Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

Bio

Parisian opens amid uncertainty; Jones attacks old-boy network

Posted on September 13, 2016 by David McKee

While Sheldon Adelson‘s Las Vegas Review-Journal covered the opening of Wynn Palace from a safe distance, it has sent Richard Velotta to Macao to be on hand for today’s opening of Parisian Macao. What he discovered, among other things, was … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boyd Gaming, California, Galaxy Entertainment, Harrah's, IGT, International, Japan, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Nevada, Pinnacle Entertainment, Scientific Games, Sheldon Adelson, South Korea, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | Comments Off on Parisian opens amid uncertainty; Jones attacks old-boy network

Shady dealing in Massachusetts; Caesars mediation breaks down

Posted on September 12, 2016 by David McKee

Shadowy casino speculator Eugene McCain is trying to make his coveted Revere slot a fait accompli by having a special election held prior to November in which local voters would express their ‘yea’ or ‘nay’ before statewide voters weigh in … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Election, Harrah's, International, Marketing, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Philippines, Regulation, Technology, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, Unite-Here | 2 Comments

Caesars dips toe in skill-based slots; MGM National Harbor snares Dylan

Posted on September 12, 2016 by David McKee

Caesars Entertainment is going on the road, as it were, to test-drive its first foray into skill-based slots. It’s going to install six Gamblit Gaming slot carousels at Harrah’s Rincon, with 36 slated for Las Vegas deployment next year. The … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Colorado, Cordish Co., Downtown, Environment, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Hooters, IGT, Internet gambling, Kansas, Maine, Marketing, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Scientific Games, Sheldon Adelson, South Dakota, Sports, Technology, The Strip, Tribal, TV, West Virginia, Westgate LV, Wisconsin | 2 Comments

Glenn Straub flakes out; Adelson woos South Korea

Posted on September 12, 2016 by David McKee

Glenn Straub‘s reputation for mercurial behavior was reinforced last week when he blew his stack before the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority. What was the flashpoint? The CRDA wanted Straub to come up with a new landscaping plan for Revel, in … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, Japan, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Regulation, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, South Korea, Steve Wynn | 1 Comment

Galaxy cautious on Macao; No smoking in Mesquite?

Posted on September 7, 2016 by David McKee

One swallow doesn’t make a spring and, if you’re Galaxy Entertainment CEO Lui Che-Woo, one month of 1% growth in gambling revenue doesn’t constitute a recovery in Macao: “Give me two more years to see if there’s a recovery here.” Now … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, California, Donald Trump, Economy, Environment, Galaxy Entertainment, Illinois, Louisiana, Macau, Marketing, Mesquite, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, The Mob, Tribal | Comments Off on Galaxy cautious on Macao; No smoking in Mesquite?

Boulder Station goes union; Neon Museum sets records

Posted on September 7, 2016 by David McKee

Having finally bowed to management’s stipulation of a secret ballot election, as opposed to a card check, the Culinary Union can belatedly claim a victory in its long-running war with Station Casinos. Employees at Boulder Station, under the oversight of … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boyd Gaming, California, Charity, Cordish Co., Culinary Union, Downtown, history, Lucky Dragon, Marketing, Maryland, MGM Mirage, North Las Vegas, Palms, Regulation, Station Casinos, Tribal | 1 Comment

Freeman’s crusade; Gilbert struggles in Ohio

Posted on September 7, 2016 by David McKee

To describe the new-look American Gaming Association as “activist” would be an understatement of some magnitude. President Geoff Freeman has put the pedal to the metal in his quest for legalized sports betting. Today, Freeman mounted his bully pulpit in … Continue reading →

Posted in Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, Geoff Freeman, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Iowa, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Sports, Taxes | 2 Comments

Rough justice for Adelson; Horseshoe Baltimore gains strength

Posted on September 6, 2016 by David McKee

In the end, the Macao government was scarcely more generous with Sheldon Adelson than it had been with Steve Wynn. Adelson’s Parisian Macao will open with 100 table games, get another 25 on New Year’s Day and 25 more a … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Cordish Co., Genting, Harrah's, Macau, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism | 1 Comment

The IRS won’t be denied; Philippines a hotbed of uncertainty

Posted on September 6, 2016 by David McKee

Could the federal government have to invade Miccosukee Tribe of Florida land in order to shut down the band’s casino? That’s one possible scenario (placing a lien on gaming revenues is another) if the tribe continues to defy the Internal … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Florida, Harrah's, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Philippines, Sports, Taxes, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on The IRS won’t be denied; Philippines a hotbed of uncertainty

Thank you …

Posted on September 6, 2016 by David McKee

… to everyone who wrote in to S&G (or contacted me privately) to condole my wife and I on the loss of Rascal. Your good wishes have contributed to the healing process more than you’ll ever know. Also, we’ll be … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Georgia, Pets | Comments Off on Thank you …

Straub resurfaces; Last casino to Clarksville

Posted on September 2, 2016 by David McKee

In case you’re wondering, “Whatever happened to Glenn Straub?”, the answer is that he’s finally been dragged, kicking and screaming, into applying for a New Jersey gaming license for Revel and is finalizing the paperwork. Huffington Post also reveals than … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Atlantic City, California, Election, Environment, Foxwoods, G2E, Glenn Straub, Internet gambling, Macau, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Oklahoma, PokerStars, Politics, Regulation, Revel, Texas, Tribal | 1 Comment

What if they gave a tax and nobody paid?; Fewer comps for video poker?

Posted on September 2, 2016 by David McKee

Just when it seemed there was no line in the sand that casinos wouldn’t draw regarding taxation, gambling halls in Pennsylvania have finally had enough of state levies. Paying $5 million for five years (and $250,000 a year after that) … Continue reading →

Posted in Cosmopolitan, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Technology, The Strip | 1 Comment

Win for Wynn; Russia’s Donald Trump

Posted on September 1, 2016 by David McKee

So maybe Wynn Palace made a difference, after all. Macao gambling revenue, which analysts expected to be anywhere from 1% up to 3% down last month, actually grew 1%. (Kudos to those analysts who bet the house would win.) With Sands … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, California, Donald Trump, Florida, Galaxy Entertainment, Harrah's, IGT, International, Japan, Law enforcement, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Technology, Tribal | Comments Off on Win for Wynn; Russia’s Donald Trump

Case Bets: Aria, Atlantic City, etc.

Posted on September 1, 2016 by David McKee

Inside Aria‘s “eye in the sky” … and also probably the last time you’ll see a player in a tuxedo on a Las Vegas casino floor. * After eight long years — and without including Internet revenue — all eight Atlantic … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, CityCenter, Economy, Election, Internet gambling, Macau, MGM Mirage, New York, Oklahoma, Regulation, Technology, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Case Bets: Aria, Atlantic City, etc.

Quote of the Day

Posted on September 1, 2016 by David McKee

“The most rewarding aspect of my job is hearing the stories of connection that people have made in our games. Whether it’s staying in touch with family overseas or meeting the love of their life, the mobile gaming platform is … Continue reading →

Posted in Technology | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Rascal, 2004-2016

Posted on September 1, 2016 by David McKee

Yesterday, my wife and I said goodbye to our beloved cat Rascal. He had contracted a very malignant and aggressive cancer of the mouth, and had quickly wasted away. Finally, it reached the point where he could no longer eat … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Current, Pets | 6 Comments

Hot July on the Strip; Alon: Stayin’ alive

Posted on August 31, 2016 by David McKee

Whales returned to the Strip with a vengeance in July, with baccarat play spurring a 17% revenue increase. The month was probably even bigger but, due to a peculiarity of Nevada casino accounting, slot revenues from the last weekend of … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, California, Downtown, Entertainment, Genting, International, James Packer, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Marketing, Mesquite, Michael Gaughan, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Reno, Scientific Games, Sports, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off on Hot July on the Strip; Alon: Stayin’ alive

Wynn subtracting one golf course, adding another?; Resorts World Las Vegas postponed again

Posted on August 30, 2016 by David McKee

Although Steve Wynn remains bent upon tearing out Wynn Golf Club on the Strip — in favor of Wynn Paradise Park one day, an NFL stadium the next — he may be planning one for Wynn Boston Harbor. At least … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Economy, Election, Entertainment, Genting, Lucky Dragon, Macau, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New York, SLS Las Vegas, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 2 Comments

Icahn intransigent at Taj; Olympic betting a flop; Relief for Caesars

Posted on August 30, 2016 by David McKee

For someone who claims he’s trying to save Trump Taj Mahal, owner Carl Icahn sure acts like he’s hellbent on closing it. A counteroffer from striking Unite-Here that would cost the casino only $1.3 million a year to preserve health … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Harrah's, Illinois, MGM Mirage, Nevada, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment, Unite-Here, Westgate LV | 1 Comment

Packer in a pickle?; Adelson speaks, R-J listens; Big casino sale in Philippines

Posted on August 29, 2016 by David McKee

We haven’t been able to confirm for certain whether or not James Packer‘s latest attempt to conquer Las Vegas, the casino-resort Alon, is definitely kaput. It definitely hasn’t evolved beyond some exquisitely vague, bare-bones documents filed with Clark County. However, we … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Environment, International, Internet gambling, Iowa, James Packer, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Philippines, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Taxes, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal | Comments Off on Packer in a pickle?; Adelson speaks, R-J listens; Big casino sale in Philippines