Author Archives: David McKee

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Clean sweep in Maryland; Clobberin’ time in Albany

Posted on October 11, 2013 by David McKee

Not unsurprisingly, MGM Resorts International, Penn National Gaming and Greenwood Racing (owner of Philadelphia‘s Parx Casino) received the unanimous benediction of the Maryland Lottery & Gaming Control Commission this week. Since Penn already operates in the Free State, its approval … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, New York, Penn National, Problem gambling, Regulation | Comments Off on Clean sweep in Maryland; Clobberin’ time in Albany

End of an era; Boyd needs to do better

Posted on October 11, 2013 by David McKee

Family owned casinos continue to become a thing of the past. Latest casualty: John Ascuaga’s Nugget, an icon of the Reno-Sparks market. The Ascuagas are giving way to out-of-state owner Husky Finance and operator Global Gaming & Hospitality, whose principals include the … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Cretins, Current, Economy, Reno | Comments Off on End of an era; Boyd needs to do better

Yard sale at Caesars; Disney vs. Genting; New boss at Revel

Posted on October 11, 2013 by David McKee

“It’s a lot of crap.” That’s the verdict of one auctioneer, sussing out the surplus merchandise on view at The Rio, site of a big surplus-inventory sale by Caesars Entertainment. One doesn’t even have to be there to bid. You … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Florida, Genting, Harrah's, Macau, Politics, Revel, Station Casinos, Tribal | Comments Off on Yard sale at Caesars; Disney vs. Genting; New boss at Revel

Atlantic City: It’s that time again

Posted on October 10, 2013 by David McKee

Since the next two months of 2013 involve comparisons to Hurricane Sandy, they won’t really count as measurements of Atlantic City‘s financial health. So here’s a last look-in for a while now. The market as a whole dropped 13% with … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Colony Capital, Donald Trump, Harrah's, Mohegan Sun, Revel, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Casino explosion in the Far East

Posted on October 10, 2013 by David McKee

Now that they’ve seen what Macao and Singapore can do with casino resorts, practically everyone else in the Pacific Rim wants in. Gaming is already big business in the Philippines, but Lawrence Ho and others like him are convinced they … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Genting, Harrah's, International, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore | Comments Off on Casino explosion in the Far East

New life for EuroVegas?; Trailer Station rides again;

Posted on October 10, 2013 by David McKee

Sheldon Adelson may have charmed out a back-door exemption to Spain‘s antismoking policy. The national government is drafting legislation that would give provinces wiggle room where the ban is concerned. Which means that Madrid could go ahead and give Adelson … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Downtown, Environment, Hard Rock International, International, Macau, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off on New life for EuroVegas?; Trailer Station rides again;

And the winner is … Borgata; Black eased out; Kudos to Sands

Posted on October 10, 2013 by David McKee

Leading the field, Borgata received New Jersey‘s first Internet-gambling license and will begin test play on Nov. 21. Congratulations to Boyd Gaming and partner bwin.party for having their ducks in a row. Understated Borgata prexy Tom Ballance, “It’s always nice … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Current, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, Mesquite, Michael Gaughan, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal | Comments Off on And the winner is … Borgata; Black eased out; Kudos to Sands

Indiana: Worse than expected?

Posted on October 9, 2013 by David McKee

Despite per-patron spending that was up 7% last month, a 16% falloff in admissions more than negated it. Depending on whether one counts tax-deductible free play or not, Indiana was anywhere from 9.5% to 11% down last month. Tight consumer … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Economy, Harrah's, Indiana, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 9, 2013 by David McKee

“People just can’t believe the government can be as immature as they seem to be acting right now. We’re just hoping that adults get into the room and get something done.” — MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren, during a Bloomberg … Continue reading →

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

Florida: Clear as mud; MGM lands Lakers

Posted on October 9, 2013 by David McKee

So, the Florida Lege commissioned this $400,000 study of casino expansion and nobody can agree on what it means. Spectrum Gaming Group, which performed the survey, is having to explain why it projected so much more revenue when Genting Group … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Delaware, Economy, Florida, Genting, MGM Mirage, Politics, Racinos, Sports, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Florida: Clear as mud; MGM lands Lakers

Game time in Massachusetts;

Posted on October 8, 2013 by David McKee

Three casino firms got ready to rumble yesterday, as the Massachusetts Gaming Commission heard pitches from all slot parlor applicants. It was a day characterized as filled with “glitzy renderings and plenty of big promises … soaring music, testimonials, and pictures … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Maryland, New York, Penn National, Regulation, Taxes, Tribal, West Virginia | 2 Comments

Freeman flunks; Casino insecurity; Between a Hard Rock and a good deed

Posted on October 8, 2013 by David McKee

It’s a good thing that American Gaming Association President Geoff Freeman hightailed it to Barcelona this week to give a speech. During Global Gaming Expo, his signature achievement was to stake the AGA’s credibility on a Justin Timberlake movie. Freeman … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Atlantic City, Charity, Delaware, Economy, Election, G2E, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Indiana, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Movies, New York, Penn National, Regulation, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on Freeman flunks; Casino insecurity; Between a Hard Rock and a good deed

Big fellow on the Strip

Posted on October 8, 2013 by David McKee

I’m definitely feeling the love for MGM Resorts International, for its role in helping to save O.D., a giant sea turtle, by bringing him to Las Vegas. It’s feel-good story that will linger in your heart, whether or not it … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, MGM Mirage, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on Big fellow on the Strip

Sammy Boy’s long shot

Posted on October 8, 2013 by David McKee

Work continues apace on the conversion of the Sahara into the SLS Las Vegas.  This CBS This Morning piece raises more questions than it answers. For instance, by putting so much emphasis on restaurant, hotel, pool and nightclub revenue streams … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Sahara, Sam Nazarian, The Strip | Comments Off on Sammy Boy’s long shot

Ohio: Murky prospects

Posted on October 7, 2013 by David McKee

Casino gambling in Ohio last month generated $91 million — an 81% increase on last year. But, when you look same-store results, there was a lot of robbing Peter to pay Paul. Penn National Gaming‘s Hollywood Casino Columbus, Caesars Entertainment‘s … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Ohio: Murky prospects

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 7, 2013 by David McKee

“MGM [Resorts International] might have made a shrewd move disentangling themselves as there isn’t much other than the casino there right now. With all the other projects kicking off in Asia I doubt if it will become a class destination … Continue reading →

Posted in International, MGM Mirage | 1 Comment

Illinois’ blues; G2E revisited; Ohio, one year later

Posted on October 7, 2013 by David McKee

Illinois‘ casinos got kicked in the pants last month, as revenues and foot traffic were down 9% each. The lone bright spot was Caesars Entertainment, which beat expectations, up 1%. True, Harrah’s Metropolis was off 22% but strong numbers at … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Economy, G2E, Harrah's, Illinois, New York, Ohio, Penn National | Comments Off on Illinois’ blues; G2E revisited; Ohio, one year later

How Caesars does it

Posted on October 7, 2013 by David McKee

While we think the idea of a bake sale to reduce Caesars Entertainment‘s $23.5 billion debt is satirical, you never know. It wouldn’t be the most cockamamie idea ever to emerge from Gary Loveman‘s office. We asked one of our … Continue reading →

Posted in Charity, Harrah's, Missouri, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Learning to love the Boardwalk again

Posted on October 4, 2013 by David McKee

In a surprising — but not unwelcome — turn of events two Philadelphia casino investors are looking at getting into Atlantic City. It’s amazing the effect legalized Internet betting can have. Business partners George Miller and Kevin Flynn own 0.5% … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Colony Capital, Current, Dining, Donald Trump, Hard Rock Hotel, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Pennsylvania, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta | 2 Comments

What did Lee Amaitis know and when did he know it?

Posted on October 4, 2013 by David McKee

According to the Wall Street Journal, the founder of Cantor Gaming — Lee Amaitis (left) — is under federal scrutiny for an alleged role in illegal sports wagering. Already one Cantor exec, Michael Cantor, has copped a plea for facilitated the … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Cantor Gaming, Entertainment, Massachusetts, Penn National, Regulation, The Strip | Comments Off on What did Lee Amaitis know and when did he know it?