Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

Bio

Quote of the Day

Posted on May 2, 2019 by David McKee

“One of the key metrics by which we will measure that success will be the overall well-being, safety, and welfare of the employees. A second but equally important metric is the importance of compliance and communication with the regulator. This … Continue reading →

Posted in Massachusetts, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Putting problem gaming on notice; Station has a hit

Posted on May 1, 2019 by David McKee

“Whilst the vast majority of our customers enjoy our products responsibly, it is high time that the industry did more to protect its customers from potential harm.” Thus spake GVC CEO Kenny Alexander in a dramatic change of policy. Along … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Connecticut, Foxwoods, Horseracing, International, Kazuo Okada, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New Jersey, Palms, Philippines, Problem gambling, Sports, Station Casinos, TV, Wall Street, William Hill | Comments Off on Putting problem gaming on notice; Station has a hit

Wynn faces stiff fine, oversight; Rosenstein cuts and runs

Posted on May 1, 2019 by David McKee

Wynn Resorts dodged a $2.6 billion bullet and will get to keep Encore Boston Harbor. It will have to pay $35 million for that privilege (and it is a privilege) and will pony up the money if it’s smart. After … Continue reading →

Posted in Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Massachusetts, Regulation, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Wynn faces stiff fine, oversight; Rosenstein cuts and runs

Quote of the Day

Posted on May 1, 2019 by David McKee

“Money, not morality, is the principal commerce of civilized nations.” — Thomas Jefferson

Posted in history | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Seminoles to the rescue; Rosenstein’s mess

Posted on April 30, 2019 by David McKee

Florida could move from the “no” into the “yes” column on sports betting. Maybe. A new compact with the Seminole Tribe would incorporate sports betting into the mix of games permitted in the Sunshine State. Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is keeping … Continue reading →

Posted in Delaware, Economy, Florida, Genting, Horseracing, Law enforcement, Lotteries, New York, Politics, Rush Street Gaming, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, Sports betting, Technology | Comments Off on Seminoles to the rescue; Rosenstein’s mess

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 30, 2019 by David McKee

“There is no truth more thoroughly established, than that there exists in the economy and course of nature, an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness, between duty and advantage, between the genuine maxims of an honest and magnanimous policy, and … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Up and down the Strip; Land of the not-so-rising Sun

Posted on April 30, 2019 by David McKee

As a determination on its suitability in Massachusetts comes down to the wire (and opening date of Encore Boston Harbor is set for June 23), Wynn Resorts is trying to reap some positive karma. It has abandoned its pay-for-parking policy. … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, Japan, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, New Jersey, Resort fees, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Up and down the Strip; Land of the not-so-rising Sun

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 29, 2019 by David McKee

Melisandre: What do we say to the God of Death? Arya Stark: Not today. Best exchange from last night’s installment of Game of Thrones.

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

Boyd, Churchill Downs garner raves; Indiana governor seduced

Posted on April 26, 2019 by David McKee

Boyd Gaming got a good review on Wall Street today, lauded both for slightly surpassing revenue expectations and for moving quickly to deleverage in the wake of the Valley Forge, Belterra and Ameristar acquisitions. Downtown continues to be Boyd’s bastion … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Charity, Churchill Downs, Current, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Florida, Hawaii, Horseracing, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Ohio, Palms, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Rhode Island, Slot routes, Spectacle Entertainment, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Taxes, Tribal, Wall Street, West Virginia, Westgate LV | 1 Comment

MGM: Endgame

Posted on April 26, 2019 by David McKee

What follows is an open letter from CEO Jim Murren to employees of MGM Resorts International: “When I announced MGM 2020 back in January, I knew it would be a long and challenging road to implementation. I pledged you would … Continue reading →

Posted in history, MGM Resorts International, The Strip | 1 Comment

Nevada: Strip weak, locals strong; Busing it to Macao

Posted on April 25, 2019 by David McKee

Las Vegas Strip gambling revenues were down 4% last month to $552 million. Some of that is attributable to an impossible baccarat comparison. In March 2018, baccarat win was up 118%. Last month it was down 56% on 43% less … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Architecture, Arkansas, Australia, Boulder Strip, Downtown, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Lotteries, Macau, Mesquite, Nevada, New Mexico, North Las Vegas, Reno, South Korea, Sports betting, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal | 1 Comment

War of the Palms; Odds on the Avengers

Posted on April 25, 2019 by David McKee

In its latest salvo against Station Casinos, the Culinary Union has commissioned a study to determine if the Palms will achieve an ROI pleasing to Wall Street. Its conclusion is that the revamped casino-hotel will need to generate cash flow … Continue reading →

Posted in Churchill Downs, Culinary Union, Downtown, Kentucky, Movies, Palms, Station Casinos, Terry Caudill, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on War of the Palms; Odds on the Avengers

Case Bets

Posted on April 24, 2019 by David McKee

It’s early yet but the House Finance Committee of the Colorado Lege has overwhelmingly voted through a sports-betting bill. The would-be law has to survive three more votes in the House before moving along to the state Senate. However, it … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Colorado, history, Horseracing, Indiana, Majestic Star, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, PokerStars, Politics, Regulation, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes | Comments Off on Case Bets

Picture of the Day

Posted on April 24, 2019 by David McKee
Posted in CityCenter, Dining | Comments Off on Picture of the Day

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 23, 2019 by David McKee

“I’m fairly certain that the Robert Kraft video footage has zero entertainment or arousal value as a piece of pornography. Robert Kraft is no Kim Kardashian. It should never see the light of day.” — Pahrump sex worker Sybil Stallone, on … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Florida, Law enforcement, Pahrump | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Nevada’s #1, not in a good way

Posted on April 23, 2019 by David McKee

WalletHub has been crunching the numbers again and come to the conclusion that Nevada is America‘s most-gaming addicted state. (Utah is the least, while the Silver State is followed by South Dakota, Montana, Mississippi and Oregon.) Casino-rich Florida was an incredibly … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Connecticut, Crown Resorts, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, International, Kansas, Kentucky, Macau, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Problem gambling, Rhode Island, Slot routes, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington State, West Virginia | Comments Off on Nevada’s #1, not in a good way

Re-enter the Dragon

Posted on April 23, 2019 by David McKee

Yes, the Lucky Dragon will be coming back, albeit under a new name. Construction magnate Don Ahern has made a $36 million purchase of the luckless casino, which still carries another $50 million in debt. (Hence the bargain price.) Ahern … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Caesars Entertainment, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Lucky Dragon, MGM Resorts International, Pets, Sports betting, Tamares Group, The Strip, TV | 1 Comment

Sands gets spanked; Palms (almost) loses its name

Posted on April 22, 2019 by David McKee

Las Vegas Sands is on its way out of Pennsylvania but not before receiving two swift kicks in the posterior from Keystone State regulators. The casino was fined $120,000 for allowing underage gaming and $110,000 for offenses related to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, CityCenter, Eldorado Resorts, Environment, Greenwood Racing, history, Horseracing, Indiana, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, Ohio, Palms, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Resort fees, Rush Street Gaming, Slot routes, Station Casinos, Technology, Tribal, Virgin Hotels, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Sands gets spanked; Palms (almost) loses its name

Land of confusion

Posted on April 22, 2019 by David McKee

OK, so there are no condos on sale at the Plaza Resort in downtown Las Vegas. That much we have established. But it’s got to be one of the most baffling stories we’ve ever covered. For instance, “TLC” usually is shorthand … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Golden Gaming, Illinois, Japan, Kentucky, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, New Jersey, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Real Estate, Regulation, Sports betting, Tamares Group, Taxes, Terry Caudill, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Land of confusion

Tunica: Another one bites the dust

Posted on April 18, 2019 by David McKee

Even before Arkansas casinos could clear their holsters, a third Tunica property has bitten the dust. Penn National Gaming took the hit, as Resorts Casino Tunica was announced to close on June 30, leaving six casinos in the rural Mississippi … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Arkansas, Caesars Entertainment, California, Colony Capital, Economy, GLPI, Mississippi, Penn National, Tribal, Washington State | 1 Comment