Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

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Sports betting back on in Florida; Genting tipped for Japan

Posted on January 7, 2020 by David McKee

Although Florida voters thought they were cutting the Lege out of gambling legalization, lawmakers may have found a way to weasel their way back in, at least as concerns sports betting. The Sunshine State’s constitution now forbids the Lege from … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, China, FanDuel, Florida, Galaxy Entertainment, Genting, Japan, Law enforcement, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Movies, New Jersey, New York, Politics, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Slot routes, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Texas, The Strip, Transportation | Comments Off on Sports betting back on in Florida; Genting tipped for Japan

Maryland maxed out; Adelson’s $40 million lesson

Posted on January 7, 2020 by David McKee

Casino revenues in the Free State continue to be flat. Maryland gambling houses grossed $149 million last month. MGM National Harbor‘s $62.5 million—a 4.5% gain—led the state. Slots were down 2% at MGM but table win up 12%, a development … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Downtown, Environment, Golden Gaming, Harry Reid, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Penn National, Sheldon Adelson, Technology, Terry Caudill | Comments Off on Maryland maxed out; Adelson’s $40 million lesson

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 7, 2020 by David McKee

I never understood wind. You know, I know windmills very much. I’ve studied it better than anybody. I know it’s very expensive. They’re made in China and Germany mostly—very few made here, almost none. But they’re manufactured tremendous—if you’re into … Continue reading →

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

Eyes on Atlantic City; ‘Smart chips’ a health menace?

Posted on January 6, 2020 by David McKee

It’s barely 2020 and already The Press of Atlantic City has identified the Boardwalk’s top five stories of the year. They are: 1) The evolving Eldorado Resorts takeover of Caesars Entertainment. Early indications are that Eldorado will try to keep … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, Connecticut, Donald Trump, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Environment, Foxwoods, history, Indiana, Internet gambling, Macau, Marketing, Mohegan Sun, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Spectacle Entertainment, Sports betting, Tilman Fertitta, Transportation | 2 Comments

Japan scandal grows; Caesars slammed

Posted on January 6, 2020 by David McKee

Japan‘s 500.com bribery case continues to spread. An additional five Nipponese lawmakers have been implicated, accused of taking $9,249. The notion that Japanese solons would sell their souls for such chump change indicates how desperately they want to get in on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Columbia Sussex, Dining, Eldorado Resorts, Illinois, Indiana, Japan, Lake Tahoe, Law enforcement, Marketing, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, North Carolina, Politics, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip | 3 Comments

Stitt escalates Oklahoma conflict; The new N-word

Posted on January 6, 2020 by David McKee

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt‘s jihad against the state’s gaming tribes has claimed its first casualty. Secretary of Native American Affairs Lisa Billy resigned, writing that the governor was “committed to an unnecessary conflict … [You have] remained intent on breaking faith with them,” … Continue reading →

Posted in Churchill Downs, Connecticut, Genting, Hooters, International, Las Vegas Raiders, Marketing, Massachusetts, Movies, New York, Oklahoma, Problem gambling, Sexual misconduct, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Tribal, TV, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Stitt escalates Oklahoma conflict; The new N-word

Pacific Rim shots

Posted on January 3, 2020 by David McKee

A lengthy visit by President Xi Jinping may have had something to do with it but, whatever the case, December casino revenue in Macao sucked wind by Macanese standards, down 14%. High rollers were in short supply and continued protests … Continue reading →

Posted in China, Economy, Internet gambling, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Macau, Politics, Sports, Sports betting, TV | Comments Off on Pacific Rim shots

Cautious peace in Oklahoma

Posted on January 3, 2020 by David McKee

December 31 came and went without incident in Oklahoma, where tribal gaming compacts theoretically expired—at least if you ask Gov. Kevin Stitt (R). However, having proposed extending the existing compacts to Aug. 31, Stitt could hardly turn around and try … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, International, Internet gambling, Laughlin, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Oklahoma, Regulation, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Cautious peace in Oklahoma

Brandes’ big bet; Skill-based slots catching on

Posted on January 2, 2020 by David McKee

“We think it’s time for Florida to take it out of the shadows and into the sunshine,” said state Sen. Jeff Brandes (R). He was speaking of sports betting which, like daily fantasy sports, is currently illegal in the Sunshine … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Caesars Entertainment, Entertainment, Florida, GameCO, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Phil Ruffin, Politics, Reno, Seminole Tribe, Sports betting, Taxes, Technology, The Strip, Tribal | 2 Comments

Trop sold (we think); Angels in the casino

Posted on January 2, 2020 by David McKee

After fielding multiple offers for the Tropicana Las Vegas, one has been accepted by Penn National Gaming and negotiations are underway. All this comes by way of Scott Roeben‘s VitalVegas, which pegs the sale price at $700 million, making a tiny … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Conventions, DraftKings, Laughlin, M Resort, Maine, Massachusetts, Movies, New Hampshire, Penn National, Politics, Sports, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip | Comments Off on Trop sold (we think); Angels in the casino

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 2, 2020 by David McKee

“It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so.”—Robert A. Heinlein

Posted in Politics | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Technical difficulties: Please stand by

Posted on January 2, 2020 by David McKee

We’re having some unexplained technical issues with S&G, so the blogorrhea will be a little late this week. Thanks for your understanding.  

Posted in Current | Comments Off on Technical difficulties: Please stand by

New Year’s Eve Jottings

Posted on December 31, 2019 by David McKee

Jottings: Eldorado Resorts is taking care of some unfinished business while the Caesars Entertainment merger goes through. It’s reported to be close to settling a lawsuit with Isle of Capri Boonville workers who were litigating the company over time-card-protocol violations … … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Dining, Eldorado Resorts, Missouri, The Mob, The Strip | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on December 30, 2019 by David McKee

“Man does not live by words alone, despite the fact that sometimes he has to eat them.”—Adlai Stevenson II

Posted in Politics | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

End-of-Year Case Bets

Posted on December 30, 2019 by David McKee

In a retrospective mood, the American Gaming Association has chosen the top eight gaming stories of the past year, ranked here in descending order. They are: The Caesars Entertainment takeover by Eldorado Resorts. ‘Nuff said. Allegations that Encore Boston Harbor is … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, California, Canada, Carl Icahn, Donald Trump, Eldorado Resorts, Election, Harrah's, Japan, Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas Raiders, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Lucky Dragon, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Money laundering, Oklahoma, Problem gambling, Resort fees, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on December 30, 2019 by David McKee

“Slot players want to be in an energetic environment, but don’t want anyone in their personal space.”—The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas Vice President of Slot Operations Kevin Sweet.

Posted in Cosmopolitan, Entertainment | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Land of the Rising Frustration; Gaming hangup in Connecticut

Posted on December 27, 2019 by David McKee

We’ve been saying all along that the risk/reward ratio in Japan isn’t that great, especially when you’re expected to build the world’s most expensive casinos, starting at $10 billion. Nothing remotely that costly has been tried in gaming, much less … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Connecticut, Internet gambling, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Lotteries, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Sports betting, Wall Street | Comments Off on Land of the Rising Frustration; Gaming hangup in Connecticut

Damp November in Nevada; Dirty dealings in Illinois

Posted on December 27, 2019 by David McKee

Could the good times be coming to an end for Las Vegas? The Strip was down 3% last month but, worse still, locals revenue was off by 4%. The prior-year comparison was difficult (+6.5%) but not impossible, while December looks … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Downtown, Hard Rock Hotel, Illinois, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Marijuana, Movies, Nevada, New York, North Las Vegas, Phil Ruffin, Regulation, Reno, Slot routes, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, Transportation | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on December 27, 2019 by David McKee

“It’s not an issue of jobs. It’s an issue of the law. It’s like saying, ‘Yes, meth is a terrible drug, but think of all the jobs that are created in the emergency rooms, and if we stop it, those … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Regulation | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Georgia solons mull gambling; DraftKings’ big deal

Posted on December 26, 2019 by David McKee

“I do think there’s momentum for something to happen this session,” state Sen. Brandon Beach (R, below) said of legalizing gambling in Georgia, although solons remain undecided on whether to add sports betting to the package they’ll be proposing. “We … Continue reading →

Posted in California, DraftKings, Economy, Entertainment, Georgia, Horseracing, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, Neil Bluhm, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Georgia solons mull gambling; DraftKings’ big deal