Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

Bio

Adelson vs. Loveman: Splitting the difference

Posted on May 30, 2014 by David McKee

“One of the things I’ve learned in this industry is we are extraordinarily competent at shooting at one another.” So said American Gaming Association President Geoff Freeman after getting caught in the crossfire over Internet gambling. So, as the industry … Continue reading →

Posted in Geoff Freeman, Hard Rock Hotel, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Macau, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Technology, The Strip, Warner Gaming, World Series of Poker | 1 Comment

Massachusetts: Pay the man; Robbing Peter to wager on Paul

Posted on May 30, 2014 by David McKee

If casino gambling is outlawed in a November referendum, MGM Resorts International and Wynn Resorts want their money back. After all, they’ll be out the $85 million application fee and that’s just for starters. They’d also like to be reimbursed … Continue reading →

Posted in Delaware, Economy, Japan, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Singapore, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Massachusetts: Pay the man; Robbing Peter to wager on Paul

Beso of death; Atlantic Club reborn

Posted on May 30, 2014 by David McKee

Eva Longoria‘s SHE byMorton’s (formerly Beso) has closed for the second — and presumably final — time. This time we can only put so much blame on Longoria and focus instead on owner Tilman Fertitta. This rare misstep by Fertitta … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, CityCenter, Dining, Harrah's, Illinois, Politics, The Strip | Comments Off on Beso of death; Atlantic Club reborn

Station’s waning clout; Off the rez with SCOTUS

Posted on May 29, 2014 by David McKee

Station Casinos‘ insistence on re-litigating the issue of slot parlors in Nevada seems to have finally driven some officials to the end of their patience. Assembly Majority Leader William Horne (D, right), the industry’s primary water carrier, tried to plump for a … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Election, history, Missouri, Politics, Regulation, Slot routes, Station Casinos, Tribal | Comments Off on Station’s waning clout; Off the rez with SCOTUS

Penn, Cordish, Foxwoods all quit

Posted on May 29, 2014 by David McKee

Despite having missed — by several days — the deadline for getting their $1 million application fee refunded, Penn National Gaming and Cordish Gaming want their money back from New York State. Why? Because they have belatedly decided to scrap … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Florida, Foxwoods, Massachusetts, New York, Penn National, Regulation, Tribal | Comments Off on Penn, Cordish, Foxwoods all quit

Pacquiao impact punchless

Posted on May 29, 2014 by David McKee

April’s gaming numbers from Nevada were received with varying degrees of gloom. Not even a Manny Pacquiao fight could drive up the revenue figures, generally speaking. Baccarat, it goes without saying, was a different story, with 40% more revenue and … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Downtown, Economy, Laughlin, North Las Vegas, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Pacquiao impact punchless

The SLS saga

Posted on May 29, 2014 by David McKee

This is all very well and good — but enough with that “north is the new south claim.” It’s presumptuous and (let’s face it) SLS Las Vegas is no Bellagio.

Posted in Architecture, MGM Mirage, Sam Nazarian | Comments Off on The SLS saga

Caution at MGM, audacity at Caesars; Cortez crumbles

Posted on May 28, 2014 by David McKee

As the line continues to blur between social gaming and real-money gambling, MGM Resorts International continues to hang back from the latter and favor the former. It’s putting its efforts into a free-play site that offers M Life rewards, as … Continue reading →

Posted in Culinary Union, Downtown, Harrah's, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Tamares Group, Terry Caudill | Comments Off on Caution at MGM, audacity at Caesars; Cortez crumbles

Tug of war in Massachusetts; Lee ousted … again; Gilbert’s Greektown struggle

Posted on May 27, 2014 by David McKee

Each with a casino nearly in the bag, both MGM Resorts International and Wynn Resorts want some legislative concessions from Massachusetts. Mohegan Sun is standing pat. MGM and Wynn want their $85 million licensing fee and a number of related … Continue reading →

Posted in Dan Gilbert, Dan Lee, Detroit, Downtown, Economy, Election, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Ohio, Palms, Problem gambling, Regulation, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Tug of war in Massachusetts; Lee ousted … again; Gilbert’s Greektown struggle

Internet gaming: More light than heat; Fieri in your face

Posted on May 27, 2014 by David McKee

“We are absolutely shocked by the slowness of the market.” Those are the words of 888.com CEO Brian Mattingley, with regard to Internet gambling in New Jersey. How slow is it? So much that 888 is shifting ad dollars from … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Dining, Economy, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Marketing, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on May 27, 2014 by David McKee

“Pennsylvania charges the highest tax rate on slot machine revenue in the country — about 55 percent — meaning the state has been racking up tax proceeds like T-shirt sales at a rock concert. But the golden age of gambling … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Massive tribal victory in SCOTUS; Bad day at Hard Rock?

Posted on May 27, 2014 by David McKee

We should probably brace ourselves for dramatic new interpretations of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, following a surprising Supreme Court decision. The State of Michigan had been trying to get rid of a Bay Mills Indian Community casino that was … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Culinary Union, Downtown, Hard Rock Hotel, Tribal, Warner Gaming | 1 Comment

Leven leaving, Adelson staying

Posted on May 23, 2014 by David McKee

In a less-than-shocking turn of events, Las Vegas Sands President Michael Leven has announced his retirement, effective the end of this year. Let the speculation over his successor commence! President of Global Gaming Operations Rob Goldstein would seem the obvious choice … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Harrah's, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip | Comments Off on Leven leaving, Adelson staying

Gunga Geoff; Massachusetts split

Posted on May 21, 2014 by David McKee

Some casino industry bigwigs continue to view Macao as a Chinese-flavored version of Las Vegas, an industry fallacy you would think had been outgrown. Take American Gaming Association President Geoff Freeman, who told a Macanese audience that their city needs … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Entertainment, Geoff Freeman, Macau, Massachusetts, Regulation, The Strip | Comments Off on Gunga Geoff; Massachusetts split

Skepticism in Atlantic City; Hope in Schenectady

Posted on May 21, 2014 by David McKee

Hard Rock International has decided to stop being coy about its interest in Revel Resort. It wants it … if the price is right. “We certainly looked at it. We participated in the process,” said Hard Rock CEO James Allen. “The question … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Architecture, Atlantic City, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Louisiana, Neil Bluhm, New York, Pinnacle Entertainment, Revel, Tribal, Trump Entertainment Resorts | 1 Comment

Freeman defeated; Caesars renders unto Maryland

Posted on May 21, 2014 by David McKee

In a stunning reversal — and a major victory for Sheldon Adelson — American Gaming Association President Geoff Freeman is ending the lobbying group’s support for Internet gambling. Freeman calls it “an issue that the association cannot lead on,” so the … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Geoff Freeman, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Macau, Maryland, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Wall Street | Comments Off on Freeman defeated; Caesars renders unto Maryland

Quote of the Day

Posted on May 21, 2014 by David McKee

“The people who say it’s not doing well enough are like the two parents who look at their five-month-old and say, ‘It doesn’t speak any languages!’ Let’s get our expectations in line.” — California Gaming Control Commissioner Richard Schuetz on early … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

More states covet Internet lucre; Steeplechase in New York

Posted on May 20, 2014 by David McKee

Pennsylvania is keeping a  close eye on Internet gambling in New Jersey. That much is clear from recent testimony before the House Democratic Policy Committee. “It can be regulated and controlled and … the existing technology can accurately locate players to prevent … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cannery Casino Resorts, Churchill Downs, Harrah's, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Neil Bluhm, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Texas, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off on More states covet Internet lucre; Steeplechase in New York

After Adelson … what then?; Hope in Springfield

Posted on May 20, 2014 by David McKee

One of the issues that has buzzed around Las Vegas Sands like a shoo-fly is the lack of a line of succession. President/COO Michael Leven was superannuated when he took the job at, at age 76, isn’t getting younger. According … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Detroit, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, The Strip | Comments Off on After Adelson … what then?; Hope in Springfield

And then there were fewer; The Culinary’s empty threats

Posted on May 20, 2014 by David McKee

Scratch two names from the mad scramble for a New York State casino. The vaguely interested Rolling Hills Entertainment is out but it was a long shot. Of greater consequence is Pinnacle Entertainment‘s abandonment of its pursuit of the Albany … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Culinary Union, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Harrah's, Illinois, Maryland, New York, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Tamares Group, Taxes, Terry Caudill | Comments Off on And then there were fewer; The Culinary’s empty threats