Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

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End of an Atlantic City era; Has Macao bottomed out?

Posted on March 1, 2016 by David McKee

Last weekend saw Trump Taj Mahal pass into the hands of Carl Icahn, becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Tropicana Entertainment. That is cause for optimism at the Taj, which has gone from being one of Atlantic City‘s three top … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Donald Trump, Economy, Harrah's, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MTR Gaming, Technology, Tropicana Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Unite-Here, Wall Street | Comments Off on End of an Atlantic City era; Has Macao bottomed out?

Scientific’s surprising results; Gaming advancing in Georgia

Posted on February 26, 2016 by David McKee

An upturn in the replacement cycle (8,990 slots shipped) helped Scientific Games post a 10% revenue increase last quarter. A mix of impairment charges, writedowns and consolidation costs led the mega-supplier to a $128 million loss for the quarter, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Economy, Georgia, Illinois, International, Internet gambling, Macau, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, PokerStars, Problem gambling, Scientific Games, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Technology, Transportation, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Trump plotting Vegas comeback; Mohegan Sun gains Korean foothold

Posted on February 26, 2016 by David McKee

Even after his improbable spate of electoral successes, you have to wonder if Donald Trump is serious about running for president. His attention is already wandering to a market where the art of the deal has not panned out for … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Donald Trump, Downtown, Entertainment, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Mohegan Sun, North Las Vegas, Phil Ruffin, Reno, South Korea, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

High art comes to MGM National Harbor

Posted on February 26, 2016 by David McKee
Posted in Entertainment, Maryland, MGM Mirage | Comments Off on High art comes to MGM National Harbor

Wynn Everett’s uncertain destiny; Buyer for F-blew?

Posted on February 25, 2016 by David McKee

Forget those plans you were making to visit Wynn Everett. The casino resort won’t open until 2019, maybe later. Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone has thrown a monkey wrench into the works with his appeal of Wynn Resorts‘ waterside-construction permit. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Carl Icahn, Environment, Fontainebleau, Macau, Massachusetts, Sheldon Adelson, South Korea, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 1 Comment

Big change for Tropicana; MGM wins in Springfield

Posted on February 24, 2016 by David McKee

Tri-State News, Weather Indiana will have a second land-based casino (three, if Majestic Star gets its way) after the Indiana Gaming Commission looked with favor on the pleas of Tropicana Entertainment and the Evansville city fathers. “That money allows us to buy … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Culinary Union, Don Barden, Economy, Indiana, Majestic Star, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Regulation, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, Unite-Here | Comments Off on Big change for Tropicana; MGM wins in Springfield

Does Gilbert know Jack?; Caesars’ big finish

Posted on February 24, 2016 by David McKee

  Will a Horseshoe by any other name earn as much? We’re going to find out because Rock Gaming owner Dan Gilbert is going to rebrand his casinos under the Jack Entertainment banner, presumably a tip of the hat to … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colorado, Dan Gilbert, Florida, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Marketing, Maryland, Mississippi, Ohio, Penn National, Regulation, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Does Gilbert know Jack?; Caesars’ big finish

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 24, 2016 by David McKee

“I’m not telling you anything.” — Sheldon Adelson, dissing the Wall Street Journal as he hightailed it out of the Republican caucus in his motorized wheelchair. Despite three endorsements from his Las Vegas Review-Journal, Adelson’s candidate, Sen. Marco Rubio (R), … Continue reading →

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

Hanging out with Glenn Straub

Posted on February 22, 2016 by David McKee

Glenn Straub gives The Press of Atlantic City an unguided tour of Revel and it goes somewhat better than the time Straub and an associate locked themselves in the count room and Straub’s sidekick had to get 18 stitches after … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Glenn Straub, Revel | Comments Off on Hanging out with Glenn Straub

Scarlet Pearl a hit; Adelson plays for time

Posted on February 22, 2016 by David McKee

Gulf Coast casino revenues grew 15% last month, topping the $100 million mark for the first time in eight years. Newbie Scarlet Pearl Casino is getting the credit for growing the market in such a dramatic fashion. Despite a decline … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Macau, Mississippi, New York, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off on Scarlet Pearl a hit; Adelson plays for time

Gaming companies seek to hide financial results; Murren bullish on MGM

Posted on February 22, 2016 by David McKee

When the gaming industry speaks, Frank Schreck‘s lips move. His latest move is to propose a removal of the transparency that applies to casinos owned by investment banks and funds, such as the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and SLS … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Economy, Florida, Hard Rock Hotel, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Regulation, SLS Las Vegas, The Strip | Comments Off on Gaming companies seek to hide financial results; Murren bullish on MGM

Seminole Christmas tree in Florida; Free money for California ponies

Posted on February 22, 2016 by David McKee

Pot or gambling? That’s the choice Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) faces in newly discovered documents from 2014, in which the Poarch Band of Creek Indians seeks a casino on a one-acre parcel near Pensacola in return of $1 billion … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, California, Dining, Downtown, Entertainment, Florida, Internet gambling, Politics, Tourism, Tribal | Comments Off on Seminole Christmas tree in Florida; Free money for California ponies

End of Caesars bankruptcy in sight?; Seminole compact upsized

Posted on February 19, 2016 by David McKee

One year and millions of pages of documents later, we’re nearing resolution in Richard Davis‘ investigation of the Caesars Entertainment bankruptcy. His report on the company’s attempted restructuring is due at year’s end. At its heart will be several controversial … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Harrah's, Horseracing, Massachusetts, Penn National, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Sports, Steve Wynn, Technology | Comments Off on End of Caesars bankruptcy in sight?; Seminole compact upsized

Banner week for Wynn, Station; Life after Macao for MGM

Posted on February 19, 2016 by David McKee

Station Casinos closed out the year on a strong note, posting its 11th straight quarter of net revenue growth and 19th of improved cash flow. It marked blue-ribbon finish to a year that saw the highest revenues for the company … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Detroit, Harrah's, Macau, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 19, 2016 by David McKee

“The market is simply oversaturated. All we’re doing by opening a new casino is shuffling the deck and moving people who are already gambling to a new spot.” — New Jersey Assemblyman Chris Brown (R), on casino expansion away from Atlantic … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Economy | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

If at first you don’t succeed …

Posted on February 18, 2016 by David McKee

… try, try, try, try, try again. That’s the New Hampshire Lege, making its umpteenth attempt to legalize casino gambling. State Sen. Lou D’Allesandro (D) has crafted a bill that would bring VLTs and table games to Salem. The bill … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, California, Georgia, Harrah's, Horseracing, International, MGM Mirage, New Hampshire, Penn National, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal | Comments Off on If at first you don’t succeed …

New Jersey resumes sports-betting push; Sheldon Adelson gets his man

Posted on February 18, 2016 by David McKee

New Jersey is hoping the third time is the charm in its attempt to get sports betting OK’d by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. With four major sporting leagues and the NCAA aligned against it, New Jersey’s is a … Continue reading →

Posted in ABBA, Atlantic City, Donald Trump, Election, Entertainment, International, Internet gambling, Macau, MGM Mirage, Pansy Ho, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, The Strip | Comments Off on New Jersey resumes sports-betting push; Sheldon Adelson gets his man

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 18, 2016 by David McKee

“A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian. This is not in the gospel.” — Pope Francis, on the subject of Donald Trump.

Posted in Election, International | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Wall Street loves it some Boyd; Wolf at the door

Posted on February 17, 2016 by David McKee

Boyd Gaming came out with its figures for 4Q15 and Wall Street is fairly singing the company’s praises. “We believe that BYD’s diversified, domestic regional gaming portfolio should continue to benefit from continued U.S. jobs growth and lower gas prices. … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Downtown, Greenwood Racing, Hawaii, Internet gambling, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mohegan Sun, Pennsylvania, PokerStars, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Technology, Transportation, Wall Street | Comments Off on Wall Street loves it some Boyd; Wolf at the door

Plainridge bounces back; Unhappy new year in Louisiana

Posted on February 16, 2016 by David McKee

Penn National Gaming has been rather defensive — and understandably so — about the performance of Plainridge Park, which has seen business steadily decline from month to month. However, Penn reversed the slippage last month, increasing revenues 11%. Penn spent … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Harrah's, Louisiana, Marketing, Massachusetts, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Tilman Fertitta | Comments Off on Plainridge bounces back; Unhappy new year in Louisiana