Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

Bio

Indian giver; Casinos in India?

Posted on July 11, 2018 by David McKee

We’ve warned against turning the tribal-recognition process over to Congress and a bill singling out a California tribe for special treatment would seem to be an object lesson in the “Why.” Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R) wants to reinstate Ruffey Rancheria, … Continue reading →

Posted in California, history, International, Internet gambling, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Tribal | Comments Off on Indian giver; Casinos in India?

MGM: Time to buy; Arkansas casinos one step closer

Posted on July 11, 2018 by David McKee

As of today, Hard Rock Rocksino, in Ohio, is official part of MGM Growth Properties. However, until MGP finds a new tenant, Hard Rock International will continue to run the place. It’s a win-win for Hard Rock and MGP. For … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Atlantic City, Dining, Election, Genting, Hard Rock International, history, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Ohio, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on MGM: Time to buy; Arkansas casinos one step closer

Sheldon snuggles up to Commies; Elaine tests her clout

Posted on July 10, 2018 by David McKee

If toupée-collecting Sheldon Adelson were offered the chance to build Venetian Tehran he’d immediately become a peacenik regarding Iran, a country he lusts to nuke. Instead of making nice with mullahs, he’s doing the next best thing, warbling sweet nothings to Kim … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Elaine Wynn, Galaxy Entertainment, history, Illinois, International, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Nevada, Planet Hollywood, Politics, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Sheldon Adelson, South Korea, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Unite-Here, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Sheldon snuggles up to Commies; Elaine tests her clout

Quote of the Day

Posted on July 10, 2018 by David McKee

“If something happens on Sunday morning, a weather system moves in and the Broncos are going to be playing in 6 inches of snow, the line’s going to move. It would be unrealistic to expect somebody to drive up to … Continue reading →

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

A tale of four states

Posted on July 10, 2018 by David McKee

Illinois‘ casino industry has never recovered from the Great Recession. We’ll never know if it would have done so but the inception of slot routes has basically nipped any recovery in the bud. As such, the Land of Lincoln will … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Centaur Gaming, Dan Gilbert, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Full House Resorts, GLPI, Illinois, Indiana, Majestic Star, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Rush Street Gaming, Slot routes, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off on A tale of four states

Churchill Downs deal goes south; Robocops at Pechanga

Posted on July 10, 2018 by David McKee

Early yesterday, Churchill Downs and Eldorado Resorts announced that they were deep-sixing the sale of Eldorado’s Lady Luck Vicksburg, although Churchill Downs’ purchase of Presque Isle Downs remains in play. Evidently, Churchill Downs was uncomfortable with Federal Trade Commission inquiries … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Caesars Entertainment, California, Churchill Downs, Eldorado Resorts, Environment, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Marijuana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Security, Sports betting, Technology, Tribal, Wall Street, World Series of Poker | Comments Off on Churchill Downs deal goes south; Robocops at Pechanga

Quote of the Day

Posted on July 9, 2018 by David McKee

“Yeah, and Steve Wynn was the only person doing bad things at Wynn Resorts, and he was also the only casino executive in Las Vegas harassing women, and not a single other person knew about anything he was doing except … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Harrah's, Sexual misconduct, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

I’ve got a historical horse right here, his name is Paul Revere

Posted on July 6, 2018 by David McKee

Damn the laws, full speed ahead: That’s the mentality of Illinois horse tracks as they push for ‘historical racing,’ VLTs where you can bet on the outcome of past races. The Illinois Racing Board voted it through unanimously. “We’re out of … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bruce Deifik, Florida, Hard Rock International, Horseracing, Illinois, Indiana, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Law enforcement, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Politics, Racinos, Slot routes | Comments Off on I’ve got a historical horse right here, his name is Paul Revere

Big business in Maryland; Pricey New York-New York goof

Posted on July 6, 2018 by David McKee

The gap between the haves and have-nots in Maryland widened last month, as the state’s gaming revenue boomed 14% upward. The good news is that every casino had a revenue-positive month. MGM National Harbor, of course, led the pack, grossing $59 … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Cordish Co., Culinary Union, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Penn National, The Strip, Tribal, West Virginia | Comments Off on Big business in Maryland; Pricey New York-New York goof

Quote of the Day

Posted on July 6, 2018 by David McKee

“Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction.” — Blaise Pascal

Posted in history | 1 Comment

Caesars gets swatted; Remembering Rappaport

Posted on July 5, 2018 by David McKee

While the Caesars Entertainment takeover of Centaur Gaming is still expected to go through, it won’t be without some pain for Caesars. The Roman Empire has agreed to pay a $1 million for improperly attempting to influence Hoosier State regulators … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Centaur Gaming, Foxwoods, Geoff Freeman, Harrah's, Indiana, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation | Comments Off on Caesars gets swatted; Remembering Rappaport

Atlantic City, the morning after; On the dole in Delaware

Posted on July 5, 2018 by David McKee

Even as it celebrates its debut in Atlantic City, Hard Rock International is pining for the New York City area, especially since it has an exclusive contract to operate a casino at Meadowlands. In a display of rather poor taste, Hard … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Atlantic City, Bruce Deifik, Delaware, Galaxy Entertainment, Hard Rock International, Indiana, Macau, New York, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Sports, Taxes, Wall Street | 1 Comment

The name of the game; New look at Palms

Posted on July 5, 2018 by David McKee

We don’t cover lotteries much but Pennsylvania‘s has fought the state’s casino industry to a draw. The latter would like to see iLottery (powered by Scientific Games) immobilized, viewing it as a threat to online casino gambling. The Department of … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, CityCenter, Dining, Internet gambling, Marketing, Movies, Palms, Pennsylvania, Problem gambling, Station Casinos | Comments Off on The name of the game; New look at Palms

Quote of the Day

Posted on July 5, 2018 by David McKee

“By hating Hitler and trying to fight back, Jews are only increasing the severity of his policies against them. If Jews throughout the world try to instill into the mind of Hitler and his supporters recognition of the ideals for which … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Vegas’ tourism slump halts; Do the Time Warp

Posted on July 4, 2018 by David McKee

Las Vegas city fathers need to stop frowning on Electronic Daisy Carnival and embrace it. EDC saved their bacon in May, stopping a prolonged slide in Vegas visitation, which bottomed out and made the slightest of upward bounces. While occupied … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Boulder Strip, Downtown, Entertainment, Florida, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Mesquite, MGM Mirage, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Reno, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on Vegas’ tourism slump halts; Do the Time Warp

Happy Fourth of July

Posted on July 4, 2018 by David McKee

We’re still a free country so celebrate it while you can. The depression following Spike‘s death affected my ability to compose S&G unduly and was compounded by a trip to Philadelphia to help edit a book (plus do odd jobs … Continue reading →

Posted in Current | Comments Off on Happy Fourth of July

Quote of the Day

Posted on July 4, 2018 by David McKee

“The gambling known as business looks with austere disfavor on the business known as gambling.” — Ambrose Bierce

Posted in history | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Spike 2002-2018

Posted on June 29, 2018 by David McKee

“Until one has loved an animal a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” — Anatole France Part of Jennifer’s and my soul was unawakened until we adopted Spike last Nov. 25. He was discovered through an online ad in the Augusta … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Current, Pets | 3 Comments

Penn outperforms in Massachusetts; Horse sense in Indiana

Posted on June 28, 2018 by David McKee

Penn National Gaming had a happy surprise for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission when the latter dropped by Plainridge Park for a look-see. The racino, which the Boston Globe long tried to paint as a failure, has just come off its … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Centaur Gaming, Downtown, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Harrah's, Horseracing, Indiana, International, Japan, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Marijuana, Marketing, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Planet Hollywood, Regulation, Singapore, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off on Penn outperforms in Massachusetts; Horse sense in Indiana

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 28, 2018 by David McKee

“The risks for Sheldon Anderson’s [sic] Sands casinos are quite high. It is quite possible that China will target his casinos specifically because he is a [Donald] Trump crony. It is possible they will ratchet up police surveillance of his … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, International, Macau, Sheldon Adelson, South Korea | Comments Off on Quote of the Day