Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

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Hooters’ inspirational initiative; New York legalizes DFS

Posted on August 15, 2016 by David McKee

Plucking General Manager Michael Storm from the executive ranks of The D and the Golden Gate and installing him at Hooters Casino Hotel is proving to be one of the best ideas that property’s had in a long time. Storm’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Charity, Harrah's, history, Hooters, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, LVCVA, Riviera, The Strip | Comments Off on Hooters’ inspirational initiative; New York legalizes DFS

Big month for Atlantic City; Wanna be president?

Posted on August 12, 2016 by David McKee

Casino gambling revenue in Atlantic City was up 5%, to $258 million, last month and Internet gaming revenues pole-vaulted 39%, exceeding $17 million. Higher coin-in at the slots translated into a 3% growth in one-armed banditry while a 7% increase … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Election, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, Unite-Here, Westgate LV | Comments Off on Big month for Atlantic City; Wanna be president?

Cold comfort for Wynn; Nebraska racino initiative crashes and burns

Posted on August 12, 2016 by David McKee

As Wynn Resorts predicted in its last earnings call, it will get more table games from the Macao government after Wynn Palace opens … 50 tables, phased in over two years. That’s a pretty mingy allocation but is in line … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Downtown, Election, Law enforcement, Macau, MGM Mirage, Nebraska, Philippines, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Technology, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 12, 2016 by David McKee

“While I cannot say what a [Donald] Trump presidency would mean for poker, there is some smoke. And, as they say, where there is smoke, there could be a fire. The story with Trump’s running mate, though, is perfectly clear. While … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Election, Internet gambling | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Stratosphere bucks consumer trend; New way to bet coming to Nevada

Posted on August 12, 2016 by David McKee

Better slot play, stronger restaurant business and greater hotel occupancy (which drove up rates) conspired to improve American Casino & Entertainment Properties‘ revenue and profitability in 2Q16. Net revenue — i.e., not profit — is on a 10-month upward roll, … Continue reading →

Posted in ACEP, Animals, Boulder Strip, Laughlin, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, PokerStars, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Technology, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on Stratosphere bucks consumer trend; New way to bet coming to Nevada

Case Bets: Wynn Boston Harbor, sports betting, cockfighting and a fire

Posted on August 11, 2016 by David McKee

There’s big money to be made at Wynn Boston Harbor. Primary contractor Suffolk Construction is hoping to entice subcontractors with a bundle of bids valued at $1 billion for services and supplies. That’s almost half the construction budget for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, CityCenter, Geoff Freeman, Law enforcement, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Case Bets: Wynn Boston Harbor, sports betting, cockfighting and a fire

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 11, 2016 by David McKee

“According to the term, [Sumona] Islam is prohibited from being employed, for instance, as a custodian, at every casino within a 150-mile radius. The agreement’s prohibition of all types of employment with gaming establishments severely restricts Islam’s ability to be gainfully … Continue reading →

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

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 10, 2016 by David McKee

“Everybody including Twin River, the competitor across the border 17 miles away in Rhode Island, projected that Penn [National Gaming] would do more than it’s been doing. Exactly why it isn’t, nobody’s quite sure. Whether it’s that you can’t smoke … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Law enforcement, Massachusetts, Penn National, Rhode Island, Taxes | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Missouri is doing just fine, thanks; Cautious hope for Moulin Rouge

Posted on August 10, 2016 by David McKee

Pinnacle Entertainment did a masterful job of managing expectations in its quarterly earnings call, citing disruptive road work around Ameristar St. Charles as a potential setback from the property. Today, Missouri released its July gaming results and — surprise — … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Downtown, Environment, G2E, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Macau, Marketing, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Moulin Rouge, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Sports, Steve Wynn, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Missouri is doing just fine, thanks; Cautious hope for Moulin Rouge

New vibe for Venetian; Atlantic City workers flee to D.C.

Posted on August 9, 2016 by David McKee

  For the first time in 17 years, The Venetian is using TV advertising. We’re not only impressed by the length of the abstention but also by the fact that Las Vegas Sands has done so well without the assistance of … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cosmopolitan, Election, Entertainment, Environment, Harrah's, Marketing, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, TV | Comments Off on New vibe for Venetian; Atlantic City workers flee to D.C.

Election special: New Jersey, New York, Oregon

Posted on August 9, 2016 by David McKee

An MGM Resorts International executive with whom I spoke yesterday told me the New Jersey casino ballot initiative is trailing badly in the polls. We hope he’s right, especially as news of the closure of Trump Taj Mahal (and Glenn … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Charity, Economy, Election, Foxwoods, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, Hooters, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, New York, Oregon, Politics, Revel, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Unite-Here | Comments Off on Election special: New Jersey, New York, Oregon

Indiana gamblers visit less, play more; Rude surprise at Seminole Hard Rock

Posted on August 9, 2016 by David McKee

Indiana casino customers visited less last month but more than made up for it with increased spending, keeping Hoosier State gaming revenues stable. That even-keel figure conceals some big swings and roundabouts at individual property. Horseshoe Hammond had an unaccountably … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Cirque du Soleil, Dining, Florida, Full House Resorts, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Seminole Tribe, Slot routes, Transportation, Tropicana Entertainment | 1 Comment

New casinos propel Iowa; Cal Neva goes bankrupt

Posted on August 8, 2016 by David McKee

We don’t report Iowa casino results very much, partly because the market overwhelmingly consists of small casinos with grosses to match. Given their modest grosses, a minor fluctuation can be magnified. Even so, last month’s 5% bounce is worth discussing. … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, Election, Harrah's, Iowa, Isle of Capri, Lake Tahoe, Massachusetts, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Reno, Scientific Games, Wall Street, Warner Gaming | Comments Off on New casinos propel Iowa; Cal Neva goes bankrupt

Station tries to shed excess baggage; Steve Wynn’s big ape

Posted on August 8, 2016 by David McKee

Back in 2004, when euphoria ran high in the casino industry, Station Casinos got carried away and spent nearly $34 million on the dilapidated Castaways, at the north end of the Boulder Strip. Despite commissioning a design from Ed Vance for … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Entertainment, history, Illinois, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Slot routes, Sports, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 8, 2016 by David McKee

“Except for [Glenn] Cook, who is now the R-J’s managing editor, all of the staff members are no longer with the news organization.” — the Las Vegas Sun, reporting on the bestowing of a Society of Professional Journalists 2015 Ethics … Continue reading →

Posted in Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Murren minces few words; Wynn Boston Harbor sets opening date

Posted on August 5, 2016 by David McKee

Commiting truth isn’t as rare in the casino business as in politics but MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren was startlingly candid in yesterday’s earnings call, crediting a surge in Las Vegas summer business to a Zika virus outbreak in Florida, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Carl Icahn, Entertainment, Florida, Foxwoods, International, Internet gambling, LVCVA, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Riviera, Singapore, South Korea, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tropicana Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Unite-Here, Wall Street | Comments Off on Murren minces few words; Wynn Boston Harbor sets opening date

Isaacs moves on; 50 years of Laughlin

Posted on August 5, 2016 by David McKee

Gavin Isaacs will be taking it easy, the CEO of Scientific Games is moving up to vice chairman, his CEO’s chair to be filled by former Norwegian Cruise Line executive Kevin M. Sheehan. If anybody’s earned the right to take … Continue reading →

Posted in Aristocrat, Australia, Bally Technologies, Boyd Gaming, Cannery Casino Resorts, Harrah's, history, Illinois, Laughlin, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, North Las Vegas, Philippines, Scientific Games, Sheldon Adelson, Shuffle Master, Slot routes, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Isaacs moves on; 50 years of Laughlin

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 5, 2016 by David McKee

“This titan of Wall Street is utterly incapable of making a decision unless it is mean-spirited and benefiting him alone. The great deal-maker would rather burn the Trump Taj Mahal down just so he can control the ashes. In the end … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Tropicana Entertainment, Unite-Here | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Wynn Boston Harbor breaks ground; MGM modestly beats expectations

Posted on August 4, 2016 by David McKee

Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone has apparently thrown in the towel in his opposition to Wynn Boston Harbor, with the consequence that construction will have begun by this time tomorrow.  The $2.1 billion project’s endurance is a tribute to Bostonian Steve Wynn‘s … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Environment, Geoff Freeman, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, South Korea, Sports, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Transportation, Wall Street | Comments Off on Wynn Boston Harbor breaks ground; MGM modestly beats expectations

Steve Wynn cuts room rates; What kind of slot would *you* play?

Posted on August 4, 2016 by David McKee

Wynn Palace is still a few weeks away from opening but it’s already sending mixed signals, in terms of its room rates. Midweek, rooms are listing for $243, down from $256 a night. However, Saturday-night rates have been boosted from … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Australia, IGT, Macau, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Technology, Wall Street | 1 Comment