, Harrah’s Joliet ($19 million, -14%) continues to lose business to Empress Joliet ($13 million, +8%), and were it not for Metropolis‘ adversity, Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Bally Technologies, Boyd Gaming, Cordish Co., Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, International, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Technology, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | 8 Comments

After the flood; New captains at Tropicana Entertainment

Posted on June 8, 2011 by David McKee


What used to be the Horizon riverboat in Vicksburg is back in business as Grand Station (no relation to Station Casinos, in case you were wondering). While nearby riverboats owned by Neil Bluhm and Ameristar Casinos rode out the high waters, despite lower business, Grand Station used the time to complete what was surely a much-needed revamp. A former Columbia Sussex property — and thus probably way behind the times — Grand Station represents one of Scott Butera‘s bigger blunders when he was Tropicana Entertainment CEO. He cost creditors over $30 million by blocking a 2008 sale, leaving a recession-struck TropEnt to later unload it for chump change. S&G wishes Grand Station well in its new incarnation, as it looks like good times are indeed ahead.

Another former ColSux property seeing better days is Evansville‘s Casino Aztar. State-appointed trustee Robert Dingman (a former Harrah’s Entertainment executive) turned the riverboat’s performance around and now its captaincy is in the hands of General Manager Ward Shaw. Part of the reason Casino Aztar fell from favor with its host city was the lack of reinvestment in the vessel — not even in Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Columbia Sussex, Dennis Gomes, Harrah's, Indiana, Marketing, Mississippi, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Station Casinos, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on After the flood; New captains at Tropicana Entertainment

A time-out

Posted on June 8, 2011 by David McKee

Had I known that the recent kerfuffle over who Paul Revere did and didn’t intend to warn that the Redcoats were coming would devolve into name-calling between commenters, I’d never have posted that unfortunate quote. So, as of today, I’m taking it down. And reminding every one here that calling another poster a name is strictly verboten, as are racial, religious, ethnic, sexual and cultural slurs, and (on a somewhat lighter note) all-caps posting. Class is dismissed.

Posted in Current | 4 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 7, 2011 by David McKee

“In Latin American, African or Asian countries, I sometimes see shiny tanks and fighter aircraft — but schools that have trouble paying teachers. Sound familiar? And the upshot is societies that are quasi-feudal, stratified by social class, held back by a limited sense of common purpose.” — Nicholas Kristof addressing, among other issues, the diminished net worth of the average American. It’s something that ought to be a loud and alarming wake-up to the casino industry, which is cantilevered toward serving a relative handful of high-net-worth individuals. That’s not a viable strategy for supporting the recent series of multibillion-dollar edifice complexes. And you don’t have to go to the Third World to find the feudalistic economic conditions Kristof describes in his column: Much of it sounds quite like contemporary Las Vegas. I’ve lived here for over 12 years and the (im)balance has definitely shifted.

Posted in Economy, International | 2 Comments

“[sic] semper tyrannis”; Sahara Sam’s rummage sale

Posted on June 4, 2011 by David McKee

One quickly becomes inured to mobile billboards in Las Vegas, lurching about the streets. (The billboards, not me.) But the one I saw this morning en route to work was an eye-grabber: “No mas en Stations [sic]” it read. The fine print attributed it to the Culinary Union and Bartenders Union, both of whom clearly need to brush up on their Station Casinos nomenclature.

This roving salvo follows a most unusual letter from Station’s longtime HR director, Valerie Murzl, to various and sundry Station vendors. Dated May 23, it is described as a rejoinder to a Culinary Union letter to those same parties. Murzl lays out the difference between Station’s position on unionization (by secret ballot) and that of the Culinary, which prefers card checks. (I disagree, but that’s beside the point.) “Consequently,” Murzl writes, “the Union declared war on Station Casinos. The Union’s campaign of lies, falsely accusing Station Casinos of the commission of unfair labor practices or mistreatment of Continue reading →

Posted in Culinary Union, Current, Downtown, Marketing, Sahara, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Tamares Group, The Strip | 1 Comment