Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

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Doldrums, hope in Baton Rouge; AGA inducts three

Posted on October 2, 2019 by David McKee

It’s 25 years ago this month that casino gambling came to Baton Rouge. The mood, however, is far from celebratory as the city’s riverboats remain mired in a two-year slump, thanks to the Baton Rouge smoking ban. Some also blame … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Arkansas, Eldorado Resorts, Environment, GLPI, history, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Sports betting, Taxes, Technology, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Doldrums, hope in Baton Rouge; AGA inducts three

Hard Rock elected in Rockford; Palms prexy out

Posted on October 2, 2019 by David McKee

That was quick. Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara and city staff have tapped Hard Rock International to develop the city’s new casino, forwarding their recommendation to the Illinois Gaming Board. The Hard Rock bid was aided, if not clinched, by the promise … Continue reading →

Posted in Hard Rock International, Illinois, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Palms, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Hard Rock elected in Rockford; Palms prexy out

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 2, 2019 by David McKee

“One’s life has value so long as one attributes value to the life of others, by means of love, friendship, indignation and compassion.”—Simone de Beauvoir

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Illegal slots run amuck in Missouri

Posted on October 1, 2019 by David McKee

With the casino industry so entrenched in Missouri you wouldn’t think there was a market for black-market slots. You’d think wrongly. The Missouri Gaming Commission has received 84 complaints alleging 200 instances of rogue machines. Casinos aren’t the only ones … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Florida, Horseracing, Law enforcement, Lotteries, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Mohegan Sun, Ocean Resort, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Technology | Comments Off on Illegal slots run amuck in Missouri

IGT at center of Rhode Island scandal; #MeToo spreads

Posted on October 1, 2019 by David McKee

Gina Raimondo (D) may be friends with Michelle Obama but that’s not going to get out of the International Game Technology lottery scandal. Gov. Raimondo was at the state capital a week ago to defend her controversial decision, a move … Continue reading →

Posted in IGT, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Lotteries, Money laundering, Philippines, Politics, Regulation, Rhode Island, Sexual misconduct | Comments Off on IGT at center of Rhode Island scandal; #MeToo spreads

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 1, 2019 by David McKee

“She challenged all of us to live up to our full potential and to represent something larger than ourselves. She will be greatly missed.”—obituary tribute to singer and philanthropist Jessye Norman, who died yesterday at age 74.

Posted in Current | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Resort fees assailed; Hard Rock rocks Rockford

Posted on September 30, 2019 by David McKee

Resort fees, the bane of customers to Las Vegas, are inspiring some congressional action. Lawmakers Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D) and Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R) are collaborating on a bill that would outlaw resort fees (it’s the Hotel Advertising Transparency … Continue reading →

Posted in Eldorado Resorts, Hard Rock International, Illinois, International, MGM Resorts International, Phil Ruffin, Politics, Problem gambling, Racinos, Regulation, Resort fees, The Strip, West Virginia | Comments Off on Resort fees assailed; Hard Rock rocks Rockford

Quote of the Day

Posted on September 30, 2019 by David McKee

“Capital remains cheap, real estate on the Strip is scarce, construction costs are high, making development prohibitive, the Las Vegas business outlook for 2020 remains strong, private equity firms are loaded up with plenty of dry powder, and REITs (real estate … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Real Estate, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

More from the Police Blotter; Adelson, il duce

Posted on September 30, 2019 by David McKee

Phil Ivey may owe Borgata $10 million for cheating at baccarat but the casino’s not going to overlook the chicken feed he makes in other tourneys. Borgata has set its sights on the $124,410 Ivey won in the last World … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Entertainment, history, Hooters, Law enforcement, MGM Resorts International, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Sheldon Adelson, World Series of Poker, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on More from the Police Blotter; Adelson, il duce

Odds favor Trump; Whistleblower scandal at Caesars

Posted on September 30, 2019 by David McKee

Donald Trump has an excellent chance of surviving both the present impeachment inquiry and the 2020 election. That’s not punditry: It’s oddsmaking. BookerMaker.eu places The Donald as a 10/1 long shot for being unseated. Ironically, Trump nemesis Nicholas Maduro of … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Canada, Conventions, Donald Trump, Economy, Election, International, Internet gambling, Sexual misconduct, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street | Comments Off on Odds favor Trump; Whistleblower scandal at Caesars

Strip buoyant, locals pounded; Tilman strikes again

Posted on September 27, 2019 by David McKee

Thanks in part to some dramatic table-game numbers, Las Vegas Strip revenues leapt 9% last month. It wasn’t baccarat: That highly volatile game was actually pretty stable, with 6% more win on 7% less wagering (the house played lucky). Other … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Dining, Downtown, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, North Las Vegas, Reno, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta | Comments Off on Strip buoyant, locals pounded; Tilman strikes again

Quote of the Day

Posted on September 27, 2019 by David McKee

“Love your enemies. It will confuse them.”—placard on a Methodist church.

Posted in Current | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Too much, too soon in the East?; The DFS doctor is in

Posted on September 26, 2019 by David McKee

At last, someone is expressing skepticism over the pie-in-the-sky attitude U.S. gaming companies exude toward the Pacific Rim. The inescapable Sheldon Adelson said “ten Las Vegases” would not sate demand, But Union Gaming analysts Grant Govertsen and John DeCree think that … Continue reading →

Posted in China, CityCenter, DFS, Economy, International, Japan, Lawrence Ho, MGM Resorts International, Sports, Sports betting, Wall Street | Comments Off on Too much, too soon in the East?; The DFS doctor is in

Adelson power play in Las Vegas, unease in Macao

Posted on September 26, 2019 by David McKee

Sheldon Adelson, it long has been clear, brooks no dissent. He bought the Las Vegas Review-Journal to make it a megaphone for his political views (anybody remember the Marco Rubio presidential campaign, the one the R-J endorsed three times to … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, China, Churchill Downs, Galaxy Entertainment, history, Horseracing, Illinois, Macau, Politics, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on September 26, 2019 by David McKee

“I have yet to see any problem, however complicated, which, when you looked at it in the right way, did not become still more complicated.”—Poul Anderson

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Another rap scandal; MGM sues Trump administration

Posted on September 26, 2019 by David McKee

Rappers and Vegas don’t mix too well. The latest exhibit is YG, who The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas finds itself being associated with in an alleged assault and robbery. The Cosmo is being sued by one Benjamin Naderi over a beatdown he … Continue reading →

Posted in Connecticut, Cosmopolitan, Dining, Law enforcement, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off on Another rap scandal; MGM sues Trump administration

Sammy Naz strikes again; Stevens removes urban blight

Posted on September 26, 2019 by David McKee

While the ink has scarcely dried on the Sahara logo on the Las Vegas Strip, owner Alex Meruelo is already in hot water. The Las Vegas Review-Journal is reporting that Meruelo is being sued for unpaid licensing fees. In what … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Meruelo, Caesars Entertainment, Derek Stevens, Downtown, G2E, history, Illinois, Marketing, New Jersey, Racinos, Real Estate, Sahara, Sam Nazarian, SLS Las Vegas, Sports, Sports betting, Terry Caudill | Comments Off on Sammy Naz strikes again; Stevens removes urban blight

Quote of the Day

Posted on September 25, 2019 by David McKee

“A democracy cannot function effectively when its constituent members believe laws are being bought and sold.”—Justice John Paul Stevens.

Posted in Election | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Fan loses $506K shirt; Adelson cautions Trump

Posted on September 25, 2019 by David McKee

One incautious Cleveland Browns fan made the wrong kind of headline with a $506,000 bet on the team against the Los Angeles Rams. (The Browns lost, 20-13.) The wager was for the Browns to cover the spread, the most meaningful … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, China, Donald Trump, e-sports, Eldorado Resorts, Hard Rock International, Mohegan Sun, Ocean Resort, Sheldon Adelson, South Korea, Sports, Sports betting, Tourism | Comments Off on Fan loses $506K shirt; Adelson cautions Trump

Train shows promise; Culinary sabotages Station

Posted on September 25, 2019 by David McKee

* We’re hearing a bit more on the Virgin Trains USA electric railway to Las Vegas. The first shovels are to go into the ground in 2023 and the route will mainly hew to the I-15 median. Completion is expected … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, California, Churchill Downs, Culinary Union, Dining, Florida, history, Horseracing, Illinois, Kentucky, Marketing, Nevada, Palms, Racinos, Station Casinos, Transportation, Wall Street | 1 Comment