J.D. Morris

Story Archive

MGM appoints CEO, CFO for new real estate investment trust
Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016
MGM Resorts International announced today it has chosen two businessmen with investment banking backgrounds to lead the real estate investment trust into ...
Three executives promoted, one retiring at Boyd Gaming
Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2016
Boyd Gaming Corp. this week announced some major leadership changes, with three people promoted to higher-level positions and one longtime executive retiring later this year. The company said today ...
Light rail presented as best option to connect Strip, airport, downtown
Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016
Why does Las Vegas need light rail? It would link the airport, the Strip and downtown Las Vegas, a critical connection that would greatly benefit the economy and the tourist experience, a local transportation official ...
Cosmopolitan CEO recommended for license by gaming board
Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016
William McBeath, the chief executive of the Cosmopolitan, today received the first of two regulatory approvals he needs to be licensed by state gaming authorities. The Gaming Control Board approved ...
Developer scoops up 38-acre IGT campus in southwest valley for $75M
Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016
Developer Doug Roberts is one of many investors building large industrial properties in the valley without tenants lined up. Now he’s got another big property to shop around ...
Looking ahead: See what lies in store for the Las Vegas Strip in 2016
Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015
While the physical dynamic of the Strip did not change too dramatically this year, it nonetheless proved to be an important development period as a few key projects ...
Tourism officials: Las Vegas cracks 42 million visitors this year
Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015
Las Vegas surpassed 42 million annual visitors for the first time this year, tourism officials announced today. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority ...
Nevada gaming revenue up 7.8 percent in November
Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015
Nevada gaming revenue increased 7.8 percent in November, led by a particularly strong month for casinos in Clark County, the state reported today. The Gaming Control Board said ...
Plaza renovating its rooftop pool in downtown Las Vegas
Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2015
The Plaza in downtown Las Vegas today announced it will undertake a major renovation of its rooftop pool starting next week. The hotel-casino said its “extensive, multi-million dollar” pool renovation will begin ...
A peek into the mind of Howard Hughes
Monday, Dec. 28, 2015
Last week, our staff examined how secret documents stored in a safe owned by Las Vegas Sun publisher Hank Greenspun were connected to the Watergate break-ins that sunk President Richard Nixon. This week, we take a detailed look at what the documents said ...
Watergate break-in has connection to Las Vegas
Who tried to break into Hank Greenspun’s safe?
Monday, Dec. 21, 2015
More than four decades ago, Las Vegas Sun publisher Hank Greenspun said he had information that could take down President Richard Nixon. And in a way, he was right. A large safe in Greenspun’s office contained a stash of memos written by reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes and his former ...
The word on Vegas: 10 of the best books about Sin City
Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015
For those craving more winter reading, or perhaps looking for a good gift for a book lover, there's a lot to read about Las Vegas' past. Here are 10 books that give a glimpse into ...
5 times casinos were referenced in the 2016 campaign — so far
Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015
Even when not debating at a big Las Vegas casino-resort, which Republican contenders will do Tuesday night, gambling references have worked their way into the campaign rhetoric multiple times. And there’s evidence ...
Mesquite casino takes ‘family business’ to the next level
Monday, Dec. 14, 2015
It’s not often the retirement benefits of a small-town casino attract the attention of Nevada gaming regulators. But recent moves made by the Eureka in Mesquite are anything but normal for the gaming industry. The Eureka received approval from the Nevada Gaming Commission in November to adopt an employee stock ownership plan, or an ESOP, which will act as ...
Congress scrutinizes bill outlawing online gaming in Nevada
Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015
Congressional lawmakers took another intense look Wednesday at a controversial bill that would ban online gaming, including in Nevada and the other two states where it is already legal. The bill was discussed in a House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing that focused largely on the legal and …
Why Las Vegas transportation leaders think the time is right for light rail
Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015
Armed with figures showing that traffic congestion throughout Las Vegas will become far more severe over the next two decades if local leaders do not make major changes to ...
RTC unveils long-ranging transportation plan that includes light rail
Monday, Dec. 7, 2015
Southern Nevada tourism leaders on Monday unveiled an ambitious, multibillion-dollar transit plan that could make substantial upgrades to the way people move around Las Vegas over the next few decades, including through the ...
Trump International employees vote to join Culinary Union
Monday, Dec. 7, 2015
Workers at the Trump International Hotel have voted in favor of union representation, a major Las Vegas union announced today. The Culinary Workers Union Local 226 said ...
County reports concerns after testing fake trees from Cosmopolitan fire
Friday, Dec. 4, 2015
The artificial palm trees that fueled a fast-burning outdoor fire at the Cosmopolitan this summer would not have passed muster for use indoors, Clark County said today, but the county is not yet pushing for any ...
Tourism officials discuss more details of convention center project
Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015
Tourism executives offered more insight today into plans to expand and renovate the Las Vegas Convention Center as they continued to make their case to a committee that will be influential in funding the project. The LVCVA is already ...
Gaming association wants presidential candidates to fill out questionnaire
Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015
Which presidential candidates would be willing to meet with casino employees? Which would take a stand against illegal gambling? And what would their approach be to ...
The Cosmopolitan agrees to 4-year union contract
Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015
The Cosmopolitan and a major Las Vegas union announced today that they have concluded negotiating a contract that will cover about 2,000 employees at ...
Nevada gaming revenue down 2.9 percent in October
Las Vegas Strip revenue drops 5.1 percent for the month
Monday, Nov. 30, 2015
Gaming revenue from Nevada casinos dropped nearly 3 percent in October, the state reported today. The Gaming Control Board said casinos won ...
Culinary continues to target Deutsche Bank’s ties to Station
Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015
The Culinary Union today sought to escalate its latest campaign to pressure Station Casinos by holding a rally in favor of “clean gaming” aimed ...
Eldorado Resorts gets final OK to take control of two MGM casinos in Reno
Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015
Eldorado Resorts Inc. today received the final blessing of state regulators to take over MGM Resorts International’s ownership of two Reno casinos. The Nevada Gaming Commission ...
City of Las Vegas declines to help Lucky Dragon casino project
Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015
The Lucky Dragon, a planned Asian-themed hotel and casino being built just off the north Strip, failed today to advance its plan to get financial help from Las Vegas city leaders. Las Vegas City Council members ...
New performance zone rules take effect on Fremont Street
Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015
Tuesday marked the dawn of a new era for street performers who have long flocked to the pedestrian mall in downtown Las Vegas. Instead of having free reign along much of Fremont Street Experience, performers are now limited to 38 specific zones between 3 p.m. and 1 a.m. They rotate every two hours between zones, which take the shape of circles on the ground designed like casino chips. ...
Stratosphere owner grows revenue 6.6 percent but reports 3rd-quarter loss
Monday, Nov. 16, 2015
The company that runs the Stratosphere, the two Arizona Charlie’s properties and the Aquarius in Laughlin reported its third-quarter earnings today. The increase in net revenue was the result strong performance in all major areas: more slot and table games revenue, increased ...
Cosmopolitan reports second straight quarterly profit
Friday, Nov. 13, 2015
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas reported its third-quarter earnings to the Securities and Exchange Commission today. This is the second quarter in a row that the typically money-losing resort has ...
SLS Las Vegas reports $38.7 million loss in 3rd quarter
Friday, Nov. 13, 2015
SLS Las Vegas reported its third-quarter earnings to the Securities and Exchange Commission today. The SLS has yet to overcome the challenge posed by its location on the far end of the north Strip, well removed from the foot traffic and visibility enjoyed by the resorts farther south. But the resort made some progress in the third quarter on the casino side, where revenue rose to $9.9 million from about $9.5 million in the second quarter and ...
Resorts World progress report: ‘A $4 billion project will not be built overnight’
Friday, Nov. 13, 2015
At first glance, the site of Resorts World Las Vegas may not look not much different today than it did months ago. But in the southwest corner of the site, far from its colorful wall of signage on Las Vegas Boulevard, lies evidence that ...
Merger produces big revenue growth, lower profit for IGT in 3rd quarter
Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015
International Game Technology, a major slot machine and lottery company, reported its third-quarter earnings today. The company in its current form was created by a $6.4 billion merger of the Italian lottery operator Gtech and ...
States of mind: Why fantasy sports biz reacted differently to NY, NV rulings
Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015
The state of New York on Tuesday followed in Nevada’s footsteps when its attorney general determined that the two leading daily fantasy sports companies are gambling operations, but the fallout of that decision seems notably more intense than it has been in the Silver State. When the Nevada Gaming Control Board announced ...
Gaming association will search for ‘rational alternative’ to sports betting law
Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2015
Calling it a “major shift” in the casino industry’s approach to gambling on sports, the American Gaming Association today revealed plans to assemble a group focused on ...
Fontainebleau on north Strip for sale
Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2015
The unfinished Fontainebleau resort, which has sat idly on the north Strip for years, is for sale. The commercial real estate firm CBRE announced today that ...
Gaming association, FBI ask the public to report illegal gambling
Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2015
The American Gaming Association is asking the public for help with one of its top priorities at the moment: fighting against illegal gambling. The Washington, D.C.-based casino industry lobbying group said Tuesday that it’s cooperating with ...
LVCVA OKs contract for next step of demolishing Riviera
Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015
The shuttered Riviera took another small step toward its eventual demolition today. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority’s board of directors approved a $475,000 contract with KGA Architecture to ...
Impairment charges create big third-quarter loss for Scientific Games
Monday, Nov. 9, 2015
Despite the big net loss, the company said it remains on track to create substantial cost savings because of its merger with Bally ...
SLS Las Vegas teaming with Starwood to rebrand hotel tower
Monday, Nov. 9, 2015
SLS Las Vegas announced today that one of its hotel towers will eventually be managed by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc., a deal that will rebrand the tower and ...
If we build it, will even more people come?
Monday, Nov. 9, 2015
Las Vegas tourism officials have a clear goal: They want to expand and renovate their convention facilities to meet demand for more space from trade shows, capture new business and fend off competition from other cities. But accomplishing their objective isn’t so simple. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority has yet to secure ...
Online poker dealt a tough hand in Nevada
Monday, Nov. 9, 2015
Nevada’s underwhelming online gaming market likely won’t grow into a cash cow anytime soon. Ultimate Poker, one of the state’s three licensed online poker websites ...
SLS Las Vegas, Hilton loyalty program no longer affiliated
Friday, Nov. 6, 2015
SLS Las Vegas is no longer part of a special collection of upscale hotels associated with Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., ending the money-losing Strip resort’s access to ...
Station Casinos increases revenue 4.5 percent, reverses 3rd-quarter loss
Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015
Station Casinos, the locals-oriented gaming giant whose properties include Red Rock Resort, Green Valley Ranch and Palace Station, reported its third-quarter earnings ...
Sale of two MGM Resorts casinos in Reno gets initial regulatory OK
Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015
MGM Resorts International today moved one step closer to wrapping up its sale of two casinos in Reno. The Gaming Control Board approved Eldorado Resorts Inc.’s previously announced ...
In first quarter as public company, PT’s owner Golden Entertainment reports $3M profit
Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015
The Las Vegas-based gaming company whose business includes multiple Nevada casinos and the PT’s tavern chain, as well as a huge route of slot machines inside grocery stores and similar spots, reported ...
Stevens brothers get initial OK to buy out remainder of Golden Gate
Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015
Two of downtown Las Vegas’ highest-profile property owners today received preliminary approval to become full owners of the Golden Gate casino. The Nevada Gaming Control Board gave the green light to ...
Group asks federal officials to investigate Adelson, Las Vegas Sands
Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015
A self-described watchdog organization wants federal leaders to investigate Las Vegas Sands Corp. and its CEO Sheldon Adelson over alleged connections to ...
Bitcoin poker site operator gets probation
Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015
The Las Vegas man who pleaded guilty to running an illegal online gambling website that used Bitcoin was sentenced today to a maximum of two years’ probation. Bryan Micon agreed in District Court to also ...
Have $40M? Station Casinos has some land it would like to sell to you
Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015
Station Casinos wants to sell a large chunk of empty land it owns on Las Vegas Boulevard in the far south end of the valley, according to a document marketing the site to ...
UNLV students invent games that might one day hit casinos
Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015
At UNLV’s Center for Gaming Innovation, students double as inventors — and their creations can end up on local casino floors. The center offers a class on subjects such as the history of gaming innovation, the mathematics of gambling and intellectual property law. Its main focus, however, is the projects students create: casino games that often work their way through the patent process and may eventually appear before gamblers. Not every game created in the class is patented, but the ones that are receive ...