Two Way Hard Three

Derek Stevens: Promoted Fanboy

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 15:08:29 -0800

And I mean that with the greatest possible respect. I know people usually throw "fanboy" around as a pejorative, but to me the idea of someone who is so into whatever it is they're into--whether it's Star Trek, or cartoons, or craps--that they have a childlike enthusiasm about it is quite positive. After the jump, I talk a little about what Stevens' fanboy status means.

Is the Strip Finished?

Mon, 03 Sep 2012 11:09:27 -0800

Courtesy of Detroit1051, that's what this 40-year resident thinks. Here's his description of a recent trip to the heart of Nevada's economic engine (after the jump):

A Revel Review

Thu, 09 Aug 2012 10:26:00 -0800

Atlantic City's latest casino opened in April; I got to see it last week. Mr. Monster wrote a great review of Revel on Atlantic City Tripping and I'll try to avoid covering the same ground. Shouldn't be too difficult, since I didn't see inside the guestrooms, but there's always the danger of going "He's So Fine"/"My Sweet Lord" with the common areas.

So, after the jump, here it is: Dr. Dave's look at Revel.

Render Quality Control Unto Caesar

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 08:46:55 -0800

Attention to detail.

On paper, everyone agrees it's important. Like being "goal-oriented," it's one of those generic hallmarks of a good manager. In theory, it all makes sense: people should sweat the small stuff if they want the big stuff to turn out correctly. In practice, though, there are plenty of reasons why attention to detail is honored more in the breach than the observance: time (or lack thereof); conflicting priorities; lack of quality control; loss of ownership over a project.

After the jump, I'm going to talk about one small instance of a critical lack of attention to detail, and what it all might mean.

April numbers: Not much talk, but something to talk about

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 15:32:10 -0800

Although given only perfunctory mention in most of the Las Vegas media, the April numbers' release this morning was actually pretty significant. They seem to say that things are headed in the right direction again, but really looking at them raises more questions.

SLS Las Vegas, Part III

Fri, 11 May 2012 14:40:07 -0800

It feels like I've started my own cottage industry talking about SLS Las Vegas. It's a topic that people seem to be interested in and that they feel strongly about, and I feel I've got something to say because I talked to COO Rob Oseland last week. I shared my thoughts on last month's press release right here last month. After the jump, I'll talk about what I've written and share a little something new.

UPDATED: Linqing the Perfect Name

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 11:58:14 -0800

There's a bit of a mystery unfolding on the Strip thanks to Caesars Entertainment. Since the initial flurry that surrounded the initial announcement of Linq last August, we've heard precious little about the project, which will mostly be beneath, between and behind the Flamingo and Imperial Palace. After the jump, I take a look at what I consider the biggest unanswered question, and take a few guesses at possible answers.

Crystal Balls and Financing Details

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 12:38:07 -0800

We learned yesterday that all of the financing details for the soon-to-open SLS Las Vegas are in place. Well, actually, they aren't, and that's what makes this interesting.

Caesars Total Resorts World?

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 14:46:47 -0800

Could the new Total Rewards signal more than an aesthetic shift for Caesars Entertainment? It's possible. Armed with a few images and my imagination, I'll take you on a little journey into the possible future...

I wrote this in 2006...

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 12:56:07 -0800

and, though the article was never published, I sure would like that middle sentence back. See the guilty party after the jump.

Okada Makes a Promise

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 16:18:57 -0800

Before the recent flurry of legal activity involving Kazuo Okada and Steve Wynn, the Japanese billionaire had a reputation as a bit of a mystery man. But back in 1988, he was at the forefront of Universal Company's U.S. ad blitz. After the jump, see an ad from the February 1988 issue of Casino Gaming magazine that puts Mr. Okada front and center.

The Las Vegas Strip: Progress in FY'11

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:25:33 -0800

Yesterday I wrote a few reports for the Center for Gaming Research summing up the financial performance of the "average" casino on the Strip, in Downtown Las Vegas, and in Reno. Because people here like talking about the Strip more than, say, Reno/Sparks, I'll break down the Strip results for you.

November in Nevada

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:21:06 -0800

The Gaming Control Board released the November 2011 revenue results for Nevada casinos this morning. I've banged out two reports, and am now ready to pull everything together in a quick, easy-to-read narrative.

The Cosmo Strikes Back (sort of)

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 09:54:35 -0800

As I've said for months now--and proved, using geometric logic, quarterly reports, and benchmarks for the Strip--the Cosmopolitan has not done a great job of marketing their casino. Like the Paris balloon, it's an inside joke that's not even so inside anymore. With the appointment of Tom McCartney as property COO, some people (me included) have guessed that this would change. And, less than a week into his tenure, I've got some evidence that it is.

The Las Vegas Hilton: Looking Back

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 10:53:55 -0800

Yesterday was a momentous day in Las Vegas casino history. There was no closing of the doors (or taping-up of notes) or implosion, but one of the real stalwarts left the building. The Las Vegas Hilton is no more. Yes, the building is still there, along with the employees, and you can still book a room (for now, at least) and roll dice, but the name has been removed in place of the oh-so-exciting "LVH--The Las Vegas Hotel and Casino." After the jump, I'll recap the history of the property, hitting the high notes and a few low ones.