Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

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Vegas jottings, with a touch of Atlantic City

Posted on June 13, 2019 by David McKee

If we need a workplace consultant, we certainly won’t hire the Seyfarth Shaw at Work firm. (Seyfarth Shaw? Wasn’t he a character in Game of Thrones?) It’s offering its services to come up with strategies that will deter your employees … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Culinary Union, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Entertainment, Golden Gaming, Las Vegas Sands, Marijuana, MGM Resorts International, Pets, Sheldon Adelson, Sports betting, Technology, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Vegas jottings, with a touch of Atlantic City

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 13, 2019 by David McKee

“A cantankerous press, an obstinate press, a ubiquitous press must be suffered by those in authority to preserve the even greater values of freedom of expression and the right of the people to know.” — Judge Murray Gurfein, upholding the … Continue reading →

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The wrath of Icahn

Posted on June 11, 2019 by David McKee

Investment bankers BidaskClub aren’t buying Caesars Entertainment. Literally. In an almost-unheard-of development in gaming, Bidask put a “sell” recommendation on low-priced CZR shares. Perhaps this reflects caution over Caesars’ still-massive debt overhang or of the additional debt that would be … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, DFS, Eldorado Resorts, Illinois, Lotteries, Mandalay Bay Massacre, MGM Resorts International, Regulation, Resort fees, Sports betting, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off on The wrath of Icahn

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 11, 2019 by David McKee

“Racism is the act of a loser. A winner doesn’t need to be a racist. A loser does.” — screenwriter Paul Schrader, author of Taxi Driver.

Posted in Movies | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Connecticut casino push stalls; Chicago casino fast-tracked

Posted on June 11, 2019 by David McKee

Connecticut casino legislation was yet another exercise in futility this session, with the Lege gaveling the end of business without any gaming bills being passed. However, a special session is anticipated, mainly to address an unrelated litigation settlement. Perhaps then … Continue reading →

Posted in Connecticut, Foxwoods, Illinois, Japan, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Politics, Sports betting, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Connecticut casino push stalls; Chicago casino fast-tracked

Record year for U.S. casinos; Boyd lauded

Posted on June 11, 2019 by David McKee

While the gaming industry seems to be straining at the limits of how far it can expand in the good old U.S. of A. the numbers don’t lie: The casino industry posted a record $41.7 billion last year. That’s a … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Economy, Full House Resorts, Illinois, Indiana, Majestic Star, Penn National, Sports, Transportation, Wall Street | Comments Off on Record year for U.S. casinos; Boyd lauded

Merry month of May in Ohio, Missouri; MGM debuts “Hunger Games”

Posted on June 10, 2019 by David McKee

Casino revenues were booming last month in Ohio, leaping 10.5% to $169.5 million. People flocked to the racinos, which vaulted 13%. Hollywood Columbus gained 2% to $19 million and Hollywood Toledo inched 1% to almost $18 million. As for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Movies, Ohio, Penn National, The Strip | Comments Off on Merry month of May in Ohio, Missouri; MGM debuts “Hunger Games”

Wire Act reversal reversed; China scare for Las Vegas

Posted on June 10, 2019 by David McKee

A federal judge dealt a major defeat to the Justice Department in its efforts to reinterpret the Federal Wire Act as a ban on Internet gambling. Nope, only sports betting ruled Judge Paul Barbadoro. The ruling is a boon to … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Florida, Hard Rock International, Indiana, International, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Lotteries, Marketing, Mohegan Sun, Ocean Resort, Palms, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Tourism, Tribal, Unite-Here, Wall Street, World Series of Poker | Comments Off on Wire Act reversal reversed; China scare for Las Vegas

Caesars deal takes shape; Carlino out at Penn

Posted on June 10, 2019 by David McKee

We hope Anthony Rodio isn’t getting too comfy in his CEO chair over at Caesars Entertainment. News reports have been heating up about at Caesars takeover, with Eldorado Resorts continuing to have the inside track and reportedly planning to replace … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, DFS, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, GLPI, Iowa, Missouri, Neil Bluhm, Nevada, Penn National, Phil Ruffin, Problem gambling, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 10, 2019 by David McKee

“The process that Illinois has gone through in the last couple of days of providing a Christmas tree amendment to have revenue be the driver as opposed to sound policy is not the way to craft good sports betting legislation. … Continue reading →

Posted in Illinois, Taxes | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Honeymoon in Illinois; Contraction in Maryland

Posted on June 7, 2019 by David McKee

Illinois lawmakers think casino gambling is a bottomless well of revenue, as witnessed by their recent approval of five new gambling houses and three racinos (just for starters). However, last month’s actual revenues were less than auspicatory. At $118 million, … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Illinois, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Penn National, Rush Street Gaming, West Virginia | Comments Off on Honeymoon in Illinois; Contraction in Maryland

Plaza gets a refresh; MGM covets Vegas locals

Posted on June 6, 2019 by David McKee

Congratulations to Plaza Hotel CEO Jonathan Jossel. He’s persuaded tight-fisted Tamares Group to invest in a 112-room renovation of the Downtown dowager. The casino is reportedly coming off its best April ever and this has evidently helped Tamares to see its … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Arizona, Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Derek Stevens, Dining, Downtown, Dubai, e-sports, Entertainment, Japan, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Tamares Group, Transportation, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Plaza gets a refresh; MGM covets Vegas locals

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 6, 2019 by David McKee

“You are among the very greatest Americans who will ever live. You are the pride of our nation. You are the glory of our republic. And we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.” — Donald Trump, addressing World War … Continue reading →

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Secret deal in Bridgeport?; Packer/Ho sale threatened

Posted on June 4, 2019 by David McKee

“There is no ‘either/or’ solution when it comes to East Windsor and Bridgeport, and we shouldn’t be playing two Connecticut communities against each other.” That’s what tribal spokesman Andrew Doba said after it was revealed that Bridgeport was flirting with Foxwoods Resort … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, California, Cirque du Soleil, Connecticut, Crown Resorts, e-sports, Entertainment, Foxwoods, Galaxy Entertainment, Las Vegas Sands, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports betting, Stanley Ho, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

The Sahara returns, hurray

Posted on June 4, 2019 by David McKee

Proving that you can’t keep a classic brand down, Alex Meruelo is ditching meaningless SLS Las Vegas and bringing back Sahara Hotel & Casino for the place locals never stopped thinking of as “the Sahara.” It’s too late to restore the … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Meruelo, Carl Icahn, Dining, Environment, GLPI, Louisiana, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Penn National, Sahara, Sam Nazarian, SLS Las Vegas, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Runaway greed in Illinois

Posted on June 3, 2019 by David McKee

Existing operators in Illinois are picking themselves up off the floor following an exponential expansion of casino gambling in the Land of Lincoln, achieved in the waning hours of the legislative session. Caesars Entertainment, Penn National Gaming, Boyd Gaming, Eldorado … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, DFS, Eldorado Resorts, Illinois, International, Penn National, Politics, Taxes, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

More Ho, less Packer at Crown; Wynn pays the piper

Posted on June 3, 2019 by David McKee

More Lawrence Ho at Crown Resorts means less James Packer, as the publishing heir sold down his stake to 25%, spinning the decision thusly: “I am still vitally interested in Crown’s success as a world-class resort and gaming business. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Cosmopolitan, Crown Resorts, Derek Stevens, Dining, Downtown, James Packer, Japan, Lawrence Ho, Massachusetts, Nevada, Politics, Regulation, Sports betting, The Strip, Wall Street, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on More Ho, less Packer at Crown; Wynn pays the piper

Casinos, DFS wrangle in Massachusetts; Harrah’s wins in Louisiana

Posted on May 31, 2019 by David McKee

Debate over sports betting in Massachusetts has brought out a ruction between Boston-based DraftKings, representing the forces of online gambling, and brick-and-mortar casinos, which want to be the sole purveyors of Internet sports bets, with maybe five to seven ‘skins’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, DFS, Entertainment, Genting, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Phil Ruffin, Politics, Problem gambling, Rhode Island, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip | Comments Off on Casinos, DFS wrangle in Massachusetts; Harrah’s wins in Louisiana

Memo from Murren

Posted on May 31, 2019 by David McKee

The MGM 2020 axe continues to fall. Company employees received the following open letter from CEO Jim Murren … “Dear Colleagues: “I want to begin this note by thanking so many of you for your patience, support and focus over … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Tourism, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Memo from Murren

Quote of the Day

Posted on May 30, 2019 by David McKee

“Our birthdays are feathers in the broad wing of time.” — German novelist Johann Paul Richter.

Posted in history | Comments Off on Quote of the Day