Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

Bio

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 6, 2020 by David McKee

“To the world, he was a legend, an actor from the golden age of movies who lived well into his golden years, a humanitarian whose commitment to justice and the causes he believed in set a standard for all of … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Movies | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Macao closed for business; Tribal troubles

Posted on February 5, 2020 by David McKee

In what once seemed unthinkable, Macao has been ordered to close all 41 of its casinos (and presumably its myriad slot parlors) to inhibit the spread of coronavirus. The inciting incident appears to have been a case of the virus … Continue reading →

Posted in Charity, China, Donald Trump, Economy, Election, Galaxy Entertainment, Genting, Health, Macau, Massachusetts, Money laundering, Neil Bluhm, North Dakota, Oregon, Politics, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Turnaround at Station; Suburban sexcapades

Posted on February 5, 2020 by David McKee

Things are looking up for Station Casinos. The latest dispatch from JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff was optimistic, citing “a market that should experience solid 2% to 3% [gross gaming revenue] growth and possesses the ability to harvest margin growth as … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, International, Kentucky, Las Vegas Raiders, Law enforcement, Mohegan Sun, Pahrump, Palms, Racinos, Real Estate, Regulation, Reno, Station Casinos, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 5, 2020 by David McKee

“We can’t expect the world to get better by itself.”—the late journalist Gwen Ifill.

Posted in history | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Macao: Worse than expected; New deal on Connecticut table

Posted on February 4, 2020 by David McKee

When China gets coronavirus, Macao develops pneumonia. While Wall Street was expecting gaming revenues to dip 2% in January, they fell 11%. Macanese casinos still grossed $2.75 billion, so it’s not like they were hearing crickets. However, February is shaping … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, China, Connecticut, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Foxwoods, Health, IGT, Illinois, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports betting, Tourism, West Virginia | Comments Off on Macao: Worse than expected; New deal on Connecticut table

Case Bets

Posted on February 4, 2020 by David McKee

My head feels more disorganized than the Iowa Democratic caucuses (and that’s going some), so take a few Case Bets and call me in the morning … * Our salient recollection of Valentine’s Day in Las Vegas involves taking the … Continue reading →

Posted in Conventions, Dining, Election, Entertainment, FanDuel, history, International, Las Vegas Raiders, Las Vegas Sands, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Scientific Games, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, TV, Virgin Hotels | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 4, 2020 by David McKee

“I would never watch Jaguars-Titans in a million years, but if I have fantasy players in it, then of course I’m watching Jaguars-Titans. I really think without fantasy football, the NFL would not be where it is today.”—daily fantasy sports analyst … Continue reading →

Posted in DFS, Sports, Sports betting | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

IGT, Twin River cut a deal; Atlantic City casino execs get riled

Posted on February 3, 2020 by David McKee

In what is either a grand compromise or the cynical conclusion to months of backbiting, International Game Technology and Twin River Holdings have patched up their differences, and formed a joint venture to run the Rhode Island state lottery. (The … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, China, DFS, Donald Trump, e-sports, Eldorado Resorts, Hard Rock International, IGT, Japan, Kentucky, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Lotteries, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Morris Bailey, Rhode Island, Sports betting, Twin River, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

Lottery players loyal in Massachusetts; Gamblers shun Macao

Posted on February 3, 2020 by David McKee

After a year of casino-on-casino violence in Massachusetts, we have a winner: the state lottery. Ticket sales at outlets near Encore Boston Harbor are reported to be up 15%. “I was thinking positive. Because I knew more people would come … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, China, Derek Stevens, Hard Rock Hotel, Health, history, Japan, Lotteries, Macau, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Lottery players loyal in Massachusetts; Gamblers shun Macao

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 3, 2020 by David McKee

“The man who never alters his opinions is like standing water and breeds reptiles of the mind.”—William Blake

Posted in history | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Super Bowl: Mack the Mark; Oscar odds predict upset

Posted on February 3, 2020 by David McKee

Yes, the Super Bowl has finally come and gone, and congratulations to those of you who took the under on the total points scored (51) and the number of times Mike Shanahan was shown on camera (0). If there was … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Entertainment, Florida, Hard Rock International, history, International, Marketing, Mattress Mack, Movies, Planet Hollywood, Politics, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, TV | Comments Off on Super Bowl: Mack the Mark; Oscar odds predict upset

Brady to Raiders? It could happen

Posted on February 2, 2020 by David McKee

How could the Las Vegas Raiders upstage the biggest sporting event of the year? By leaking that they’re primed to pursue Tom Brady, how else? We don’t know that the Raiders let slip the news on Super Bowl Sunday but … Continue reading →

Posted in Las Vegas Raiders, Sports | Comments Off on Brady to Raiders? It could happen

Penn/Barstool deal a home run; Blatstein lightens Showboat ship

Posted on January 31, 2020 by David McKee

Shares of Penn National Gaming jumped 12% on news of its 36% acquisition of Barstool Sports. Penn plans to unroll a Barstool-branded line of sports books, online applications and mobile-wagering services. Barstool, in turn, will promote Penn until 2060 … … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Fontainebleau, Golden Gaming, Hard Rock Hotel, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, LVCVA, Massachusetts, Maverick Gaming, MGM Resorts International, Palms, Penn National, Problem gambling, Regulation, Resorts World LV, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Steven Witkoff, Technology, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, Washington State, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Super Bowl betting: Mack is back; Warren’s gambling problem

Posted on January 31, 2020 by David McKee

According to one online-betting site, Super Bowl odds are staying firm, with the Kansas City Chiefs 1.5-point favorites to win. “Last minute odds are some of the best,” it claims. Not when they’re as static as these. Speaking of “the … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball, Dining, Donald Trump, Election, Environment, Hard Rock Hotel, Health, Marketing, Massachusetts, Sports betting, Texas, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 31, 2020 by David McKee

“The only security of all is in a free press.”—Thomas Jefferson

Posted in history | 1 Comment

Santa kind to the Strip; Oklahoma compact mess explained

Posted on January 30, 2020 by David McKee

Gambling revenues on the Las Vegas Strip rose 4.5% last month, even as locals casinos vaulted 13.5% and the state as a whole was up 6%. Strip casinos grossed $592 million, despite a 27% tumble in baccarat winnings on 29.5% less … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Downtown, IGT, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Lotteries, North Las Vegas, Oklahoma, Racinos, Reno, Rhode Island, The Strip, Tribal, Twin River | Comments Off on Santa kind to the Strip; Oklahoma compact mess explained

Las Vegas Sands braces for impact; Big Rob’s big scam

Posted on January 30, 2020 by David McKee

Las Vegas Sands missed Wall Street expectations in Macao, made up for that in Singapore (partly on the strength of runaway Chinese high rollers) and “was solidly in line” on the Las Vegas Strip, according to JP Morgan analyst Joseph … Continue reading →

Posted in California, China, Health, James Packer, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Pennsylvania, Singapore, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, William Hill | Comments Off on Las Vegas Sands braces for impact; Big Rob’s big scam

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 30, 2020 by David McKee

“Every night somewhere in America, somebody takes their life in a casino because they’ve wasted the last semblance of dignity and hope that they had. Families are ruined. Lives are ruined.”—Kentucky ex-Gov. Matt Bevin, in a statement he later pretended … Continue reading →

Posted in Cretins, Kentucky, Problem gambling | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Coronavirus hits Vegas; Connecticut’s massive screwup

Posted on January 29, 2020 by David McKee

This just in … It’s here! The Southern Nevada Health District has reported a possible case of coronavirus. More details as we get them. In the meantime, there are at least six confirmed cases in Macao, as gaming stocks suffer … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Connecticut, Cosmopolitan, Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, Foxwoods, Health, Japan, Las Vegas Raiders, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Ohio, Oklahoma, Politics, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal | Comments Off on Coronavirus hits Vegas; Connecticut’s massive screwup

Penn pulls up a Barstool; Fear and trembling in Macao

Posted on January 29, 2020 by David McKee

As expected, Penn National Gaming bought a significant position in Barstool Sports, investing $135 million cash, $28 million PENN shares, and getting 36% of the two board seats and 36% of the company. The remainder is split between Chernin Group … Continue reading →

Posted in China, Derek Stevens, Dining, Donald Trump, Economy, Macau, Movies, Nevada, Penn National, Problem gambling, Reno, Rhode Island, Sports betting, Technology, Wall Street | Comments Off on Penn pulls up a Barstool; Fear and trembling in Macao