Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

Bio

Oklahoma, tribes ready to talk; Don’t geofence me in

Posted on October 22, 2019 by David McKee

Oct. 28 is the date appointed for Oklahoma gaming tribes to meet with Attorney General Mike Hunter and find out just what Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) wants from them. As one chief put it, “We’re anxiously awaiting what their proposal is.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Colorado, Dan Lee, DFS, Election, Full House Resorts, G2E, Genting, history, Indiana, Las Vegas Sands, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Oklahoma, Oregon, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Singapore, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 22, 2019 by David McKee

“We can no longer defend the shares in light of the latest discoveries, discoveries which significantly increase the risk profile for investors.”—Credit Suisse analyst Robert Spingarn, who called recent disclosures, such as the revelation that a pilot involved with the … Continue reading →

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

$6 million man; Tribal troubles

Posted on October 21, 2019 by David McKee

Las Vegas Sands can’t stay out of court. Marina Bay Sands is being sued by a Chinese gambler who says $6.6 million of his money was moved out of his account and disbursed to other individuals he didn’t know in … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Florida, Hard Rock International, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, New York, Singapore, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on $6 million man; Tribal troubles

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 21, 2019 by David McKee

“The opportunity to own 102 acres on the Las Vegas Strip was very interesting. From a strategic standpoint, Circus Circus is the most recognizable name on the North Strip. Treasure Island is the crown jewel in my portfolio, and Circus Circus … Continue reading →

Posted in MGM Resorts International, Phil Ruffin, The Strip | 1 Comment

Biden lobbies Station; Important victory for Flynt, casinos

Posted on October 21, 2019 by David McKee

George GOP donor Frank Fertitta III is unlikely to put missives from Joe Biden at the top of his in-box. Thus it was more of a theatrical gesture than a substantive negotiation when Biden wrote to the Fertitta, in an open … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, California, Cretins, Culinary Union, Dining, Election, Entertainment, Konami, Lake Tahoe, Law enforcement, Maryland, Massachusetts, Palms, Pennsylvania, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Technology, The Mob, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Cornyn checkmates tribes; Crown steps in it again

Posted on October 21, 2019 by David McKee

In this corner, two Native American tribes. In that one, Texas Sen. John Cornyn (R). They say he’s playing politics with their casino aspirations. He says they’re trying to make an end run—by way of the U.S. Senate—of their obligation … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, China, Crown Resorts, Environment, Golden Gaming, Hard Rock International, Hooters, Illinois, Laughlin, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Mohegan Sun, Money laundering, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Politics, Slot routes, Texas, The Mob, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Cornyn checkmates tribes; Crown steps in it again

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 19, 2019 by David McKee

“Boston will not invest in companies led by people who treat women like commodities. Reports of Ken Fisher’s comments and poor judgment are incredibly disturbing.”—Boston Mayor Martin Walsh (D), yanking $248 million in pension funds from Fisher Investments, due to Ken … Continue reading →

Posted in Cretins, Massachusetts, Sexual misconduct, Wall Street | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Scandal in Illinois (Where else?); Screwup in Florida

Posted on October 19, 2019 by David McKee

With no private developer willing to step up to the plate for a Chicago casino, Mayor Lori Lightfoot (D) is now pitching a city/state partnership. Why not? There won’t be any profits to divide. State Rep. Greg Harris (D), for … Continue reading →

Posted in DFS, Florida, Illinois, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Slot routes, Sports betting, Taxes, The Mob | Comments Off on Scandal in Illinois (Where else?); Screwup in Florida

Macao economy flounders; Massachusetts bonanza illusory

Posted on October 18, 2019 by David McKee

Macao got a double-barreled blast of bad news. First off, China‘s gross domestic product has slowed to growth rates not seen in almost 30 years. In fact, the R-word (“recession”) was invoked. Slow investment growth was blamed, as was the … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, California, Charity, China, Downtown, Economy, Foxwoods, Las Vegas Raiders, Law enforcement, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Politics, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Macao economy flounders; Massachusetts bonanza illusory

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 18, 2019 by David McKee

“Our children are the living messages we send to a future we will never see. The question is how will we send them into that future.”—Rep. Elijah Cummings (D), 1951-2019

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

Steve Wynn, get lost

Posted on October 17, 2019 by David McKee

Steve Wynn thinks he’s above the Nevada Gaming Control Board. Perhaps he still imagines himself to be “the most powerful man in Nevada.” Either way, he failed to show up for an NGCB hearing on September 7, 2018, showing his … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, China, e-sports, Environment, Japan, MGM Resorts International, Oregon, Politics, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Tribal, TV, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Ocean surges in Atlantic City; Wall Street yawns at MGM sale

Posted on October 17, 2019 by David McKee

Atlantic City gambling revenue was off 3% last month and we’ll be generous, chalking it up to one less weekend day than last year. The Boardwalk grossed $224.5 million, led by Borgata with $57.5 million (a 5% slippage). Table win … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Eldorado Resorts, Greenwood Racing, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Japan, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, New Jersey, Ocean Resort, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Phil Ruffin, Real Estate, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 17, 2019 by David McKee

“I spent half my money on gambling, alcohol and wild women. The other half I wasted.”—W.C. Fields

Posted in Movies | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Boyd, Penn upbeat; DeSalvio leaves Encore Boston

Posted on October 16, 2019 by David McKee

J.P. Morgan analyst Joseph Greff continued his listening tour of Global Gaming Expo, meeting with Boyd Gaming CFO Josh Hirshberg. “We come away positive and highlight BYD’s attractive free cash flow generation and ensuing de-leveraging,” Greff reported. Despite wider concerns … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Derek Stevens, Detroit, Dining, G2E, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Palms, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Slot routes, Sports betting, Station Casinos, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Bellagio, Circus Circus sold

Posted on October 16, 2019 by David McKee

Back on Sept. 17 we reported that MGM Resorts International was dickering with Blackstone Group to sell the latter Bellagio and MGM Grand. Well, the Green Monster got left out of the transaction but MGM’s most iconic property will change hands, … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Cosmopolitan, Japan, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Phil Ruffin, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Strip | Comments Off on Bellagio, Circus Circus sold

Should we ban Steve Wynn?; Caesars vote set

Posted on October 15, 2019 by David McKee

Perhaps anticipating the expiration of Steve Wynn‘s noncompete agreement with Wynn Resorts, the Nevada Gaming Control Board has filed a complaint against El Steve in court, saying he brought “discredit” upon the state of Nevada, reports KTNV-TV. Could this be … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, California, Carl Icahn, Cordish Co., Dining, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Environment, Hard Rock International, history, Las Vegas Raiders, Louisiana, Marketing, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Steve Wynn, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 15, 2019 by David McKee

“There was a sense that we’d better move fast—this thing is on top of us. It’s as much an expression of principle and general sense of values as it is expected to be some sort of hard and fast rule, where … Continue reading →

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

Trail of breadcrumbs; Survey says …

Posted on October 15, 2019 by David McKee

Waiting for “breadcrumbs to fall off the truck.” That’s Gaming & Leisure Properties‘ self-described business plan. GLPI execs, including CEO Peter Carlino (left), were in Las Vegas for Global Gaming Expo and took the opportunity to chat with J.P. Morgan … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Cosmopolitan, Economy, Entertainment, GLPI, history, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Real Estate, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, TV | Comments Off on Trail of breadcrumbs; Survey says …

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 14, 2019 by David McKee

“The greatest obstacle to discovering the shape of the earth, the continents, and the oceans was not ignorance but the illusion of knowledge.”—Daniel J. Boorstin

Posted in history | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Many fewer Vegas knots tied; Golden Nugget expands

Posted on October 14, 2019 by David McKee

One of Las Vegas‘ mainstays and signature stocks in trade, its wedding industry, is down 42% (yes, 42%) from its 2004 peak. Mind you, it’s still a $2.5 billion business. But the quickie-wedding trade may be hurting and that wouldn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Charity, Cirque du Soleil, Dining, Downtown, Economy, Election, Entertainment, Internet gambling, Kentucky, MGM Resorts International, Real Estate, Shuffle Master, Sports betting, Technology, Terry Caudill, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Many fewer Vegas knots tied; Golden Nugget expands