Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

Bio

Top Golf’s impressive debut; Lucky Dragon’s calculated risk

Posted on May 18, 2016 by David McKee

“My only problem is A.D.D.” read the T-shirt of one of the celebrants at last night’s opening of Top Golf, on the MGM Grand campus. He was certainly in the right place. If you are serious about honing your skills, … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Entertainment, Foxwoods, G2E, Geoff Freeman, Illinois, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Lucky Dragon, Macau, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, SLS Las Vegas, Sports, Station Casinos, Technology, The Strip | Comments Off on Top Golf’s impressive debut; Lucky Dragon’s calculated risk

Quote of the Day

Posted on May 16, 2016 by David McKee

“We can’t be trapped in a 40-year-old [gaming] paradigm … It very well may be that it is an athletic event.” — Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval (R), on the quandary posed by e-sports, which his Nevada Gaming Policy Committee is pondering whether … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Regulation, Sports, Technology, The Strip | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Adelson bill makes unwelcome return; Downtown Vegas’ new face

Posted on May 16, 2016 by David McKee

His presidential aspirations having turned to dust, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R) is back to doing Sheldon Adelson‘s business, resurrecting RAWA. He has appended to an unrelated spending bill the following language: “Internet Gambling—Since 1961, the Wire Act has prohibited nearly all … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Dining, Downtown, Entertainment, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, PokerStars, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | Comments Off on Adelson bill makes unwelcome return; Downtown Vegas’ new face

MGM prevails, Wynn slowed in Massachusetts

Posted on May 13, 2016 by David McKee

Bowing to the inevitable, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission ratified MGM Resorts International‘s redesign of MGM Springfield, on which the casino company is already hard at work. What was the MGC to do? Tell MGM to go back to Square One? … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Environment, International, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Transportation, Tribal | Comments Off on MGM prevails, Wynn slowed in Massachusetts

Weidner headed to Vietnam?; Nazarian on the rebound

Posted on May 13, 2016 by David McKee

William Weidner hasn’t finished Lucky Dragon Casino yet and he’s already flashing some leg at the Vietnamese government (or so it appears), seeking a $4 billion casino megaresort in Ho Chi Minh City (to most us, Saigon). Financing Lucky Dragon … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Hard Rock Hotel, International, Lucky Dragon, Macau, Marketing, Morgans Hotel Group, Palms, Regulation, Sam Nazarian, Station Casinos, Wall Street | Comments Off on Weidner headed to Vietnam?; Nazarian on the rebound

Quote of the Day

Posted on May 12, 2016 by David McKee

“Tribes are sovereign. But their casinos employ non-Indian workers. One argument used to sell casinos to the public is that they provide jobs. Those jobs should come with basic protections afforded by federal law.” — the Sacramento Bee on HR … Continue reading →

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

Poker Stars changes Atlantic City landscape; MGM budges (slightly) on parking fees

Posted on May 12, 2016 by David McKee

An extra month helped Atlantic City post a banner April, up 6%. Citywide, 5% higher slot handle produced a corresponding increase in revenue, while 4.5% table-game wagering translated into 10% more winnings for the house. Borgata ($56 million) was up … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Iowa, Isle of Capri, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Pinnacle Entertainment, PokerStars, Racinos, Sports, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment, Warner Gaming | Comments Off on Poker Stars changes Atlantic City landscape; MGM budges (slightly) on parking fees

Palms purchase confirmed; Adelson gets rapped

Posted on May 12, 2016 by David McKee

It’s official: Red Rock Resorts has purchased The Palms for $312.5 million. It got a bargain when one considers the inventory that comes with the deal — the Palms Place condo tower, 710 hotel rooms, 85 of the most famous … Continue reading →

Posted in Culinary Union, Economy, Law enforcement, Macau, Palms, Philippines, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, The Strip | 1 Comment

Balmy spring for Ohio, Missouri; Pinnacle beats estimates

Posted on May 10, 2016 by David McKee

Ohio had a particularly good April, with gaming revenue up 9%. Coin-in rose 8% at the slots while table game revenue was up 5% despite 3% less wagering. Penn National Gaming, Caesars Entertainment and Pinnacle Entertainment all posted revenue-positive months, … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, Golden Gaming, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Missouri, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off on Balmy spring for Ohio, Missouri; Pinnacle beats estimates

Macao: No more tables for you

Posted on May 9, 2016 by David McKee

When Macao authorities imposed caps on table-game allotments, Western casino companies condescendingly said that the Chinese didn’t really mean it and would lift the caps as the Cotai Strip was built out. Guess again. Secretary for Economy & Finance Lionel Leong said … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Harrah's, Macau, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Macao: No more tables for you

Wynn thinks even bigger; Showdown looming in Atlantic City

Posted on May 9, 2016 by David McKee

Perhaps to provide a diversion from a flat first quarter, Steve Wynn has been tinkering with the plans for Wynn Paradise Park, making them more grandiose. That modest little island in the middle of the lagoon has swelled into an … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Economy, Genting, James Packer, SLS Las Vegas, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment, Unite-Here | 1 Comment

Station snapping up Palms?

Posted on May 9, 2016 by David McKee

Just when you thought Station Casinos was taking a nap, it up and surprises you. According to LVA sources, Station has purchased the Palms, bringing it nearer the Strip than ever and lending an extra cachet of hipness to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Columbia Sussex, George Maloof, history, North Las Vegas, Palms, Station Casinos, The Strip | Comments Off on Station snapping up Palms?

Warm spring for Indiana; Trouble ahead for Packer and Ho

Posted on May 9, 2016 by David McKee

While Illinois casinos were flat last month, the action was livelier next door in Indiana. Admissions declined 4%, meaning that players were spending 9%, as casino revenues rose 5%. The percentage champion was Tropicana Evansville, up 17% on an $11 … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Donald Trump, Full House Resorts, Harrah's, Indiana, International, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Majestic Star, Melco Crown Entertainment, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | 1 Comment

MGM wows Wall Street; Lucky Dragon clears major hurdle

Posted on May 6, 2016 by David McKee

Stock analysts were expecting MGM Resorts International to report 1Q16 cash flow of $590 million but the lion overshot projections, bringing in the sheaves to the tune of $618 million. JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff credited much of the success … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Detroit, Entertainment, James Packer, Lucky Dragon, LVCVA, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Sheldon Adelson, SLS Las Vegas, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on MGM wows Wall Street; Lucky Dragon clears major hurdle

Quote of the Day

Posted on May 3, 2016 by David McKee

“It’s unclear, and if you’re going to take away somebody’s liberty, you better be very clear it’s against the law.” — South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley, on why he doesn’t prosecute online sports bettors.

Posted in Internet gambling, South Dakota, Sports | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Wampanoags’ patience rewarded; March Mildness at Vegas sports books

Posted on May 3, 2016 by David McKee

Those who set store by the fable of the tortoise and the hare can take heart from the saga of the Mashpee Wampanoag. It took them a long time to get their act together, federal land-in-trust approval seemed unlikely and … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Economy, history, Massachusetts, Politics, Regulation, Sports, Tribal | Comments Off on Wampanoags’ patience rewarded; March Mildness at Vegas sports books

Quote of the Day

Posted on May 2, 2016 by David McKee

“It used to be, when we talked about a pro team coming to Las Vegas, gambling was the No. 1 issue. Now it’s on the backburner.” — Westgate Las Vegas Sportsbook Director Jay Kornegay on NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell‘s softening of … Continue reading →

Posted in Sports, Westgate LV | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Dicey casino drive calls it quits; Steve Wynn’s newest mousetrap

Posted on May 2, 2016 by David McKee

Casino speculator Shawn Scott is skulking out of Maine, his attorney having withdrawn an appeal of Superior Court Justice Michaela Murphy’s ruling on the (in)validity of petitions filed by Scott and his sister Lisa, who was bankrolling the referendum drive. … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Economy, Election, Encore, Entertainment, Kansas, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Macau, Maine, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Sports, Steve Wynn, Tribal | Comments Off on Dicey casino drive calls it quits; Steve Wynn’s newest mousetrap

Brockton casino nixed; The sleeping tiger

Posted on May 2, 2016 by David McKee

An “uninspiring” design and a lack of a solid Brockton business plan scuppered Neil Bluhm‘s ambitions in Massachusetts. The state’s gaming commission voted his proposal down, 4-1. “If this were a knockout proposal and a great strategy to lift Brockton, this … Continue reading →

Posted in Delaware, Economy, International, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Taxes, Tribal | 2 Comments

Case Bets: California, Florida, Minnesota, Macao

Posted on April 28, 2016 by David McKee

In a dramatic development, the six-tribe coalition that opposed letting PokerStars into California stood aside, clearing the path to unanimous approval by the Assembly Governmental Organization Committee of a bill by state Rep. Adam Gray that would legalize online poker in … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Election, Florida, Galaxy Entertainment, history, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Macau, Minnesota, PokerStars, Politics, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off on Case Bets: California, Florida, Minnesota, Macao