Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

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Churchill Downs: Next stop, Des Plaines

Posted on November 1, 2018 by David McKee

Late last night the news broke that Churchill Downs has purchased 50.1% of Rivers Casino in Des Plaines from a consortium headed by Rush Street Gaming. The company is paying $326 million for a slight majority in an asset valued … Continue reading →

Posted in Churchill Downs, Dining, Economy, Illinois, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Rush Street Gaming, Wall Street | Comments Off on Churchill Downs: Next stop, Des Plaines

Election update; Resorts World reaches for the sky

Posted on October 31, 2018 by David McKee

Driving Arkansas Forward, the initiative to legalize casino gambling at four Arkansas locations, looks like it will score a come-from-behind victory in less than a week. Early polling had it down, 41% to 48%, but it’s now turned the tide, … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Architecture, Arkansas, Election, Environment, Genting, Horseracing, International, Internet gambling, Nevada, Racinos, Technology, The Strip | Comments Off on Election update; Resorts World reaches for the sky

MGM: The lion meows; Nevada sets sports-betting record

Posted on October 31, 2018 by David McKee

“Good quarter against low expectations” pretty well summarizes Wall Street‘s reaction to MGM Resorts International‘s 3Q18. (And we have to say that MGM leadership did a masterly job of minimizing anticipation well ahead of time.) JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff admitted … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, IGT, International, Macau, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, Sports betting, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on MGM: The lion meows; Nevada sets sports-betting record

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 31, 2018 by David McKee

“While none of these acts came at the direct instigation of the president or the leadership of the GOP, it is undeniable that they were manifestations of a changed climate in America of which the current U.S. president is the … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Donald Trump, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Strip tanks in September; Adelson vs. Buffett

Posted on October 30, 2018 by David McKee

If you want to know what it’s hard to get financing to develop on the Las Vegas Strip you could either A) ask Steven Witkoff or B) look at the latest, very blah numbers from September — $546 million. That 4% … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Downtown, Economy, Election, Environment, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on Strip tanks in September; Adelson vs. Buffett

DFS wins one, loses one

Posted on October 30, 2018 by David McKee

FanDuel and DraftKings are in trouble in New York again. While holding that they didn’t violate state penal law, acting Supreme Court Justice Gerald Connolly split the baby by ruling DFS unconstitutional, a big victory for anti-gambling groups that had brought … Continue reading →

Posted in DFS, Indiana, International, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, MGM Resorts International, New York, Penn National, Resort fees, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip | Comments Off on DFS wins one, loses one

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 30, 2018 by David McKee

“Despite links between women and increases in financial results, gender bias is routinely overlooked and minimalized. Although there have been improvements between the wage disparity among men and women, the glass ceiling continues to triumph with the support of several … Continue reading →

Posted in Current | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Massachusetts’ fate tied to Wynn’s

Posted on October 29, 2018 by David McKee

There’s light at the end of Wynn Resorts‘ tunnel in Massachusetts. Trouble is, it won’t arrive until December and it will take the form of an investigative report, nearly a year in the making, from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (postponed … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Cordish Co., Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, history, International, Iowa, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Sports, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Tribal, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Massachusetts’ fate tied to Wynn’s

Z covets Full House; Caesars: Fertitta out, MGM in?

Posted on October 29, 2018 by David McKee

Having recently subsumed Affinity Gaming, the eyes of Z Capital Partners have turned toward Full House Resorts. However, Z’s opening bid is so low that it looks like a typo: $1.79/share. That’s $132.5 million for five casinos. CEO Dan Lee … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Current, Dan Lee, Full House Resorts, G2E, International, Law enforcement, Marketing, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Philippines, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street | Comments Off on Z covets Full House; Caesars: Fertitta out, MGM in?

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 29, 2018 by David McKee

“If God truly loves drunks and fools, he had to find several of the wagering discussions at G2E to be His greatest glory.” — former casino executive and regulator Richard Schuetz on the sudden bumper crop of sports-betting ‘experts’ at … Continue reading →

Posted in G2E, Sports betting | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 27, 2018 by David McKee

“Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.” — François-Marie Arouet, better known as Voltaire.

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Adelson eats Wynn’s lunch; Thumbs up for Boyd

Posted on October 26, 2018 by David McKee

Credit Suisse analyst Cameron McKnight reports that Sands China is stealing Macao market share from Wynn Resorts. Renovated VIP rooms at Sands properties are credited with the shift in business. Also, Sands “stated that while its very confident of [concession] … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Downtown, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Hard Rock International, Hawaii, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Sports, Sports betting, Tamares Group, Tourism, Transportation, Wall Street, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Adelson nixes Greek casino; ‘George’ promo at Plaza

Posted on October 25, 2018 by David McKee

It’s all Greek to Sheldon Adelson. The mogul has dropped out of the running for a casino in Greece. That leaves Caesars Entertainment, Hard Rock International (which recently pulled out of contention for a casino in Cyprus) and Mohegan Sun … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Downtown, Economy, Hard Rock International, International, Las Vegas Sands, Marketing, Mohegan Sun, Tamares Group, Tourism | Comments Off on Adelson nixes Greek casino; ‘George’ promo at Plaza

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 25, 2018 by David McKee

“We are not litigious people but this is ridiculous. If the court finds in our favor, a portion of the proceeds will fund scholarships for creative writing programs at New Jersey universities.” — William Hill US CEO Joe Asher, on … Continue reading →

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

Rodio rebounds; Philly casino kaput

Posted on October 25, 2018 by David McKee

That was quick. Affinity Gaming made room in the CEO’s office in order to give the job to Tony Rodio. Newly unemployed, Tropicana Entertainment having been dissolved into Eldorado Resorts, Rodio wasn’t on the bread line for long. Rodio had … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Atlantic City, Cordish Co., Greenwood Racing, International, MGM Resorts International, Pennsylvania, Problem gambling, Tropicana Entertainment | 3 Comments

Adelson prospers in Macao; Instant racing upheld

Posted on October 25, 2018 by David McKee

Excepting a slight downturn in Las Vegas Strip revenues, it was a pretty good 3Q18 for Las Vegas Sands. Mass-market revenue in Macao was up 18.5% and VIP revenues rose 15%. In Singapore the numbers were mixed. Mass-market win was … Continue reading →

Posted in Georgia, Kentucky, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Macau, Mohegan Sun, Sports, Technology, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Adelson prospers in Macao; Instant racing upheld

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 24, 2018 by David McKee

“The President of the United States says it’s OK to grab women by their private parts.” — Quote attributed to Southwest Airlines passenger Bruce Michael Alexander, who allegedly did a Steve Wynn on a female passenger.

Posted in Donald Trump, Sexual misconduct | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

New era in Macao; Joy and misery in Louisiana

Posted on October 23, 2018 by David McKee

Beginning tomorrow, travel to Macao becomes much easier, as the Zhuhai bridge connecting Hong Kong and Macao officially opens. The ribbon is cut at 9 a.m. and several bus services are at the ready to make the half-hour run, compared … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, Galaxy Entertainment, GLPI, Isle of Capri, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Macau, Marketing, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Pinnacle Entertainment, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Transportation | Comments Off on New era in Macao; Joy and misery in Louisiana

Hard Rock, Trop push for sports books; Sands Bethlehem slammed at the tables

Posted on October 22, 2018 by David McKee

Atlantic City is getting caught up with customers’ fever for sports betting. Both the Hard Rock Atlantic City and Tropicana have applied for licensure of their sports books. Both are outsourcing the operation of the books. The Trop is going … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bruce Deifik, Caesars Entertainment, Charity, Connecticut, e-sports, Eldorado Resorts, Foxwoods, Genting, Greenwood Racing, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sports betting, Taxes | Comments Off on Hard Rock, Trop push for sports books; Sands Bethlehem slammed at the tables

Caesars to rebuff Fertitta; No surprise, Culinary endorses Rosen

Posted on October 22, 2018 by David McKee

This just in: Credit Suisse analyst Brian McKnight reports that the Caesars Entertainment board is going to reject Tilman Fertitta‘s reverse-merger offer. However, now that Caesars is in play, McKnight doesn’t think this is the end of the story, mentioning … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Culinary Union, Dining, Election, Harry Reid, Horseracing, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Sports, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street | 1 Comment