Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

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Sheehan out at Scientific; Carry them back to old Virginny

Posted on May 8, 2018 by David McKee

Outgoing Scientific Games CEO (and Telemundo founder) Kevin Sheehan grew the company beyond recognition, increased revenue, reorganized its internal structure and aggressively paid down debt. So why is he being kicked upstairs to “senior advisor”? Your guess is as good … Continue reading →

Posted in Foxwoods, Horseracing, International, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Scientific Games, Sports, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Sheehan out at Scientific; Carry them back to old Virginny

Ohio good, Maryland better; The mystery of Carrot Top

Posted on May 8, 2018 by David McKee

Last month found the State of Maryland in good health when it came to gaming revenue, up 6%. Most of this was driven — one is tempted to say “of course” — by MGM National Harbor, vaulting 15.5% for an … Continue reading →

Posted in Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Dan Gilbert, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Environment, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Macau, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Taxes, The Strip, Transportation, West Virginia | Comments Off on Ohio good, Maryland better; The mystery of Carrot Top

Lame nag; Frissora overpaid?

Posted on May 4, 2018 by David McKee

It’s Kentucky Derby time and all that ‘run for the roses’ b.s. can’t hide the stench of decomposition that comes from the Sport of Kings. It’s also a reminder that tracks in many states are hanging in there by the … Continue reading →

Posted in Delaware, Election, Georgia, Harrah's, Horseracing, Kentucky, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Politics, Racinos, Taxes, Unite-Here | Comments Off on Lame nag; Frissora overpaid?

Las Vegas numbers perplex; Macao shatters expectations

Posted on May 4, 2018 by David McKee

While Las Vegas, as mentioned earlier, is slogging through a 10-month visitation slump, you wouldn’t know it from March’s gaming-revenue numbers, which were 9% higher on the Las Vegas Strip ($574 million), although locals casinos took a 5% hit. Deutsche … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, California, Colorado, Delaware, Downtown, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Florida, Galaxy Entertainment, Harrah's, Illinois, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Mesquite, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Nevada, New York, North Las Vegas, Ohio, Penn National, Reno, Rhode Island, Sheldon Adelson, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, The Strip, Wall Street, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on May 3, 2018 by David McKee

“Go back in your office, get online and you can gamble all you want and you know how much Louisiana gets out of it, NOTHING.” — Louisiana state Sen. Danny Martiny, refuting opponents of land-based casinos in the Bayou State. … Continue reading →

Posted in Internet gambling, Louisiana, Politics | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Elaine calls the shots; Now it’s Encore Boston Harbor

Posted on May 3, 2018 by David McKee

Wynn Resorts has been ceding to the wishes of Elaine Wynn of late but it got its back up when she demanded the removal of board member John Jay Hagenbuch. Ms. Wynn views him as a crony of her ex-husband … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colorado, Elaine Wynn, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Florida, Foxwoods, Hard Rock International, International, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, Moulin Rouge, Politics, Regulation, Revel, Steve Wynn, Tilman Fertitta, TV, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

Culinary, Caesars clash; Resort fees repel visitors

Posted on May 3, 2018 by David McKee

It’s collective-bargaining time in Las Vegas and the Culinary Union is dickering with Caesars Entertainment through the media. “Having rooms with a ‘Do Not Disturb’ on for days makes me shaky. I am constantly going into a room that staff hasn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, California, CityCenter, Culinary Union, Election, Harrah's, Horseracing, LVCVA, Mandalay Bay Massacre, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, New York, Palms, Resort fees, Security, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

Boyd can’t beat ’em, joins ’em; Station gets rave reviews

Posted on May 2, 2018 by David McKee

After having taken a beating in Illinois from slot routes, Boyd Gaming is pivoting and getting into the route game itself. It is acquiring Lattner Entertainment, giving it 1,000 slots in 220 locations in the Land of Lincoln. Since there’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Economy, IGT, Illinois, Penn National, Slot routes, Station Casinos, Wall Street | Comments Off on Boyd can’t beat ’em, joins ’em; Station gets rave reviews

Quote of the Day

Posted on May 1, 2018 by David McKee

“Today’s forecast: God reigns and the Son will shine.” — slogan on the marquee of a central-Florida church.

Posted in Florida | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

On vacation

Posted on May 1, 2018 by David McKee

There will be considerably less blogohrrea this week, since I’m in the great state of Florida, learning how to snorkel. (If all goes well, I’ll fill you in on the details later.) At the moment, I’m in Jacksonville, overlooking the … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Election, Florida, Hard Rock International, Politics, Seminole Tribe | Comments Off on On vacation

Boyd weathers challenges; MGM swoons

Posted on April 27, 2018 by David McKee

An alternate headline for Boyd Gaming‘s 1Q18 results might be “better than expected.” Although the company had modeled a $12 million-$15 million cash flow hit at Blue Chip from new, nearby Four Winds Casino, the company’s Midwest revenues came in … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Downtown, Greenwood Racing, Hawaii, Indiana, Japan, Louisiana, Macau, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Ohio, Palms, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Resort fees, Sports, Station Casinos, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

MGM sets Springfield date; Adelson hits pay dirt

Posted on April 26, 2018 by David McKee

Even as it’s using MGM Springfield as a catspaw to potentially land Wynn Boston Harbor, that didn’t prevent MGM Resorts International from announcing a date certain for the Springfield opening. Mark August 24 on your calendars, for that is the day … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Churchill Downs, Detroit, Dining, Donald Trump, Entertainment, history, Horseracing, International, Japan, Louisiana, Macau, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Singapore, South Korea, Sports, Technology, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on MGM sets Springfield date; Adelson hits pay dirt

Wynn: The brand stays

Posted on April 25, 2018 by David McKee

Recently we wrote, in a different forum, that the ultimate verdict on whether to keep the “Wynn” brand on Wynn Resorts would be delivered by customers. Based on 1Q18 results, the vote is “yes.” Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli called … Continue reading →

Posted in Galaxy Entertainment, GLPI, Japan, Macau, Massachusetts, Penn National, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Wynn: The brand stays

Dubious honor for Nevada; GLPI’s big gulp

Posted on April 24, 2018 by David McKee

Nevada is used to getting WalletHub accolades but here’s one it didn’t want and would probably prefer to see swept under the rug … most gambling-addicted state in the U.S. And why not? There are very few states in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Harrah's, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Problem gambling, Regulation, South Dakota, Tropicana Entertainment, Unite-Here | Comments Off on Dubious honor for Nevada; GLPI’s big gulp

MGM plays games with tribes, MGM Springfield, as Zinke steps in it

Posted on April 24, 2018 by David McKee

As various non-gaming related scandals gain critical mass around ersatz geologist and Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke, he’s found himself front and center in a casino mess in Connecticut. Seems that Zinke turned a deaf ear to career Interior … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Donald Trump, Eldorado Resorts, Foxwoods, Genting, Harrah's, International, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, PokerStars, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Mixed report from Japan; Wynn Boston Harbor up for grabs

Posted on April 23, 2018 by David McKee

First, the good news: The casino-regulation bill over which Japan‘s Liberal Democratic Party has slaved, may make it into the Diet by Friday, giving the Nipponese parliament just under two months to consider it. (The Diet adjourns on June 20.) … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Foxwoods, Genting, Geoff Freeman, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Japan, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, Penn National, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Wynn: It’s Elaine’s company now; Caesars reverses itself

Posted on April 23, 2018 by David McKee

When Elaine Wynn speaks, Wynn Resorts is suddenly all ears. Last week the company’s plurality shareholder called for a largely new and diverse board of directors, in what is describes as a “first step” toward greater heterogeneousness. Presto! Who should … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Centaur Gaming, Donald Trump, Elaine Wynn, Environment, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Indiana, Law enforcement, Macau, Marketing, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports, Station Casinos, Technology, Transportation, Wynn Resorts | 6 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 23, 2018 by David McKee

“In 2017 [Grand Victoria] posted revenue of $168.7 million, up from $163.5 million in 2016, according to the Illinois Gaming Board. Its revenue has steadily declined since 2007 after a peak of $436.7 million, and employees have decreased from 2,500 to … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Illinois, MGM Mirage | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

They gave a casino and nobody came

Posted on April 20, 2018 by David McKee

Yet again the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has held an auction for a mini-casino and not received a single bid. This is a mixed blessing, as the auctions to date have raised far more money than legislators thought they would. However, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Eldorado Resorts, Florida, Macau, Pennsylvania, Politics, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off on They gave a casino and nobody came

Elaine Wynn, power player; Hard Rock’s big splash

Posted on April 20, 2018 by David McKee

Who thought the day would come that Elaine Wynn was the largest single shareholder in Wynn Resorts? She’s flexing her newfound muscles by demanding an all-but-clean sweep of the board of directors (we sympathize). Lest this be seen as a … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Atlantic City, Elaine Wynn, Election, Entertainment, Hard Rock International, Massachusetts, Steve Wynn, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Elaine Wynn, power player; Hard Rock’s big splash