Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

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Caesars: Fiasco in Boston

Posted on October 21, 2013 by David McKee

Suffolk Downs will be moving forward … without Caesars Entertainment. The track dropped Caesars like a bad habit over the weekend. Caesars tried to make it sound like the decision was its own. Spokesman Stephen Cohen threw a hissy fit, … Continue reading →

Posted in Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Illinois, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Problem gambling, Regulation, Slot routes, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Tragedy on the Strip

Posted on October 21, 2013 by David McKee

Proving that there is no grudge too trivial to be settled by gunplay, a would-be patron of Drai’s allegedly shot two Bally’s Las Vegas security guards and killed a club patron after “demanding a refund because the club wasn’t full.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Harrah's, The Strip | Comments Off on Tragedy on the Strip

Breakthrough in Wisconsin; Second chance in Biloxi

Posted on October 20, 2013 by David McKee

Approval of a Dairyland casino for the Menominee Tribe is still the longest of long shots, but there were faint cracks in the ice after a summit meeting earlier this week. Contrary to earlier reports, participants did a little bit … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Harrah's, history, Mississippi, Steve Wynn, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Breakthrough in Wisconsin; Second chance in Biloxi

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 20, 2013 by David McKee

“Glitzier, more expensive casinos aren’t designed to attract troubled gamblers from down the street. Those people will find their way to whatever venue is available.” — the Tulsa World, editorializing on the new, Margaritaville-branded casino being built downtown.

Posted in Oklahoma, Problem gambling, Tribal | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Sheldon hits paydirt; Culinary Union talks trash

Posted on October 18, 2013 by David McKee

It’s good to be Sheldon Adelson, especially when your company is notching one record-setting month after another. Revenue for 3Q13 rose 32% and net profit shot 79% upwards. Next year, shareholders can look forward to a 60 cent bump in … Continue reading →

Posted in Cosmopolitan, Cretins, Culinary Union, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Harrah's, Macau, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Station Casinos, Wall Street | 3 Comments

What’s Steve Wynn thinking?; Best news of the week

Posted on October 18, 2013 by David McKee

If Steve Wynn is trying to talk himself out of contention in Massachusetts, he’s doing a good job of it. Yesterday, he told the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, “We’re scared to death — not that you won’t pick us, but that … Continue reading →

Posted in ABBA, Alex Yemenidjian, Current, Election, Entertainment, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, New York, Regulation, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 2 Comments

The bill that wouldn’t die; Taking a wrecking ball to “Jubilee!”

Posted on October 17, 2013 by David McKee

Illinois legislators continue to butt their heads against Gov. Pat Quinn‘s opposition to casino expansion (and a terrible gambling economy). Impervious to reality, state Rep. Robert Rita (D) is introducing yet another bill for five casinos and airport slot routes. … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, Illinois, Macau, Mississippi, Ohio, Penn National, Politics, Stanley Ho, The Mob, The Strip | Comments Off on The bill that wouldn’t die; Taking a wrecking ball to “Jubilee!”

Atlantic City ‘Net betting gathers speed; Render unto Loveman

Posted on October 17, 2013 by David McKee

Three more casinos have been green-lit to take Internet wagers along the Boardwalk. As you know, Borgata had already been approved. The second license went to the Golden Nugget, which is running its own site, with assistance from Bally Technologies. … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Colony Capital, Harrah's, IGT, Internet gambling, Revel, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Wisconsin | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 17, 2013 by David McKee

[W]e find the results to be somewhat indicative of regional gaming operators beginning to see problems cutting expenses to mitigate top line headwinds. As such, we anticipate concerns surrounding top line regional gaming revenue trends to escalate and believe regional … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Penn National, Wall Street | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Air Loveman; Wiggle room in Macao

Posted on October 16, 2013 by David McKee

Anyone who meets Caesars Entertainment Chairman/President/CEO Gary Loveman is likely to be overcome by a strong whiff of self-importance. It’s not just palpable, it’s quantifiable. This week we learned that Caesars had spent lugging Loveman hither and yon, at a … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, Macau, Taxes | Comments Off on Air Loveman; Wiggle room in Macao

Domino Theory

Posted on October 16, 2013 by David McKee

While sledgehammers were pointlessly falling on a slot machine in Albany (see below), a far more important melodrama was playing out nearby. Bankruptcy lawyer Eric Snyder had sought to block Proposal One, on the grounds that its language is too … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Election, New York | Comments Off on Domino Theory

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 16, 2013 by David McKee

“Evoking the spirits of Mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia and Gallagher the Comedian, a small group of antigambling activists demolished a defunct slot machine outside the Capitol on Tuesday in the latest attempt to draw attention to the “No” campaign, … Continue reading →

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

Singin’ the blues in Pennsylvania, Louisiana

Posted on October 16, 2013 by David McKee

Even slight improvements in consumer spending weren’t enough to help Pennsylvania. Gross gambling revenue fell 6%. Thanks to strong table play, Sands Bethlehem was able to buck the trend, staying flat for September. By contrast, Harrah’s Philadelphia — in a … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Neil Bluhm, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Singin’ the blues in Pennsylvania, Louisiana

Meet Tim Wilmott; Go big or go home

Posted on October 15, 2013 by David McKee

Penn National Gaming‘s COO lays out his company’s operating philosophy in potted form. Going up. One city will get more casino than expected and another one might. In Tulsa, the tribally owned River Spirit Casino will add four hotel floors … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cordish Co., Harrah's, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Penn National, Tribal | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 15, 2013 by David McKee

“The critics would prefer the good old days, when the only way to satisfy the urge was to make the expensive journey to Sin City, Nev. Ever since legal gambling began proliferating, they’ve been crying wolf. But in stark contrast … Continue reading →

Posted in Current | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Hey, Big Spender

Posted on October 15, 2013 by David McKee

Pro-gaming lobbyists outnumbered lawmakers in the last Legislature in New York State — with more than three-dozen entities getting into the action. They’ve also dropped an average of $7.4 million a year on lobbying efforts. That’s not much compared to … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Genting, New York, Politics | Comments Off on Hey, Big Spender

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 14, 2013 by David McKee

“[W]hat you and I and most decent people consider vulgar, depraved and perverted” — Las Vegas Sands attorney Charles McCrea Jr.’s description of The Act, the sex show inside Palazzo that closed last weekend. Vulgarity? Depravity? Perversion? Aren’t those the … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Scott Walker, optimist; Having it both ways in Kentucky

Posted on October 14, 2013 by David McKee

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) must have an upbeat disposition. He’s going to try and get representatives of all of the state’s gambling-enabled tribes in a room this week. The subject, of course, is the Menominee Tribe‘s Dairyland proposal, which … Continue reading →

Posted in Delaware, Economy, Kentucky, Racinos, Sports, Taxes, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Scott Walker, optimist; Having it both ways in Kentucky

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 14, 2013 by David McKee

“I had a migraine the whole last week when I was trying to assess this. It’s really disturbing when it’s all just because of politics. They’re taking families’ livelihoods away.” — Yurok Tribe Vice Chairwoman Susan Marsten on the federal … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Tribal | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Mississippi’s plight and other Case Bets

Posted on October 14, 2013 by David McKee

At the risk of sounding apocalyptic, the best years of the Mississippi casino industry may be behind it. This year’s revenue is projected to top out at $2.15 million, well below 2007’s all-time peak of $2.9 million. Admissions were 3.7 … Continue reading →

Posted in Detroit, Economy, Mississippi, Regulation, Taxes, The Strip | 1 Comment