Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

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Conservatives diss Adelson; Penn loses court battle

Posted on April 21, 2017 by David McKee

If Attorney General Jeff Sessions goes ahead with a ban on Internet gambling, he could be in for a world of hurt. Never mind the states with online casinos. He’d be messing with the states that have online lotteries, a … Continue reading →

Posted in Charity, Donald Trump, Florida, Genting, Internet gambling, Iowa, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes | 1 Comment

Big bounce in Louisiana; Poker and booze go better together

Posted on April 19, 2017 by David McKee

Compared with a flood-plagued March of 2015, business was booming  at Louisiana casinos, up 10%, especially Baton Rouge (+20.5%), although New Orleans was flat. JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff is predicting less salubrious results in April, blaming the Easter Bunny, among … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Foxwoods, Genting, GLPI, Harrah's, IGT, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Regulation, South Korea, Taxes, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off on Big bounce in Louisiana; Poker and booze go better together

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 19, 2017 by David McKee

“They passed Keno and they passed the online buying of lottery tickets so they must like gambling.” — ever-optimistic New Hampshire state Sen. Lou D’Allesandro (D) on the Granite State’s Legislature, where the House of Representatives has voted down casinos 19 … Continue reading →

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

Adelson buys Trump; Caesars, MGM stiff players

Posted on April 19, 2017 by David McKee

We always knew Sheldon Adelson was fundamentally shameless — remember when he would gush with praise of Red China? — and this photo of him cuddling up to sometime anti-Semite Steve Bannon just proves it. What’s newsworthy, though, is why Adelson may have … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Harrah's, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | Comments Off on Adelson buys Trump; Caesars, MGM stiff players

Sure sign of the Apocalypse

Posted on April 18, 2017 by David McKee

Johnny Cash has been made into a slot theme. Is nothing sacred?

Posted in Scientific Games | 1 Comment

Prospects and pitfalls in Connecticut; Roulette makes a comeback

Posted on April 18, 2017 by David McKee

Could the East Windsor satellite casino be a Machiavellian plot to extract the Mashantucket Pequots and the Mohegan Tribe from their obligations to the State of Connecticut? Probably not but state Attorney General George Jepsen has already opined that the … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Foxwoods, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Politics, Sheldon Adelson | 1 Comment

Saturation in Ohio; Japan: Go big or go home

Posted on April 17, 2017 by David McKee

Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) leveled the playing field when he allowed third-party racinos to join the juiced-in Penn National Gaming and Caesars Entertainment casinos in the Buckeye State. The question now is how level a playing field is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Detroit, Economy, Genting, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Iowa, Japan, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Technology, Wall Street | Comments Off on Saturation in Ohio; Japan: Go big or go home

Bellagio is burning; Parking valets stiffed

Posted on April 14, 2017 by David McKee

Remember the Monte Carlo fire and how it was fueled by construction foam? It was much the same story last night when the south “arm” of Bellagio caught on fire, a blaze which raged for 25 minutes. “You can smell that sulfur,” said … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Cosmopolitan, Cretins, Economy, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Monte Carlo fire, Planet Hollywood, Technology, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Bellagio is burning; Parking valets stiffed

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 14, 2017 by David McKee

“As a Republican, [Attorney General Jeff Sessions] should also favor letting people and the states that represent them make their own decisions and be very cautious about setting a dangerous anti-federalism precedent, not just for online gambling, but for any number … Continue reading →

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

Surveying Indian Country

Posted on April 13, 2017 by David McKee

In Massachusetts, the disputed Aquinnah Wampanoag casino is “on” again, following a federal appeals court’s reversal of a lower court ruling that nixed the project. The appellate court found that, in the words of The Associated Press, “the Aquinnah Wampanoag … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Foxwoods, Hard Rock International, Maryland, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Seminole Tribe, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off on Surveying Indian Country

Atlantic City runs the table; Next, the “Osaka Strip”?

Posted on April 13, 2017 by David McKee

It’ll take a lot more than an extra weekend day to account for a 7% spike in Atlantic City‘s gaming revenue. When you subtract the corpse of Trump Taj Mahal from the body count, the year over year comparison is … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Japan, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, PokerStars, Problem gambling, Sports, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street | Comments Off on Atlantic City runs the table; Next, the “Osaka Strip”?

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 12, 2017 by David McKee

“For years the tribes have carried the burden of bringing gaming to the state and they’ve come close and have never got it and right now out-of-state corporations have claimed a monopoly here in the state, and I’m glad for … Continue reading →

Posted in Maine, Pennsylvania, Politics, Tribal | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Governors to Sessions: Butt out!

Posted on April 11, 2017 by David McKee

If Attorney General Jeff Sessions was thinking about re-reinterpreting the Federal Wire Act, he might want to think again. The National Governors Association composed a letter to Sessions in which it said, “States are best equipped to enforce and regulate … Continue reading →

Posted in Internet gambling, Iowa, Minnesota, Politics, Tribal | Comments Off on Governors to Sessions: Butt out!

The Cathedral of St. Al Davis

Posted on April 11, 2017 by David McKee

The eternal flame in honor of St. Al is just too much. * Could South Carolina rush in where Georgia has hesitated? The Palmetto State has costly infrastructure problems and Gov. Henry McMaster (R) has indicated he would veto

Posted in Architecture, Georgia, Planet Hollywood, Politics, South Carolina, Sports, Technology, The Strip | 1 Comment

Warm spring in the Midwest; Vegas Vic gets political

Posted on April 10, 2017 by David McKee

Don’t believe anyone who says the economy is bad: Casino takings are up all across the Midwest. The biggest gain was in Ohio, where casino win rose 7%, even though players continue to blow off Jack Cleveland ($18 million, -8%). … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Ameristar, Animals, Archon Corp., Boyd Gaming, California, Dan Gilbert, Downtown, Eldorado Resorts, Full House Resorts, Harrah's, Indiana, Isle of Capri, Law enforcement, Majestic Star, Missouri, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, PokerStars, Politics, Racinos, Tropicana Entertainment, Wayne F. Newton | Comments Off on Warm spring in the Midwest; Vegas Vic gets political

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 10, 2017 by David McKee

“When we first announced ‘Britney: Piece of Me’ four years ago, we were certain that Britney’s residency would revolutionize the entertainment landscape in Las Vegas, and are thrilled at how successful the show has been. Caesars Entertainment has always led … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Harrah's, Planet Hollywood, The Strip | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Exit Trump, enter Hard Rock; Casinos in Cuba again?

Posted on April 10, 2017 by David McKee

Hard Rock International is putting its money where its mouth is, judging from the preview it gave of the Hard Rocked Trump Taj Mahal. The most obvious changes will be on the exterior, where all the tiki-tacky Trump theming will … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Columbia Sussex, Donald Trump, Economy, Entertainment, Foxwoods, Hard Rock International, International, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Politics, Sports, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Trump Entertainment Resorts | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 7, 2017 by David McKee

“The survey showed that 69 percent of people gambled while on their trip to Las Vegas, down 18 percent from 1996 when 87 percent of tourists said they gambled. Those gamblers were playing an average of 1.9 hours a day … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, LVCVA, Tourism | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Temporary relief for Illinois; CityCenter for sale?

Posted on April 7, 2017 by David McKee

As a huge gambling expansion works its way through the Legislature, casino owners in Illinois must feel like condemned men awaiting the execution. At any rate, it behooves them to gather roses while yet they may. Fortunately, gamblers felt like … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, California, CityCenter, GLPI, Harrah's, Illinois, Macau, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Regulation, South Korea, Sports, Taxes, The Crown 18, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 6, 2017 by David McKee

“The Las Vegas casino giant said Tuesday the material was transported to licensed landfills across the country over the course of about seven months and filled more than 8,800 truckloads and 4,300 railcars.” — Mind-boggling statistics on Wynn Resorts‘ cleanup … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Massachusetts, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Quote of the Day