Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

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Tightening the screws on Macao; While we were in recess

Posted on April 15, 2015 by David McKee

In what may come as bad news to casino operators, the Macao government is placing a quota on the number of mainland visitors the gaming enclave will allow per year: 21 million. On the other hand, the government is pivoting … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Environment, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, LVCVA, Macau, Marketing, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Stanley Ho, Technology, Tourism | 2 Comments

Trump blocks progress in Atlantic City; Legal trouble for Penn

Posted on April 15, 2015 by David McKee

Although they enjoyed a same-store increase of 1% last month, Atlantic City casinos pulled in 14% less than last year at this time, grossing $191 million (more than some entire Midwestern states, it should be noted). Twelve percent less coin-in … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Kansas, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Revel, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off on Trump blocks progress in Atlantic City; Legal trouble for Penn

Freeman takes aim; Pinnacle commands high price

Posted on April 15, 2015 by David McKee

Geoff Freeman continues his aggressive agenda at the American Gaming Association. In a move possibly intended to take the heat off American online casinos, he’ll calling for — and promising the AGA will take the lead in — a beatdown … Continue reading →

Posted in Geoff Freeman, GLPI, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Taxes, Wall Street | Comments Off on Freeman takes aim; Pinnacle commands high price

Revel: Crippled giant; Tough choice in Indiana

Posted on April 13, 2015 by David McKee

It may feel good for Glenn Straub to spit defiance (“We will never give in to blackmail. Let them dig their own grave, along with endangering other peoples’ lives.”) at the ACR power plant that just cut off water and … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Economy, Glenn Straub, Indiana, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Politics, Revel, The Strip | 1 Comment

Pansy Ho on the campaign trail; Connecticut tribes optimistic

Posted on April 13, 2015 by David McKee

MGM China would probably prefer that its co-chairwoman, Pansy Ho, stay out of the headlines, considering the negative publicity she’s generated over the years. But she opened up to the media this week, specifically the newspaper of which she is … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Entertainment, Foxwoods, Hooters, Internet gambling, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Movies, Palms, Pansy Ho, Pennsylvania, Regulation, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on Pansy Ho on the campaign trail; Connecticut tribes optimistic

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 13, 2015 by David McKee

“This is the last thing we want. But this guy … I don’t know what to believe. He wants us to provide free power. Glenn Straub doesn’t want to pay anything. He bought Showboat and he thinks he’s going to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Glenn Straub, Revel | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

No megaresorts in Florida’s future; Big experiment at Sands Bethlehem

Posted on April 8, 2015 by David McKee

Bowing to political realities, Florida state Rep. Dana Young (R, left) has Slim-Fasted her omnibus gambling-expansion bill from 300 pages to 60. Among the items gone into the shredder was a provision for two casino megaresorts in South Florida. So, … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Atlantic City, Entertainment, Florida, Genting, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Taxes, Technology | 1 Comment

Good year for Atlantic City

Posted on April 8, 2015 by David McKee

Boardwalker boosters like Glenn Straub who says Atlantic City‘s still got plenty of life in it can point to today’s headlines: The city’s casinos increased their operating profit last year by 45%. Unless you count the defunct Revel (-$48.5 million) … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Economy, Entertainment, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, New York, Revel, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Trump Entertainment Resorts | 1 Comment

Misery in Macao; Penn’s good fortune

Posted on April 7, 2015 by David McKee

Macao took such a hard hit last month that distinction lies not in which casino did best but whose business was least bad. And, with the territorial government promising to help Peking further ratchet up its anti-graft campaign, Operation Skynet, … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Economy, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Illinois, Macau, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Ohio, Penn National, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Misery in Macao; Penn’s good fortune

Paradox in Maryland; Otter saves “instant racing”

Posted on April 7, 2015 by David McKee

While its competitors dealt with a variety of revenue declines, despite posting a record amount of revenue, Horseshoe Baltimore was up in March, grossing a best-yet $25 million. On a statewide basis, revenue was 17% higher last month. However, casinos … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., GTECH, Harrah's, Horseracing, Idaho, IGT, Maryland, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, Reno, Tribal, World Series of Poker | Comments Off on Paradox in Maryland; Otter saves “instant racing”

Who is Glenn Straub?; Tribal desperation in Texas

Posted on April 7, 2015 by David McKee

He’s a specialist in buying and (sometimes) turning around distressed properties, it would seem. He’s also characterized as a hard-charging businessman who leaves bruised feelings in his wake. “He’s not someone who’s going to consider the other person’s point of view. … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Florida, Glenn Straub, Louisiana, Politics, Revel, Texas, Tribal, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off on Who is Glenn Straub?; Tribal desperation in Texas

Reid-Adelson lovefest; Massachusetts meddling

Posted on April 7, 2015 by David McKee

Now that he’s no longer standing for reelection, Sen. Harry Reid (D) has flung himself fully into the arms of Sheldon Adelson, calling for a ban on online gambling that might even extend to Nevada‘s fledgling I-poker industry (although Reid’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, CityCenter, Harry Reid, Illinois, Internet gambling, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Politics, Regulation, Rhode Island, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Reid-Adelson lovefest; Massachusetts meddling

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 6, 2015 by David McKee

“We’ve spent six months where we could have been building Atlantic City. We’ve been waiting for Godot instead of building Atlantic City, and Godot isn’t showing up, with all due respect to any attorneys representing Godot.” — Glenn Straub attorney Stuart … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Glenn Straub, Revel | 1 Comment

Disney dives into gambling; Death at M Resort

Posted on April 6, 2015 by David McKee

Gambling really is the all-American pastime now that Walt Disney Co. is buying a $250 million piece of for-money fantasy league DraftKings. The agreement commits Disney to buy $500 million in advertising time and imagery on a variety of ESPN … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Harrah's, M Resort, Penn National, Politics, Sports, Tribal, TV | 1 Comment

Wynn Everett halted, board election blasted

Posted on April 6, 2015 by David McKee

It looks like Wynn Resorts jumped the gun, purchasing land from the MBTA without getting the go-ahead from Secretary of Energy & Environmental Affairs Matthew Beaton beforehand. Although Wynn was found to be “suitable on substantially all of the 59 conditions,” construction work … Continue reading →

Posted in Massachusetts, Steve Wynn, Transportation, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Our long Revel nightmare is over; Big brawl at Resorts World

Posted on April 6, 2015 by David McKee

It only took five tries but it looks like Revel finally belongs to Glenn Straub, the latter having dropped his insistence that it be sold to him free and clear. Now we’ll see if he’s like the dog who caught … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Genting, Glenn Straub, New York, Revel, Trump Entertainment Resorts | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 1, 2015 by David McKee

“We believe a federal ban of online gaming is unlikely given legislators’ split views. However, a recent hearing in a House Judiciary subcommittee on [Rep.] Jason Chaffetz’s proposal for a ban suggests it could be gaining momentum. While the bill may … Continue reading →

Posted in Internet gambling, Politics, Wall Street | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Revel: Straub checkmated?; New player in Indiana

Posted on April 1, 2015 by David McKee

By reaching an accord with Revel tenants, East Coast developers Howard Milstein and Carl Goldberg may have aced Glenn Straub for the dubious trophy that is Revel. They’re bidding $88 million for the property, potentially leaving Straub to fall back … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Economy, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, Indiana, Revel, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Lone Star illegality; Showboat hits shoals

Posted on April 1, 2015 by David McKee

Texas lacks the will to legalize casino gambling, yet it shrugs off a black-market version of it that is estimated to generate $1.9 billion a year. Under Texas law, you can own slot machines so long as their “payout” is … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Derek Stevens, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, Regulation, Sports, Texas, Tilman Fertitta, TV, Unite-Here | 1 Comment

Penn National exits major project

Posted on March 31, 2015 by David McKee

There’s one casino license left in Pennsylvania but favorite son Penn National Gaming won’t be the one developing it. “We are disappointed to be withdrawing from this project. However, given the continued softness in the economy and the level of market saturation … Continue reading →

Posted in Cannery Casino Resorts, Foxwoods, GLPI, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Technology, Tribal | Comments Off on Penn National exits major project