Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

Bio

Resort fees rethought; Yokohama rejects casinos

Posted on September 6, 2018 by David McKee

Congratulations, Scott Roeben. Analyst Cameron McKnight of Credit Suisse is a Vital Vegas reader and cites it in his latest investor note. He also mentions a publication with which I’m not familiar, LV Locally, when writing “that several Las Vegas … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Economy, Election, Indiana, Japan, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, Politics, Resort fees, Sexual misconduct, The Strip, Transportation, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Dispatches from the front lines

Posted on September 5, 2018 by David McKee

Already MGM Springfield is spurring external economic stimulus in Springfield. A new (and rather fugly) Hilton has been proposed for an adjacent site, costing $15 million and boasting 100 hotel rooms once finished. For the city, the cancellation of MGM’s planned hotel … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Entertainment, Environment, history, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Minnesota, Penn National, Rhode Island, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Dispatches from the front lines

State of D-nile; Red-tag sale at Caesars

Posted on September 5, 2018 by David McKee

Xstal Campbell, a former dancing barmaid at The D, will be testifying before the Nevada Gaming Control Board today, along with other, unidentified casino workers. The subject will be sexual harassment. Ms. Campbell, who also will try her case before … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Caesars Entertainment, Culinary Union, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Economy, Marketing, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on State of D-nile; Red-tag sale at Caesars

Titanic exhibit in peril; It’s Greek to them

Posted on September 4, 2018 by David McKee

Luxor‘s display of Titanic relics has hit an iceberg in the form of a bankruptcy court auction against owner Premier Exhibitions. It’s likely the collection will be kept intact, not dispersed to the four winds, although the latter might be … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Caesars Entertainment, Downtown, Hard Rock International, history, International, Las Vegas Sands, Marijuana, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Movies, Penn National, Regulation, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, TV, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off on Titanic exhibit in peril; It’s Greek to them

Swarming the sports books; The curious case of Stonewall Park

Posted on September 4, 2018 by David McKee

In a development that is sure to be followed with interest by sports book operators, predictive system Swarm AI outdid human oddsmakers in a trial run. During a 20-week slice of the NHL season, Swarm AI correctly predicted the outcome … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Nevada, Regulation, Reno, Sports betting, Technology, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street | Comments Off on Swarming the sports books; The curious case of Stonewall Park

Quote of the Day

Posted on September 4, 2018 by David McKee

“What we don’t want to do is anything that diminishes the customer experience, because then they won’t be coming back.” — MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren during his latest investor call. So you’ll be clawing back those resort and … Continue reading →

Posted in MGM Resorts International, Resort fees, The Strip | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 31, 2018 by David McKee

“The profiles we offer here are proof that the women executives of today are succeeding with the same formula that once applied only to men—hard work, dedication, education and connections.” — unnamed Global Gaming Business staffer, putting his keyboard in … Continue reading →

Posted in Cretins | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

A lonely July; Schumer would put leagues in charge

Posted on August 31, 2018 by David McKee

A clearer picture of the Las Vegas Strip in July is emerging, as visitation was 3.5% lower, dragging room revenue down 7.5% with it. Yes, the house got beaten badly at baccarat, but other factors were at work in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Economy, Foxwoods, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Oklahoma, Penn National, Politics, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal | Comments Off on A lonely July; Schumer would put leagues in charge

Strip gets hammered, locals not so much

Posted on August 30, 2018 by David McKee

While some analysts were expecting the Las Vegas Strip to be only slightly off last year’s pace (another benchmark that seems unlikely to be repeated, shades of 2007), their guidance evidently didn’t foresee an almost 6% miss, coming at $533 … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Downtown, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Marijuana, North Las Vegas, Reno, The Strip | Comments Off on Strip gets hammered, locals not so much

Disappointment on the Strip; Playing politics with sports betting

Posted on August 30, 2018 by David McKee

Ten years. That’s how long it’s been since a brand-new resort has opened on the Las Vegas Strip. Looking to break that dry spell, Genting Group has recommitted itself to a 4Q20 opening of Resorts World Las Vegas. Commenting on … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Economy, Genting, Politics, Regulation, Sports betting, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Disappointment on the Strip; Playing politics with sports betting

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 28, 2018 by David McKee

“Basically, you’ve been called into the principal’s office three times, and each time, it’s maybe a little bit different but a lot of it is repeat issues. And you’ve been given the opportunity to make the business right, and that … Continue reading →

Posted in Nevada, Regulation, Sports betting | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Hatch slammed by AGA; Drinking the Kool-Aid

Posted on August 27, 2018 by David McKee

Orrin Hatch (R) is on his way out of the U.S. Senate but not without being a buttinski along the way. His last legislative initiative, it appears, will be to push for federal regulation of sports betting. His concern is … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Atlantic City, Bruce Deifik, Economy, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, Politics, Sports betting | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 27, 2018 by David McKee

“As usual, we’re going to be two years behind everyone else … In our quest to be No. 50 in everything, here’s another one.” — Louisiana state Sen. Danny Martiny (R) on the Bayou State’s failure to legalize sports betting.

Posted in Louisiana, Politics, Sports betting | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

MGM Springfield impresses; The case of the disappearing chairman

Posted on August 27, 2018 by David McKee

It seems Springfield has a tornado to thank for MGM Resorts International‘s interest in the city, the beginning of a seven-year quest that climaxed with the Budweiser Clydesdales leading a parade to the new megaresort. CEO Jim Murren was window-shopping … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Dining, Election, history, International, Marketing, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, Penn National, Philippines, Station Casinos | Comments Off on MGM Springfield impresses; The case of the disappearing chairman

John S. McCain, 1936-2018

Posted on August 27, 2018 by David McKee

America lost one of its great statesmen this week, one of the few I would call a personal hero, and gaming lost a great friend. Not only was Sen. John McCain (R) an avid craps player and boxing patron (the … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Economy, history, Politics, Sports, Tribal | Comments Off on John S. McCain, 1936-2018

MGM Springfield opens

Posted on August 24, 2018 by David McKee

Several years and $960 million later, it’s finally opening day for MGM Springfield. Here’s the 411 on what it offers, along with copious traffic directions — access is clearly the front-of-mind concern as gaming madness comes to Springfield. Amidst all … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Current, Dining, Genting, history, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, New York, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Intransigence at Station; Money madness in Illinois

Posted on August 24, 2018 by David McKee

Station Casinos‘ response to overwhelming pro-union votes at the Palms and Green Valley Ranch has apparently been not to negotiate but to go into a corner and sulk. Last week, the National Labor Relations Board wrote, “Respondent has been failing and … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, California, Culinary Union, DFS, Donald Trump, Illinois, Internet gambling, Palms, Politics, Racinos, Security, Slot routes, Sports, Station Casinos, Taxes, Tribal | 1 Comment

Election special

Posted on August 23, 2018 by David McKee

A constitutional amendment to disempower Florida‘s Legislature from handling gambling expansion and put it solely to matters of popular vote was on the topics debated by Democratic candidates jockeying to replace outgoing Gov. Rick Scott (R). Their Republican counterparts did … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Election, Florida, G2E, Illinois, MGM Resorts International, Politics, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Election special

Good news, big and small

Posted on August 23, 2018 by David McKee

Last year, commercial casino revenues topped $40 billion for the first time ever, maxing out at $40.3 billion. States with casinos will be happy campers, as that windfall meant $9.2 billion in gambling taxes. The revenue surge was 3.5% according … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Internet gambling, Macau, Maryland, New York, Problem gambling, Tribal, Washington State, West Virginia, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Good news, big and small

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 23, 2018 by David McKee

“NV casinos weren’t originally in sports betting, with bets taken at small standalone books called ‘turf clubs’ – some of which were speculated to earn $2mm of weekly profits … In 1949! ” — Credit Suisse gaming analyst Cameron McKnight.

Posted in history, Sports betting | Comments Off on Quote of the Day