Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

Bio

Encore cheating suit revived; Racism in Vegas

Posted on July 26, 2019 by David McKee

‘We’ll see you in court.’ That was, in effect, attorney Joshua Garick‘s response to Encore Boston Harbor after the latter was exonerated of alleged cheating by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. Garick is irked that the MGC’s investigation lasted all of a … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Architecture, Cretins, Diversity, Florida, Hard Rock International, Massachusetts, Movies, Pets, Philippines, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Encore cheating suit revived; Racism in Vegas

Quote of the Day

Posted on July 24, 2019 by David McKee

“The terrible art of the candidate is to coddle the self-deception of the stooge.”—new British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Posted in International, Politics | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Atlantic City: It’s not just for daytrippers anymore

Posted on July 24, 2019 by David McKee

In an in-depth feature, the New York Times comes to the Boardwalk not to scorn but to celebrate Atlantic City and what it truly has to offer. How so? Consider that of twelve principal stops, only one (Ocean Casino Resort) … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Eldorado Resorts, Florida, Hard Rock International, International, New York, Ocean Resort, Seminole Tribe, Sports betting, Taxes, Tourism, Tribal | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on July 23, 2019 by David McKee

“The casino industry is based on customer loyalty and winning consumers’ trust and money through service; one wrong step in the collection of personal information could destroy that trust forever.” — Stacy Norris, writing in the University of Nevada-Las Vegas … Continue reading →

Posted in Technology | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

One city to rule them all; “Cats” is coming for you

Posted on July 23, 2019 by David McKee

Can you believe that San José, Costa Rica is the seventh-best place to gamble? It might the best casino town of which you’ve never heard, with 30 casinos and “a quite attractive exchange rate.” That’s the conclusion of a TravelTrivia.com … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Eldorado Resorts, International, Lake Tahoe, Louisiana, Macau, Movies, North Carolina, Problem gambling, Reno, Singapore, Tourism, Tribal | Comments Off on One city to rule them all; “Cats” is coming for you

Lackluster in Louisiana; OK tribes stiff-arm Stitt

Posted on July 22, 2019 by David McKee

Whatever people in Louisiana were doing last month, gambling wasn’t it. Casino receipts were down 9% and you can’t blame it on the smoking ban in Baton Rouge (-13%), not when Lake Charles—the best market in the state—was nearly 10% … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Greenwood Racing, Internet gambling, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Rush Street Gaming, Sports betting, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal | Comments Off on Lackluster in Louisiana; OK tribes stiff-arm Stitt

Quote of the Day

Posted on July 22, 2019 by David McKee

“Some of it feels very familiar, and it just looks like another head of the same beast.”—retired teacher Sharon Hinton, on present-day racial tensions.

Posted in Diversity | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Encore cleared of cheating charge; Linq goes green

Posted on July 19, 2019 by David McKee

Score one for Encore Boston Harbor. Its slot-payout and blackjack rules were upheld by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. That’s a win for 6:5 blackjack and a loss for players. “There exists a ‘6 to 5 blackjack variation,’ which is a particular … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Environment, Massachusetts, Regulation, Scientific Games, Technology, The Strip, Transportation, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on July 19, 2019 by David McKee

“There is something about a closet that makes a skeleton terribly restless.” — playwright Wilson Mizner

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Trouble in paradise; Hard Rock comeback

Posted on July 18, 2019 by David McKee

As faithful S&G readers know, we’re coming up on the re-tender of the six casino concessions in Macao. One of the enclave’s most prominent junket operators, Suncity, had hoped to oust an existing concessionaire and take over its casinos. (A … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball, Diversity, Hard Rock International, Indiana, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Macau, New Jersey, New York, Philippines, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Spectacle Entertainment, Sports betting, The Crown 18 | 1 Comment

California: Child brides and gambling don’t mix

Posted on July 17, 2019 by David McKee

One of the weirdest gaming stories ever is playing out in California. Both Ted Kingston and Joseph Kingston, 95% owners of Lake Elsinore Casino, are tied to the Kingston Group, a polygamist sect that the Southern Poverty Law Center has … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, California, Florida, Law enforcement, Nevada, New Jersey, Sports, Sports betting, The Mob | 1 Comment

Churchill Downs’ bet pays off; Mob up at El Cortez

Posted on July 17, 2019 by David McKee

JP Morgan‘s Daniel Politzer expects Churchill Downs to be a winner thrice over in Illinois: first, a lower tax rate on table games, starting in 2020; second, a potential 800 additional gaming positions at Rivers Casino Des Plaines (which will … Continue reading →

Posted in Churchill Downs, Downtown, El Cortez, Horseracing, Illinois, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, New York, Politics, Racinos, Rush Street Gaming, Taxes, The Mob, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Churchill Downs’ bet pays off; Mob up at El Cortez

Quote of the Day

Posted on July 17, 2019 by David McKee

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Posted in Diversity | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Encore accused of cheating players

Posted on July 17, 2019 by David McKee

It didn’t take long for Encore Boston Harbor‘s first scandal to accrue. A class-action lawsuit against the casino is challenging its practices, particularly with regard to that eternal flashpoint, 6:5 blackjack. The suit contends that Encore is not complying with … Continue reading →

Posted in Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Encore accused of cheating players

Encore Boston Harbor opens hot

Posted on July 15, 2019 by David McKee

JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff has initiated coverage of Massachusetts and his first dispatch is a corker: Encore Boston Harbor generated $17 million in a single, debutant week of play. That includes $9 million of slot revenue. Wynn Resorts execs … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Genting, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Twin River, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Encore Boston Harbor opens hot

Sports wagering, ‘Net bets power New Jersey; Slow month in Pennsylvania

Posted on July 15, 2019 by David McKee

Despite being 7% down on a same-store basis, Atlantic City casino revenues grew 14% last month. The $236 million gross represents a 3.5% downturn in slot winnings (down 8.5% same-store) but a 26% jump at the tables (down 3.5% same-store). … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Eldorado Resorts, Greenwood Racing, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Movies, Ocean Resort, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal | 1 Comment

Eldorado’s clearance sale

Posted on July 15, 2019 by David McKee

Eldorado Resorts continues to slim down as it prepares for a takeover of Caesars Entertainment. Assuming the deal as a fait accompli, it is ditching Isle of Capri Kansas City in favor of Harrah’s North Kansas City. It is also … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, Eldorado Resorts, International, Japan, Mississippi, Missouri, Sports betting, Technology, Tribal, Twin River, William Hill | Comments Off on Eldorado’s clearance sale

Quote of the Day

Posted on July 13, 2019 by David McKee

“Insurance companies move in mysterious ways. Much like God … only far less generous.” — Standish (Dan Duryea) in The Flight of the Phoenix.

Posted in Movies | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Casino aspirants elbow for advantage; T-Rex derby in Washington

Posted on July 12, 2019 by David McKee

Full House Resorts and Spectacle Entertainment are jostling for position in Terre Haute—provided that Vigo County voters approve a casino for the city. But will it beat nearby Danville to the punch? “Pending a positive outcome on the referendum, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Connecticut, Election, Entertainment, Full House Resorts, Illinois, Indiana, International, Internet gambling, Japan, Mohegan Sun, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Slot routes, Spectacle Entertainment, Taxes, Virginia, Warner Gaming | Comments Off on Casino aspirants elbow for advantage; T-Rex derby in Washington

Quote of the Day

Posted on July 12, 2019 by David McKee

“I’m not surprised that 49 state attorneys general are investigating this practice. To me, advertising one rate but then having the actual rate depend on something buried in fine print feels a lot like false advertising.” — Boston Globe reader … Continue reading →

Posted in Law enforcement, Resort fees | Comments Off on Quote of the Day