Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

Bio

Long siege on the Strip

Posted on January 22, 2014 by David McKee

In one of the more improbable but optimistic auguries the North Strip has seen, a private equity fund is trying to pry land away from Archon Corp. For the past 10 months, Esplanade Capital has been laying siege to Archon, … Continue reading →

Posted in Archon Corp., The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Seeking bargains in Japan, Delaware

Posted on January 22, 2014 by David McKee

Osaka‘s government is entertaining proposals for a $5 billion casino, to be built on landfill — hoping to get ahead of the curve should the federal government approve legalized gambling. “We’d need global casino-operators’ involvement and expertise as the business … Continue reading →

Posted in Delaware, Genting, Harrah's, Japan, Macau, MGM Mirage, Racinos, Taxes | Comments Off on Seeking bargains in Japan, Delaware

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 22, 2014 by David McKee

“Whether they be illegal offshore websites operating right now, whether they be Internet sweepstakes cafes … If you want to be in the gaming business, there’s one way to do it, and that’s the regulated way, and we’re certainly going … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Case Bets: Massachusetts, Biloxi, Betcoin and Cosmo

Posted on January 22, 2014 by David McKee

In a TV interview, Massachusetts Gaming Commission Chairman Stephen Crosby tipped his hand, indicating that approval of MGM Springfield is far more likely than not. However, the MGC might be making some demands of its own, above and beyond what … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, Cosmopolitan, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Entertainment, Harrah's, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, New York, Regulation, Taxes, Technology, The Strip | Comments Off on Case Bets: Massachusetts, Biloxi, Betcoin and Cosmo

Iowa: Gone to the dogs

Posted on January 21, 2014 by David McKee

It looks like the handwriting is on the wall for dog racing in Iowa. It’s a deplorable sport that brings in negligible revenue: an ancient curiosity kept alive by casino revenue. Dog tracks can’t even get the support of city … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Economy, Harrah's, Iowa, Politics | Comments Off on Iowa: Gone to the dogs

A ‘bit’ of progress

Posted on January 21, 2014 by David McKee

You can’t use bitcoin to gamble in Vegas … yet. But Derek Stevens is bitcoin-enabling both the Golden Gate and The D to accept the cyber-currency in selected parts of his properties, starting Jan. 22. Stevens is crediting customer input … Continue reading →

Posted in Derek Stevens, Downtown, Economy, Indiana, Macau, New York, Ohio, Racinos, Technology, Tourism | Comments Off on A ‘bit’ of progress

One less brick in the wall

Posted on January 21, 2014 by David McKee

Internet gambling in New Jersey is still wet behind the ears but state Sen. Raymond Lesniak wants to move it to the grown-ups’ table. Specifically, he wants wide-area Internet poker play. Domestic (read: Nevada and New Jersey) and international ones … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Georgia, Internet gambling, Minnesota, Ohio | Comments Off on One less brick in the wall

Just when …

Posted on January 20, 2014 by David McKee

You thought Atlantic City had taken its lumps for January, but here comes an additional indignity. Borgata was forced to cancel part of its Winter Poker Open in mid-tourney. Casino surveillance detected the insinuation of fake chips into the tournament’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally Technologies, Macau, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Technology, Wall Street | Comments Off on Just when …

Winter of discontent

Posted on January 17, 2014 by David McKee

It’s been a grim December for regional casino markets. Even Pennsylvania, once a bastion of strength, ended 2013 with a slight year/year decline. In Connecticut, a 15% revenue decline was reported at Foxwoods Resort Casino, with handle off 21%. Mohegan … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Economy, Foxwoods, Harrah's, Louisiana, Marketing, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Taxes, The Mob, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on Winter of discontent

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 17, 2014 by David McKee

“Tribal gaming authorities will take the first steps into the online gaming industry in 2014. They owe it to their memberships to examine this opportunity for the sake of sovereignty and self-sufficiency. We have the right to enter into the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Case Bets: Atlantic City, Wisconsin & Illinois

Posted on January 17, 2014 by David McKee

Transparency in gaming sustained a couple of blows this week. A proposed ‘black book’ to keep felons out of Illinois slot routes was blocked by legislative forces this week. The excuse given was that the Illinois Gaming Board was acting … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cordish Co., Harrah's, Illinois, Politics, Regulation, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Case Bets: Atlantic City, Wisconsin & Illinois

What’s in a brand?

Posted on January 17, 2014 by David McKee

Quite a lot, especially if it’s Wynn Resorts.

Posted in Marketing, Steve Wynn, The Strip | Comments Off on What’s in a brand?

The Sky is limited

Posted on January 15, 2014 by David McKee

Non-aboriginals like myself all too often stereotype Native American casinos as generators of instant wealth. Not so. Take the San Carlos Apache Nation, which operates successful Apache Gold Casino Resort near Globe, Ariz. The lucre from Apache Gold hasn’t been … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on The Sky is limited

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 15, 2014 by David McKee

“Hearing over and over and over again that my job was not a quality job, that my job didn’t matter or that I didn’t matter really became very personal.” — Saratoga Springs Casino & Raceway Director of Entertainment Kathleen Anderson, … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, New York, Racinos | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Online gambling is …

Posted on January 15, 2014 by David McKee

… a success, according to Seeking Alpha. On the other hand, Telsey Advisor Group projects New Jersey to flop, eventually only grossing $90 million, not the half-billion envisioned by some. Bloomberg Businessweek reports “mildly disappointing” numbers and that Internet wagering … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Economy, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Pennsylvania, Problem gambling, Revel, Tourism, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off on Online gambling is …

A tale of two cities

Posted on January 15, 2014 by David McKee

On Jan. 21, at 9 p.m., Bloomberg Television will be airing this documentary. Based on the trailer, I’m not impressed, as it yokes together an Atlantic City betting spree with unrelated — and hardly new — scenes of Las Vegas‘ … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Economy, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Steve Wynn, TV | Comments Off on A tale of two cities

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 14, 2014 by David McKee

“Bringing in slot machines “would create much-needed jobs in Bridgeport and continue to improve on Bridgeport’s exciting nightlife, while bringing new tax revenue to our city,” [Mayor] Bill Finch said. — from a hearing on expanded gambling in Connecticut. Is that … Continue reading →

Posted in Current | 1 Comment

Vive la difference; Early ‘Net bets from Jersey; 99 years or bust

Posted on January 14, 2014 by David McKee

Since before its opening, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas has marketed itself to “the curious class,” and you’ll certainly be intrigued — and perhaps a bit befuddled — by its newest ad, which seems to be promoting a new brand … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Australia, Cosmopolitan, Entertainment, Internet gambling, James Packer, Marketing, The Strip | 1 Comment

They burn the Monte Carlo, don’t they?; Cantor gets slammed

Posted on January 14, 2014 by David McKee

Yes, there’s been another fire at the Monte Carlo. This one was confined to the Double Barrel Saloon and there was only one injury, most importantly. That place has some rough luck, doesn’t it? It doesn’t matter what Cantor Gaming … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally Technologies, Cantor Gaming, Current, Horseracing, MGM Mirage, Monte Carlo fire, Regulation, The Strip | Comments Off on They burn the Monte Carlo, don’t they?; Cantor gets slammed

Viva Macao; Battling for dollars in Maine

Posted on January 14, 2014 by David McKee

Hard as it may be to believe, Macao is on track to gross $77 million in 2017. That leaves Las Vegas hopelessly in the dust as a gambling destination, especially with non-gaming amenities taking up a bigger share of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Churchill Downs, Economy, Entertainment, Macau, Maine, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip | Comments Off on Viva Macao; Battling for dollars in Maine