Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

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Fly Mohegan; End of an era; Washington takes up i-gaming

Posted on January 13, 2015 by David McKee

“Never before has a traveler been able to leave New York City, fly to Mohegan [Sun], enjoy a world class show, have a terrific dining experience, play in the casino and be back home … by midnight.” So says Fly Blade … Continue reading →

Posted in Dubai, Genting, history, Internet gambling, Mohegan Sun, Pansy Ho, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Transportation | 1 Comment

Start making sense; Walker dodges a bullet

Posted on January 12, 2015 by David McKee

“Indianapolis is making it impossible to run cities,” complains Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr., who’s nettled by a proposal to eliminate the $3 admission fees Indiana casinos pay on behalf of their customers. The port authority of Hammond is run … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Economy, Entertainment, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Horseracing, Indiana, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Tribal, Wisconsin | 1 Comment

Rendering unto Caesars’ debtors; Missouri bounces back

Posted on January 12, 2015 by David McKee

Before Caesars Entertainment could file for bankruptcy, second-tier bondholders struck first. They have filed with a U.S. bankruptcy court in Delaware, seeking to supersede Caesars’ prepackaged bankruptcy. At issue are the controversial transfer of highly valuable Caesars assets into subsidiary … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Delaware, Foxwoods, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Massachusetts, Missouri, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Rendering unto Caesars’ debtors; Missouri bounces back

Gaming board yields to Cuomo’s pressure; Indian givers in Florida

Posted on January 12, 2015 by David McKee

By leaning on the New York State Gaming Facility Location Board, Gov. Andrew Cuomo appears to have persuaded it to reopen the bidding process for a casino in the state’s Southern Tier. However, if Tioga Downs owner Jeff Gural thought he’d … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Genting, New York, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off on Gaming board yields to Cuomo’s pressure; Indian givers in Florida

Wynn proceeds in Boston, Genting stalls in Miami

Posted on January 9, 2015 by David McKee

Although Steve Wynn‘s Everett project is besieged with lawsuits, a member of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission is relatively sanguine about the resort’s prospects. “I don’t think necessarily the suit will delay it; I think it is the various permit-granting authorities … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Genting, International, Massachusetts, New York, Regulation, Sports, The Strip | 1 Comment

That wily Glenn Straub

Posted on January 9, 2015 by David McKee

Freed by Judge Gloria Burns of encumberances, Revel is Glenn Straub’s for the taking — provided he’s willing to pay $95 million. Ir sounds like Straub’s position is softening. Although he has the power to evict Revel’s remaining tenants, he … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Economy, Entertainment, Glenn Straub, Indiana, Politics, Revel, South Dakota, Sports, Taxes, Transportation | 2 Comments

Caesars, bankrupt, rewards Loveman

Posted on January 8, 2015 by David McKee

Both sides in the Caesars Entertainment bankruptcy are playing hardball. According to Bloomberg News, senior bondholders don’t care for what Caesars is offering and want a bigger payday. “Investors who say they own $1.6 billion in Caesars first-lien notes hired … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, Louisiana, South Korea, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Buckeye State bullseye

Posted on January 7, 2015 by David McKee

Ohio casinos and racinos posted spectacular figures last month. By the calculations of Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli, revenues were up 37% (or 18% on a same-store basis). Horseshoe Cleveland, up 16.5%, was also the top grosser — $21 million, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, International, Japan, Maine, Ohio, Penn National, Racinos, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Buckeye State bullseye

Turning point for Illinois?; Cuomo creates a mess

Posted on January 7, 2015 by David McKee

Santa Claus was extra generous to casinos in Illinois last month (and they sure could use a little Kringle largesse). Revenues grew to 6%, visitation was up 5% and spend per visitor rose 1%. All that added up to a … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Current, Economy, Foxwoods, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Illinois, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, New York, Penn National, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 7, 2015 by David McKee

“There’s a workout room with elliptical machines, free weights and medicine balls; a lunchroom with free entrées, soups and salad bar; and a fun room with a pingpong table where tables and chairs are sometimes removed for free yoga sessions.” … Continue reading →

Posted in MGM Mirage | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Wynn faces sore loser in Boston

Posted on January 6, 2015 by David McKee

Steve Wynn was finally able to close a $35 million deal on the site of his Everett, Massachusetts, casino project. That’s good, because Wynn has to deal with new perfidy from Boston Mayor Martin “McCheese” Walsh. The latter’s long silence … Continue reading →

Posted in Derek Stevens, Downtown, Massachusetts, Politics, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Tamares Group, Technology | 1 Comment

Revel: Straub vs. Straub

Posted on January 6, 2015 by David McKee

If Glenn Straub can’t have Revel, he’s determined to see that no one else can … including Glenn Straub. The sole remaining bidder for Atlantic City‘s $2.4 billion white elephant, Straub’s $95.4 million bid for it was accepted by bankruptcy … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cordish Co., Glenn Straub, Harrah's, Maryland, Penn National, Revel, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Revel: Straub vs. Straub

New Yorkers want a do-over; Another EuroVegas folds

Posted on December 29, 2014 by David McKee

Magnanimously, Traditions at the Glen partner — and losing casino bidder — Peter Walsh is throwing his support to racino mogul Jeff Gural. The latter is trying to pry New York‘s fourth and last new-casino license loose from New York State’s … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Delaware, Economy, Genting, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, New York, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Politics, Racinos, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on New Yorkers want a do-over; Another EuroVegas folds

Atlantic City faces uncertain 2015; Wynn remakes Boston look

Posted on December 29, 2014 by David McKee

It can’t get any worse. That’s the cautious mantra emerging from the Boardwalk, where Atlantic City shed four casinos last year. Trump Taj Mahal is on life support provided by Carl Icahn and Caesars Entertainment CEO Gary Loveman has cast … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Economy, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, Massachusetts, Regulation, Revel, Steve Wynn, Technology, Tribal, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off on Atlantic City faces uncertain 2015; Wynn remakes Boston look

Happy New Year from the AGA

Posted on December 29, 2014 by David McKee

Geoff Freeman, dynamic leader of the American Gaming Association, has a wish list for the new year. It includes a crackdown on illegal, offshore gambling and the eradication of gray-market Internet “sweepstakes” cafes. He’d also like to see the expansion of legal sports … Continue reading →

Posted in Geoff Freeman, Internet gambling, Sports | Comments Off on Happy New Year from the AGA

Quote of the Day

Posted on December 29, 2014 by David McKee

“We have hit the tipping point. The industry has embarked upon the unsound strategy of raising the price of the product. I don’t think they want to admit they priced it too high. They keep adding bonusing rounds and top-box … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Marketing, Technology | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

“Showstoppers” gets it done; Soul-searching at Cirque

Posted on December 22, 2014 by David McKee

Basking in the afterglow of the opening night of ShowStoppers. (Or properly, Steve Wynn’s Showtoppers) Wynn Resorts CEO Steve Wynn called it the most satisfying creative experience he’d had to date. When he finishes a hotel, he said, all he … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, Entertainment, Movies, Steve Wynn, The Strip | Comments Off on “Showstoppers” gets it done; Soul-searching at Cirque

Hello, Yellow Brick Road; Packer’s big plan

Posted on December 22, 2014 by David McKee

New York‘s Oneida Indian Nation was quick to counterpunch at last week’s private-sector casino expansion. They plan to open 436-slot, 250-job Yellow Brick Road Casino in L. Frank Baum‘s hometown of Chittenango, N.Y. Thanks to the terms of their compact with the state, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Australia, Harrah's, Horseracing, James Packer, Marketing, MGM Mirage, New York, Racinos, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Hello, Yellow Brick Road; Packer’s big plan

Big and Little Caesars strike again; Atlantic City’s monopoly in danger

Posted on December 22, 2014 by David McKee

Last weekend, Caesars Entertainment confirmed what we already expected: It will file bankruptcy for Caesars Entertainment Operating Co. next month, in what the New York Times called “an ignominious milestone for what was one of the biggest buyouts of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Election, Harrah's, Horseracing, New York, Politics, Wall Street | Comments Off on Big and Little Caesars strike again; Atlantic City’s monopoly in danger

Macao: Pressure for change; Stanley Ho into South Korea?

Posted on December 22, 2014 by David McKee

Despite having only one-tenth as many hotel rooms as Las Vegas, the enclave of Macao is feeling the pressure to develop a more tourism-oriented business model. China’s president, Xi Jinping visited Macao last weekend and dropped a few strong hints. … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, Harrah's, International, Macau, Marketing, New York, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, South Korea, Stanley Ho, Tourism | Comments Off on Macao: Pressure for change; Stanley Ho into South Korea?