Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

Bio

The Macao mystery; Regional roundup

Posted on January 25, 2018 by David McKee

Steve Wynn was exuding confidence this week that Wynn Macau and Wynn Palace wouldn’t be nationalized by Macao, telling investors, “We are so stitched into that community, with our employees and our company, that we feel comfortable in this situation.” On … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Harrah's, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Penn National, Regulation, Sports, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on The Macao mystery; Regional roundup

Freeman: Hands off!; Copperfield in hot water again

Posted on January 25, 2018 by David McKee

Adam Silver, commissioner of the NBA, has been an early proponent of legalized sports betting. But his zeal has gone a little too far. The league proposes to help itself to an “integrity fee” of $1 out of every $100 … Continue reading →

Posted in Geoff Freeman, Harrah's, Japan, Law enforcement, MGM Mirage, Sports, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Freeman: Hands off!; Copperfield in hot water again

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 24, 2018 by David McKee

“The framework seems to become more restrictive by the day and when coupled with what are likely to be astronomical project costs, could result in some of the biggest operators sitting this one out. In other words, Japan is on … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan, Regulation, South Korea, Vietnam | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Like a Virgin

Posted on January 24, 2018 by David McKee

Back when Morgans Hotel Group paid a $770 million king’s ransom for the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino it became the poster child for overpriced assets. Now that Brookfield Asset Management has had enough, it fits right in with Virgin Hotels‘ … Continue reading →

Posted in Culinary Union, Hard Rock Hotel, Morgans Hotel Group, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Sports, Taxes, TV, Warner Gaming | 1 Comment

New York-New York boosts thrill quotient; Seminoles play with fire

Posted on January 23, 2018 by David McKee

As rollercoaster rides go, New York-New York‘s is reassuringly tame. Perhaps in recognition of that, MGM Resorts International is going to kick things up a notch with digital augmentation. According to the Los Angeles Times, “The 3½-minute virtual reality experience … Continue reading →

Posted in Charity, Donald Trump, Election, Florida, Genting, International, Internet gambling, Japan, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Politics, Problem gambling, Seminole Tribe, Taxes, Technology, The Strip | 1 Comment

Wynn springs a surprise; MGM feeds the needy

Posted on January 23, 2018 by David McKee

Steve Wynn‘s conference calls tend to be dramatic and yesterday’s was no exception. El Steve announced a 2,500-room hotel for the old New Frontier/Plaza/Alon site. Breaking precedent, he would join it with Wynncore by virtue of the Las Vegas Strip‘s … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Charity, Dan Gilbert, Economy, Illinois, Indiana, Law enforcement, Macau, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Plaza, Politics, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Technology, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Wynn springs a surprise; MGM feeds the needy

Bumpy December in Louisiana; Paddock mystery deepens

Posted on January 23, 2018 by David McKee

Louisiana gaming receipts ($227 million) were flat last month, although there were a number of little dramas being played out behind that bland façade. Lake Charles was up 7% and Baton Rouge casinos plunged 17%. L’Auberge du Lac was flat, … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, California, Churchill Downs, Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Mesquite, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Regulation, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Unite-Here | Comments Off on Bumpy December in Louisiana; Paddock mystery deepens

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 22, 2018 by David McKee

“On January 12, 2018, Governor Sandoval’s Office announced that Becky Harris would fill the vacant position of chairman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board. I applaud Governor Sandoval for making this decision and suggest it is a nice start, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Nevada, Regulation | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Lion attempts to devour Caesar; Louisiana casinos to come ashore?

Posted on January 19, 2018 by David McKee

That proposed takeover of Vici Properties by MGM Growth Properties looks stranger by the day. Since it would be a transaction between two landlords, it would not require Nevada regulatory approval. But it would not, contrary to its initial appearance, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cordish Co., Genting, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Lake Tahoe, Louisiana, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Reno, Sports, Station Casinos, Taxes, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Monopoly!

Posted on January 18, 2018 by David McKee

“They came. They saw. They were rejected,” wrote Richard Velotta wittily in the Las Vegas Review-Journal‘s report of a spurned takeover attempt by MGM Growth Properties of Vici Properties. Yes, the long-dreaded MGM/Caesars merger effort has finally come to pass. … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Donald Trump, Harrah's, Indiana, Majestic Star, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Pinnacle Entertainment, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Possible breakthrough in Mandalay Bay shootings; Trump Int’l rated a “s***hole”

Posted on January 17, 2018 by David McKee

Authorities are hinting about an indictment coming down in the Mandalay Bay massacre but are being coy as to whom it will target. Information released thus far by those investigating the crimes suggests that — despite having been out of … Continue reading →

Posted in Centaur Gaming, Donald Trump, Economy, Florida, Fontainebleau, Genting, Harrah's, IGT, Indiana, Law enforcement, Mandalay Bay Massacre, MGM Mirage, Nevada, Racinos, Sports, Technology, The Strip, West Virginia | Comments Off on Possible breakthrough in Mandalay Bay shootings; Trump Int’l rated a “s***hole”

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 17, 2018 by David McKee

“You always hear people saying ‘Risking their life.’ He actually gave up his life for the betterment of all of us to be able to live in a free world and for us to be able to have a voice, … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Casino envy in Pennsylvania; Gilbert Jacks off

Posted on January 16, 2018 by David McKee

Why do all the bridges in Lehigh County have a “100” rating? Because of the tax money pouring in from Sands Bethlehem. That’s causing some serious envy in Mercer County, which wants a mini-casino. “It’s almost an unfair advantage,” sputters Mercer County … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Dan Gilbert, Harrah's, Marketing, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Taxes, Tourism | Comments Off on Casino envy in Pennsylvania; Gilbert Jacks off

SLS sale accelerates; New corruption worry for Macao

Posted on January 16, 2018 by David McKee

Lucky Dragon Casino‘s sudden demise had a dramatic effect on the sale of SLS Las Vegas, getting owner Stockbridge Capital Partners — no doubt newly aware of its precarious position — back to the bargaining table with Meruelo Group. According to … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Entertainment, Genting, Law enforcement, Lucky Dragon, Macau, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Sam Nazarian, SLS Las Vegas, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip | Comments Off on SLS sale accelerates; New corruption worry for Macao

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 16, 2018 by David McKee

“Shallow understanding from people of goodwill is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection.” — Martin Luther King, from his Letter from a Birmingham jail, April 1963.

Posted in history | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Carnage in Pennsylvania; Fortune Cup takes on Sigma Derby

Posted on January 15, 2018 by David McKee

*Slot revenues at Pennsylvania casinos are in and if JP Morgan‘s numbers are correct they were terrible. According to Morgan analysts slot winnings dove 27%, bottoming out at $187.5 million. Worst off was Sands Bethlehem ($25 million), sinking 44%, followed … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Dan Gilbert, Delaware, Detroit, Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Minnesota, Neil Bluhm, Nevada, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Station Casinos, Taxes, Technology, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off on Carnage in Pennsylvania; Fortune Cup takes on Sigma Derby

Caesars ruins Atlantic City’s Christmas; Abandon ship

Posted on January 15, 2018 by David McKee

December put a bit of a chill on the Atlantic City casino economy, down 2% for the month, with an overall gross of $186 million. Over by the fireplace, Internet gambling was nice and warm, up 13%. Slot revenues were … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Dining, Florida, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Kazuo Okada, Law enforcement, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, Regulation, Revel, Security, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, TV | Comments Off on Caesars ruins Atlantic City’s Christmas; Abandon ship

Hypocrisy, thy name is Penn; Gilbert doesn’t know Jack

Posted on January 12, 2018 by David McKee

Despite making a bunch of hifalutin’ noises about the unconstitutionality of mini-casinos in Pennsylvania, who else but Penn National Gaming won the first license. It did so by virtue of insane overkill, bidding $50 million and change for a license … Continue reading →

Posted in Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Harrah's, Law enforcement, Marketing, Maryland, Movies, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | Comments Off on Hypocrisy, thy name is Penn; Gilbert doesn’t know Jack

He came to rob New York; MGM Cotai delays opening

Posted on January 11, 2018 by David McKee

Security at MGM Resorts International properties just got another black eye. In a dead-of-night robbery, an armed man — complete with clichéd stocking cap — stuck up the casino cage, then had the brass to escape via taxicab. (Imagine it: … Continue reading →

Posted in Law enforcement, Macau, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Technology, The Strip | 1 Comment

Disney teams with casino owners; Tribes on the march

Posted on January 11, 2018 by David McKee

In the strangest coalition I have ever seen, the anti-casino Disney empire has joined with the Seminole Tribe to author a proposal that would take casino approval out of the hands of the Legislature (which hasn’t done a great job, … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Dan Gilbert, Election, Florida, history, Indiana, New York, Ohio, Racinos, Technology, Tribal | 2 Comments