Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

Bio

Murren takes sanguine view; Straub’s struggles

Posted on April 30, 2015 by David McKee

With MGM Resorts International having rejected one REIT proposal, in part because it relied too much on asset sales, Union Gaming is teeing up another. It’s not providing specifics but says it would provide “additional financial flexibility without the disruption of … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Japan, Macau, MGM Mirage, Politics, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, South Carolina, Sports, Technology, Transportation, Wall Street | Comments Off on Murren takes sanguine view; Straub’s struggles

The perils of Pence; Court prods Caesars

Posted on April 30, 2015 by David McKee

Indiana‘s casinos are now officially at the mercy of Gov. Mike Pence (R). The Hoosier State’s General Assembly passed a compromise bill that has something for the casinos (transplanting to terra firma) and something for Pence, namely a five-year moratorium on … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Entertainment, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, Planet Hollywood, Politics, Racinos, Riviera, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on The perils of Pence; Court prods Caesars

MayPac: Winners and losers; Adelson, Wynn take big hits

Posted on April 30, 2015 by David McKee

Not a punch has been thrown yet but already we know some things about the outcome of the hype-driven Floyd “Money” Mayweather and Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao fight, including the fact that with guaranteed purses for both fighters, they win just … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, New Hampshire, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on MayPac: Winners and losers; Adelson, Wynn take big hits

Nothing’s easy at Revel; Death sentence for Harrah’s Tunica

Posted on April 29, 2015 by David McKee

“What am I going to do with this stuff with no electricity, no heat, no air conditioning? These people just give me so many roadblocks.” So complained Glenn Straub after New Jersey‘s Division of Gaming Enforcement ordered him to post guards … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Genting, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, Mississippi, Regulation, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Trump Entertainment Resorts | 1 Comment

Penn nabs the Trop; Smog City

Posted on April 29, 2015 by David McKee

After years of hinting, feinting and fanning the flames of speculation, Penn National Gaming went out and bought its long-desired Strip casino: Tropicana Resort & Casino. The old gal has had difficulties keeping up with the times but Union Gaming … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Carl Icahn, Environment, Fontainebleau, GLPI, M Resort, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 29, 2015 by David McKee

“Outside the cabaret now called Le Bistro Lounge, however, the Riviera looked seedy, its decor suggesting that Jimmy Carter was still in the White House: pinball machines, worn carpet, old men in wheelchairs and oxygen masks joylessly playing the slot … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Riviera, The Strip | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Tomato cans KO S&G

Posted on April 29, 2015 by David McKee

As a growing anticipation of mob violence grips Las Vegas in advance of the “Pretty Boy Floyd” Mayweather/Manny Pacquiao fight, I’m at work on a feature about fight security. That’s taken me away from S&G duty but I’ll back soon, … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Penn National, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Tomato cans KO S&G

Macao casinos feel the heat; $41 million jackpot voided

Posted on April 27, 2015 by David McKee

When the government of Macao makes a suggestion, it’s more like an order. For instance, last week, Secretary for Economy & Finance Lionel Leong summoned representatives of all six casino concessionaires to a meeting in which he ‘requested’ increased hiring and … Continue reading →

Posted in Aristocrat, Economy, Iowa, Isle of Capri, Macau, Marketing, Maryland, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off on Macao casinos feel the heat; $41 million jackpot voided

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 27, 2015 by David McKee

“Nevada history is festooned with big bosses and bullies, men who lease the Legislature and occupant of the Governor’s Mansion for pet purposes. [Steve] Wynn isn’t the first, but he certainly ranks among the most prolific practitioners of the political … Continue reading →

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

Indian givers on Capitol Hill; Revel powers up

Posted on April 27, 2015 by David McKee

Arizona‘s congressional delegation is willing to gamble $1 billion of your and my dollars to keep the Tohono O’odham Nation from having a casino. At the moment, Sen. John McCain (R) and his junior henchmen are plotting to stick their … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Glenn Straub, Internet gambling, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, South Korea, Tribal | Comments Off on Indian givers on Capitol Hill; Revel powers up

Elaine Wynn has left the building

Posted on April 24, 2015 by David McKee

Votes are still being audited but the bottom line from Wynn Resorts‘ board election is this: Elaine Wynn is out and the company’s two preferred candidates have been reelected. “The manner in which the existing board has handled the company’s third-largest … Continue reading →

Posted in Macau, Politics, Steve Wynn, The Strip, TV, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Caesars and Gilbert, separate but together

Posted on April 24, 2015 by David McKee

Dan Gilbert‘s ThistleDown Racino has been losing business to Hard Rock Rocksino, so Gilbert is pushing back with $70 million in upgrades. “Our initial investment in ThistleDown has been a tremendous success and now we’re ready to introduce a new level … Continue reading →

Posted in Dan Gilbert, Delaware, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Maryland, Ohio, Regulation | Comments Off on Caesars and Gilbert, separate but together

Shame on Arizona; Big plans for Gold Strike

Posted on April 24, 2015 by David McKee

With Gov. Doug Ducey opposed, along with a state gaming agency that refuses to OK its casino, the Tohono O’odham Nation has to decide whether to insist upon a December opening or bow to the state’s objections. Despite having lost time … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Politics, Regulation, Rhode Island, Tribal | Comments Off on Shame on Arizona; Big plans for Gold Strike

Tribal tensions in Indiana; Mississippi tapped out?

Posted on April 23, 2015 by David McKee

Indiana legislators are making it more difficult for the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians to reach a compact with Gov. Mike Pence (R), according to the tribe, which charges lawmakers with meddling in the compacting process. The Pokagon Band, which owns … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Harrah's, Indiana, Maine, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Tribal | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 23, 2015 by David McKee

“It’s very difficult to make predictions, particularly about the future.” — Sheldon Adelson, delivering the malapropism of the year, with regard to his Macao casinos. In other Adelson news, the mogul’s bromance with Sen. Marco Rubio (R) is heating up.

Posted in Florida, Macau, Politics, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Sands, Penn and Pinnacle report

Posted on April 23, 2015 by David McKee

“Tough to find positives … worse than feared” were the attention-grabbing headlines on Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli‘s summary of Las Vegas Sands‘ first-quarter report. Of the crisis in Macao, he wrote, “While management remains optimistic with respect to cost … Continue reading →

Posted in California, GLPI, Indiana, Louisiana, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Sands, Penn and Pinnacle report

Revel’s Faustian pact; Hope fades in Florida

Posted on April 22, 2015 by David McKee

Glenn Straub finally got what he wanted, the right to ixnay the contracts of all the tenants at Revel, aka Polo North. After much hesitation during the constipated bankruptcy sale, Judge Gloria Burns finally ruled against the leaseholders, meaning the brawl … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Environment, Florida, Glenn Straub, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Revel, Steve Wynn, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Revel’s Faustian pact; Hope fades in Florida

Problems for the Pequots, Mohegans; Twin River looks north

Posted on April 22, 2015 by David McKee

A legislative attempt to add three Mashantucket Pequot/Mohegan tribal casinos in Connecticut is running into a buzz saw of legal problems … or at least questions. Since the casinos are gift-wrapped for the tribes in question, state Attorney General George … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Foxwoods, Harrah's, Macau, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Rhode Island, South Korea | Comments Off on Problems for the Pequots, Mohegans; Twin River looks north

Phua case goes “poof!”; Texas casinos a mission impossible

Posted on April 20, 2015 by David McKee

A federal case against an unlicensed, do-it-yourself sports book collapsed like a pup tent when a federal judge tossed out both the premise of an FBI search and, by extension, the evidence gathered therefrom. In a warrantless search, G-men cut … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Environment, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Iowa, Louisiana, Politics, Problem gambling, Racinos, Regulation, Texas, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Phua case goes “poof!”; Texas casinos a mission impossible

Caesars’ ordeal drags on; Adelson wants more

Posted on April 20, 2015 by David McKee

Our long national nightmare — otherwise known as the Caesars Entertainment bankruptcy — will be with us a lot longer: six months, to be precise. Caesars has requested, and is expected to get, an extension until Nov. 15 to file … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Economy, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Macau, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Wall Street | Comments Off on Caesars’ ordeal drags on; Adelson wants more