Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

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Buyer’s market on the Boardwalk

Posted on July 3, 2013 by David McKee

An East Coast spy for S&G has had his ear to the ground and reports that a veritable horde of prospective purchaser are descending upon Atlantic City. Casino prices having fallen about as low as they can go, “buy” appears … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Atlantic City, Colony Capital, Current, Economy, Louisiana, Missouri, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Revel | 1 Comment

SkyVue kaput?; Wowing them in Massachusetts

Posted on July 3, 2013 by David McKee

That’s the unavoidable conclusion, despite the increasingly comical protestations of local developer Howard Bulloch‘s sidekicks. Caesars Entertainment‘s rival Ferris wheel may be in a terrible location, it may be progressing slowly but — but — it is progressing. SkyVue has … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Current, Economy, Genting, Harrah's, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Deal or no deal?; Two-face Trump; Good news for Adelson

Posted on July 3, 2013 by David McKee

This just in: Poker Stars has announced an agreement to offer Internet gambling in New Jersey via Mohegan Sun-run Resorts Atlantic City. This enables Rational Group to get a U.S. foothold without the inconvenience of buying a physical casino. Colony Capital … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colony Capital, Current, Donald Trump, Economy, Internet gambling, Macau, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Tourism, Tribal | 1 Comment

Station 2, Caesars 0; Death in Vegas

Posted on July 2, 2013 by David McKee

My expectation that Caesars Entertainment, leveraging its World Series of Poker brand, would outstrip Station Casinos‘ online-gaming offerings is looking unduly optimistic. Caesars Interactive hasn’t been able to get out of the driveway while Ultimate Gaming has gone virtually coast-to-coast. … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Cirque du Soleil, Donald Trump, Economy, Harrah's, history, Illinois, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Slot routes, Station Casinos, The Strip | 1 Comment

Big Brother Sheldon

Posted on June 28, 2013 by David McKee

Professional sourpuss Sheldon Adelson doesn’t think you should gamble … on the Internet, that is. (“In the history of bad ideas, this has to be one of the worst,” the ad glumly intones.) In Adelson’s intellectually dishonest world it’s perfectly … Continue reading →

Posted in Cantor Gaming, Internet gambling, Problem gambling, Sheldon Adelson, TV | 1 Comment

Case Bets: Crystals, Baltimore, Mohegan Sun, Macao

Posted on June 27, 2013 by David McKee

Somebody’s finally found a good use for Crystals: as a museum. Daniel Liebeskind‘s design of the property would be more conducive to viewing art than to shopping and it never has trouble drawing lookie-lous. (Customers, eh, not so much.) Somebody … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, CityCenter, Current, Entertainment, Harrah's, Macau, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal | 2 Comments

Jumped, pushed or just fed up?

Posted on June 26, 2013 by David McKee

All of a sudden there’s a spate of turnover in the gaming industry. The ongoing verbal meltdown of Paula Deen was going to have to force Caesars Entertainment to take some form of action, particularly if it wants to preserve … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Cretins, Current, Dining, Florida, Genting, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, International, Mississippi, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Shifting Sands; Happy birthday, Hollywood Aurora

Posted on June 25, 2013 by David McKee

(Update: J.P. Morgan analyst Joseph Greff vented frustration to investors over yet another “self-inflicted negative headline,” while remaining upbeat on LVS stock. He did not relate Kay’s departure to “any negative event … We note that Mr. Kay worked for … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Harrah's, Illinois, Macau, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn | 1 Comment

History in the making; Mohegan Sun: Go fly a balloon

Posted on June 25, 2013 by David McKee

Soon, the North Fork Rancheria Band of Mono Indians is expected to become not only California‘s 63rd gaming-enabled tribe but the first with an off-reservation casino. The medium-sized (2,000 slots, 200 hotel rooms) facility would be 36 miles off the … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Cordish Co., Current, Entertainment, Massachusetts, Mesquite, Station Casinos, Tribal | Comments Off on History in the making; Mohegan Sun: Go fly a balloon

Shocking! Just shocking!; Riviera: Choy gets the chop

Posted on June 24, 2013 by David McKee

Andrew Breibart heir Matthew Boyle has his bloomers in a twist over the fact that Nevada Sens. Harry Reid (D) and Dean Heller (R) have tweaked the immigration bill currently before the Senate to include an indefinite extension of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Current, Economy, Genting, Harry Reid, Politics, Riviera, Tourism | Comments Off on Shocking! Just shocking!; Riviera: Choy gets the chop

Wynn wins big; Foxwoods and Mohegans try harder

Posted on June 24, 2013 by David McKee

As expected, voters in Everett, Massachusetts, went to the polls, expressed their approval of Wynn Resorts‘ proposed resort — and it wasn’t even close. Opposition was obliterated, 86% to 14%. Where the burghers of tony Foxborough had turned up their … Continue reading →

Posted in Culinary Union, Election, Entertainment, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, New Hampshire, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Tourism, Tribal | 2 Comments

Wynn Everett a slam dunk?; Caesars In(ter)active

Posted on June 21, 2013 by David McKee

It’s looking that way. Amounts donated by Wynn Resorts and Wynn affiliates toward this weekend’s referendum: $465,000. Amount spent in opposition: $0. That’s right, nothing. Steve Wynn has also been careful not to stir up potential anti-casino ire by avoiding media … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Election, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, Regulation, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Wynn Everett a slam dunk?; Caesars In(ter)active

Revel gets the memo; Sheldon Adelson knows what’s good for you

Posted on June 21, 2013 by David McKee

Wall Street really hates it when casinos buy business with “promotional allowances” (read: comps) but sometimes — and especially when you’re Revel Hotel-Casino — there’s no choice. In marketing policies as new as its expanded nomenclature, Revel is acknowledging its … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cantor Gaming, Current, Economy, Environment, Harry Reid, International, Internet gambling, Marketing, Politics, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal | 1 Comment

New bosses at Hooters; Caesars: If it worked for Obama … ?

Posted on June 21, 2013 by David McKee

While nobody wants to buy or even lease the Hooters Hotel, current owners Canyon Capital Realty Advisors at least have found some new gaming expertise for the property. In this case, “new” is a relative term, as the familiar faces … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Delaware, Harrah's, Hooters, Marketing, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Taxes, The Strip, West Virginia | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 20, 2013 by David McKee

“… casino ‘taxes’ are really more accurately described as profit-sharing arrangements, making states in effect business partners in gambling operations, a recipe for crony capitalism, favoritism for politically connected businesses, and, now, to no one’s great surprise, bailout considerations … … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Delaware, Economy, Politics, Racinos, Taxes | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Galaxy fights back

Posted on June 20, 2013 by David McKee

What do you do if you’re Galaxy Gaming CEO Robert Saucier? A judge in California has called you “evasive and … intentionally dishonest.” (Or, in plain English, “Liar, liar, pants on fire!”) You’re under scrutiny for a laundry list of … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Current, Regulation, Technology, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Galaxy fights back

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 18, 2013 by David McKee

“It reminds me of an Applebee’s.” — remark overheard during the media rollout of Pub 1842, newest restaurant at MGM Grand, a Michael Mina “gastropub.“ Whoever’s in charge of the myriad TVs needs to be told that there are other … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Dining, MGM Mirage, The Strip | 3 Comments

Ohio: A disappointment, not a flop

Posted on June 18, 2013 by David McKee

Editor’s note: On June 20, J.P. Morgan lowered its price-per-share target for Penn National Gaming, citing “the sluggish Ohio ramp,” along with cannibalization of business in neighboring states. On May 22, legislators in Ohio voted to limit payouts from “sweepstakes … Continue reading →

Posted in Dan Gilbert, Economy, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MTR Gaming, New Hampshire, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Rhode Island, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Ohio: A disappointment, not a flop

Delaware casinos offered bailout; Wynn making gains in Massachusetts

Posted on June 18, 2013 by David McKee

State governments like casinos because they fill the capitol’s coffers with revenue. At least that’s what they’re supposed to do. But something’s gone very wrong in Delaware. Gov. Jack Markell‘s administration — having an extra $50 million on hand — … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Politics, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off on Delaware casinos offered bailout; Wynn making gains in Massachusetts

Vegas: Bullishness is back; Getting high at the Trop

Posted on June 18, 2013 by David McKee

While we’re still a few years from seeing Resorts World Las Vegas come to fruition, in the meantime, Genting Group would like to tease our interest. It’s asking Clark County for permission to build a couple of “preview centers” on … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Colorado, Current, Economy, Entertainment, Fontainebleau, Genting, Harrah's, International, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Tourism | 1 Comment