Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

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Quote of the Day

Posted on April 13, 2016 by David McKee

“This casino project takes a significant piece of property off the tax rolls, and this is a problem for a county that has the dubious distinction of having the highest percentage of tax-exempt properties in the whole state. I think if … Continue reading →

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

Internet gaming backstops Atlantic City; Swordplay in Vegas

Posted on April 13, 2016 by David McKee

Traditional casino revenue fell 2% last month in Atlantic City but online winning were up 18%. The entry of PokerStars wasn’t immediately felt, as Resorts Digital‘s market share stood at 12%. behind Borgata ($4 million, 28%), Caesars Interactive (20%), Golden … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Carl Icahn, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, history, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, PokerStars, Reno, Revel, Riviera, Sheldon Adelson, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Internet gaming backstops Atlantic City; Swordplay in Vegas

Sexcapade case closed; GLPI/Pinnacle deal a certainty

Posted on April 12, 2016 by David McKee

Followers of jurisprudence will be denied one of the more prurient evidentiary hearings in history now that Vegas High Roller sexpot Chloe Scordianos has decided to plead guilty to disorderly conduct rather than face trial for committing sex acts in … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Architecture, Entertainment, Environment, GLPI, Harrah's, history, Illinois, Law enforcement, Missouri, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Riviera, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Sexcapade case closed; GLPI/Pinnacle deal a certainty

Lobbyists win in Atlantic City fight; Untimely reprimand for Bluhm

Posted on April 12, 2016 by David McKee

As Atlantic City fights to maintain its monopoly on casino gambling in New Jersey, it’s getting a lot of help from casino companies themselves — and lobbyists are making out like bandits. The biggest spender to date has been Caesars … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Australia, Boyd Gaming, Downtown, Election, Entertainment, Genting, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Illinois, LVCVA, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal | Comments Off on Lobbyists win in Atlantic City fight; Untimely reprimand for Bluhm

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 12, 2016 by David McKee

“The machines are in there and if people choose to play them, they play at their own risk. It’s the same principle of buying a lottery ticket. You’re hoping your numbers come up just like on a video gaming machine.” — … Continue reading →

Posted in Illinois, Slot routes | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Good year for Atlantic City; Sands slapped with fine

Posted on April 12, 2016 by David McKee

Free market forces did what governmental intervention and flashy marketing campaigns could not: They steadied Atlantic City‘s casino economy. With the dead weight of four casinos — Revel, Showboat, Atlantic Club and Trump Plaza — jettisoned, profits not only steadied, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Carl Icahn, Dining, Economy, Environment, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Macau, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, PokerStars, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Steve Wynn, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off on Good year for Atlantic City; Sands slapped with fine

DFS dealt twin setbacks; Stalemate over Atlantic City

Posted on April 11, 2016 by David McKee

“As attorney general, it is my duty to uphold Alabama law, including the laws against illegal gambling. Daily fantasy sports operators claim that they operate legally under Alabama law. However, paid daily fantasy sports contests are in fact illegal gambling … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Downtown, Economy, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, Politics, Sports, Steve Wynn, Taxes | Comments Off on DFS dealt twin setbacks; Stalemate over Atlantic City

Penn talks turkey; Celebrity brawl at Aria

Posted on April 11, 2016 by David McKee

Next week Penn National Gaming turns on the Marquee Rewards spigot at the Tropicana Las Vegas. Given some of management’s recent disclosures, it won’t come a day too soon: 85% of Penn’s customer base comes to Sin City but stays … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Cordish Co., Full House Resorts, Harrah's, Indiana, Isle of Capri, Majestic Star, Marketing, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street, West Virginia | 1 Comment

Penn trumps Caesars in Ohio

Posted on April 7, 2016 by David McKee

Hard Rock Rocksino regained its top spot in Ohio last month, grossing just over $20 million (+9%). Just imagine what it could do if it had table games. The Caesars Entertainment/Dan Gilbert trifecta continued to underperform, with a flat month … Continue reading →

Posted in Dan Gilbert, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Taxes, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Penn trumps Caesars in Ohio

Unhappy Easter in Illinois; Money-laundering mess in Sparks

Posted on April 7, 2016 by David McKee

Easter, if you can believe it, is being blamed for a 2% decline in Illinois casino revenues last month. Argosy Belle continued to be the problem child of the state, down 13% (to $5 million). Slot-route competition continued to do … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Cordish Co., Dan Gilbert, GLPI, Harrah's, Illinois, International, Internet gambling, Laughlin, Law enforcement, Macau, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, Riviera, The Strip, Tourism | 1 Comment

Wynn’s big surprise; T-Mobile disappoints

Posted on April 7, 2016 by David McKee

As though seeking to steal the thunder from T-Mobile Arena, the ever-clever Steve Wynn used yesterday’s earnings call investor showcase to roll out a new project. If you have a spare $500, then use it to play Wynn Golf Club as … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Entertainment, Genting, James Packer, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Sam Nazarian, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street, Wayne F. Newton | 1 Comment

Wynn vs. Wynn II; T-Mobile Arena arrives

Posted on April 6, 2016 by David McKee

You’ve got to hand this to Elaine Wynn: She doesn’t give up easily. Her attorneys have filed their no less than fifth amended complaint and counterclaim. It references depositions from several Wynn Resorts board members, including former Nevada Gov. Bob Miller. It … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Entertainment, history, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, SLS Las Vegas, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Strip | Comments Off on Wynn vs. Wynn II; T-Mobile Arena arrives

Genting comes to Massachusetts; Trump impasse on the Strip

Posted on April 5, 2016 by David McKee

As the Mashpee Wampanoag were preparing to break ground on Project First Light, halfway around the world Genting Malaysia was revealing the details of its management contract with the tribe. Genting holds a seven-year pact, by way of its Genting … Continue reading →

Posted in Culinary Union, Donald Trump, Election, Genting, Geoff Freeman, Massachusetts, Penn National, Phil Ruffin, Sports, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Genting comes to Massachusetts; Trump impasse on the Strip

Freeman rakes Wolf; The delights and dangers of DFS

Posted on April 5, 2016 by David McKee

American Gaming Association President Geoff Freeman is throwing down against Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) and the latter’s desire to tax casino free play. If Wolf’s proposal had been in effect last year, the state would have netted slightly less … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Geoff Freeman, Illinois, International, Internet gambling, Marketing, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, PokerStars, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off on Freeman rakes Wolf; The delights and dangers of DFS

Shady dealings in D.C.; New bromance between GLPI and Pinnacle

Posted on April 4, 2016 by David McKee

Voters in Washington, D.C., could find themselves voting on a casino initiative this November. A 9,000-square-foot gambling house has been proposed for Anacostia. It would have slots, blackjack and other table games but, strangely enough, no slots or electronic table … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Delaware, Election, Florida, GLPI, International, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal | 1 Comment

Wynn vs. Wynn; ‘Believe’ gets a new name, focus

Posted on April 4, 2016 by David McKee

More details of Elaine Wynn‘s lawsuit against Wynn Resorts, CEO Steve Wynn and General Counsel Kim Sinatra are emerging. She barrages the three with a litany of complaints, one of which seems to imply that her ex got a company … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cirque du Soleil, Election, Entertainment, Harrah's, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, New York, Politics, Regulation, Steve Wynn, The Strip | Comments Off on Wynn vs. Wynn; ‘Believe’ gets a new name, focus

Complications at the Riviera; PokerStars a hit in New Jersey

Posted on April 1, 2016 by David McKee

Implosion of the Riviera could occur as early as June, so doesn’t hesitate to have your  picture taken in front of it. However, the timeline could be extended by a number of complications. Now that a demolition firm has been … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Internet gambling, LVCVA, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Oklahoma, Penn National, Regulation, Riviera, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Complications at the Riviera; PokerStars a hit in New Jersey

Strong month for the Strip; Tohono O’odham win big-time

Posted on April 1, 2016 by David McKee

February gaming revenues were 8% higher in Nevada (to $990 million), with a 7% increase on the Las Vegas Strip. Locals-casino revenue rose 11%, driven in part by 4% more coin-in and 8% greater table play. Slot revenue on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Boulder Strip, California, Downtown, Economy, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Macau, North Las Vegas, Politics, Reno, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal | 1 Comment

Steve and Elaine: At it again

Posted on March 29, 2016 by David McKee

Elaine Wynn has a message for the Wynn Resorts board of directors, on which she used to sit: Set my stock free! She has filed a lawsuit to that effect, arguing that since Kazuo Okada has been ousted from the … Continue reading →

Posted in Louisiana, Steve Wynn, Tourism | Comments Off on Steve and Elaine: At it again

Perversity in Macao; MGM Springfield gets underway

Posted on March 29, 2016 by David McKee

In a seemingly perverse move, Macao Chief Executive Fernando Chui rejected a lifeline that the Beijing government was trying to throw to his city. The former had announced its intention to “optimize and adjust” the Individual Visit Scheme that brings … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Economy, Florida, Foxwoods, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Taxes, Tourism, Tribal | 1 Comment