Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

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Quote of the Day

Posted on November 17, 2014 by David McKee

“Venice without the Italians would not be Venice. If it’s not highly relevant, it won’t succeed.” — Echo Entertainment CEO Matt Bekkier on the importance of an “authentic” casino experience, one that appeals to locals and tourists alike. One hopes … Continue reading →

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

Incompatible bedfellows; Freeman seizes the day

Posted on November 17, 2014 by David McKee

Boyd Gaming and MGM Resorts International have gone to bed with bwin.party but may wake up with Anaya Gaming Group. That’s one possible outcome of “preliminary discussions with a number of interested parties” and bwin. “Such discussions may or may not … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Geoff Freeman, Hard Rock Hotel, International, Internet gambling, Iowa, Marketing, MGM Mirage, PokerStars, Regulation, Sports, Warner Gaming | Comments Off on Incompatible bedfellows; Freeman seizes the day

Silver breaks ranks; Is NHL a done deal for Vegas?

Posted on November 14, 2014 by David McKee

In a bold, if not completely surprising move, NBA Commission Adam Silver took to the op-ed pages of the New York Times to advocate the nationwide legalization of sports betting. “Times have changed … Gambling has increasingly become a popular and … Continue reading →

Posted in Dotty's, George Maloof, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Politics, Regulation, Sports, Taxes, The Strip | Comments Off on Silver breaks ranks; Is NHL a done deal for Vegas?

Impossible choice at Trump Taj; Ultimate Poker busts

Posted on November 14, 2014 by David McKee

Ownership of Trump Taj Mahal has handed down to workers a choice that might be described as being between bad and worse: accept the loss of their health and pension benefits or, if Unite-Here continues to pursue an appeal in … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Economy, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Michael Gaughan, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Taxes, Trump Entertainment Resorts | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on November 14, 2014 by David McKee

“Loveman said there is “no scenario that makes any sense to us” that would put Caesars through a court-administered reorganization. “These same people have been predicting the bankruptcy of the company since 2009,” Loveman said. “So far, they have been unsuccessful … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Hope on the Boardwalk

Posted on November 13, 2014 by David McKee

Down four casinos and counting, Atlantic City suffered a 9% dip last month but a 14% gain on a same-store basis. A 13% fall in slot win and a 12% decline in coin-in seems to have driven the slippage: In … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Current, Harrah's, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, PokerStars, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts | 1 Comment

Station mixes candor, optimism; Adelson: What’s next?

Posted on November 13, 2014 by David McKee

Station Casinos CFO Marc Falcone wasn’t showing his cards in yesterday’s conference call with analysts. He would only say that, in the wake of Proposition 48‘s defeat in California, Station and the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians would explore “other … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Detroit, Economy, Election, Harry Reid, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Tribal, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off on Station mixes candor, optimism; Adelson: What’s next?

Seminole talks to restart; Churchill Downs’ big play

Posted on November 13, 2014 by David McKee

Now that he’s assured of four more years, Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) can tidy up some unfinished business … like compact negotiations with the Seminole Tribe. The $1 billion/five-year deal currently before the two parties would reward that tribal … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Churchill Downs, Current, Florida, Genting, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Seminole talks to restart; Churchill Downs’ big play

Quack Pack attack

Posted on November 13, 2014 by David McKee

Since it’s the altar on which A&E recently sacrificed Longmire, I don’t have warm feelings about Duck Dynasty, although the network itself goes one better, depicting Phil Robertson and his clan as bizarre backwoods cretins. With a pedigree like that, … Continue reading →

Posted in Cretins, Entertainment, Harrah's, The Strip, TV | Comments Off on Quack Pack attack

Showboat sold

Posted on November 12, 2014 by David McKee

For a long time, there’s been talk of Stockton College opening a satellite campus in Atlantic City. Many thought it would land at the Atlantic Club Hotel but, disposing of a non-core asset in a non-gaming transaction, Caesars Entertainment has … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Economy, Harrah's | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on November 12, 2014 by David McKee

“We have always been incredibly grateful to our military community, and this partnership is another great example of our ongoing ‘Operation Thank You’ commitment to veterans.” — Station Casinos Chief Marketing Officer Staci Alonso, announcing that the company would be providing … Continue reading →

Posted in Charity, MGM Mirage, North Las Vegas, Station Casinos | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Tribal roundabout

Posted on November 12, 2014 by David McKee

Escalating the level of desperation in Connecticut, comes a proposal for the state’s two gaming tribes to gang-tackle Massachusetts by collaborating on a third casino of their own. So far, all of the noise seems to be coming from Mohegan … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Economy, Foxwoods, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Oklahoma, PokerStars, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off on Tribal roundabout

Caesars, the morning after

Posted on November 12, 2014 by David McKee

It’s been a day since Bloomberg News broke the story that Caesars Entertainment is gearing up for a Jan. 14 bankruptcy filing, the day Gary Loveman promised would never come. (By filing on the 14th, Caesars avoids paying $225 million … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Harrah's, International, Regulation, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Caesars: How do they do it?

Posted on November 11, 2014 by David McKee

This just in: Working with “key senior creditors,” Caesars Entertainment Operating Co. is reported to be arranging a prepackaged bankruptcy, with a target date of Jan. 14. How does Gary Loveman keep his job? If he were a cat, he’d … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Economy, Harrah's, Macau, Ohio, Regulation, The Strip, Wall Street, World Series of Poker | Comments Off on Caesars: How do they do it?

Quote of the Day

Posted on November 11, 2014 by David McKee

“Combined between schools and the municipal government in Atlantic City, it costs $377 million a year. That’s not sustainable.” — New Jersey Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D) proposing an austerity plan to stabilize Atlantic City’s finances, in advance of a a … Continue reading →

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

Philadelphia decision tipped; Insolvency on the high seas

Posted on November 11, 2014 by David McKee

While we’ve been focused on Boston and New York, a major casino decision in Philadelphia has been creeping upon us. The second casino license in Philly city limits is to be awarded on Nov. 18 and early intel has it … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cordish Co., Economy, Election, Florida, Geoff Freeman, Greenwood Racing, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Minnesota, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Problem gambling, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Technology, Tomato King Procacci, Tribal, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Philadelphia decision tipped; Insolvency on the high seas

Penn: The world according to GARP

Posted on November 11, 2014 by David McKee

Observing stability in regional gaming markets, Deutsche Bank‘s Carlo Santarelli is out with a bullish investor note on Penn National Gaming today, declaring “the worst appears over.” He sets a $17 target price for the stock (currently trading just below … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Wall Street | Comments Off on Penn: The world according to GARP

Sheldon steps in it again and again

Posted on November 10, 2014 by David McKee

Sheldon Adelson‘s love of authoritarianism has made him another enemy. At the latest Israel American Conference, Adelson rhapsodized, “God talked about all the good things in life. He didn’t talk about Israel remaining as a democratic state, otherwise Israel isn’t going to … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Economy, Genting, International, Internet gambling, Japan, Macau, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Tourism | 1 Comment

Brainless in Connecticut; Jobless in Las Vegas

Posted on November 10, 2014 by David McKee

What do you do when your slot revenues are declining? Build more casinos, of course! That’s the idea Mohegan Sun is pushing in Connecticut, with the help of a few well-placed lawmakers. It’s a no-brainer … as in, you’d have … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Cosmopolitan, Dining, Foxwoods, Genting, Hard Rock International, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, New York, Sam Nazarian, Station Casinos, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Brainless in Connecticut; Jobless in Las Vegas

Ohio’s big haul; NY Times’ whack job

Posted on November 10, 2014 by David McKee

Ohio has matured rapidly as a casino market, bigger than Illinois, almost as large as Missouri but still a long way from Indiana‘s monthly grosses. Still, a 38% increase in casino revenue from last year is nothing at which to … Continue reading →

Posted in Hard Rock International, Harrah's, IGT, Mohegan Sun, MTR Gaming, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off on Ohio’s big haul; NY Times’ whack job