Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

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What ails Illinois?; Trump Plaza comes down

In a month that saw Ohio casino revenues grow 6% and Iowa almost 1% (to $119.5 million), Illinois casinos plummeted 27% to a measly $82 million. Even a sub-50% capacity restriction doesn’t begin to explain away the problem. Predictably, Rivers … Continue reading

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, Churchill Downs, Dining, DraftKings, FanDuel, Full House Resorts, Illinois, Indiana, Internet gambling, Iowa, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Penn National, Politics, Rush Street Gaming, Spectacle Entertainment, Sports betting, Twin River | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

“Democracy isn’t the objective; liberty, peace, and prospefity [sic] are. We want the human condition to flourish. Rank democracy can thwart that.”—Sen. Mike Lee.

Posted in Current | 5 Comments

Ohio still strong; Internet saps brick-and-mortar casinos

Buckeye State casino revenues continue to trend upward, gaining 6% to finish at $164.5 million in win. Now that casinos are open in Detroit, it took some of the sheen off Hollywood Toledo, but not much. It was up 13.5% … Continue reading

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Dan Gilbert, Dining, Downtown, Economy, Election, Internet gambling, MGM Resorts International, Ohio, Penn National, Sports betting, Tourism, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Sports betting lifts Illinois; Packer in a pickle

It was sagacious of Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (whose family used to co-own the Grand Victoria casino in Elgin) to temporarily suspend his state’s rule requiring in person registration for sports betting. Last month, the Land of Lincoln saw $140 … Continue reading

Posted in Australia, Boyd Gaming, China, Churchill Downs, Colorado, Crown Resorts, DraftKings, FanDuel, Health, Illinois, Indiana, Law enforcement, Lawrence Ho, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Regulation, Sports, Sports betting, The Crown 18, The Mob | 1 Comment

Maryland returns to normal; Caesars offloads assets

Pandemic? What pandemic? Maryland casino revenues were 1% above last September’s, indicating a resumption of normality, at least where gambling is concerned. The statewide gross was $149.5 million. That’s despite restrictions that include keeping the casino floor at 50% of … Continue reading

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Conventions, Cordish Co., Cretins, Delaware, Diversity, Economy, Election, FanDuel, Golden Gaming, Health, International, Internet gambling, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Nebraska, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Reno, Sports betting, Tribal, Virginia, West Virginia, William Hill | Comments Off on Maryland returns to normal; Caesars offloads assets

Kraft cashes out; Foxwoods is tops

Since its IPO, DraftKings stock has rocketed 264% upward. That has prompted some profit-taking on the part of both DraftKings itself and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft. (Maybe Kraft’s windfall will soften the pain of last night’s drubbing at … Continue reading

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, California, Conventions, Dining, DraftKings, FanDuel, Florida, Foxwoods, Hard Rock International, Las Vegas Raiders, Mohegan Sun, Ocean Resort, Reno, Sports, Sports betting, Tribal, TV, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

“If this experience hasn’t taught him anything—after the virus not only infected him but his loved ones, workforce, and donors — he’s unteachable.”—Arthur Caplan, director of medical ethics at New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine, on Donald Trump‘s recent conduct.

Posted in Donald Trump, Health | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Covid-19 rattles oddsmakers; No joy in Vegas

Before the ink was dry on a deal for BetMGM to become the official wagering partner of the Tennessee Titans, inescapable Covid-19 rippled through the Titans’ ranks, forcing indefinite postponement of a tilt against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Incidences like this … Continue reading

Posted in Economy, Florida, Health, Illinois, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Raiders, Law enforcement, Lotteries, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, TV, Twin River, Wall Street, William Hill | 3 Comments

Quote of the Day

“Other cultures are not ‘enemies’ from which we need to protect ourselves, but differing reflections of the inexhaustible richness of human life.”—Pope Francis, in his latest encyclical, Brothers All.

Posted in Current, Diversity | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Quote of the Day

“As too many Americans have done this year, @potus & I are quarantining at home after testing positive for COVID-19. We are feeling good & I have postponed all upcoming engagements. Please be sure you are staying safe & we … Continue reading

Posted in Current, Donald Trump, Health | 1 Comment

Massacre anniversary brings accord; Stevens wants you

Let the healing begin. An $800 million settlement between MGM Resorts International and victims of the Mandalay Bay Massacre has been blessed by a Clark County judge. Said co-plaintiff Stephanie Fraser, “By the grace of God, myself and my family … Continue reading

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Cretins, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Economy, Jim Murren, Law enforcement, Mandalay Bay Massacre, MGM Resorts International, Regulation, Resorts World LV, Security, Sheldon Adelson, TV | 1 Comment

Case Bets

Congratulations to Plainridge Park. The Penn National Gaming racino celebrated five years in business and the renewal of its Massachusetts gaming license. The decision was unanimous. (And why not?) While Plainridge Park has seen its revenues cut into by Encore … Continue reading

Posted in Entertainment, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Penn National, Regulation, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, The Strip | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

“Debate? What debate? The event was not intended to change minds or elucidate issues. It was only a form of entertainment which did credit to neither the incumbent nor the challenger. It encapsulates all that has gone wrong with American … Continue reading

Posted in Election, International | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Barstool buy buoys Penn Nat’l; MGM’s ad blitzkrieg

JP Morgan analysts upped their near- and long-term cash flow estimates for Penn National Gaming, based on regional trends and sports betting. “While we recognize PENN’s impressive share price outperformance, and many sell-side firms have thrown in the towel with … Continue reading

Posted in Arizona, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Dining, Donald Trump, Downtown Grand, DraftKings, FanDuel, Hard Rock International, Health, Illinois, Internet gambling, Iowa, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Problem gambling, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Strip lags Nevada

Silver State gaming revenues were down 22% last month, largely retarded by the Las Vegas Strip (-39%), while locals revenues showed remarkable strength, rising 10%—particularly impressive given the high level of unemployment in Nevada. The statewide gross was $743 million: … Continue reading

Posted in Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Economy, Lake Tahoe, Mesquite, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Reno, Station Casinos, The Strip, Wall Street, Wendover | Comments Off on Strip lags Nevada

Vegas’ mixed message; China puts the squeeze on Macao

Is the Las Vegas Strip coming back? Yes and no, to judge by hotel rates for the October 18-24 period. They’re 50% 0ff last year’s but with a severe dichotomy between weekdays and weekends. For instance, Las Vegas Sands (even … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Barstool Sports, Caesars Entertainment, China, Conventions, Economy, Health, Kazuo Okada, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Planet Hollywood, Problem gambling, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Sports betting, The Strip, Tourism, Virgin Hotels, Wall Street, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Cretins amok in Alabama; Caesars: $2.7B for William Hill

There’s stiff competition for Troglodyte of the Year but Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has staked a prohibitive claim. He’s on a crusade to shut down the state’s three private-sector casinos and he won an important victory last week. The … Continue reading

Posted in Alabama, Architecture, Caesars Entertainment, Cretins, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Sports betting, The Strip, Transportation, Tribal, Virginia, Wall Street, William Hill | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

”Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.”—Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Posted in Current | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Quote of the Day

“Where did they find these people—the seediest bar in New Jersey?”—my wife, reacting to a clip from Love Island, currently broadcasting from The Cromwell. Bad call, Caesars Entertainment.

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Cretins, TV | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Caesars here, Caesars there, Caesars everywhere

Caesars Entertainment got a vote of confidence from JP Morgan analyst Daniel Politzer today, largely on the strength of its regional portfolio, as well as its potency in the sports-betting sphere. Regional trends were described as “better than expected,” and … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Eldorado Resorts, Election, Entertainment, history, International, Internet gambling, Laughlin, Louisiana, Marketing, Maryland, Reno, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, TV, Wall Street, William Hill | 1 Comment