Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

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Caesars to Empire State; Colony to Chapter 11

Posted on November 7, 2013 by David McKee

When Caesars Entertainment made a discreet donation to the pro-casino campaign in New York State, we should have known that something was up. Sure enough, state Sen. John Bonacic (R) says Caesars is interested in a Sullivan County casino. Then … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Colony Capital, Current, Dan Lee, Donald Trump, Foxwoods, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, New York, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Big score for Station, little one for Caesars

Posted on November 7, 2013 by David McKee

Station Casinos has a big hit on its hands in the form of Graton Resort & Casino. So many customers turned out for opening day that the doors swung wide an hour early. Ninety minutes later, admittance was being rationed … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Cordish Co., Economy, Harrah's, Macau, Maryland, MTR Gaming, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Station Casinos, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off on Big score for Station, little one for Caesars

Election Special: No surprise in New York, big surprise in Massachusetts

Posted on November 6, 2013 by David McKee

Massachusetts may not be ready for casino gambling (unless Steve Wynn is building it). Voters said no and again no yesterday, in a series of referendums. Mohegan Sun is — quite understandably — asking for a recount. Its casino proposal … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Current, Election, Foxwoods, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, New York, Politics, Regulation, Steve Wynn, World Series of Poker | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on November 6, 2013 by David McKee

“We understand transactions and licensing agreements. We understand how the [Caesars Entertainment–Gansevoort Hotel Group] relationship worked. Regulators need to be both reasonable and intelligent.” — Nevada Gaming Control Board Chairman A.G. Burnett, criticizing the Massachusetts Gaming Commission for “gotcha gaming … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, Massachusetts, Regulation, The Mob | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Sheldon covets Florida … again

Posted on November 5, 2013 by David McKee

It wouldn’t be a week in the gaming industry if Sheldon Adelson didn’t manage to bigfoot one issue or another. This time it’s Florida, where the Legislature is in the preliminary throes of grappling with casino expansion once again. Adelson … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Macau, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Politics, Problem gambling, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes | Comments Off on Sheldon covets Florida … again

CityCenter 1.5; Casinos vs. Atlantic City, Round Two

Posted on November 5, 2013 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International and Anschutz Entertainment Group have unfurled the big- and small-picture details of their 12-acre, 20,000-seat arena. For an in-depth description, I direct you to Alan Snel‘s excellent account. The announcement refuels speculation that AEG (operator of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Colony Capital, Current, Economy, Hard Rock International, International, Japan, Macau, MGM Mirage, Politics, Sports, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street, Wisconsin | Comments Off on CityCenter 1.5; Casinos vs. Atlantic City, Round Two

Election Day!; Mad Max; Deadpan humor in Wisconsin

Posted on November 5, 2013 by David McKee

Today’s a big day for casino-related votes in New York State and Massachusetts. In the former, New York City holds the key to the outcome. The Five Boroughs are expected to represent for 42% of statewide voting. Mind you, NYC wouldn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Current, Economy, Election, Foxwoods, Harrah's, history, Horseracing, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, New York, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Election Day!; Mad Max; Deadpan humor in Wisconsin

Suffolk Downs postscript

Posted on November 4, 2013 by David McKee

Caesars Entertainment being out of the Suffolk Downs equation, the would-be racino has been dubbed “a headless horseman” by opponents and faces an uncertain fate at the ballot box. One might well question Suffolk owner Richard Fields on why his … Continue reading →

Posted in Colorado, Current, Harrah's, Massachusetts, Problem gambling, Regulation, Wall Street | Comments Off on Suffolk Downs postscript

Penny Lane is in your ears and in your eyes

Posted on November 4, 2013 by David McKee

Although I don’t play them, I’m well aware of the appeal of penny slots. In hopes of upping play and helping customers find their favorite machines, Boyd Gaming has created “Penny Lane.” It seems like good slot-floor strategy … and … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Marketing, TV | Comments Off on Penny Lane is in your ears and in your eyes

What makes a ‘surrounding community’?

Posted on November 1, 2013 by David McKee

Google Maps, that’s what. The Massachusetts town of Bolton wants “surrounding community” consideration from Leominster, where Cordish Gaming hopes to built a $203 million slot parlor. As with many towns across the state, Bolton’s concerns center upon traffic. Cordish maintains … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Regulation | 1 Comment

Big win for Wynn; Murren in the spotlight; Lies, damned lies and Sheldon Adelson

Posted on November 1, 2013 by David McKee

In a disappointing but entirely predictable result, the Nevada Supreme Court ruled that Nevada law permits employers to confiscate and redistribute tips received by employees (euphemistically referred to as “tip sharing”). Now, if a I stuck a gun in your … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Election, Florida, Harrah's, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, New York, Palms, Pennsylvania, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Mob, Tourism | 3 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 31, 2013 by David McKee

“Obviously, there’s been an awful lot of activity and drama there. But we like the process, it’s been very transparent to us, and we believe there’s no reason why we will not be found suitable.” — MGM Resorts International CEO … Continue reading →

Posted in Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Regulation | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Falling upward in Nevada; MGM: The Lion meows

Posted on October 31, 2013 by David McKee

Helped by a wee bit of late-August slot revenue, Nevada posted a 7% revenue gain this month, for a $959 haul. The Strip performed spectacularly, up 13%, and Downtown edged 2% higher. Lake Tahoe vaulted 23% but Reno fell off … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, CityCenter, Current, Downtown, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Macau, Mesquite, MGM Mirage, North Las Vegas, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Wall Street | Comments Off on Falling upward in Nevada; MGM: The Lion meows

Good news, bad news for Suffolk Downs; Wynn shaken down

Posted on October 31, 2013 by David McKee

Congratulations, Suffolk Downs. You’ve been approved as a casino bidder — but the voters might nix the whole shebang. Although Suffolk Downs is bereft of an operator, having given Caesars Entertainment the heave-ho. (The latter remains in deep water, financially, making noises … Continue reading →

Posted in Foxwoods, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, Oklahoma, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Tribal | Comments Off on Good news, bad news for Suffolk Downs; Wynn shaken down

Breaking Boyd

Posted on October 31, 2013 by David McKee

Boyd Gaming missed Wall Street expectations last quarter, posting negative earnings of eight cents a share, compared to the $0.01/share profit the Street was anticipating. Deutsche Bank‘s Carlo Santarelli blamed “softer-than-expected net revenues … below the low-end of management’s guidance.” Las … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Current, Downtown, Environment, Greenwood Racing, history, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Penn National, Wall Street | Comments Off on Breaking Boyd

Let us now praise Scott Walker

Posted on October 30, 2013 by David McKee

For someone often regarded as brash and confrontational, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) has been mediating an intrastate tribal dispute in a judicious, deliberative fashion. He’s extended the timeline on his yea-or-nay decision, the better to sort through varying figures … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Economy, Illinois, The Strip, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Let us now praise Scott Walker

Case Bets: New York, Wynn, Packer, Atlantic City & Reno

Posted on October 30, 2013 by David McKee

In a positive omen for Tuesday’s casino vote in New York, shares of Castkills-based Empire Resorts (NYNY) leapt 29%, closing at $5.30/share. The company hopes to bring casino gambling to the Concord Hotel, although jostling for the probable two Catskills … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Current, Genting, Harrah's, Illinois, International, James Packer, Melco Crown Entertainment, New York, Reno, Slot routes, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Tribal | 4 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 30, 2013 by David McKee

“After we received a report from the [Massachusetts] Gaming Commission staff that said we had not demonstrated Caesars’ suitability, our parents in the project — our parents, that’s some deep psychological issue, I suppose — our partners in the project … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Loveman must go

Posted on October 30, 2013 by David McKee

Suffolk Downs executives are trying to move on after severing ties with Caesars Entertainment. At their suitability hearing with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (which is expected to approve them), they played dumb. They not only pleaded ignorance of Arik Kislin‘s … Continue reading →

Posted in Colorado, Maryland, Massachusetts, Regulation, The Mob | 1 Comment

Fail, Caesar!

Posted on October 29, 2013 by David McKee

In ancient Rome, if you’d lost the equivalent of three-quarters of a billion dollars (worse: $761 million and change, plus flat revenues), you’d swig some hemlock, open a vein or maybe fall on your sword. But the only thing more … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Current, Harrah's, Macau | Comments Off on Fail, Caesar!