Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

Bio

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 28, 2017 by David McKee

“It’s a calamity, the losses are high and a lot of buildings need repair. People were just swimming, they cried for help. There were no boats. The water came so suddenly.” — maverick Macao lawmaker Jose Pereira Coutinho, who criticized the … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Macau | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Odds move toward Mayweather; MGM coy about Cotai plans

Posted on August 25, 2017 by David McKee

As Las Vegas gears up for the Floyd Mayweather/Conor McGregor clash of the tomato cans, rationality is starting to manifest itself in the betting lines. Several large wagers — two as big as $1 million — presumably from ‘sharps,’ began hitting … Continue reading →

Posted in Macau, Marijuana, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Nevada, Oklahoma, Regulation, Sports, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, Westgate LV | Comments Off on Odds move toward Mayweather; MGM coy about Cotai plans

Coming soon to MGM Grand

Posted on August 25, 2017 by David McKee

While it’s standing pat on skill-based slots, MGM Resorts International is taking the plunge with virtual-reality social gambling. It’s teaming up with Aussie firm Zero Latency to place three games in

Posted in Australia, Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Technology, The Strip | Comments Off on Coming soon to MGM Grand

Atlantic City wins big; Typhoon Hato clocks Macao

Posted on August 25, 2017 by David McKee

Having trounced its opposition in last year’s election, Atlantic City continues on its roll, with its casinos posting a 20% increase in operating profit through June. “For three consecutive quarters now, the current operators reported double-digit growth in gross operating profits. … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, Macau, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal | Comments Off on Atlantic City wins big; Typhoon Hato clocks Macao

Adelson goes to London — sorta; Comanches zing Zinke

Posted on August 24, 2017 by David McKee

Having taken forever to build Sands Cotai Central, owner Sheldon Adelson is wasting no time re-doing it. According to Macau Business Daily, the metaresort’s four hotels — St. Regis, Sheraton Grand, Conrad and Holiday Inn — will be redecorated in a … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Dennis Gomes, Environment, Internet gambling, Macau, Oklahoma, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Taxes, Texas, Tribal | Comments Off on Adelson goes to London — sorta; Comanches zing Zinke

Culinary frets over Hard Rock; Puck jilts Caesars for MGM

Posted on August 24, 2017 by David McKee

What does Bethany Khan know that we don’t? Although Brookfield Asset Management has said nothing overt about selling the Hard Rock Hotel, the Culinary Union is obviously convinced that a sale is imminent and is ringing the alarm bell. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Archon Corp., Culinary Union, Dining, Drugs, Hard Rock Hotel, Harrah's, history, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 1 Comment

How Conor McGregor is like Donald Trump & other news

Posted on August 23, 2017 by David McKee

Not since the election of Donald Trump have oddsmakers been poised to take such a shellacking as at this weekend’s showdown between tomato cans Floyd Mayweather Jr. and boxing debutante Conor McGregor. Despite Mayweather’s proven track record, sports books have … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, George Maloof, Harrah's, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Michael Gaughan, New York, PokerStars, Sports, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Technology, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Westgate LV | Comments Off on How Conor McGregor is like Donald Trump & other news

SCOTUS sports betting throwdown spurs excitement; Trump’s Mafia ties resurface

Posted on August 22, 2017 by David McKee

Legal wonks are getting all worked up about the Supreme Court‘s upcoming hearing of Christie v. NCAA, with one saying it had the “markings of a sleeper blockbuster.” Wrote Virginia Solicitor General Elbert Lin and deputy Thomas M. Johnson Jr., “The parties … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Australia, Donald Trump, Galaxy Entertainment, Harrah's, International, Japan, Kazuo Okada, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Philippines, Regulation, Sports, The Mob, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on SCOTUS sports betting throwdown spurs excitement; Trump’s Mafia ties resurface

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 22, 2017 by David McKee

“If people’s complaint is that tearing down statues erases history, then certainly having an absence of statues of people, other figures in history is ignoring it altogether. So I think the goal should be to tell the true, correct, fact-based story … Continue reading →

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

Murren blasts hate groups; 21st century strippers

Posted on August 22, 2017 by David McKee

Reverberations from Charlottesville were felt on the Las Vegas Strip last week when MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren wrote to all employees, saying in part, “You have my commitment that we will vigorously and zealously continue to reject hate speech … Continue reading →

Posted in Cretins, Culinary Union, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, GLPI, history, MGM Mirage, North Dakota, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Technology | Comments Off on Murren blasts hate groups; 21st century strippers

Fertitta scourges Pelican State rules; Macao biz booms for Wynn

Posted on August 21, 2017 by David McKee

“Let’s not kid ourselves: that barge is concrete. It’s not going anywhere.” With those words, Tilman Fertitta launched one of several broadsides at absurd Louisiana regulations on casinos. Not only do Pelican State casinos still have to sit in water, … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Environment, Foxwoods, GLPI, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Iowa, Isle of Capri, Japan, Louisiana, Macau, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Problem gambling, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, Warner Gaming | Comments Off on Fertitta scourges Pelican State rules; Macao biz booms for Wynn

Japan sets casinos up for failure; Renegade card room in California closed

Posted on August 18, 2017 by David McKee

About the nicest thing Jim Murren had to say about Japan‘s casino market is that it’s “unclear at the moment.” Casino developers are bracing themselves for delivery of a 130-page report from the Expert Committee, laying out proposed regulations for megaresorts. … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, California, Cretins, Donald Trump, Election, history, Internet gambling, Japan, Maine, MGM Mirage, Pets, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Sports, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Transportation, Virginia | Comments Off on Japan sets casinos up for failure; Renegade card room in California closed

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 18, 2017 by David McKee

“I’m sorta glad that them people got hit and I’m glad that girl died. They were a bunch of Communists out there protesting against somebody’s freedom of speech, so it doesn’t bother me that they got hurt at all.” — Grand Dragon … Continue reading →

Posted in Cretins, Virginia | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

McCarran under siege; Japan to ban poker?

Posted on August 17, 2017 by David McKee

Sen. Pat McCarran (D) is making more posthumous news. State Sen. Tick Segerblom (D) is renewing his push to rename McCarran International Airport. Since the real–life McCarran was a racist, xenophobe and anti-Semite, the urge to efface his name is understandable. … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Foxwoods, Harry Reid, history, Horseracing, Japan, Massachusetts, Melco Crown Entertainment, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Taxes, Transportation, Wall Street | Comments Off on McCarran under siege; Japan to ban poker?

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 17, 2017 by David McKee

“Freedom is never really won. You earn it and win it in every generation. That is what we have not taught young people, or older ones for that matter. You do not finally win a state of freedom that is … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

MGM changes Macao strategy; Protest at the Hard Rock

Posted on August 17, 2017 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International isn’t counting on the whales to make ends meet at its Cotai Strip™ casino. “Our business model is not predicated on the VIP business. Our strategic plan is built on catering to this tremendously emerging more-affluent Chinese customer, a … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Arizona, Culinary Union, George Maloof, Hard Rock Hotel, International, Internet gambling, Japan, Macau, Marketing, Marnell Gaming, Planet Hollywood, Regulation, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tribal | 3 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 16, 2017 by David McKee

“I think it’s a little hypocritical that we can have a state lottery or horse racing in Texas but we can’t let people play poker.” — state Sen. José Menendez (D) on the legal penumbra in which Texas card clubs … Continue reading →

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

56

Posted on August 16, 2017 by David McKee

Yes, today I get another year older, if perhaps not wiser. Since it is a slow day I hope you won’t mind if S&G goes on a 24-hour holiday. I promise to be back tomorrow, hopefully with some spicy content … Continue reading →

Posted in Current | 7 Comments

This just in: Cotai hot, Macao not; Seminoles thrash Gilbert

Posted on August 15, 2017 by David McKee

In today’s dog-bites-man story, a Wall Street analyst has belatedly concluded the obvious: that the casinos on Cotai will sap business from Macao proper. Global Market Advisors analyst Andrew Klebanow wrote, “What the industry can expect to see is a pattern … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Atlantic City, Australia, Dan Gilbert, Georgia, Internet gambling, Macau, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Politics, Racinos, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off on This just in: Cotai hot, Macao not; Seminoles thrash Gilbert

Case Bets: Cosmo, Penn, California, Caesars, Boyd, etc.

Posted on August 15, 2017 by David McKee

It’s reinvention time at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, where management is investing $100 million-plus into upgrades of most of its rooms. If you don’t constantly reinvest in your resort project, you end up with Imperial Palace, er, Linq. (Given … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, California, Cordish Co., Cosmopolitan, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Indiana, International, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Technology, The Strip, Tribal | 1 Comment