Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

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Atlantic City: Ocean Resort stages a rally

Posted on February 15, 2019 by David McKee

Atlantic City is weathering the winter months about as well as can realistically be hoped. Same-store revenues were down 8% last month but up 9% overall. Ocean Resort ($12.5 million) actually crept past Bally’s ($12 million) and up on Resorts … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Bruce Deifik, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Eldorado Resorts, Genting, Greenwood Racing, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New Jersey, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Rush Street Gaming, Sports betting, Tilman Fertitta | Comments Off on Atlantic City: Ocean Resort stages a rally

Clouds over Macao; What Sheldon wants, Sheldon gets

Posted on February 15, 2019 by David McKee

Cameron McKnight of Credit Suisse is projecting gambling-revenue flatness in Macao (despite higher tax returns) through 2019 and into 2020, despite a record amount of available credit in China. “Stronger credit data may partially assuage China macro concerns, as it … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Downtown, Economy, Galaxy Entertainment, International, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts International, Movies, New Jersey, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Transportation, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 13, 2019 by David McKee

“I don’t like getting beaten by Missouri. It’s a Kansas trait. I think a lot of people share that.” — Kansas state Rep. Stephanie Clayton, debating the nuts and bolts of sports betting.

Posted in Kansas, Missouri, Politics, Sports betting, Taxes | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

A tale of two Fertittas

Posted on February 13, 2019 by David McKee

Golden Nugget owner Tilman Fertitta is facing trouble close to home. $30.5 million in liens have been levied for unpaid work done at $400 million The Post Oak hotel in Houston. Like Sheldon Adelson, Fertitta blames the primary contractor and … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Economy, GLPI, Louisiana, MGM Resorts International, Palms, Problem gambling, Reno, Sports, Station Casinos, Texas, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street | Comments Off on A tale of two Fertittas

Chicago or bust?; Ocean Resort in deep water

Posted on February 12, 2019 by David McKee

With Illinois gaming revenue stuck at 2006 levels, some sense is finally filtering into legislative discussion of a Chicago casino. Could that idea have passed its sell-by date? The inability of Rivers Casino, however successful, and slot routes to move … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Atlantic City, Bruce Deifik, Economy, Illinois, Racinos, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Slot routes, Sports, Sports betting, TV, West Virginia | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 12, 2019 by David McKee

“Business was slow and the game was dull.” — a Mississippi gaming ‘insider’ on why the lowest-scoring Super Bowl ever was bad for business.

Posted in Mississippi, Sports, Sports betting | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

A change of heart on loco weed; Miller briefs Congress

Posted on February 11, 2019 by David McKee

In a development certain to make Nevada resort owners grind their teeth in envy, cannabis is predicted to be this year’s wellness trend. As you know, Nevada gaming regulators have hung a “Do Not Enter” sign on the recreational-marijuana industry … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, AGA, Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Geoff Freeman, history, Japan, Marijuana, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Taxes | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 11, 2019 by David McKee

“She felt like a great muse to evoke the brand. Equinox has a certain customer and the new work needed to keep pace with them.” — RanaVerse founder Rana Reeves on why Equinox Hotels chose Naomi Campbell to represent them in … Continue reading →

Posted in Marketing | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Bluhm’s big push; Gary dissed; Oscar betting debuts

Posted on February 11, 2019 by David McKee

Neil Bluhm isn’t waiting like some blushing wallflower for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to approve him for a casino in Brockton. He’s spent $430,000 on Beacon Hill to make his $700 million casino project in reality. To put that in … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Architecture, Caesars Entertainment, Cirque du Soleil, Economy, Entertainment, Genting, Indiana, Iowa, Law enforcement, Majestic Star, Massachusetts, Movies, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Rhode Island, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Bluhm’s big push; Gary dissed; Oscar betting debuts

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 8, 2019 by David McKee

“Crooks like Trump will steal a hot stove and come back for the smoke. There’s no bar too low.” — the late Rep. John Dingell (D), longest-serving member of Congress, referring to Donald Trump‘s multiple casino bankruptcies.

Posted in Atlantic City, Donald Trump | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Churchill Downs pwns Caesars; Kentucky covets casinos

Posted on February 8, 2019 by David McKee

Cold weather helped chill Indiana casino revenues last month, down 6%. The Hoosier State’s casinos and racinos grossed $154 million. Horseshoe Southern Indiana continues to bleed business to Churchill Downs‘ Derby City, hemorrhaging 10% to $16.5 million. Full House Resorts … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, DFS, e-sports, Eldorado Resorts, Full House Resorts, Indiana, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, New York, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Technology, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Monorail to the rescue of Grand Bazaar; Golden Nugget on the block?

Posted on February 8, 2019 by David McKee

We thought the Las Vegas Monorail was the biggest charity case on the Las Vegas Strip. However, the Grand Bazaar Shops — where Strip retail finally jumped the shark — is apparently even worse off. We say this because of … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Dining, Eldorado Resorts, Macau, Marketing, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Ohio, Penn National, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Transportation, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

Maryland booms, Illinois frozen out; Resort fees to rise … again

Posted on February 7, 2019 by David McKee

Business continues to boom for MGM National Harbor, which raked in $57 million last month, 12% growth and 41% of the Free State’s $137 million gross gaming revenue. Maryland Live‘s 34% market share translated into a gross of $46 million. Horseshoe … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Colorado, Cordish Co., Detroit, Dining, Economy, Entertainment, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Illinois, Las Vegas Raiders, Louisiana, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, New Jersey, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Resort fees, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Wall Street, West Virginia | 1 Comment

Atlantic City’s glass half-full; New Kentucky casino pitched

Posted on February 7, 2019 by David McKee

First, the good news: Casino-related employment in Atlantic City rose by 5,749 jobs last year, driven by Hard Rock Atlantic City and Ocean Resort, which added 6,927 souls to the work force. The bad news? Hiring remains otherwise stagnant, with Hard Rock … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Bruce Deifik, Economy, Greenwood Racing, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Racinos, South Dakota, Sports betting, Taxes, Tribal | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 7, 2019 by David McKee

“We want to lead by being good, not by being profitable. We think of profits as a byproduct of the new experience.” — SCP Hotels CEO Ken Cruse on his brand’s wellness-oriented, name-your-price business model.

Posted in Colorado, Environment, Marketing | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 5, 2019 by David McKee

“When you get past all the glitz of Enigma—the ornately choreographed dancing, the elaborate stunts, the animations that play on the giant screen—you’re left with a show that fully embraces and celebrates the lifestyles of its audience. Enigma isn’t just … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, The Strip | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Sports books take Super Bowl hit

Posted on February 5, 2019 by David McKee

With 75% of bettors wagering on the New England Patriots, plus a “george” 53-1 side bet for in-store credit, FanDuel got taken to the woodshed during Super Bowl LIII, losing $5 million. “All of this combined to leave New England as … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Arizona, Economy, Genting, Illinois, Las Vegas Sands, Marketing, New Jersey, Politics, Problem gambling, Resort fees, Singapore, Sports betting, Taxes, Texas | Comments Off on Sports books take Super Bowl hit

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 5, 2019 by David McKee

“Just what America needs: Another paid holiday.” — The Grinch, aka Sen. Mitch McConnell (R) on the idea of making Election Day a federal holiday. (At S&G we get no paid holidays so our concern is purely altruistic.)

Posted in Current | 2 Comments

New name, new push for Foxwoods/Mohegan casino; Nevada casinos robust

Posted on February 4, 2019 by David McKee

Tribal Winds. That’s what Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort Casino are going to call their joint venture in East Windsor, Connecticut. The duo has already spent $14 million on the $300 million project. Both of the tribes involved are not … Continue reading →

Posted in Connecticut, Economy, Foxwoods, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, Politics, Sports betting, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wendover | Comments Off on New name, new push for Foxwoods/Mohegan casino; Nevada casinos robust

Super Bowl hits and misses; Sigma Derby rides again

Posted on February 4, 2019 by David McKee

Super Bowl LIII is over and viewers are left to ponder such existential questions as “Is Julian Edelman a Hall of Famer?” and “Why are all NFL kickers bald?” The New England Patriots did the most important thing, i.e. covering the … Continue reading →

Posted in Derek Stevens, Downtown, Entertainment, history, International, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Paragon Gaming, Sigma Derby, Sports, Sports betting, Technology, TV | Comments Off on Super Bowl hits and misses; Sigma Derby rides again