Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

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Quote of the Day

Posted on April 4, 2020 by David McKee

“One Georgia hospital has workers in a conference room cutting up surgical sheeting and sewing it onto N95 masks to make the masks last longer. (If N95 masks get soiled, they are supposed to be discarded. This way, the surgical … Continue reading →

Posted in Georgia, Health | 3 Comments

No recovery in Macao

Posted on April 3, 2020 by David McKee

Despite the lifting of a government quarantine, casino revenues in Macao did not bounce back last month, down 80% to $664 million. That’s worse than forecast (70%). Tourism restrictions prompted by a second boomlet of Covid-19 in Macao didn’t help. … Continue reading →

Posted in China, Economy, Health, International, Internet gambling, Macau, Marketing, PokerStars, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Technology, Tourism | Comments Off on No recovery in Macao

Maryland craters; Penn takes Trop loss

Posted on April 3, 2020 by David McKee

Free State Gov. Larry Hogan (R) having closed casinos on March 16, revenue results were predictably dire, down 58%. That’s a measly $69 million gross. MGM National Harbor booked $26 million, a 58.5% slide, with slots down 62% and tables … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Detroit, Donald Trump, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Health, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Penn National, Politics, Real Estate, Sheldon Adelson, Sports betting, The Strip, Wall Street, West Virginia, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 3, 2020 by David McKee

“To be able to keep the business running, to keep our people employed, that’s great. To be able to help our front-line health care workers, our police officers and firefighters, to be able to give some people something to bring home … Continue reading →

Posted in Charity, Vermont | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

MGM: Just say no; NBA to Vegas?

Posted on April 2, 2020 by David McKee

Setting an admirable example, MGM Resorts International will be abstaining from any CARES Act bailout money. It will avail itself of the loan guarantees being extended by the federal government. As the company itself says, it needn’t play poor, not … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Economy, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts International, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sports, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip | 2 Comments

Sanders enters casino fray; MGM execs play the market

Posted on April 2, 2020 by David McKee

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I), perhaps in a move to reinvigorate his comatose presidential campaign, has waded into the dispute between the Trump administration and the Mashpee Wampanoag. The origin of the tribe’s newly dissolved, 321-acre reservation is clouded by tribal recognition during … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Economy, Election, Genting, Health, history, Horseracing, Illinois, Indiana, International, Jim Murren, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Ohio, Penn National, Politics, Sports, Sports betting, Tribal, Twin River, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Pandemic … of black-market slots; Jobs market reels

Posted on April 2, 2020 by David McKee

Why didn’t social distancing in casinos work? Reports Frank Legato, “the Centers for Disease Control revealed that the Covid-19 virus can survive up to two or three days on stainless steel, plastic and other nonporous surfaces—like gaming machines. An industry … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Economy, Health, Illinois, International, Law enforcement, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Problem gambling, Regulation, Slot routes, Transportation, Wall Street | Comments Off on Pandemic … of black-market slots; Jobs market reels

Las Vegas closed through April 30

Posted on April 2, 2020 by David McKee

Jottings: Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak (D) is asking Donald Trump to declare the Silver State a ‘major disaster’ area. We agree, but Trump is being punitive toward ‘blue’ states so we doubt Sisolak will get his wish. The governor extended … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Downtown, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Health, Nevada, Terry Caudill, The Mob, The Strip, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 1, 2020 by David McKee
Posted in TV | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

It’s better than it looks

Posted on April 1, 2020 by David McKee

Charlton Heston in The Omega Man would feel right at home in contemporary Las Vegas. The lights are on but literally no one’s home. Or rather, everyone’s at home, sheltering in place—except that one guy seen getting busted by Las … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Downtown, Health, Law enforcement, Massachusetts, The Strip | 1 Comment

Harbingers of hope

Posted on April 1, 2020 by David McKee

Tonight, in a gesture of defiance toward Coronavirus, a parade of vehicles will be held up the otherwise-deserted Las Vegas Strip. Led by mobile billboard Balanceville Art Car, “Light Up Las Vegas” will begin from McCarran Sunset Business Park, immediately south … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, California, Charity, Detroit, Downtown, Health, Japan, Marketing, Penn National, Resorts World LV, Sports, The Strip | Comments Off on Harbingers of hope

Boyd opens its wallet, stringency at Scientific, improvidence at MGM

Posted on March 31, 2020 by David McKee

Boyd Gaming, which had previously been reported to be giving two weeks pay (misreported as one week by the Las Vegas Review-Journal) to employees idled in Las Vegas by the one-month casino shutdown, has gotten “george” and extended the hardship pay … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, China, Churchill Downs, Economy, Health, Illinois, Japan, Jim Murren, Kentucky, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Neil Bluhm, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Scientific Games, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Hard times for Atlantic City; Murren’s big payday

Posted on March 30, 2020 by David McKee

Atlantic City casinos have pink-slipped 6,000 workers as a gaming shutdown goes on indefinitely. Said Ocean Casino Resort CEO Terry Glebocki, “This is truly an unprecedented time not only for Ocean, but for everyone.” Unemployment claims in the Garden State … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Hard Rock International, Health, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Morris Bailey, Ocean Resort, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Real Estate, Regulation, Sports betting, Tribal, Wall Street, Washington State | 1 Comment

Case Bets & Mega-Jottings

Posted on March 30, 2020 by David McKee

Former casino operator and regulator Richard Schuetz has some very stern words for his former colleagues and their (slow) response to Coronavirus. Sample: “The point is, in many of our gaming states, there was little concern about the employees of … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Charity, Donald Trump, e-sports, Economy, Health, International, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Massachusetts, Nevada, Penn National, Real Estate, Regulation, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Case Bets & Mega-Jottings

Vegas in the time of Coronavirus; Trump squelches tribe

Posted on March 30, 2020 by David McKee

Las Vegas on lockdown is pretty spooky. It’s like a neutron bomb fell on the Strip, wiping out all the people and leaving the casinos intact. However, there may be a glimmer at the end of the April 17 tunnel. … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Donald Trump, Economy, GLPI, Health, history, Massachusetts, Penn National, Politics, Tribal, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Twin River, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on March 30, 2020 by David McKee

“I wish there was a stronger word for disappointed. I’m calling on them to do better.”—Sean Durbin, public health emergency preparedness coordinator for Decatur County in Indiana, after receiving only 77 N95 masks and 24 face shields from the federal government.

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

Trop sale: More fizzle than sizzle

Posted on March 28, 2020 by David McKee

Remember how Penn National Gaming tantalized us with its sale process for the Tropicana Las Vegas, hinting at a bidding war and outright predicting a massive cash haul for the company? Well, Penn was evidently so bereft of suitors that yesterday it … Continue reading →

Posted in GLPI, Maryland, Penn National, Pennsylvania, The Strip | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on March 28, 2020 by David McKee

“It is reasonable to believe that God is judging America via consequential wrath, but for the aforesaid reasons, there does not exist a biblical basis to conclude that any nation today, including America, is experiencing forsaking wrath. … “—White House … Continue reading →

Posted in Current | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Casinos in survival mode; Sports betting in Cali in peril

Posted on March 27, 2020 by David McKee

After this week’s stimulus vote in the U.S. Congress, the casino industry would seem to have ducked a bullet. But, depending on how much financial aid it can draw down, the question lingers over whether any operators will have to file … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Charity, Colorado, Economy, Election, Foxwoods, Full House Resorts, Golden Gaming, Health, Horseracing, Indiana, International, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, Oklahoma, Penn National, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Hiccup at Resorts World LV; Coping with a crisis

Posted on March 27, 2020 by David McKee

In case you’ve been wondering, yes, construction is continuing at Resorts World Las Vegas. There will be a partial abatement after a worker tested positive for Coronavirus. As a consequence, work on an unspecified part of the metaresort will be … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Health, International, Resorts World LV, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, Vermont | Comments Off on Hiccup at Resorts World LV; Coping with a crisis