Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

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Fertitta’s luck; The big get bigger; Tribes in cyberspace

Posted on December 12, 2013 by David McKee

Congratulations to Tilman Fertitta, just named Gaming Executive of the Year by Casino Journal magazine. “Fertitta, owner of Golden Nugget casinos, has accomplished something few gaming executives can claim these days—founding and expanding a U.S.-based casino company in the midst … Continue reading →

Posted in Cannery Casino Resorts, Internet gambling, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal | Comments Off on Fertitta’s luck; The big get bigger; Tribes in cyberspace

Quote of the Day

Posted on December 12, 2013 by David McKee

“I think it would be a wonderful spot for a casino.” — Albany County Industrial Development Authority Chairman Gary Domalewicz, speaking of the abandoned and decidedly dilapidated Tobin First Prize packing plant, in Albany, New York.

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

Sioux City mess

Posted on December 12, 2013 by David McKee

Hard Rock International and Sioux City Entertainment find themselves in a pickle not of their own making in Iowa. Due to a rupture between Penn National Gaming and nonprofit Missouri River Historical Development, holder of the casino license, Penn found itself … Continue reading →

Posted in Detroit, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Iowa, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, Technology, Tribal | Comments Off on Sioux City mess

Sore losers; Poker Stars’ ticket punched

Posted on December 12, 2013 by David McKee

Update: Fallout from the lawsuit might force Stephen Crosby to step down. (Caesars is suing him for damages, among other things.) “Chairman Crosby and members of the commission’s staff have made untrue and misleading statements about plaintiffs and their affiliates. … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Election, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, Regulation, Tribal, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Sore losers; Poker Stars’ ticket punched

Ohio: Half-full or half-empty?; MGM lauded

Posted on December 10, 2013 by David McKee

Whether Ohio‘s casinos are succeeding or disappointing depends on how the question is framed. Are they delivering what the state (and casino companies) promised or are they financial slackers? Penn National Gaming‘s Hollywood Casino Columbus is somewhat of both, down … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, MTR Gaming, Ohio, Penn National, Racinos, Taxes | Comments Off on Ohio: Half-full or half-empty?; MGM lauded

Compromise in Boston; Good riddance at Pinnacle?

Posted on December 10, 2013 by David McKee

It would appear that the Massachusetts Gaming Commission has tacitly bowed to ballot language that would require any restructuring of the Suffolk Downs casino deal to be submitted for a re-vote. Fresh off the wires comes news that the MGC … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Massachusetts, Missouri, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Regulation, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Compromise in Boston; Good riddance at Pinnacle?

MGM: Crossing fingers and hoping; Bloodbath in Indiana

Posted on December 10, 2013 by David McKee

After several ups and downs, MGM Resorts International finds itself justthisclose to a casino in Springfield, Massachusetts. The state’s equivalent of the Nevada Gaming Control Board urged a finding of suitability. Whether the circumspect Massachusetts Gaming Commission agrees hangs upon … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Atlantic City, Harrah's, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Pansy Ho, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Regulation, Technology | Comments Off on MGM: Crossing fingers and hoping; Bloodbath in Indiana

D-Day nears for Massachusetts, Maryland

Posted on December 9, 2013 by David McKee

This just in: MGM Resorts International has been tentatively approved by the investigative branch of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, pending the satisfaction of certain matters. That moment is drawing nigh at which point the Massachusetts Gaming Commission must rule upon … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colony Capital, Cordish Co., Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Pansy Ho, Penn National, Regulation, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Tribal | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on December 9, 2013 by David McKee

“There’s going to be gaming someplace, and it’s going to affect your business. You might as well be part of it.” — Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority CEO Mitchell Grossinger Etess, rationalizing cannibalizing his New York State customer base to protect his … Continue reading →

Posted in Mohegan Sun, New York | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Buyers and potential sellers

Posted on December 9, 2013 by David McKee

Spend a few minutes this morning with Revel Resort CEO Scott Kreeger, even if some of his answers are exquisitely vague. Having been checkmated by voters in Milford, Massachusetts, is no discouragement to Penn National Gaming parent company Gaming & … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Revel | Comments Off on Buyers and potential sellers

AGA goes MTV

Posted on December 9, 2013 by David McKee

Further distinguishing his presidency as a 21st century one, American Gaming Association President Geoff Freeman is taking his case to social media. “There’s no way to sugarcoat it,” he writes. “Some people view our industry as a necessary evil rather … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, TV | Comments Off on AGA goes MTV

Fizz-le

Posted on December 9, 2013 by David McKee

Caesars Palace has no shortage of excellent dining and drinking venues. A recent walk-through drove that point home. So I suppose it’s entitled to have a turkey amidst the cornucopia and Fizz is it. We visited last week and will … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Entertainment, Harrah's, The Strip | Comments Off on Fizz-le

Adelson’s bogus poll & other fun with numbers

Posted on December 6, 2013 by David McKee

To hear Sheldon Adelson tell it, 70% of Americans share his die-hard opposition to Internet gambling. He even bought a poll from The Tarrance Group to prove its point. Unfortunately for the Sultan of Sands, the monarch has no clothes. … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Atlantic City, Cretins, Economy, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Technology, Tribal | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on December 6, 2013 by David McKee

“Early studies have shown they may only look at gambling as a brief diversion and look at it just that way: as gambling, not gaming. Gaming to millennials is playing a video game such as ‘Call of Duty.’” — a … Continue reading →

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

Imbalances of power; Vegas to Israel?

Posted on December 6, 2013 by David McKee

It was another bonny month for Maryland, whose casino revenues grew 55% in November, up to $67 million. It’s not an apples/apples comparison, since neither Rocky Gap Casino nor table games were in play a year ago. Tables were responsible … Continue reading →

Posted in Charity, Cordish Co., Economy, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Illinois, Macau, Maryland, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pets, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Imbalances of power; Vegas to Israel?

Big coup for Lumiere; Where next, Vegas?

Posted on December 6, 2013 by David McKee

And Caesars Entertainment‘s March stop on the World Series of Poker is … Lumiere Place?!?!? Yes, a marquee Caesars attraction is being held on Tropicana Entertainment property. The reason is twofold. One, Horseshoe Cleveland isn’t big enough to handle the … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Detroit, Harrah's, Marketing, Missouri, Ohio, Penn National, Station Casinos, Technology, Tropicana Entertainment, World Series of Poker | Comments Off on Big coup for Lumiere; Where next, Vegas?

Casinos on the dole; Conflict in Massachusetts

Posted on December 5, 2013 by David McKee

We’ve come 180 degrees in the evolution of the casino industry in the U.S. State governments once embraced them as what Dover Downs Gaming & Entertainment CEO Denis McGlynn calls a “sin-tax pot of gold.” Now they’re flailing amidst overmuch competition … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Casinos on the dole; Conflict in Massachusetts

Rising sun; Falling Poster; Crosby gets funky

Posted on December 5, 2013 by David McKee

Japan‘s ruling Liberal Democratic Party has been stymied in introducing pro-casino legislation in the Diet, thanks to grumbling, naysaying Buddhist coalition partners. But other parties have been building a casino coalition. According to The Straits Times, a “cross-party group of Japanese … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Internet gambling, Japan, Massachusetts, Politics, Regulation, Slot routes | Comments Off on Rising sun; Falling Poster; Crosby gets funky

Quote of the Day

Posted on December 5, 2013 by David McKee

“How can I enjoy my Christmas when I know that somewhere a little Jewish boy isn’t being forced to sing ‘Oh Little Town of Bethlehem’?” — Jon Stewart, on the so-called ‘war on Christmas.‘

Posted in Current, TV | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

As the Trop turns …

Posted on December 4, 2013 by David McKee

While I was out of town, Alex Yemenidjian sprang another big-ass remake of the Tropicana Las Vegas upon local media. Now, most of A-Yem’s big, shiny ideas have had tragically short lives. (Anyone remember Bagatelle Beach Club? Wayne Newton: Once … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Architecture, Entertainment, Sahara, Sam Nazarian | 1 Comment