Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

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Mohegan Sun: It’s us or nobody; Tunica blues

Posted on June 19, 2014 by David McKee

Eastern Massachusetts voters would rather have a Mohegan Sun casino than a Wynn Resorts one. So claims a poll paid for by Mohegan Sun … so draw your own conclusions. It also shows casino-law repeal only getting 35% of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Delaware, Economy, Election, Harrah's, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Steve Wynn, Taxes | Comments Off on Mohegan Sun: It’s us or nobody; Tunica blues

Bernhard: Time to get out; Kabuki theater in Japan

Posted on June 19, 2014 by David McKee

After 13 years chairing the Nevada Gaming Commission, it’s quitting time for Pete Bernhard, who’s leaving 10 months before his term expires. Wasting no time, Gov. Brian Sandoval named Dr. Tony Alamo Jr. to fill Bernhard’s chair and Pat Mulroy … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Japan, Politics, Regulation, Station Casinos | Comments Off on Bernhard: Time to get out; Kabuki theater in Japan

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 18, 2014 by David McKee

“The good news is that the southern Nevada economy is improving, and at an accelerating rate. The great news is that the growth is widespread across southern Nevada’s industries.” — report from the UNLV Center for Business & Economic Research, predicting … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Icebreak in Japan; Discouragement in New York

Posted on June 18, 2014 by David McKee

Leaving scant room for error, Japan‘s parliament is scheduled to begin debating casino legalization today. “We have to remind ourselves that this is just the start, and until we see gambling become legal, we must keep up our efforts,” said lobbyist … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, New York, Politics, Wall Street | Comments Off on Icebreak in Japan; Discouragement in New York

Getting it up in Philadelphia

Posted on June 18, 2014 by David McKee

Joseph “Tomato King” Procacci‘s proposed LoSo Entertainment Center, would-be home to Casino Revolution (2,400 slots, 105 tables) has “initiated discussions” with U.S. Thrill Rides about building a 615-foot observation tower as part of the project. That’d be 10 feet taller … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Harrah's, Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Politics, Tomato King Procacci, Tourism | 1 Comment

Atlantic City courts the LGBT dollar; Indiana casinos court anybody’s dollar

Posted on June 17, 2014 by David McKee

Formerly a gay getaway, Atlantic City lost its LGBT-friendly image when the casinos came in 1978, or so the history goes. “When the casinos came, people were quick to bulldoze whatever they had to sell for millions, and we lost … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Harrah's, Illinois, Kansas, Marketing, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Sam Nazarian, Slot routes, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Atlantic City courts the LGBT dollar; Indiana casinos court anybody’s dollar

N.Y.: Another one bites the dust

Posted on June 17, 2014 by David McKee

Orange County in New York State could get a casino by default, as Catskills-area projects continue to fall by the wayside. The latest one to drop out is Foxwood Resort Casino‘s joint-venture bid to redevelop the old Grossinger’s Hotel site. … Continue reading →

Posted in Foxwoods, Genting, Harrah's, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, New York, Tribal | Comments Off on N.Y.: Another one bites the dust

Hot pursuit for IGT; Players leave good deal on table

Posted on June 17, 2014 by David McKee

It’s a feeding frenzy for International Game Technology. Among those who were quick to pounce on rumors of a sale were lottery king Gtech, Caesars Entertainment co-owner Apollo Management, Ron Perelman-controlled MacAndrews & Forbes Inc. and Carlyle Group, with the … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Cosmopolitan, Harrah's, IGT, Internet gambling, Scientific Games, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Hot pursuit for IGT; Players leave good deal on table

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 17, 2014 by David McKee

“It amazes me that they keep pushing, but you’re always going to have investors that want more casinos and the government people will say hurray, hurray more tax money. They’re going to drain the local economy.” — UNLV professor of … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Iowa, Regulation | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Japan: Promises, promises; Double-standard in Iowa

Posted on June 13, 2014 by David McKee

Democratic Party lawmaker Yosuke Kondo has casino-legalization in Japan legislation wrapped around his pinkie like a piece of string. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe may favor enabling legislation but right now Kondo holds the trump card. The bill is in a … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Election, Iowa, Japan, Politics, Regulation | Comments Off on Japan: Promises, promises; Double-standard in Iowa

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 13, 2014 by David McKee

“We’re probably not getting elected again, any one of us.” — East Greenbush Councilwoman Sue Mangold, after voting to endorse a Saratoga Casino & Gaming/Churchill Downs casino project for the New York town.

Posted in Churchill Downs, Election, New York | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Restarting the clock in Massachusetts; Atlantic City, international destination?

Posted on June 13, 2014 by David McKee

It looks like it’s back to Square One for Massachusetts‘ southeastern region. No host community agreements have been executed. No referendums have been held (with a mid-July deadline looming). And, although the cutoff date has passed, new candidates want to … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Foxwoods, Harrah's, International, Massachusetts, Ohio, Regulation, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal | 1 Comment

Salvation for PokerStars?; Bonanza in Springfield

Posted on June 13, 2014 by David McKee

Despite no longer having any beef with the federal government, PokerStars remains behind the 8-ball in the U.S. of A. Regulators in New Jersey frowned on its attempt to affiliate with Atlantic City casinos and it’s banned from Nevada under … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cosmopolitan, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Wall Street | Comments Off on Salvation for PokerStars?; Bonanza in Springfield

Atlantic City online: The god that failed?

Posted on June 12, 2014 by David McKee

May brought bad news from the Boardwalk, where online gambling revenue fell to $10.5 million. (It had been $11.4 million the month before, in itself a decline.) Traditional casinos were off 3% on a same-store basis — i.e., subtracting the … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Morgans Hotel Group, Revel, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment | 2 Comments

Flip-floppery in Iowa; Affleck banned again?

Posted on June 12, 2014 by David McKee

Barring an emergency injunction, Belle of Sioux City is doomed to shut down on July 1, a federal bankruptcy judge having been deaf to Penn National Gaming‘s pleas. Penn is arguing that the Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission overstepped its authority … Continue reading →

Posted in Detroit, Dining, Downtown, Economy, Harrah's, Iowa, Penn National, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Technology, Warner Gaming | Comments Off on Flip-floppery in Iowa; Affleck banned again?

Adelson: Another one bites the dust

Posted on June 12, 2014 by David McKee

If Sheldon Adelson wants to protect America from underage gambling, he might start at his Sands Bethlehem casino. The casino has racked up $305,000 in fines in five years. Six incidents this year have incited the latest fine: $85,000. Casino … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Detroit, Economy, Election, International, Internet gambling, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal | Comments Off on Adelson: Another one bites the dust

Making MGM Springfield happen; Dinner with Isaacs

Posted on June 12, 2014 by David McKee

MGM Springfield is shaping up as the most architecturally interesting casino project not only in Massachusetts but the nation as a whole, a charming mix of the new and the old. The company had been planning a few nods to … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Detroit, Dubai, history, International, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Scientific Games, Shuffle Master, Wall Street | Comments Off on Making MGM Springfield happen; Dinner with Isaacs

Adelson: Who asked you?

Posted on June 11, 2014 by David McKee

Sheldon Adelson is fast becoming the #1 buttinski in American politics. He’s not from Florida and doesn’t do business there but that hasn’t stopped him from meddling the state’s electoral process. He’s been seeding an astroturf movement to defeat the … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Election, Florida, Harrah's, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Tropicana Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off on Adelson: Who asked you?

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 11, 2014 by David McKee

“Any hint of bad news from Macau requires the use of defibrillators in casino company boardrooms and investment houses.” — Howard Stutz, on the prospect of a slowdown in Macao’s casino revenues this year.

Posted in Economy, Macau, Wall Street | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Big vote on Boardwalk; Horsey antics in Texas

Posted on June 10, 2014 by David McKee

“It’s going to be a very complicated and difficult negotiation.” So admits Unite-Here President Robert McDevitt of the mid-September scrum when all the casino collective bargaining agreements come up for renewal. McDevitt’s still tasting victory from last week’s vote at … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Donald Trump, Horseracing, Kentucky, MGM Mirage, Racinos, Regulation, Revel, Technology, Texas | Comments Off on Big vote on Boardwalk; Horsey antics in Texas