Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

Bio

Free-market forces in Atlantic City; Wire Act flip-flop

Posted on April 10, 2019 by David McKee

As one might anticipate in a highly competitive free market, the upsized Atlantic City casino industry saw 15% less cash flow last year. This is only to be expected with the addition of Hard Rock Atlantic City and Ocean Resort. Far … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Eldorado Resorts, Election, Florida, Hard Rock International, history, International, Internet gambling, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, New Hampshire, Ocean Resort, Politics, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Tilman Fertitta, TV | 1 Comment

Wynn: Massagegate

Posted on April 9, 2019 by David McKee

” … in dealing with these [Wynn Resorts] folks, you take a bite of sirloin, you take another bite, it’s still sirloin. It doesn’t vary.” — former Massachusetts governor William Weld. In the run-up (more like amble-up) to last week’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Elaine Wynn, Kazuo Okada, Massachusetts, Nevada, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Steve Wynn, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Wynn: Massagegate

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 9, 2019 by David McKee

“Everyone else in the gambling industry thought it was the dumbest idea ever. Now all the naysayers would cut off their right arm to get a piece of land there. I’ve got a warehouse full of arms, and a couple of … Continue reading →

Posted in Macau, Sheldon Adelson | 1 Comment

Wynn bids for Crown Resorts; MGM garners lofty accolades

Posted on April 9, 2019 by David McKee

In the latest episode from this winter’s senseless round of buy-or-be-bought transactions, Wynn Resorts has tendered an offer to Crown Resorts. Presumably the fun has gone out of tying James Packer‘s shoelaces together. The transaction, while would transform Wynn into … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Australia, Carl Icahn, Dan Gilbert, Environment, Galaxy Entertainment, Hard Rock International, history, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Ohio, Sexual misconduct, Steve Wynn, Unite-Here, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Gilbert sells to Hard Rock; Masters odds are out

Posted on April 8, 2019 by David McKee

Hard Rock International exited the Ohio market by one door, then reentered it by another. The tribal giant bought Dan Gilbert out of Jack Cincinnati and Turfway Park. REIT Vici Propreties will own the real estate of the casino and … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Caesars Entertainment, DFS, Donald Trump, Genting, Hard Rock International, International, Iowa, Kentucky, Las Vegas Sands, Marketing, Maryland, Ohio, Politics, Problem gambling, Racinos, Regulation, Singapore, Sports, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Tribal, TV | Comments Off on Gilbert sells to Hard Rock; Masters odds are out

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 8, 2019 by David McKee

“I believe that many of the people who are now the lobbyists, public relations spokespersons, experts, and other proponents of gambling really haven’t spent night after night, year after year, dealing cards in a very close proximity to gamblers at … Continue reading →

Posted in Problem gambling, Regulation | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Puerto Rico grabs sport-betting lifeline; Hotel economy at peak power

Posted on April 8, 2019 by David McKee

If you’re Puerto Rico, still—still!—digging out from Hurricane Maria, to expect help from the U.S. government is like waiting for Godot. Except I’ll give odds that Mister Godot shows up first. Making necessity the mother of dire invention, Gov. Ricardo Rosselló … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, DFS, Economy, Genting, International, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Mirage, Singapore, Sports betting, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off on Puerto Rico grabs sport-betting lifeline; Hotel economy at peak power

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 5, 2019 by David McKee

“Democracy is never a thing done. Democracy is always something that a nation must be doing.” — playwright Archibald MacLeish.

Posted in history | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Circa rustles up $$; Wynn slammed

Posted on April 3, 2019 by David McKee

Despite some distant jingoism in the halls of Congress, Derek Stevens in still putting his money—so to speak—on EB-5 investors. This Web site opens with a slide show of a soon-to-be Downtown icon, Circa, followed by the copy, “We have chosen … Continue reading →

Posted in Derek Stevens, Downtown, Lucky Dragon, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Movies, Regulation, Rhode Island, Sexual misconduct, SLS Las Vegas, Sports, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Circa rustles up $$; Wynn slammed

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 3, 2019 by David McKee

“Warrants which was previously in the hands of police and judges is now given to ward administration and authorities. Once a tip-off is received, they will have to make a search and gather evidence. If any locals are arrested, it … Continue reading →

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

Adelson’s big trade-off; Nation bans casinos; Vegas hotel reopens

Posted on April 3, 2019 by David McKee

Not having gotten his way regarding a Las Vegas stadium, Sheldon Adelson turned to the government of Singapore and can now announce a major success. He will build a new hotel, a “state of the art” arena and additional convention … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Genting, International, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Singapore, Taxes, Terry Caudill, Wall Street | Comments Off on Adelson’s big trade-off; Nation bans casinos; Vegas hotel reopens

MGM Calgary?!?; Virginity postponed

Posted on April 2, 2019 by David McKee

Having long since abandoned its designs on Toronto, it seems MGM Resorts International is looking even deeper into the Great White North. According to DailyHive.com, MGM is pitching a $5.1 billion gambling and residential complex in downtown Calgary. Obviously New … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Australia, DFS, Hard Rock Hotel, International, Louisiana, MGM Resorts International, Politics, Sports betting | Comments Off on MGM Calgary?!?; Virginity postponed

News briefs from around the globe

Posted on April 1, 2019 by David McKee

It’s the end of an era at Hard Rock Rocksino in Ohio. This week it becomes MGM Northfield Park, a completely uninspiring handle that reeks of insecurity. Dan Gilbert, if you’re ever going to make a run for the top … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Charity, Dining, Entertainment, International, Japan, Lake Las Vegas, Law enforcement, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Ohio, Real Estate, Technology, The Strip, TV | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 1, 2019 by David McKee

“I’m not a socialist. I like capitalism. I think markets need to be regulated. I think when people face a combination of avarice and conscience, avarice tends to win, and so we need to regulate our markets.” — Stacy Abrams, … Continue reading →

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

West Virginia joins ‘Net-bet pack; Conventioneers flood the Strip

Posted on March 29, 2019 by David McKee

And then there were five. Internet gambling was legalized in West Virginia this week, as was i-poker. Gov. Jim Justice (R) appears to have been opposed to the law—or to giving political opponents a stick to beat him with—so he … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, California, Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, Florida, Genting, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, MGM Resorts International, New York, Politics, Rush Street Gaming, Scientific Games, Tamares Group, The Strip, West Virginia | 2 Comments

Baccarat undercuts the Strip; Japan shows its hand

Posted on March 28, 2019 by David McKee

Is our trade war with China inflicting collateral damage on the Las Vegas Strip? That’s one theory for anemic Chinese New Year visitation that led to a 2% downturn in gaming receipts last month. By contrast, last year saw an … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Downtown, Economy, Internet gambling, Japan, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Mesquite, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Philippines, Problem gambling, Regulation, Reno, Taxes, The Strip, Wendover | Comments Off on Baccarat undercuts the Strip; Japan shows its hand

Run for the roses; Friends of Dorothy

Posted on March 28, 2019 by David McKee

I’ve got a horse right here, his name is … no, not Paul Revere but Game Winner and he’s favored to win the annual run for the roses at Churchill Downs. At least that’s what Kentucky Derby Online Betting says. KDOB … Continue reading →

Posted in Churchill Downs, Current, Entertainment, Horseracing, Marketing, Mohegan Sun, Movies, Palms, Regulation, Station Casinos, Technology, Tribal | 3 Comments

Blackout at Boyd; Virginia ponies propped up

Posted on March 27, 2019 by David McKee

Boyd Gaming appears to have stepped in it, big time, according to former Ameristar St. Charles sales director Kim Carpenter. She’s suing the casino over her dismissal, which she alleges followed her complaints about sexual discrimination and retaliation. After booking a … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Economy, Horseracing, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, Racinos, Reno, Rhode Island, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tribal, Virginia | 4 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on March 27, 2019 by David McKee

“By the way, the acronym MICE has started to give way to ME, for meetings and events, handily sidestepping the rodent reference. Another term that’s being bandied about is ‘bleisure,’ for the business-and-leisure guest. It’s a concept to remember, but … Continue reading →

Posted in The Strip | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Case Bets

Posted on March 26, 2019 by David McKee

It’s try, try again time for New Hampshire‘s Legislature, as it attempts to enact casino gambling. The state senate has narrowly passed a casino-enabling bill but it still needs to go through the lower house and receive the signature of … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, DFS, Entertainment, history, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, New Hampshire, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sports betting | Comments Off on Case Bets