Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

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Tribal gaming reaches new high; New concept for Railroad Pass

Posted on July 21, 2016 by David McKee

Last year was the best ever for tribal casinos, up 5% from 2014, coming in just a bit shy of $30 billion. Recent efforts to align tribal and private-sector casino interests come at a time when the tribal sector could … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Dubai, Economy, Election, Indiana, Kazuo Okada, Macau, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Nebraska, Philippines, Regulation, Transportation, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Tribal gaming reaches new high; New concept for Railroad Pass

Strip still catching up; Nevada taking bets on the Olympics

Posted on July 21, 2016 by David McKee

While gaming companies on the Las Vegas Strip are fairly sanguine about 2016, a new report by Alex Bumazhny of Fitch Ratings takes a somewhat gloomier view. For one, he notes that revenue per available room “growth during the recovery … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Dining, Economy, Election, Geoff Freeman, Macau, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Sports, The Strip, Westgate LV | 2 Comments

Big win for Wynn; Entertainer gets shrunken head

Posted on July 20, 2016 by David McKee

It’s never too late to count out litigious Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone but it looks like Wynn Boston Harbor may finally be inevitable. The casino project received a development permit from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. Sore losers Mohegan … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Entertainment, Iowa, Louisiana, Macau, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Transportation, Tropicana Entertainment, Unite-Here | Comments Off on Big win for Wynn; Entertainer gets shrunken head

The card-room hustle; Sheldon, can you spare $6 million?

Posted on July 15, 2016 by David McKee

“In the 16 years we’ve been down there, I’ve paid the city $80.5 million in tax revenue. We saved the city from bankruptcy. We’ve been paying the city payroll including the Police Department for the last 16 years and I don’t … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Election, Internet gambling, Iowa, Ohio, Oklahoma, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Tribal, Warner Gaming | Comments Off on The card-room hustle; Sheldon, can you spare $6 million?

Station goes to Reno; Tohono O’odham trip themselves up

Posted on July 15, 2016 by David McKee

Continuing its sudden flurry of activity, Station Casinos is reviving its dormant Reno-area aspirations. The company is acting on its eight-acre parcel opposite the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, a strategic location if ever there were one. The $50 million-$70 million project … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Reno, Sports, Station Casinos, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Station goes to Reno; Tohono O’odham trip themselves up

Quote of the Day

Posted on July 15, 2016 by David McKee

“Amen. I recently took over a property, and using good old-fashioned guest interactions, we have seen an increase in gaming revenue of 9% in just six months. While it takes really smart people to run these businesses, it’s not as complicated … Continue reading →

Posted in Marketing | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Acrimony grows at Taj; Racism in Nebraska election race

Posted on July 14, 2016 by David McKee

As protests against Carl Icahn spilled over into New York City, his casino CEO, Anthony Rodio, sent ominously mixed signals about the future of Trump Taj Mahal. On the one hand, he offered a partial restoration of health benefits and … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Carl Icahn, Donald Trump, Entertainment, Galaxy Entertainment, Iowa, Lake Tahoe, Macau, MGM Mirage, Minnesota, Nebraska, Racinos, Regulation, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Unite-Here | Comments Off on Acrimony grows at Taj; Racism in Nebraska election race

“Baz” in my bonnet; Moulin Rouge back in play

Posted on July 14, 2016 by David McKee

Palazzo is currently hosting the second coming of Baz: Star-Crossed Love, a song-and-dance mishmash of iconic moments from such Baz Luhrmann epics as Gatsby, Moulin Rouge and Romeo + Juliet. (What, nothing from Australia? Awwwww.) There’s even a passing nod … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Entertainment, Moulin Rouge, Movies, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | Comments Off on “Baz” in my bonnet; Moulin Rouge back in play

Lean June in Atlantic City; Respect for the riff raff

Posted on July 13, 2016 by David McKee

Just when it should have been booming with the summer season, Atlantic City casino revenue fell 4% — $197.5 million — although online casino revenues rose 41% (to $16 million). Resorts Digital — aka PokerStars — is still bringing up the … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Marketing, Mohegan Sun, PokerStars, Regulation, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Lean June in Atlantic City; Respect for the riff raff

Israel moves toward casinos; West Virginia mulls ‘Net betting

Posted on July 13, 2016 by David McKee

We’ve been surprised that Sheldon Adelson isn’t overtly pushing for casinos in Israel, especially upon reading that the city of Eilat “smells and feels a little bit like a very small version of Vegas.” It’s well away from the rest … Continue reading →

Posted in Genting, International, Internet gambling, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, Problem gambling, Tribal, West Virginia | Comments Off on Israel moves toward casinos; West Virginia mulls ‘Net betting

Poker hands across the ocean; New offer in Caesars bankruptcy

Posted on July 13, 2016 by David McKee

Spurning Nevada and Delaware, the state of New Jersey is exploring an online-poker compact with the United Kingdom. The deal, if consummated, would allow the two entities to share players and liquidity. “Even when you discount children and non-gamblers, it gives … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Iowa, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Revel, Technology, The Strip, Transportation, Warner Gaming | Comments Off on Poker hands across the ocean; New offer in Caesars bankruptcy

Casinos invest in Illinois slot routes; More turmoil in Adelsonia; MGM takes proxy war to Capitol Hill

Posted on July 11, 2016 by David McKee

After having spent four years being clobbered by slot routes (the installed slot base has reached 23,406 machines), Illinois casinos have decided they’d rather switch than fight. Investors in Rivers Casino have purchased a stake in lead operator Acel Entertainment … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Foxwoods, Glenn Straub, Illinois, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, New York, Penn National, Politics, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, Vietnam | Comments Off on Casinos invest in Illinois slot routes; More turmoil in Adelsonia; MGM takes proxy war to Capitol Hill

Happy ending for casino site; DFS not out of the woods in New York

Posted on July 11, 2016 by David McKee

There’s a happy ending to the saga of Bavarian Brewery, which had been purchased by Columbia Sussex a decade back in hopes that it would be Kentucky‘s first casino. The building has lain fallow ever since and ColSux has gone … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Columbia Sussex, Geoff Freeman, GLPI, Harrah's, Illinois, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Law enforcement, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, New York, Penn National, Sports | Comments Off on Happy ending for casino site; DFS not out of the woods in New York

Shifty speculation in Massachusetts; Hoosiers spend more

Posted on July 8, 2016 by David McKee

Two Boston-area mayors are digging in against a slot parlor proposed for Revere. New Revere Mayor Brian Arrigo and Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone (below) have both voiced opposition to the project, which would be near Suffolk Downs (the ballot question is … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Full House Resorts, Harrah's, Horseracing, Law enforcement, Majestic Star, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Shifty speculation in Massachusetts; Hoosiers spend more

Station trumps stadium selection

Posted on July 8, 2016 by David McKee

Station Casinos has vaulted to the forefront of the parties vying to host an NFL-size stadium on their property. While Station’s vast real estate bank has long been viewed as the ace up its sleeve, the company has had difficulty … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Lucky Dragon, MGM Mirage, Riviera, Sheldon Adelson, SLS Las Vegas, Sports, Station Casinos, The Strip, Transportation | Comments Off on Station trumps stadium selection

Icahn leaves Taj workers nostalgic for Trump; Megaresort proposed for NYC

Posted on July 7, 2016 by David McKee

You can measure the acrimony between Unite-Here Local 54 and Tropicana Entertainment by the fact that striking workers at Trump Taj Mahal are using Donald Trump as a stick with which to beat Carl Icahn. By astutely negotiating a pact … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Carl Icahn, Charity, Cordish Co., Cosmopolitan, Donald Trump, Election, Entertainment, Genting, Georgia, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, Horseracing, Illinois, Macau, Marketing, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, New York, Regulation, Revel, Stanley Ho, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Unite-Here | Comments Off on Icahn leaves Taj workers nostalgic for Trump; Megaresort proposed for NYC

What’s the verdict, Jack, er, Dan?; AGA & NIGA join forces

Posted on July 7, 2016 by David McKee

Cleveland Cavaliers playoff games were good for Dan Gilbert‘s casino businesses. His Jack Cleveland casino was up 13%, to $16 million last month. It’s far too soon for a verdict on the “Jack” (as in “up yours, asshole”) brand, which … Continue reading →

Posted in Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, G2E, Geoff Freeman, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes | Comments Off on What’s the verdict, Jack, er, Dan?; AGA & NIGA join forces

Patient, heal thyself!; Copperfield’s new crib

Posted on July 7, 2016 by David McKee

Seemingly taking its talking points from Gov. Chris Christie (R), the Wall Street Journal opened a can of whup-ass on Atlantic City. (It also tried to drag casino flip-flopper Hillary Clinton into the argument but that was too much of … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Arizona, Atlantic City, Donald Trump, Economy, Regulation, Taxes, Technology | Comments Off on Patient, heal thyself!; Copperfield’s new crib

Rumor du jour

Posted on July 7, 2016 by David McKee

Does imminent doom hover over Excalibur? An S&G source says MGM Resorts International is talking about imploding it and replacing it with a “higher-end resort.” The alleged motivation is to keep up with Steve Wynn and his Wynn Paradise Park … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Dining, Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 2 Comments

Trump’s tribal treachery

Posted on July 5, 2016 by David McKee

As the press continues to dig into Donald Trump‘s past, it’s uncovering activity that is vile even by Trump’s debased standards. Such is the case in his race-baiting campaign against the casino application of the St. Regis Mohawks. Not man … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Donald Trump, Genting, Hard Rock International, International, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Lawrence Ho, Minnesota, New York, PokerStars, Regulation, The Mob, The Strip, Tribal | 1 Comment