Author Archives: David McKee

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Atlantic City slideshow & sideshow; Mega-Jottings

Something different today from the Boardwalk: A first glimpse of new-look Caesars Atlantic City. That $400 million in capex reinvestment didn’t go to waste. There’s now a Nobu (above) and a Hell’s Kitchen (below), “both high-quality work and high prices,” … Continue reading

Posted in AGA, Atlantic City, Bally, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, Cordish Co., Dining, Economy, Election, Entertainment, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Lotteries, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Sports | 2 Comments

Wynn impresses; Curse of the Mummy’s Tomb; Culinary bombs

Wall Street analysts were across-the-board upbeat on Wynn Resorts‘ 3Q22 performance, as high-end casinos in Las Vegas continue to flourish. Although he categorized himself as “neutral,” given the evolving situation in Macao, analyst Joseph Greff of J.P. Morgan encapsulated third-quarter … Continue reading

Posted in Apollo Management, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Century Casinos, China, Culinary Union, Economy, Election, Failsinos, history, International, Internet gambling, Macau, Massachusetts, Mattress Mack, Missouri, New York, Penn National, Sheldon Adelson, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Election Special: Gaming, tribes lose big

Although only 41% of all precincts have reported, it’s clear that both tribal and private-sector gaming suffered a stunning defeat in California last night. Both the tribes’ Proposition 26 and Big Gaming’s Proposition 27 are losing—and by wider margins than … Continue reading

Posted in Bally, Caesars Entertainment, California, Card rooms, Culinary Union, Election, Genting, Georgia, Hard Rock International, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Sports betting, Texas, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Bread and circuses

Inflation or no, there is one quantifiable, incontestable fact about the American consumer. He or she is spending more—way more—on gambling than before Covid-19 and more than last year, when they had stimulus money to burn. So if there are … Continue reading

Posted in Bally, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Dan Lee, DraftKings, Economy, Election, Entertainment, Full House Resorts, Golden Gaming, Greenwood Racing, Hard Rock International, Illinois, Jack Entertainment, Kentucky, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, The Strip, Tribal, Virginia | 2 Comments

DraftKings tumbles big-time; Big Gaming bets on red

“It’s kind of fun to do the impossible,” said Walt Disney. For the leadership of DraftKings, “the impossible” would include finding a path to near-term profitability. DKNG reported 3Q22 numbers late last week and J.P. Morgan analyst Joseph Greff called … Continue reading

Posted in Australia, Barstool Sports, Baseball, BetMGM, Brazil, Caesars Entertainment, Crown Resorts, Donald Trump, DraftKings, Economy, Election, FanDuel, Jim Murren, Kansas, Las Vegas Raiders, Macau, Mattress Mack, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Phil Ruffin, Problem gambling, Regulation, South Carolina, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | 3 Comments

MGM, Penn disappoint, Golden droops; Tilman’s gambit

Dragged down the golden albatross that is Macao, earnings of MGM Resorts International missed analysts’ projections by a whopping $1.61 per share for a 3Q22 loss of $1.39/share. More’s the pity, as MGM did so many things right. Wall Street … Continue reading

Posted in Bally, Barstool Sports, Baseball, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, California, China, CityCenter, Conventions, Cosmopolitan, Detroit, DraftKings, Economy, Election, Full House Resorts, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Health, Illinois, Internet gambling, Iowa, Japan, Laughlin, M Resort, Macau, Maryland, Mattress Mack, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Rush Street Gaming, Singapore, Slot routes, South Korea, Sports, Sports betting, The Rio, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Caesars Strip-tease; Slot flea swatted; Biden targets resort fees

In the end, all that talk of Caesars Entertainment selling a Las Vegas Strip asset was just a sham. The company probably couldn’t find any takers for the Flamingo at CEO Tom Reeg‘s preposterous asking price (ditto his equally preposterous … Continue reading

Posted in Arizona, Bally, Baseball, Caesars Entertainment, Chicago, Churchill Downs, Conventions, Cordish Co., Hard Rock International, Indiana, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Louisiana, Michigan, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, Planet Hollywood, Politics, Real Estate, Resort fees, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Virginia, Wall Street, Washington State | 4 Comments

Atlantic City beat; MGM Cotai padlocked; Adelson buys Abbott

“Did Bally’s open a casino in Atlantic City and forget to tell anyone about it?” So asks our East Coast correspondent. “This is Bally’s yesterday (Sunday). A few casinos here would have more customers during a snow storm than this.” … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, Chicago, China, Dining, Election, Entertainment, Golden Nugget, Health, Illinois, Macau, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Ocean Resort, Penn National, Texas, United Kingdom, Vermont | 2 Comments

Station accentuates positives; Wynn gets richer, Adelson poorer

Do Station Casinos execs really want to double their footprint in seven years? Yesterday they reported flat 3Q22 revenues of $414.5 million, all but $3 million of which were Vegas-derived, unwittingly highlighting the company’s exposure to a single market. Company … Continue reading

Posted in Bally, Boulder Strip, Caesars Entertainment, California, Charity, Downtown, e-sports, Economy, Election, Galaxy Entertainment, Hard Rock International, International, Internet gambling, James Packer, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Macau, MGM Resorts International, New Jersey, Pansy Ho, Real Estate, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street, World Series of Poker, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Strip still booming, locals flat; Gambling with democracy

Nevada scored yet another $1 billion-plus month in September, up 8% from 2021. As you might expect, the Las Vegas Strip drove the big gain, booking $693 million in win, up 8%. Strip slot revenue was $409.5 million, a 17.5% … Continue reading

Posted in Boulder Strip, Downtown, Election, Failsinos, Gary Goett, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Marketing, Mesquite, Moulin Rouge, Nevada, New York, North Las Vegas, Oklahoma, Politics, Reno, Station Casinos, The Strip, Wall Street, Wendover, William Hill | 3 Comments

Bullish for Boyd; Abbott does Texas two-step; D.C. remorse

Bad economy? Not if you’re Boyd Gaming. The regional giant significantly improved third-quarter income, from $843 million in 3Q21 to $877 million this year. Said CEO Keith Smith, “Continuing into October, customer spending has been very consistent with the trends … Continue reading

Posted in Alabama, Barstool Sports, Baseball, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Downtown, Economy, Election, Hard Rock International, Hawaii, Indiana, International, Internet gambling, Japan, Louisiana, Mattress Mack, Mohegan Sun, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Politics, Sports betting, Texas, Tourism, Tribal, Virgin Hotels, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Vegas scores own-goal; Housing slowdown begs casino growth

In their rush to book a Formula One racing event, Las Vegas city fathers have intentionally or otherwise conducted a 20,000-person human sacrifice in the form of a forfeited convention. Congratulations, Sin City, you’ve just lost the 2023 NAR NXT, … Continue reading

Posted in Baseball, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, Conventions, Economy, Election, Genting, LVCVA, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Nebraska, Nevada, Resorts World LV, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, The Strip | 2 Comments

Slow days in Philly; Georgia pines for casinos, not sports betting

Since a picture is supposed to be worth a thousand words, we’ll let these photos do the talking.

Posted in Atlantic City, Australia, Bally, Barstool Sports, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Canada, Cordish Co., Cretins, Dining, Georgia, Golden Nugget, Illinois, International, Internet gambling, Kazuo Okada, MGM Resorts International, Ocean Resort, Oklahoma, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Regulation, Sahara, South Dakota, Sports betting, United Kingdom, Virginia, World Series of Poker | 2 Comments

Upsurge in Louisiana; Stitt stiffed; Fubo Sportsbook folds

In a major reversal of fortune, Louisiana casino revenue vaulted 18.5% over September 2021. Foot traffic rose 41.5%, which more than made up for thriftier gamblers: On average they lost 16% less per player. It helped the year/year comparison that … Continue reading

Posted in Animals, Bally, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Churchill Downs, CQ Holdings, DraftKings, Election, FanDuel, Louisiana, New York, Oklahoma, Palms, Penn National, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Scott Butera, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Las Vegas Sands blossoms in Singapore, challenged in NYC

Cash flow at Vegas-less Las Vegas Sands during the third quarter came in far above Wall Street‘s expectations, driven by “accelerating” business at Marina Bay Sands. As Credit Suisse analyst Ben Chaiken reported, “Macau is still largely uncertain pending the … Continue reading

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, China, Failsinos, Health, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, New York, Singapore, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Saturation in Pennsylvania; Makeover for Venelazzo

Adding more and more casinos isn’t ‘growing the pie’ in Pennsylvania. Instead, the bottom fell out of September’s numbers, which were 8% below 2019 ones (i.e., the good old days). Against last year, they were 1% lower, for a tally … Continue reading

Posted in Apollo Management, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Dining, DraftKings, Entertainment, Environment, FanDuel, Greenwood Racing, Illitch Family, Internet gambling, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Rush Street Gaming, Sheldon Adelson, Sports betting, Wall Street, WInd Creek, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Atlantic City slows, Massachusetts doesn’t; Mega-Jottings

Atlantic City casinos grossed $252 million last month, up 1% year/year. A 2.5% hop in slot revenue ($186.5 million) on 1% more coin-in more than made up for a 2% dip in table win ($63.5 million) on 5% lower wagering. … Continue reading

Posted in Alabama, Atlantic City, Bally, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, Canada, DraftKings, Election, FanDuel, G2E, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock International, International, Internet gambling, Louisiana, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New York, Ocean Resort, Penn National, Regulation, Scientific Games, Sports betting, Tribal, United Kingdom, Wisconsin, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Caesars bares all; Midwest flattens; Adelson pledges neutrality

Landing a meeting with Caesars Entertainment CEO Tom Reeg, as well as several top execs, J.P. Morgan analyst Joseph Greff didn’t hear so much as a peep about the mooted Las Vegas Strip asset sale, which he assumes is on … Continue reading

Posted in Bally, Barstool Sports, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Canada, Century Casinos, Churchill Downs, Derek Stevens, DraftKings, Economy, Election, Full House Resorts, Golden Gaming, Hard Rock International, Illinois, Indiana, Jack Entertainment, Macau, Marketing, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Penn National, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

Atlantic City update; G2E convenes; Penn upgrades

Happy Indigenous Peoples Day, especially to our tribal readers. We’re spending it nursing a nasty case of strep throat and distantly following Global Gaming Expo, which convenes today at the newly expanded Las Vegas Convention Center. This year’s G2E, like … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Australia, Bally, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, Culinary Union, Dan Lee, Dining, DraftKings, FanDuel, G2E, Genting, GLPI, Golden Nugget, Health, Illinois, Kazuo Okada, Law enforcement, M Resort, Macau, MGM Resorts International, New York, Ocean Resort, Ohio, Penn National, Philippines, PointsBet, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Sports betting, Star Entertainment, Station Casinos, Taxes, Technology, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Killing spree on Strip; Tilman’s newest erection revealed

Alas, today’s top story is of the “If it bleeds, it leads” variety and is written out of sheer necessity, not desire. A thirty-something Latino man, Yoni Barrios, is in custody after going on a knife-wielding spree in front of … Continue reading

Posted in Bally, Caesars Entertainment, Canada, Chicago, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., CQ Holdings, Florida, Golden Gaming, Indiana, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Penn National, Sports betting, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 9 Comments