Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

Bio

Revel up for grabs?; So long, O.J.

Posted on July 14, 2017 by David McKee

Glenn Straub could theoretically never do a damned thing with Revel and still turn a tidy profit. A New York-based private equity firm is reported as willing to pay him $200 million for the shuttered megaresort, which Straub picked up for … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Donald Trump, Genting, Glenn Straub, history, New York, Regulation, Revel, Station Casinos, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Revel up for grabs?; So long, O.J.

Cuomo’s missed bet; Next stop, Vietnam

Posted on July 13, 2017 by David McKee

Resorts World Catskills still hasn’t weighed in and yet it’s already looking like New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo‘s bet on upstate casinos has crapped out. After an initial flurry of lookie-lous, the first three casinos are struggling to regain their … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Genting, Internet gambling, Iowa, Japan, Neil Bluhm, New York, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Slot routes, Vietnam | Comments Off on Cuomo’s missed bet; Next stop, Vietnam

Becalmed in Atlantic City; The friends of Sheldon Adelson

Posted on July 13, 2017 by David McKee

Casinos in Atlantic City would have been up 11% last month — were it not for the big, fat zero that is Trump Taj Mahal in same-store revenue comparisons. Instead, they were dead even with June 2016, redeemed only by … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Donald Trump, Election, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Japan, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Becalmed in Atlantic City; The friends of Sheldon Adelson

Macao takes the long view; Skill-based slots bomb in Europe

Posted on July 12, 2017 by David McKee

Macao gaming operators are off the hot seat as it appears increasingly inevitable that their casino concessions will be renewed rather than re-bid or nationalized. However, that may come at a price — literally. The casino magnates aren’t completely out … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Dan Gilbert, Foxwoods, Harrah's, Indiana, International, Macau, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Politics, Regulation, Taxes, Technology | Comments Off on Macao takes the long view; Skill-based slots bomb in Europe

Trump Taj: Everything must go; Vegas looking better than ever

Posted on July 12, 2017 by David McKee

Somehow Trump Taj Mahal just wouldn’t be ‘Trump’ if it didn’t go out with an episode of farce. An Atlantic City resident put the liquid into “liquidation” when he decided to take an impromptu shower in one of the vacant … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Atlantic City, California, Donald Trump, Economy, Hard Rock International, Nevada, Pets, Transportation | Comments Off on Trump Taj: Everything must go; Vegas looking better than ever

Slot routes thwarted in Pennsylvania; Crown 18 convicted

Posted on July 11, 2017 by David McKee

Gaming issues are holding the Pennsylvania state budget hostage. House Majority Leader Dave Reed (R) is saying ‘no deal,’ even as Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R) is remarking that an agreement is “more or less” in place. The latest … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Genting, International, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Politics, Regulation, Slot routes, The Crown 18, Wall Street | Comments Off on Slot routes thwarted in Pennsylvania; Crown 18 convicted

Good news across the Midwest; Pennsylvania blows it (again)

Posted on July 10, 2017 by David McKee

An extra weekend day may have made all the difference for Illinois, where gross gaming revenues rose 2% last month. The good news was spread pretty evenly throughout the market, except at Jumer’s Casino Rock Island, which slipped 6%, to … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Dan Gilbert, Dan Lee, Eldorado Resorts, Full House Resorts, GLPI, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Majestic Star, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Neil Bluhm, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Good news across the Midwest; Pennsylvania blows it (again)

What happens in Vegas goes to France; Big setback for Japan

Posted on July 10, 2017 by David McKee

French President Emmanuel Macron could be collateral damage of a made-in-Vegas scandal involving the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show. At the time, Macron was minister of the economy but had the ill judgment to headline a “French Tech Night” that was … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Election, Harrah's, International, Japan, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Sports, Wall Street | Comments Off on What happens in Vegas goes to France; Big setback for Japan

Exit SLS, enter Sahara; Seminoles reach Florida accord

Posted on July 7, 2017 by David McKee

Collectors, start gathering those SLS-branded souvenirs while you can. The auguries continue to accumulate that the beloved Sahara identity will be returning to the venerable hotel-casino. The latest sign is the changeover of the loyalty program to Club 52 (from … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Cordish Co., Florida, history, Marketing, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Pets, Politics, Sahara, Sam Nazarian, Seminole Tribe, SLS Las Vegas, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Exit SLS, enter Sahara; Seminoles reach Florida accord

Best Western Stratosphere?; Atlantic City rescued in nick of time

Posted on July 6, 2017 by David McKee

* Golden Entertainment will be facing a fait accompli when it takes over the Stratosphere and Aquarius Casino Resort from American Casino & Entertainment Properties. Outgoing owner ACEP has inked a pact with Best Western to manage the two flagship … Continue reading →

Posted in ACEP, Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Economy, Golden Gaming, Goldman Sachs, Hard Rock Hotel, International, Japan, Kazuo Okada, Laughlin, Lawrence Ho, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Philippines, Politics, The Strip | 1 Comment

National Harbor cleans up; A peek inside Resorts World Las Vegas

Posted on July 6, 2017 by David McKee

MGM National Harbor drove a 40% increase in Maryland gambling revenues last month. The $50.5 million gross at MGM was evenly divided between table games and slots. Since the latter are taxed at a far higher rate, MGM won’t be … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Architecture, Atlantic City, California, Cordish Co., Economy, Entertainment, Genting, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Racinos, The Strip, Tribal, West Virginia | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on July 6, 2017 by David McKee

“If a renovation is done correctly, casinos can substantially increase the time on the machines and the time on gaming tables—it’s almost like adding a casino. It would seem to me they have to be looking at a 20 percent … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Trailer Stations invade Downtown; DFS rejected in Delaware

Posted on July 5, 2017 by David McKee

If there’s one thing I’ve learned at Las Vegas Advisor it’s that our readers love Trailer Stations — or at least reading about them. So, had been inclined to spend your Fourth of July playing slot machines, you could have … Continue reading →

Posted in Delaware, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Genting, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Moulin Rouge, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, The Strip | Comments Off on Trailer Stations invade Downtown; DFS rejected in Delaware

Arizona tribe moves ahead; The king and Adelson

Posted on July 3, 2017 by David McKee

Having beaten the system and Gov. Doug Ducey (R), the Tohono O’odham tribe in Arizona is moving ahead with construction of its permanent, Class III casino, with an eye toward completion by spring of 2019. The tribe has been getting … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Arizona, International, Macau, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal, Wall Street, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Arizona tribe moves ahead; The king and Adelson

Strip has a strong May; The robots are coming

Posted on June 30, 2017 by David McKee

Las Vegas Strip casinos posted a 3% revenue increase in May, led by a 12% upswing in baccarat revenue (on only 3% more wagering). Slot coin-in was up 4% but winnings were flat. Non-baccarat table games won 3% more even … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Dining, Downtown, Entertainment, Environment, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Louisiana, North Las Vegas, Pinnacle Entertainment, Planet Hollywood, Regulation, Reno, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Strip has a strong May; The robots are coming

Next stop, East Windsor; Everybody (in Vegas) must get stoned

Posted on June 29, 2017 by David McKee

“Make no mistake about it – the legislation I signed today is about jobs for the residents of Connecticut, and securing those jobs in our state.” With those words, Nutmeg State Gov. Dannel Malloy (D) affixed his signature approving a … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Foxwoods, Geoff Freeman, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off on Next stop, East Windsor; Everybody (in Vegas) must get stoned

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 29, 2017 by David McKee

“That creates problems for airports as far away as Bucks County in Pennsylvania. It restricts training flights, forcing pilots to fly with tracking devices and grounding skydivers and hot air balloons.” — Associated Press report on the adverse economic impact … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Economy, Sports, Transportation | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Glenn Straub, gaming’s problem child; Panic in New York State

Posted on June 28, 2017 by David McKee

“We’ve been shut down now for three years. As an abandoned building, we want the value of an abandoned building, not the value of a casino hotel,” said Revel owner Glenn Straub, defending his failure to pay Casino Reinvestment Development … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Foxwoods, GameCO, Glenn Straub, history, Marketing, New York, Planet Hollywood, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Revel, Station Casinos, Taxes, Technology, Tourism, Tribal | Comments Off on Glenn Straub, gaming’s problem child; Panic in New York State

The truly big game: Sports betting; Trump vs. tribes … or not?

Posted on June 28, 2017 by David McKee

Going out on a limb, I. Nelson Rose predicts the Supreme Court will rule in New Jersey‘s favor with regard to sports betting. As he notes, “[Chief Justice John Roberts] and the other conservative members of the Court would like … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Donald Trump, Geoff Freeman, history, Internet gambling, Politics, Regulation, Sports, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal | Comments Off on The truly big game: Sports betting; Trump vs. tribes … or not?

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 28, 2017 by David McKee

“The overall quality of the videotaped races was about what one would expect of an entry-level campers’ horse show held at the conclusion of a two-week YMCA summer camp … Tired, reluctant, skittish or disinterested horses moving at a slow … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Horseracing, Racinos | Comments Off on Quote of the Day