Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

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MGM lauds Springfield as Mandalay Bay woes increase

Posted on July 25, 2018 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International is targeting Hartford (and five other media markets) with its initial TV spot for MGM Springfield, whose opening is now less than a month away. The ad, which you can see for yourself, has shoutouts to virtually … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, Elaine Wynn, Environment, Law enforcement, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Reno, Rhode Island, Sexual misconduct, Sports betting, Taxes, TV, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on MGM lauds Springfield as Mandalay Bay woes increase

Quote of the Day

Posted on July 25, 2018 by David McKee

“The golf industry isn’t necessarily booming.” — Green Valley Golf Range owner Cindy Scardina, justifying the extension of slot routes to golf courses in Hanover Park, Illinois.

Posted in Economy, Illinois, Slot routes, Sports | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Congress hearts Massachusetts tribe; Who let the dogs out?

Posted on July 24, 2018 by David McKee

Against all odds, a bill to clear away legal challenges to the Mashpee Wampanoags and their Project First Light is set to be heard in the U.S. House of Representatives. A star-studded hearing has been set up by Rep. William … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Macau, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, Politics, Rush Street Gaming, Tribal | 1 Comment

MGM lawsuit shaky; Sports betting slow to gain traction

Posted on July 24, 2018 by David McKee

If MGM Resorts International thinks its federal lawsuit against victims of the Mandalay Bay Massacre will be a speedy way of disposing of all pending cases, it may be in for a rude surprise. Legal experts say the matter could … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan, Law enforcement, Macau, Mandalay Bay Massacre, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Ohio, Regulation, Sports, Sports betting | Comments Off on MGM lawsuit shaky; Sports betting slow to gain traction

Sheldon’s sphere; Macao renewal delayed

Posted on July 23, 2018 by David McKee

In a wise move, Las Vegas Sands is investing $75 million in the event sphere being built behind Venelazzo by Madison Square Garden Co. By taking an equity position in the innovative venue, Sands presumably gains the potential to redeploy … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Iowa, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Nebraska, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, TV | Comments Off on Sheldon’s sphere; Macao renewal delayed

Quote of the Day

Posted on July 23, 2018 by David McKee

“The winner will be the group that promises to build the biggest integrated resort with the smallest casino.”– Delta State Holdings Managing Director David Bonnet on Japan‘s love/hate attitude toward casino-based megaresorts.

Posted in Japan | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Warren sides with Wampanoags; Vdara dances The Robot

Posted on July 20, 2018 by David McKee

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D) has waded into the Brockton-vs.-Taunton fight for a tribal casino. She’s introducing a bill that would circumvent the inactive Bureau of Indian Affairs and smooth the path of the Mashpee Wampanoags. While we have nothing against … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, California, CityCenter, Genting, Hard Rock International, Japan, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, Politics, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Taxes, Technology, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Warren sides with Wampanoags; Vdara dances The Robot

Hypocrisy at Station; Gamblers flee smoke-free casinos

Posted on July 20, 2018 by David McKee

Station Casinos has claimed on at least seven occasions that, if its workers want to unionize, it will honor their wishes. The Culinary Union called Station’s bluff and the company has been talking out of the other side of its mouth … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Culinary Union, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Louisiana, Palms, Pinnacle Entertainment, Station Casinos, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment | 1 Comment

MGM lawsuit clarified; Circumspect Caesars

Posted on July 19, 2018 by David McKee

Contrary to what early press reports led us to believe, MGM Resorts International‘s counterclaim against victims of the Mandalay Bay Massacre does not affect any of the active cases now moving forward against the casino giant. The Associated Press says, “The … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Election, Mandalay Bay Massacre, MGM Resorts International, Sports betting, Tribal | Comments Off on MGM lawsuit clarified; Circumspect Caesars

Big trouble in not-so-little China

Posted on July 19, 2018 by David McKee

In his latest column, gaming-law expert I. Nelson Rose contends that U.S.-owned casinos in Macao are on dangerous ground, caught in the cross-hairs of the U.S./China trade war. He begins by recapitulating China’s highly targeted retaliations, which make red states … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Donald Trump, Genting, International, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip | Comments Off on Big trouble in not-so-little China

Sport of kings on wobbly legs; Sports betting races ahead in N.J., N.Y., flags in Pennsylvania

Posted on July 18, 2018 by David McKee

Were it not for racinos, we’d probably be talking about the sport of kings in the past tense. Handle at racetracks has fallen 50% in the last 15 years. However, slot machines have infused a billion dollars a year, keeping … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Cordish Co., DFS, Dining, Greenwood Racing, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Macau, New York, Pennsylvania, Problem gambling, Racinos, Regulation, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Taxes, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta | 1 Comment

MGM lawsuit backfires

Posted on July 18, 2018 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International stepped in it — at least momentarily — when it elected to sue victims of the Mandalay Bay Massacre in federal court. The Twitterverse briefly arose in #BoycottMGM outrage, but it died down by day’s end and … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Arizona, Atlantic City, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Donald Trump, Environment, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Ohio, Security, Sports, The Strip, Trump Entertainment Resorts | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on July 18, 2018 by David McKee

“I understand that the primary casino customer is a 58-year-old gal who enjoys the solitude of slot playing. But we’re creating a chair that’s more current, and casinos are starting to catch on.” — Gary Platt Manufacturing “chair guru” Ed … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Wynn Resorts fights back; Rage against the (slot) machine

Posted on July 17, 2018 by David McKee

Not taking charges of promising kickbacks lying down, Wynn Resorts has countersued Anthony Gattineri. The latter has thrown yet another spanner into the Encore Boston Harbor works by suing the company for an $18 million, under-the-table promise he says was … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, history, Internet gambling, Macau, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Penn National, Rhode Island, Sahara, Sam Nazarian, SLS Las Vegas, Wisconsin, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Elaine backs Satre; MGM running for cover

Posted on July 17, 2018 by David McKee

Global Gaming Business has revealed that National Center for Responsible Gaming President Phil Satre was the hitherto-undisclosed candidate that Elaine Wynn was proposing for the Wynn Resorts board chairmanship. Said board rejected Satre — a short-sighted move that reeks of insecurity. … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Elaine Wynn, Florida, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, IGT, Japan, Mandalay Bay Massacre, MGM Resorts International, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Elaine backs Satre; MGM running for cover

Quote of the Day

Posted on July 17, 2018 by David McKee

“No prior president has ever abased himself more abjectly before a tyrant. Not only did President Trump fail to speak the truth about an adversary; but speaking for America to the world, our president failed to defend all that makes … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, International | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

The pleasant clink of coins

Posted on July 13, 2018 by David McKee

Only Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs and Lady Luck Nemacolin saw revenue declines at the slot machines last month. All other Pennsylvania casinos were revenue-positive, especially Parx Casino, up 10.5% to $35 million. Another overachiever was Valley Forge Resort Casino, … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Charity, Churchill Downs, Eldorado Resorts, Genting, Greenwood Racing, Illinois, Las Vegas Sands, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Rush Street Gaming, Slot routes | Comments Off on The pleasant clink of coins

Busted!

Posted on July 13, 2018 by David McKee

Former New York Knicks great Charles Oakley fouled out big-time at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. The veteran roundballer, who made $46 million during his playing career, wound up in the clink over a $100 casino chip. Oakley tried to … Continue reading →

Posted in Cosmopolitan, Culinary Union, Florida, Fontainebleau, Genting, history, Law enforcement, Macau, New York, Penn National, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sports, The Strip | 1 Comment

New era in Atlantic City

Posted on July 13, 2018 by David McKee

Atlantic City is already feeling the benefits from the double-barreled openings of Hard Rock Atlantic City and Ocean Resort. While June’s gambling revenues were up 1.5% on a same-store basis, add the newcomers and the increase is 5%. (Both casinos … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bruce Deifik, Caesars Entertainment, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Racinos, Regulation, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment | 2 Comments

Casa Shenandoah closes; Culinary escalates tactics

Posted on July 12, 2018 by David McKee

Call it a day for another Wayne Newton business venture. Mr. Las Vegas is closing Casa Shenandoah to the public, no reason given (although a recent break-in might have influenced the decision). “It is the Applicant’s intent that the property revert … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Culinary Union, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Downtown Grand, Election, history, Horseracing, Idaho, Indiana, Minnesota, Penn National, Phil Ruffin, Regulation, SLS Las Vegas, Sports betting, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Wayne F. Newton, Westgate LV | 1 Comment