Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

Bio

Vegas soccer no sure thing; Scientific Games wins thrice over

Posted on March 16, 2018 by David McKee

A perspicacious gentleman named Steven R. Brown wrote the following on Facebook in response to my reportage of the apparent shelving of Wynn Paradise Park: “Steve Wynn‘s creativity can be outlandish at times (Like his idea back in the early … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Arizona, California, Charity, Detroit, Downtown, Environment, Florida, International, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Ohio, Scientific Games, Sports, Steve Wynn, Texas, The Strip, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Atlantic City slumps; New wrinkle in Lake Tahoe

Posted on March 15, 2018 by David McKee

First the good news: Internet gambling revenue was 17.5% last month, grossing $22 million. Golden Nugget continues to wildly dominate this category, up to 36% of market share. Borgata and Resorts Digital were tied for a distant second with 17% … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bart Blutsten, Boyd Gaming, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Eldorado Resorts, Golden Gaming, Greenwood Racing, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment | 1 Comment

Ruthless resort-fee robbery; Minstrel show at NY-NY

Posted on March 14, 2018 by David McKee

What do you do when occupancy declines? Why, raise the resort fees, of course! The odious levies went up 16% in 2016 and 11% last year, for an average of $34/night. Venetian/Palazzo recently upped its impost to $45 and other … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Dining, Entertainment, Law enforcement, MGM Mirage, Resort fees, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Pennsylvania casino draws no bids; Louisiana: Raise the levies!

Posted on March 13, 2018 by David McKee

What if they gave a casino and nobody came? That’s literally what took place in Pennsylvania where the fifth mini-casino license received no bids. Nada. Nix. Bupkes. From this point forward, Valley Forge Casino and Lady Luck Nemacolin will be … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, DFS, Greenwood Racing, Internet gambling, Iowa, Louisiana, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Problem gambling, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off on Pennsylvania casino draws no bids; Louisiana: Raise the levies!

Quote of the Day

Posted on March 13, 2018 by David McKee

“I think that the younger population is more promiscuous today than probably ever before.” — Dr. Frank DiCenco of Premier Women’s Health, in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Oh, those wacky Millennials!

Posted in Pennsylvania | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Sands Bethlehem becomes Wind Creek; Brazil nixes casinos

Posted on March 12, 2018 by David McKee

Sands Bethlehem‘s buyers are letting no grass grow beneath their feet. The Poarch Bank of Creek Indians will rename the megaresort Wind Creek Bethlehem. It remains to be seen whether they’ll have to deal with unionizing the work force: So … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Harrah's, International, Japan, Kazuo Okada, Pennsylvania, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Sands Bethlehem becomes Wind Creek; Brazil nixes casinos

Sands Bethlehem (finally) sold; Stratosphere battered

Posted on March 9, 2018 by David McKee

Never underestimate the power of electronic bingo. It’s the capital derived therefrom that’s enabling the Poarch Band of Creek Indians to make a $1.3 billion purchase of Sands Bethlehem. The tribe is succeeding where Tropicana Entertainment and MGM Resorts International … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Florida, Foxwoods, Golden Gaming, International, Japan, Law enforcement, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, The Strip, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off on Sands Bethlehem (finally) sold; Stratosphere battered

Paradise lost; MGM contemplates CityCenter buyout

Posted on March 9, 2018 by David McKee

Steve Wynn‘s executive chair isn’t even cold yet and already Wynn Resorts is shifting its priorities, evidently. Yesterday Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli wrote that he believes the company “is likely to complete its convention space at Paradise Park and … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Churchill Downs, CityCenter, Dubai, Florida, Illinois, Japan, Kazuo Okada, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, Politics, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Indiana suffers, Ohio not so much; Station’s surprise

Posted on March 8, 2018 by David McKee

While its $170 million gross looked a lot better than Illinois‘ $104 million, Indiana saw its gamblers stay home in droves — 24% less foot traffic, although those who showed up seemed to have spent 21%. In any event, gambling … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, George Maloof, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Marketing, Ohio, Palms, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Reno, Sports, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Indiana suffers, Ohio not so much; Station’s surprise

Ground broken for Connecticut casino; Big Brother is watching you in Japan

Posted on March 7, 2018 by David McKee

In a damn-the-torpedoes move, Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun leaders moved forward with demolition of the cineplex that will give way to a satellite casino in East Windsor. Although only 100 people showed up for the event, spirits were … Continue reading →

Posted in Foxwoods, Japan, Macau, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Technology | 1 Comment

Pot comes to casinos, sorta; Terrible February in Illinois

Posted on March 7, 2018 by David McKee

In a deft bit of regulatory jujitsu, the Nevada Gaming Association has ruled that casinos can hold marijuana-related conferences, provided that they refrain from doing business with the marijuana industry (a somewhat vague directive, admittedly) nor directly involve themselves in … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, California, Environment, Hard Rock International, Illinois, Marijuana, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Nevada, Ohio, Penn National, Regulation | Comments Off on Pot comes to casinos, sorta; Terrible February in Illinois

Quote of the Day

Posted on March 7, 2018 by David McKee

“We believe the most significant changes taking place during the Palms renovations will involve returning the property to its roots. In its heyday, the Palms was one of, if not the, place to be for dining and nightlife in Las … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Palms, Station Casinos, Wall Street | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Slots rule in Maryland, retreat in Pennsylvania

Posted on March 6, 2018 by David McKee

MGM National Harbor continued its domination of Maryland last month, with a 39% market share and $53 million gross. Less reassuring for MGM execs, high-tax slots are starting to pull away from low-tax table games, two categories which used to … Continue reading →

Posted in Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Economy, Genting, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off on Slots rule in Maryland, retreat in Pennsylvania

Mandalay Bay victims compensated; Elton John goes nuclear

Posted on March 5, 2018 by David McKee

There is no dollar value adequate for a human life but the going rate this week is $275,000. That’s how much will be donated to the families of each of the 58 people killed at Mandalay Bay. According to WFAA-TV, “$275,000 … Continue reading →

Posted in Charity, Entertainment, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, LVCVA, Mandalay Bay Massacre, The Strip, Tribal, Unite-Here | 2 Comments

Interruption in programming

Posted on March 2, 2018 by David McKee

Just minutes ago, I found myself lying on the kitchen floor, surrounded by the shattered remnants of a Stewie Griffin drinking glass. I’d had a momentary blackout and, had my loving wife not been home, perhaps it could have been … Continue reading →

Posted in Current | 3 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on March 2, 2018 by David McKee

“As a senator, I spent a lot of my time and effort on mental health issues. There is no question that the shooter in Parkland is, like the perpetrators of all these mass killings, deeply troubled; and in this particular … Continue reading →

Posted in Current | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Penn out of Jamul; Fuzzy math on the Strip

Posted on March 2, 2018 by David McKee

Casino companies rarely admit defeat but Penn National Gaming is bagging it where Hollywood Casino Jamul, near San Diego, is concerned. Hollywood Jamul’s debut was disastrous and Penn’s “essentially exiting” its management contract (as Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli put … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Economy, Genting, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Penn out of Jamul; Fuzzy math on the Strip

Quote of the Day

Posted on March 1, 2018 by David McKee

“What did the three killers have in common? Well… They gambled a lot. They were men. They were armed with guns. They killed innocent people. They were losers. They are dead now.” — Willy Allison, on the connection between problem … Continue reading →

Posted in Mandalay Bay Massacre, Philippines, Problem gambling | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Eldorado sells down; Vegas tourists stay home

Posted on March 1, 2018 by David McKee

Churchill Downs continues to grow as a casino operator, cutting a deal with Eldorado Resorts to buy Presque Isle Downs in Erie, Pennsylvania, and Lady Luck Vicksburg Casino in Mississippi for $229.5 million. That’s an above-average valuation for gaming assets … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Churchill Downs, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off on Eldorado sells down; Vegas tourists stay home

MGM Cotai plays to mixed reviews; Puzzling Pennsylvania strategies

Posted on March 1, 2018 by David McKee

“Vital in terms of the process of concession renewal,” is how MGM China CEO Grant Bowie described new, $3.4 billion MGM Cotai. The megaresort opened a year behind schedule but MGM undoubtedly hopes Macao authorities overlook that an focus instead … Continue reading →

Posted in e-sports, Entertainment, Foxwoods, Greenwood Racing, Internet gambling, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Taxes, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on MGM Cotai plays to mixed reviews; Puzzling Pennsylvania strategies