Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

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Quote of the Day

Posted on February 25, 2020 by David McKee

“This had been seen as mainly a China problem. Now, there is more concern about how difficult this virus will be to contain.”—Rockland Trust Director of Research Doug Butler, after coronavirus fears drove the Dow Jones down 1,030 points.

Posted in China, Health, Wall Street | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

More Stitt double talk; Tribes try again for Maine casinos

Posted on February 24, 2020 by David McKee

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) continues to bake over $130 million/year in tribal-casino exclusivity fees into his next two budgets, despite A) contending that the state’s Native American casinos are operating illegally and B) raiding those exclusivity fees to pay … Continue reading →

Posted in Cambodia, China, Churchill Downs, Economy, Internet gambling, Maine, Oklahoma, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off on More Stitt double talk; Tribes try again for Maine casinos

Reeg savages Caesars; Catskills rescue plan

Posted on February 24, 2020 by David McKee

Having rashly committed $500 million in reinvestments to the Louisiana market (he’ll have to build whole new casinos to spend that much), Eldorado Resorts CEO Tom Reeg has to make those forfeited savings back somewhere. Potential sales of Caesars Entertainment‘s … Continue reading →

Posted in Alaska, Animals, Caesars Entertainment, Conventions, Donald Trump, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Election, Entertainment, Foxwoods, Genting, Internet gambling, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Lotteries, Louisiana, Marketing, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Planet Hollywood, Resorts World LV, Sexual misconduct, Sports betting, The Rio, The Strip | 1 Comment

“Empty gesture” in Macao; Big deals for Scientific, Hill

Posted on February 24, 2020 by David McKee

Casinos may have reopened in Macao but coronavirus cannot be so easily wished away. Fears of its spread hit U.S. stock markets hard, with the Dow Jones tumbling 840 points, ceding all 2020 gains. Overseas bourses are taking it hard, too, … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Arizona, Atlantic City, China, Culinary Union, Economy, Election, Galaxy Entertainment, Genting, Health, International, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Scientific Games, Singapore, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on “Empty gesture” in Macao; Big deals for Scientific, Hill

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 23, 2020 by David McKee

“The humblest servant of the Government should not be at the mercy or the caprice of the most distinguished politician. Let every man who may receive a commission from the United States know that he holds it from the people, in … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Quickie caucus summary

Posted on February 22, 2020 by David McKee

Winner: Medicare for All. As reported in the Boston Globe, “As [Sen. Bernie] Sanders piled up wins at precincts inside casinos up and down the Las Vegas Strip, it seemed clear that he had overcome deep opposition from the leadership … Continue reading →

Posted in Culinary Union, Election, Harry Reid, Politics, The Strip | Comments Off on Quickie caucus summary

Life’s good if you’re Boyd; Caesars fire sale threatened

Posted on February 21, 2020 by David McKee

Boyd Gaming‘s share price got a bump from JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff, who wrote “We continue to believe BYD is well positioned in both U.S. regional gaming markets as well as the LV Locals market.” Since Boyd is ahead … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Conventions, Downtown, Eldorado Resorts, Election, GLPI, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Penn National, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Saturation hits Connecticut; Culinary waffles on Sanders

Posted on February 21, 2020 by David McKee

So much for Tribal Winds, the satellite casino that was going to counteract MGM Springfield. Its backers are cutting the proposed $300 million investment by one-third. On the plus side, this could be read as a way of saying the … Continue reading →

Posted in China, Colorado, Connecticut, Culinary Union, Donald Trump, DraftKings, Economy, Election, Environment, Foxwoods, Harry Reid, Health, history, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Pennsylvania, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Technology | Comments Off on Saturation hits Connecticut; Culinary waffles on Sanders

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 21, 2020 by David McKee

“Countries with a powerful death penalty, with a fair but quick trial, they have very little if any drug problem. That includes China.”—Donald Trump, on the war on drugs.

Posted in China, Donald Trump, Law enforcement | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Odds favor Bloomberg; Hilton returns to Vegas

Posted on February 20, 2020 by David McKee

As Saturday’s Nevada caucus nears, South Point oddsmaker Jimmy Vaccaro is boldly going where none of his colleagues have gone before, posting presidential odds. We’ll break them down by category. Vaccaro has Sen. Bernie Sanders (I), as expected, winning Nevada … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball, China, Connecticut, Cretins, Culinary Union, Election, International, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Macau, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mattress Mack, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, New Hampshire, Politics, Resorts World LV, Sahara, Scientific Games, Sports betting, Taxes, Technology, The Strip | 1 Comment

Wynn dominates Massachusetts; Scientific disappoints

Posted on February 19, 2020 by David McKee

Massachusetts casinos raked in $80 million last month, 60% of that—or $48.5 million—at Encore Boston Harbor. Holding onto a 26% share was MGM Springfield, grossing $20.5 million, while Plainridge Park won $11 million. That was a 10.5% decline for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Baseball, Economy, Internet gambling, Japan, Massachusetts, Maverick Gaming, MGM Resorts International, Oklahoma, Penn National, Scientific Games, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, Washington State, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Wynn dominates Massachusetts; Scientific disappoints

Crime pays; Dream-ing big

Posted on February 19, 2020 by David McKee

Donald Trump granted executive clemency to four convicted criminals, three of whom had—surprise!—casino connections. Steve Wynn‘s money man Michael Milken benefited from the support not of the tainted Wynn but of Sheldon Adelson. (Mirage Resorts was financed with junk bonds, … Continue reading →

Posted in Alaska, Architecture, Caesars Entertainment, Dining, Downtown, Health, International, Las Vegas Raiders, Law enforcement, Lotteries, Louisiana, Macau, Massachusetts, North Las Vegas, Oklahoma, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Transportation, Tribal, Virgin Hotels | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 19, 2020 by David McKee

“This country has come to feel the same when Congress is in session as when the baby gets hold of a hammer.”—Will Rogers, humorist (1879-1935)

Posted in Politics | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Nevada #1 in sin; AGA targets black-market slots

Posted on February 18, 2020 by David McKee

There used to be a saying that Nevada was at the top of all the bad lists and the bottom of all the good ones. How do you feel about this one? WalletHub has ranked Nevada as the “most sinful” … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Baseball, Entertainment, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Massachusetts, Nevada, Problem gambling, Regulation, The Strip, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Nevada #1 in sin; AGA targets black-market slots

Encore gets real; Atlantic City on impressive streak

Posted on February 17, 2020 by David McKee

According to the Boston Globe, a “sense of reality” in sinking in at Encore Boston Harbor that it has to appeal to somebody besides high-income demographics. “This shift was evident recently when a bright-red taco truck appeared on the gambling … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Canada, Dining, Georgia, Illinois, Internet gambling, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Real Estate, Regulation, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Mob, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Encore gets real; Atlantic City on impressive streak

Mutiny at MGM?; The art of the presidential deal

Posted on February 17, 2020 by David McKee

Global Gaming Business sources say MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren “was forced out by activist investors who had gathered enough support from institutional investors for his ouster.” The reason is not clear, as Murren had been doing everything possible … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, CityCenter, Donald Trump, Galaxy Entertainment, Genting, Hard Rock International, Health, International, Internet gambling, Japan, Macau, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Regulation, Resort fees, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, TV, Virginia, Wall Street, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Culinary defeats itself; Red scare in a blue state

Posted on February 17, 2020 by David McKee

By failing to coalesce behind a rival candidate, the Culinary Union may have gift-wrapped Nevada for Sen. Bernie Sanders [I]. According to the Boston Globe, which noted lingering tensions between Sanders and the Culinary, a recent poll “found Sanders the … Continue reading →

Posted in China, Culinary Union, Election, Harry Reid, Marijuana, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Technology, Wall Street | Comments Off on Culinary defeats itself; Red scare in a blue state

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 17, 2020 by David McKee

“If they respect the results of modern science, and indeed the best of modern biblical research, religious believers must move away from the notion of a dictator God or a designer God, a Newtonian God who made the universe as a … Continue reading →

Posted in Current | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Election special

Posted on February 15, 2020 by David McKee

Such is the Culinary Union‘s clout that Nevada Sen. Jacky Rosen (D, left), Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D) and Rep. Susie Lee (D) will also be casting their caucus ballots at Culinary-sponsored events, staggered across today through Tuesday. On Wednesday, … Continue reading →

Posted in China, Culinary Union, Election, Health, history, International, Internet gambling, Japan, Macau, Massachusetts, Maverick Gaming, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, Palms, Politics, Regulation, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Washington State, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Culinary’s candidate is ‘none of the above’

Posted on February 14, 2020 by David McKee

In the political non-event of the year, the Culinary Union announced a media extravaganza to reveal their endorsement in the 2020 presidential election. A press conference was duly held for the Culinary to disclose that it was endorsing … nobody. It … Continue reading →

Posted in Culinary Union, Donald Trump, Election, Harry Reid, Politics | Comments Off on Culinary’s candidate is ‘none of the above’