Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

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FanDuel fumbles; Cuomo beats Senecas

Posted on January 10, 2019 by David McKee

“It has been a dominant season for the Crimson Tide and our traders have seen enough.” With those words, FanDuel proceeded to pay out $400,000 to University of Alabama bettors, even though the national collegiate championship game had not yet … Continue reading →

Posted in history, MGM Resorts International, New York, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on FanDuel fumbles; Cuomo beats Senecas

Sports betting gearing up in Pennsylvania; Downtown Grand expands

Posted on January 9, 2019 by David McKee

It will be all systems ‘go’ for sports betting at Parx Casino tomorrow if the casino successfully completes a test run today. This would make Parx the fourth Pennsylvania casino to offer sports wagering, preceded by Hollywood Casino, near Harrisburg, Rivers … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Downtown Grand, Genting, Greenwood Racing, International, Midnight Jim Gibbons, New Jersey, Penn National, Pets, Problem gambling, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting | Comments Off on Sports betting gearing up in Pennsylvania; Downtown Grand expands

Maryland impressive but Ohio spectacular

Posted on January 8, 2019 by David McKee

Gaming-revenue growth in Maryland cooled a bit last month, coming in at 5% up for a total of $148 million. It’s basically a two-casino market, with MGM National Harbor controlling 40.5% and Maryland Live at 34% and Horseshoe Baltimore an … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Dan Gilbert, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Golden Gaming, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Ohio, Penn National, West Virginia | 1 Comment

MGM gets new admirer; Okada busted again

Posted on January 8, 2019 by David McKee

JP Morgan has initiated analyst-focus coverage of MGM Resorts International “as we see an increasingly favorable setup for 2019” that includes “relatively low expectations in Las Vegas.” Morgan analyst Joseph Greff applauded the upcoming pogrom of the MGM workforce, as well … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Detroit, Entertainment, Foxwoods, Kazuo Okada, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Philippines, Regulation, Rhode Island, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Philly Live shows signs of life; Sports betting no cure-all

Posted on January 7, 2019 by David McKee

Cordish Gaming‘s $700 million Philadelphia casino project (now with 100% less Watouche “Bob” Manoukian) has been postponed two years. However, in a sign of forward progress, Cordish has signed a general contractor and pledged “substantial completion” by 2020. It remains … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Colorado, Cordish Co., Horseracing, Louisiana, Marijuana, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Sports betting, Taxes, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Frissora postpones departure; Oscar forecast

Posted on January 7, 2019 by David McKee

That game of musical chairs known as industry consolidation has left a lot of fine ladies and gentlemen standing when the melody stopped, included Anthony Sanfilippo, a favorite of ours. However, Caesars Entertainment apparently hasn’t heard of any of these … Continue reading →

Posted in Aristocrat, Bally Technologies, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Eldorado Resorts, Illinois, Movies, Penn National, Rush Street Gaming, Scientific Games, Shuffle Master, Sports betting, Technology | Comments Off on Frissora postpones departure; Oscar forecast

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 7, 2019 by David McKee

“I think it’s unfair because you’re taking a state entity like the lottery and trying to compare it to the free-market system of other online gaming platforms. If your problem is a concern for the lottery, you’re never going to … Continue reading →

Posted in Internet gambling, Politics | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Caesars fights human trafficking; Modified rapture in Macao

Posted on January 4, 2019 by David McKee

“Victims of human trafficking, including those involved in the commercial sex industry, do not choose to participate. Rather, they are manipulated, brainwashed and forced based on unforeseen and, oftentimes, seemingly inescapable circumstances. We are deeply committed to eliminating sex trafficking and all … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Economy, International, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Regulation, Taxes, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Reid rages against the dying of the light; Michigan nixes Net bets

Posted on January 4, 2019 by David McKee

Nevada‘s most famous gaming regulator is dying. Harry Reid has pancreatic cancer and we’d say he’s throwing verbal restraint to the winds now that he has nothing to lose — but that has always been Reid’s style. The New York … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Caesars Entertainment, Donald Trump, Harry Reid, history, Internet gambling, Japan, Massachusetts, Politics, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Sports, Sports betting, Tourism, Transportation, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Reid rages against the dying of the light; Michigan nixes Net bets

Lady Gaga vanquishes the Strip

Posted on January 3, 2019 by David McKee

“Energy and heart.” That’s what Lady Gaga has brought to the Las Vegas Strip, according to early notices of Enigma. If you’ve seen A Star Is Born, you know that the sky’s the limit for Her Ladyship’s talent (even though the … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Cirque du Soleil, Entertainment, Golden Gaming, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, New York, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Lady Gaga vanquishes the Strip

Death and debauchery

Posted on January 3, 2019 by David McKee

by Jessica Kane, special to Stiffs & Georges Nicknamed the City of Sin, Las Vegas is no stranger obscene behavior. Only, not all guests are satisfied by the usual debauchery. Read along to learn about six shocking crimes committed in … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Law enforcement, Mandalay Bay Massacre, MGM Resorts International, Security, Station Casinos, Westgate LV | 1 Comment

Legitimate deal or scam?

Posted on December 28, 2018 by David McKee

Demystifying Las Vegas timeshares by Jessica Kane It’s well known that Las Vegas is a premier vacation destination for gamblers and risk-takers. But even the most experienced investors need to take caution when investing in Sin City timeshares. According to … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Florida, Hawaii, International, Real Estate, Regulation, South Carolina, The Strip, Westgate LV | 2 Comments

Berman returns; All-star New Year’s Eve

Posted on December 28, 2018 by David McKee

Don’t say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Lyle Berman, 77, who was once in on the ground floor of tribal gaming is now purchasing two companies with the purpose of merging them to form an e-sports major … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Caesars Entertainment, California, Downtown, e-sports, Economy, Entertainment, Genting, International, Lyle Berman, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, PokerStars, Security, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Berman returns; All-star New Year’s Eve

Case Bets

Posted on December 27, 2018 by David McKee

Station Casinos is bringing two name-brand chefs to the upgraded Palms. Between high-in-the-sky Vetri Cucina and Michael Symon‘s Mabel’s BBQ, I wouldn’t know which to choose. (My mouth is watering as I type this.) Fortunately, Las Vegans riding a burgeoning … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Macau, Movies, Palms, Philippines, PokerStars, South Korea, Station Casinos, Tourism, Transportation, Vietnam | Comments Off on Case Bets

Strip outstrips Nevada; Trouble for Resorts World

Posted on December 27, 2018 by David McKee

Business was booming last month on the Las Vegas Strip. Gaming revenues shot up 10% to $534.5 million. Statewide, the increase was 6.5% to $967 million. Driving those Strip numbers was a mind-boggling 53% explosion in baccarat win on 26% … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boulder Strip, Downtown, Economy, Genting, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Massachusetts, Mesquite, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Reno, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Strip outstrips Nevada; Trouble for Resorts World

Quote of the Day

Posted on December 27, 2018 by David McKee

“The millennial generation, in particular, is expecting to have travel in their lives. So, for hotels ultimately their job is to create a home away from home or an office away from the office. But if hotels are only focused on … Continue reading →

Posted in Marketing, Technology, Tourism | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Dover Downer; Pilgrims rally to Wampanoags’ side

Posted on December 26, 2018 by David McKee

With an audible “Bah, humbug!”, Dover Downs became the first Delaware racino to operate on Christmas Day. While CEO Denis McGlynn claimed “This was not something we’ve been pushing hard for,” in his negotiations with the state, he didn’t hesitate to … Continue reading →

Posted in Delaware, history, International, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Politics, Racinos, Rush Street Gaming, Scientific Games, Technology, Tribal | Comments Off on Dover Downer; Pilgrims rally to Wampanoags’ side

Quote of the Day

Posted on December 26, 2018 by David McKee

“In general, there’s been a shift toward people’s attitudes toward art in the mainstream. Art used to be seen as something untouchable, but I think social media and the Internet have democratized it, and as the general public has been exposed … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, New Jersey | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Wynn at risk; Christmas stocking for Station, Boyd, etc.

Posted on December 26, 2018 by David McKee

Steve Wynn might want to think twice about buying back into Wynn Resorts. Stock analyst Frank Fantini thinks the company’s Macao holdings might be made an example in the U.S./China trade war. Fantini believes Beijing could target “companies that are not … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Economy, Golden Gaming, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, Pansy Ho, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Wynn at risk; Christmas stocking for Station, Boyd, etc.

Merry Christmas!

Posted on December 25, 2018 by David McKee

As my sister taught me, it’s not Christmas without Nat King Cole. The vocalist par excellence was the subject of one of Sin City’s more infamous contract riders: He was forbidden to make eye contact with the (white) women in … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, history | Comments Off on Merry Christmas!