Las Vegas Advisor

Posted on March 27, 2023September 26, 2023 by David Mckee — 2 Comments

Tilman keeps his cool; New Jersey woes; Mega-Jottings

Don’t hold your breath if you’re waiting for Tilman Fertitta to break ground on what will probably be a Post Oak Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip. The mogul is keeping his powder dry, or as Truist Securities analyst Barry Jonas summarized him, “No firm start date has been set, and management is willing to wait for clarity on economic conditions.” That could be a long wait. Already Fertitta’s high-end-dining business is softening, though Tilman expects his Joe Sixpack customers to be most affected by any economic downturn. And if you were wondering whether Tilman would expend any of his considerable political capital on behalf of Texas casino legalization, the answer appears to be no. Fertitta kept mum on the subject, beyond saying that Texas tribal casinos wouldn’t hurt his Lake Charles business, which hardly comes as a shocking analysis.

Posted on March 24, 2023 by Dave Kamsler — 2 Comments

Splurging in Vegas

I don’t know about you, but I built up a lot of unrequited Vegas energy during the pandemic. I also saved a lot of money by not paying for plane fares, hotel rooms, restaurant meals, shows tickets, drink tabs, Raiders seats, and gambling during the 2-1/2 years that COVID kept me away from the Promised Land. For a guy who visited Las Vegas three or four times a year for a week at a time, I was in severe withdrawal.

My first trip back to Vegas was in June 2022 and I went all out. Vegas is a great place for a nice splurge for any reason under the sun, so here are some things you might want to consider treating yourself to.

Posted on March 22, 2023August 29, 2023 by 888 Casino — Leave a comment

Successful Video Poker Play Differs from Slot Play

This post is syndicated by the Las Vegas Advisor for the 888 casino group. Anthony Curtis comments on the 888 article introduced and linked to on this page.

Posted on March 22, 2023September 18, 2023 by David Mckee — 2 Comments

East Coast report; “Best growth story in gaming” is who?

As we rummage through our mailbag, we find a number of dispatches from our East Coast correspondent, who recently helped prop up the Golden Nugget in Atlantic City with a three-night stay. He was drawn by a giveaway at Ocean Casino Resort (above): “They were having this odd gift of an ‘outdoor folding stool.’ Of course we had to have one. This week Boscov‘s (regional department store) had this ad showing the true value of the item: $4.99, with making a $15 purchase. I never knew the Illitch Family was so generous.” Throw in a mingy $30 of free play and it’s still not a George offer. That’s not how you get to number-one status, Ocean.

Speaking of promotions, Bally’s Atlantic City is touting “another free dinner at Guy Fieri’s, and a ‘meet and greet’ with someone from the Godfather film with drinks and prizes, including five violin-shaped vodka bottles.” That throws down the gauntlet to the Nugget, which is responding with “a ‘cocktail party’ with drinks and prizes (but no food). I can understand with the high price of food and ‘supply chain issues’. Perhaps Tilman Fertitta could ask Golden Nugget’s employees to go to some ‘food pantries’ and try and get some food for Nugget’s Elite level players.”

Posted on March 21, 2023 by Bob Dancer — 13 Comments

Do APs Cheat?

At the recent World Game Protection seminars, casino expert Sal Piacente said: “Advantage players don’t want to cheat and aren’t doing anything illegal, but instead use their minds to beat the game, whether watching to see if a dealer exposes a hole card or by card counting.”

I’m not so sure.

Posted on March 21, 2023September 14, 2023 by David Mckee — Leave a comment

A Dream deferred; Lost Virginity; Tennessee tax trouble

Don’t look now, Las Vegas but we may have another failsino on our hands. Construction has ground to a total halt on Dream, the south-Strip resort project that looked like a sure thing not so long ago. Developer Bill Shopoff is as much as $30 million in hock, stalling work on Dream. Shopoff is evidently renegotiating with his principal lender, for reasons undisclosed. (Cost overruns?) With a budgetary cap of $575 million, Dream has been proceeding so far from cash on hand, leaving it $400 million-plus short of the finish line. That’d require a “bridge loan” big enough to span Long Island Sound.

Posted on March 20, 2023September 26, 2023 by David Mckee — Leave a comment

Pennsylvania up; Arizona blunder; Über-Mega-Jottings

At $277 million, Pennsylvania casinos were 2% higher in February than last year, although a 12% declivity from go-go 2019 is further indication of a slowing recovery in gaming. Then again, after having reached record altitudes last year, how much higher can the industry go? Sports betting activing was flat at $599.5 million handle, which boiled down to $62 million in revenue, $43 million after promotional giveaways. As measured by handle, BetMGM is getting the least bang for its buck, spending 7% of handle for a 7% market share. Most efficient was Barstool Sports, laying out 2.5% of handle for a 6% share, closely followed by Caesars Sportsbook. Internet gambling was way up (29%) to $131.5 million. The catchall Hollywood Casino license, embracing three providers, brought in $56.5 million. BetRivers accounted for $26 million, surpassed by FanDuel‘s $27.5 million.

Posted on March 17, 2023September 14, 2023 by David Mckee — Leave a comment

Atlantic City up, Louisiana down; Steve Wynn’s revenge

Gambling revenues inched upward in New Jersey, plus 1% statewide, mainly driven by Internet casinos (+9%). In Atlantic City, slot winnings rose 3.5% to ($159 million) on 4% more coin-in but tables slipped 4.5% to $54 million as wagering dipped 1%. The comp-sweating Golden Nugget tumbled 14% to $11 million, tightening its stranglehold on last place, well behind Bally’s Atlantic City ($12 million and an impressive +14%) and Resorts Atlantic City ($12.5 million, -2%). Borgata put even more distance between itself and the competition, up 9% to $57.5 million. Hard Rock Atlantic City was flat and way back at $37.5 million. Ocean Casino Resort slid 11.5% to $26 million. Does the Illitch Family still fantasize about having the top casino in A.C.? That leaves the Caesars Entertainment triumvirate, led by Harrah’s Resort‘s $21.5 million (+8%), lagged by Caesars Atlantic City ($19 million, +1.5%) and the Tropicana Atlantic City with $17 million, flat in February.

Posted on March 17, 2023September 18, 2023 by Bobby Vegas — 11 Comments

Bobby Vegas’ Vegas

[Editor’s Note: This post is written by Bobby Vegas, who’s proud to call himself a “scuffler,” someone who uses every advantage in casino gambling: trip planning with airline points, promotions, MRB and other coupons to improve his edge, discover new venues, lower food costs, get discount or free rooms, etc. Over 60 trips to Vegas in the past 25 years, Bobby’s first choice video poker, followed by a form of advantage play at roulette using Non-Linear Recurrence Theory and other AP techniques applied to sports betting and craps. “Diverse games and strategies allow for the most fun, at the least risk, for as long as time will allow,” he says. He’ll be writing about specific experiences, how he employs all the tools of the trade to his advantage and profit. Bobby, you have the floor.]

Posted on March 15, 2023September 14, 2023 by David Mckee — 1 Comment

Massachusetts soars; The Strip meets The Street

Gambling win in Massachusetts shot up 14.5% in February, reaching $98 million. Market leader, of course, was Encore Boston Harbor with $63 million (+14.5%). MGM Springfield leapt 17% to $23 million and Plainridge Park climbed 10% to $12 million. Wynn Resorts, Penn Entertainment and MGM Resorts International were among the companies represented at the J.P. Morgan Gaming & Lodging Forum and you can read our takes on most of them at CDC Gaming Reports. As for the others …

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