Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

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Third degree for Cantor; Suffolk moves ahead

Posted on October 29, 2013 by David McKee

Cantor Gaming finds itself in the midst of a giant pincer movement, under investigation by at least five federal agencies and the Nevada Gaming Control Board. When ex-bookie-in-chief Colbert got a slap on the wrist from the feds, I figured … Continue reading →

Posted in Cantor Gaming, Economy, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Macau, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Third degree for Cantor; Suffolk moves ahead

MGM: A class act in Maryland; Sands’ convenient poll

Posted on October 29, 2013 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International‘s presentation last week to the Maryland Video Lottery Terminal Location Commission  lacked the smell of fear that Penn National Gaming exuded last week. Alluding to Penn’s offer to forfeit all profits and to creative accounting, MGM CEO Jim … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Greenwood Racing, Internet gambling, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Uncategorized | Comments Off on MGM: A class act in Maryland; Sands’ convenient poll

Positive auguries in New York

Posted on October 29, 2013 by David McKee

Supporters of more casinos in New York State have been a little anxious about sentiment in New York City, where the fate of the constitutional amendment is expected to rest. They may be breathing a sigh of relief today after … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Downtown, Economy, Election, Foxwoods, Macau, Mohegan Sun, New York, Sheldon Adelson, Tamares Group | Comments Off on Positive auguries in New York

MGM’s, Wynn’s odds worsen in Massachusetts

Posted on October 28, 2013 by David McKee

Did anyone envision a scenario whereby all three of Massachusetts‘ casinos could be tribally owned? It could happen. Leaving aside the chance of expanded gambling in Connecticut, the prospect that MGM Resorts International will be weighed in the balance and … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Entertainment, Foxwoods, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Pansy Ho, Penn National, Regulation, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal | Comments Off on MGM’s, Wynn’s odds worsen in Massachusetts

Isle gets some love; Second chance in New York

Posted on October 28, 2013 by David McKee

“A great pick.” That’s what Seeking Alpha says about Isle of Capri Casinos. Like so many regional operators, it hasn’t been posting lights-out numbers lately but its 16-casino portfolio makes it a bargain play for some. “It’s hard not to … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, history, Isle of Capri, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania, Reno, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Isle gets some love; Second chance in New York

Boyd gets ‘F’ on report; Disney’s double gamble

Posted on October 28, 2013 by David McKee

“Boyd is a highly leveraged casino play that has no exposure to high growth Asian markets.” With those words, Seeking Alpha concludes a severe assessment of Boyd Gaming, an investment upon which it frowns, despite being at a five-year high. … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Economy, Florida, New York | Comments Off on Boyd gets ‘F’ on report; Disney’s double gamble

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 28, 2013 by David McKee

“They’ve got a piece of property that they can’t use. Massachusetts has got a piece of property that’s dirty and they can’t use. I’m the damn fool that wants to come and spend a billion and two or three hundred … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Massachusetts, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

The importance of being Steve Wynn; Sheldon’s fan club

Posted on October 25, 2013 by David McKee

“Even the Red Sox aren’t that popular in Everett,” says Steve Wynn, alluding to recent poll numbers. Heady stuff. So, while he comes down off Cloud Nine, let’s look at a pretty impressive 3Q13 — if not as boffo as … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Entertainment, Hard Rock International, Macau, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 25, 2013 by David McKee

“[B]asically these states are asking us to come and spend billions of dollars. Now if we were any other business, they would stand on their head and spit wooden nickels to get billions of dollars invested from any other business. … Continue reading →

Posted in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

New casino in Alabama; Potential new scrutiny for Caesars; Second thoughts for Walker?

Posted on October 25, 2013 by David McKee

Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange is throttling the life out of the Cotton State’s electronic bingo industry. But, thanks to tribal sovereignty, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians has been able to this to its advantage. When Wind Creek Wetumpka … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Current, Harrah's, Maryland, Massachusetts, Regulation, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off on New casino in Alabama; Potential new scrutiny for Caesars; Second thoughts for Walker?

War of words in N.Y.; Double standard in Illinois

Posted on October 25, 2013 by David McKee

After keeping a low profile for most of election season, pro-casino forces sprang into gear, rolling out a bevy of TV ads. In an attempt to neutral potential hostility downstate, one commercial points out that New York City‘s two mayor … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Current, Detroit, Economy, Election, Illinois, New York, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Slot routes, Taxes | Comments Off on War of words in N.Y.; Double standard in Illinois

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 24, 2013 by David McKee

“Interesting time for joke-telling, given the fact this deal fell through because of a Gansevoort partner being tied to Russian organized crime. But, hey, what’s a little underworld connection between friends.” — Vital Vegas, commenting on Gansevoort Hotel Group‘s official … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Harrah's, The Strip | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Slots and torts; Menominee don’t quit; Caesars scapegoats Suffolk

Posted on October 24, 2013 by David McKee

If you’ve probably seen, if there’s anything the manufacturing sector of the gaming industry likes to do better than make new slot games is to sue one another for patent infringement. The fun may be coming to an end. Rep. … Continue reading →

Posted in International, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, Regulation, Station Casinos, Taxes, Technology, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Slots and torts; Menominee don’t quit; Caesars scapegoats Suffolk

Has Sheldon Adelson lost it?

Posted on October 23, 2013 by David McKee

Last night, Sheldon Adelson went to mind-boggling extremes and into the realm of the sort of rhetoric one associates with some of the worse regimes of modern history, advocating a unilateral, first-strike, nuclear attack on Iran. “Then you say, ‘See! The next … Continue reading →

Posted in International, Massachusetts, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off on Has Sheldon Adelson lost it?

Caesars tries to change the subject; Penn makes its case

Posted on October 23, 2013 by David McKee

As Caesars Entertainment skulks away from Massachusetts, tail between legs, a campaign of manufactured outrage continues to be mounted on its behalf. At its baseline is an attempt to minimize the reasons why the Massachusetts Gaming Commission was poised to … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Problem gambling, Regulation, Stanley Ho, The Mob | Comments Off on Caesars tries to change the subject; Penn makes its case

Parx: Pay as you go; Muted rapture in California

Posted on October 23, 2013 by David McKee

Parx Casino in Raynham, Massachusetts, will cost $277 million. Parx has $231 million in the kitty. How does the company propose to make ends meet? It will erect a temporary slot facility while the permanent one is built. This temporary … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Encore, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, Racinos, Revel, Station Casinos, Tribal, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off on Parx: Pay as you go; Muted rapture in California

One scandal in 141 seconds

Posted on October 23, 2013 by David McKee

For those of you who want to catch up quickly on the Florida dragnet that snared dozens of Internet betting parlors in a scandal, here’s a one-shot primer.

Posted in Current, Florida, Internet gambling, Regulation | Comments Off on One scandal in 141 seconds

Case Bets: Caesars, Ceylon, Cosmo and clubbing

Posted on October 22, 2013 by David McKee

It’s G-Day plus four and questions continue to mount about Caesars Entertainment‘s partnership with the Gansevoort hotel chain. In particular, what didn’t the company’s compliance not know about Arik Kislin and when did they not know it? Suffolk Downs might … Continue reading →

Posted in Cosmopolitan, Culinary Union, Entertainment, Harrah's, International, James Packer, Macau, Sheldon Adelson, The Mob, The Strip | Comments Off on Case Bets: Caesars, Ceylon, Cosmo and clubbing

Santa Claus smiles upon Borgata; No reprieve for Suffolk

Posted on October 22, 2013 by David McKee

Christmas came early for Boyd Gaming and Kris Kringle wore the judicial robes of the Tax Court of New Jersey. “A silver lining to Atlantic City‘s fall from grace for casino operators: the tax bills are lighter when the going gets … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Taxes, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Newton’s ship sinks; A land (of plenty) Down Under

Posted on October 22, 2013 by David McKee

Bad things have a way of happening to Wayne Newton‘s property. Most recently, his yacht sank at its Lake Mead berth. This inspired the Las Vegas Review-Journal to lead its story with, “Mr. Las Vegas’ yacht sleeps with the fishes.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, James Packer, Tourism, Wayne F. Newton | Comments Off on Newton’s ship sinks; A land (of plenty) Down Under