Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

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Smashing concept at Palms; Strike vote today

Posted on May 22, 2018 by David McKee

Station Casinos is firing up the marketing machine for the rollout of its $620 million re-do of the Palms. The new ad campaign is branded “From Dust to Gold” and is heavy on the smashing of glitzy objects. Whether gleeful … Continue reading →

Posted in Culinary Union, Current, Economy, George Maloof, history, Internet gambling, LVCVA, Marketing, Mississippi, Sports, Station Casinos, The Strip | Comments Off on Smashing concept at Palms; Strike vote today

Adversity at Sands; Paging Katniss Everdeen

Posted on May 21, 2018 by David McKee

Some are blaming bad weather for two months of substantially reduced table-games winnings at Sands Bethlehem. But could casinos in the Catskills finally be having an effect? It’s hard to say, although one suspects the answer is “yes.” Sands Bethlehem tumbled … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bruce Deifik, California, Churchill Downs, CityCenter, Entertainment, Environment, Genting, Hard Rock International, history, International, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, New York, Pennsylvania, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Transportation, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Adversity at Sands; Paging Katniss Everdeen

Song and dance; Musical chairs at Scientific

Posted on May 21, 2018 by David McKee

Apparently the Culinary Union‘s secret-ballot election is so secret that it is off-limits to members of the media. Instead, the Culinary will stage a pair of dog-and-pony shows tomorrow at which interviews and b-roll filming will be possible. I don’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Culinary Union, Election, Internet gambling, Scientific Games, The Strip, Transportation | Comments Off on Song and dance; Musical chairs at Scientific

Quote of the Day

Posted on May 21, 2018 by David McKee

“The leagues are a potent force. We’ve seen that in West Virginia, we’ve seen it in Indiana and other markets. It will be important to work with the leagues. I think the leagues can be powerful partners when it comes … Continue reading →

Posted in Geoff Freeman, Indiana, Sports, West Virginia | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Connecticut tribes eye Japan; Adelson’s youth movement

Posted on May 18, 2018 by David McKee

Bridgeport lawmakers wasted no time after the adjournment of the Legislature to announce that they’d be back with another bill to open Connecticut to rival casino bids (really a Trojan Horse for MGM Resorts International, not that anyone is fooled). … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Foxwoods, International, Japan, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off on Connecticut tribes eye Japan; Adelson’s youth movement

“Ready to roll”

Posted on May 18, 2018 by David McKee

That’s what the leading gaming powers in California are now that the Supreme Court has scotched the Bradley Act. If National Indian Gaming Association Chairman Ernest Stevens is correct, Internet gaming is so yesterday in the Golden State and sports … Continue reading →

Posted in California, DFS, Election, International, Japan, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Politics, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports, Taxes, Technology, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on “Ready to roll”

It’s Elaine’s world; Big Uneasiness in Louisiana

Posted on May 16, 2018 by David McKee

When the dust settles from the annual Wynn Resorts board meeting, there will be a directorate that is at least 60% new. Two more longstanding board members bit the dust this week, including former Nevada Gov. Bob Miller (D). One … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Dan Gilbert, DFS, Elaine Wynn, Harrah's, Japan, Louisiana, Ohio, Penn National, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Steve Wynn, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on May 16, 2018 by David McKee

“Basically, towns are courting Stadium Casino in an effort to win a competition akin to The Bachelor. In the end, the casino chooses one winner and scores of dejected runners-up are left to weep in the proverbial limo.” — description of … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Greenwood Racing, Pennsylvania | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Vici Properties strikes again; Mohegan Sun pitches Japan

Posted on May 15, 2018 by David McKee

They came, they saw, they bought. Yes, Vici Properties has struck again, inking a bargain-price deal to acquire the Octavius Tower of Caesars Palace and Harrah’s Philadelphia. On paper, Vici is paying $507.5 million and $241.5, respectively, for the two assets. … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Florida, Galaxy Entertainment, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Japan, Louisiana, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Oklahoma, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Problem gambling, Seminole Tribe, Sexual misconduct, Société des Bains de Mer, South Korea, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Vici Properties strikes again; Mohegan Sun pitches Japan

Quote of the Day

Posted on May 15, 2018 by David McKee

“Folks are either spending a little more time or a little more money while they’re on the property. There’s good demand for the nearly 400 new slot machines we’ve put in over the last few months. We’re always working with vendors and … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Economy, Indiana, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Technology | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Atlantic City: Calm before the storm; Stormy weather in Louisiana

Posted on May 15, 2018 by David McKee

Atlantic City was stable last month, defying an unfavorable calendar (one less weekend day) and grossing $191.5 million, while online gambling had its second-best-ever month, pulling in $23 million (+10.5%). Slot handle was down 3.5%, as was revenue, while a … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Bruce Deifik, Columbia Sussex, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Greenwood Racing, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Illinois, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Atlantic City: Calm before the storm; Stormy weather in Louisiana

Sports betting: A new era

Posted on May 15, 2018 by David McKee

Yesterday, the Supreme Court handed down its much anticipated ruling in Murphy v. NCAA and it was pure win for states and casinos itching to offer legalized sports betting, although there was some predictable disapproval. As Arizona Attorney General Mark … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Delaware, DFS, Eldorado Resorts, Election, Geoff Freeman, Harrah's, IGT, Illinois, Law enforcement, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Nevada, New York, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Rhode Island, Scientific Games, Sports, Texas, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off on Sports betting: A new era

This just in

Posted on May 11, 2018 by David McKee

House Republicans are counting on Sheldon Adelson to deliver salvation this year. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R) made his pitch last week, then left the room so former senator Norm Coleman could hit Adelson up for seven figures. Whatever … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Politics, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off on This just in

Hard Rock and Ocean Resort: Two much?

Posted on May 11, 2018 by David McKee

“If Ocean Resort opens up and has the same difficulty as Revel did last time, do they get desperate and start throwing marketing money at the wall, and make everyone else have to do it, and margins go down, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bruce Deifik, Economy, Entertainment, Glenn Straub, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, history, Resort fees, Rhode Island | 2 Comments

MGM, Wynn woo Wall Street

Posted on May 11, 2018 by David McKee

This week, in conjunction with the opening of Park MGM, the parent company rolled out the red carpet for Wall Street analysts. “While there were no major announcements/surprises, we felt management put forth a thorough effort to better articulate its … Continue reading →

Posted in Elaine Wynn, Japan, LVCVA, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Transportation, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on MGM, Wynn woo Wall Street

How much for a used Dragon?; Indiana good, Missouri ‘meh’

Posted on May 10, 2018 by David McKee

Believe it or not, there is “a lot of interest in the property at this time” according to Lucky Dragon Casino owner Andrew Fonfa, a contention independently verified by the Las Vegas Review-Journal. That being said, a Lucky Dragon sale is … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Ameristar, Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Centaur Gaming, Eldorado Resorts, Environment, Full House Resorts, GLPI, Harrah's, Horseracing, IGT, Indiana, Isle of Capri, Lucky Dragon, Majestic Star, Missouri, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, Wisconsin | Comments Off on How much for a used Dragon?; Indiana good, Missouri ‘meh’

Culinary girds for battle; Let’s get it on

Posted on May 10, 2018 by David McKee

Collective-bargaining-agreement talks between the Culinary Union and 34 casinos must not be going well. The Culinary fired off an e-mail blast yesterday, publicizing the fact that it will hold a strike vote May 22 and, should it pass, will hit … Continue reading →

Posted in Cosmopolitan, Culinary Union, Current, Dining, Downtown, Entertainment, Florida, Harrah's, history, MGM Mirage, Politics, Seminole Tribe, Sexual misconduct, Taxes, The Strip | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on May 10, 2018 by David McKee

“I wish there was a train from Summerlin to Downtown Las Vegas and the Strip.” — Rampart Casino General Manager Michelle Bacigalupi on the new look coming to the property, which has historically struggled to define its identity. And, yes, we’d … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, The Strip, Transportation | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Quote of the Day

Posted on May 9, 2018 by David McKee

“We view our position in Korea as highly advantageous, as when we open we will be the only true integrated entertainment resort in Northern Asia — an enviable position given our proximity to Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul and Tokyo … some … Continue reading →

Posted in International, Mohegan Sun, South Korea | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Park MGM to eclipse Bellagio?; Cleveland does not rock

Posted on May 9, 2018 by David McKee

Park MGM isn’t even open yet and Bloomberg has already drunk its bathwater. Think I’m exaggerating? A fluff piece declares that the casino-in-progress will “steal attention from MGM’s highest-end hotel, the Bellagio, as well as the most recent hotel to … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, Dan Gilbert, Dining, history, Law enforcement, Lucky Dragon, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment