Category Archives: Ameristar

Penn regroups, Sands expands; Beware the Yakuza

Posted on November 13, 2017 by David McKee

Santa Claus has come early, in the guise of hardworking Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli. He’s been so busy profiling gaming’s top companies we wonder when he finds time for sleep. His recent visits have included one to Penn National … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Dining, Environment, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, Japan, Macau, Majestic Star, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Mob, The Strip, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off

Bumpy ride in Missouri; Scott vaporized in Maine

Posted on November 13, 2017 by David McKee

Missouri casinos dipped 3% last month (4% in the St. Louis area), a figure that seems bigger than the “unfavorable calendar” excuse covers. Pinnacle Entertainment took a 7.5% haircut at River City ($18 million) while its Ameristar St. Charles was off … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Ameristar, Eldorado Resorts, Election, Harrah's, International, Isle of Capri, Maine, Missouri, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Regulation, Sam Nazarian, SLS Las Vegas, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Vietnam | Comments Off

Case Bets: Ohio and Indiana

Posted on October 11, 2017 by David McKee

Penn National Gaming had a bonny September in Ohio, up 11% across its four properties. Hollywood Toledo ($16 million) rose 10.5%, Hollywood Columbus ($18 million) gained 9%, Hollywood Dayton ($8 million) was up 12% and Hollywood Mahoning Valley (pictured, $9 million) … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, Full House Resorts, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Indiana, Majestic Star, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off

Penn, Pinnacle to merge?

Posted on October 6, 2017 by David McKee

Writes Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli, “according to people familiar with the matter, Penn National has conducted on again off again discussions to acquire Pinnacle Entertainment.” He warns that “a long list of questions, which may or may not make a … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Wall Street, West Virginia | 2 Comments

Placidity in Indiana; Irma inconveniences card sharps

Posted on September 11, 2017 by David McKee

It was a flat August in the Hoosier State, as casino executives look toward Four Winds Casino in South Bend with trepidation. Perhaps it is the vampiric rise of slot routes in Illinois, but the northern tier of Indiana casinos … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Dan Lee, Eldorado Resorts, Environment, Florida, Full House Resorts, GLPI, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, Isle of Capri, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Seminole Tribe, The Strip, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street, World Series of Poker | Comments Off

MGM changes Macao strategy; Protest at the Hard Rock

Posted on August 17, 2017 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International isn’t counting on the whales to make ends meet at its Cotai Strip™ casino. “Our business model is not predicated on the VIP business. Our strategic plan is built on catering to this tremendously emerging more-affluent Chinese customer, a … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Arizona, Culinary Union, George Maloof, Hard Rock Hotel, International, Internet gambling, Japan, Macau, Marketing, Marnell Gaming, Planet Hollywood, Regulation, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tribal | 3 Comments

Smoke in their eyes; Trump in Macao a “long shot”

Posted on August 11, 2017 by David McKee

Casinos in Baton Rouge are going to have to stub out those cigarettes and get ready for a smoke-free existence. The Metropolitan Council of the City of Baton Rouge & Parish of East Baton Rouge voted to approve an ordinance banning smoking … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Donald Trump, Eldorado Resorts, Environment, GLPI, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Macau, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off

Station’s “weakness” a strength; Ohio bucks the odds

Posted on August 9, 2017 by David McKee

Looking back at Station Casinos’ 2Q17 results, Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli noted that the picture was clouded by construction activity at Palace Station and the Palms. But, while short-term investors would likely have their patience tested, he wrote, “we think long … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Dan Gilbert, Dan Lee, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Full House Resorts, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Indiana, Majestic Star, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Station Casinos, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off

Good news across the Midwest; Pennsylvania blows it (again)

Posted on July 10, 2017 by David McKee

An extra weekend day may have made all the difference for Illinois, where gross gaming revenues rose 2% last month. The good news was spread pretty evenly throughout the market, except at Jumer’s Casino Rock Island, which slipped 6%, to … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Dan Gilbert, Dan Lee, Eldorado Resorts, Full House Resorts, GLPI, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Majestic Star, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Neil Bluhm, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off

Freeman: Let my people bet!

Posted on May 11, 2017 by David McKee

Undistracted by the current shenanigans in Washington, D.C., the American Gaming Association‘s Geoff Freeman is staying on course about legalized sports betting. The AGA recently commissioned a Greenberg Quinlan Rosner poll that concluded — surprise! — that most Americans favor legalized … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Baseball, Boyd Gaming, Economy, Foxwoods, Full House Resorts, Geoff Freeman, GLPI, Harrah's, Indiana, Internet gambling, Majestic Star, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, New York, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Sports, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off

Wynn: Paradise deferred

Posted on April 26, 2017 by David McKee

Perhaps it’s the distraction caused by casino legalization in Japan. Perhaps it’s the cost creep (now up to $2.4 billion) at Wynn Boston Harbor. Whatever the reason, Wynn Resorts has scaled down its plans for Wynn Paradise Park. Rest assured, … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Economy, Entertainment, Indiana, Iowa, Macau, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street, Warner Gaming | Comments Off

Warm spring in the Midwest; Vegas Vic gets political

Posted on April 10, 2017 by David McKee

Don’t believe anyone who says the economy is bad: Casino takings are up all across the Midwest. The biggest gain was in Ohio, where casino win rose 7%, even though players continue to blow off Jack Cleveland ($18 million, -8%). … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Ameristar, Animals, Archon Corp., Boyd Gaming, California, Dan Gilbert, Downtown, Eldorado Resorts, Full House Resorts, Harrah's, Indiana, Isle of Capri, Law enforcement, Majestic Star, Missouri, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, PokerStars, Politics, Racinos, Tropicana Entertainment, Wayne F. Newton | Comments Off

Sports betting a political football; Lucky Dragon doing just fine

Posted on February 10, 2017 by David McKee

Lawmakers in Maryland are entering the fray over sports betting. Unlike their counterparts in New Jersey, they’re not challenging the federal government directly. The proposed law, as drafted, would make sports betting legal in the Free State *if* the Bradley … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Cordish Co., Delaware, Dining, Donald Trump, Georgia, GLPI, Harrah's, Hawaii, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Lucky Dragon, Macau, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Missouri, Neil Bluhm, New York, Penn National, Philippines, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Singapore, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off

Mixed results in Indiana; New Hampshire tries, tries, tries again

Posted on February 9, 2017 by David McKee

Casino revenue was down 4% last month in Indiana but, with one less weekend than last year and a 6% decline in foot traffic, I’m disinclined to read too much into the results. However, just for the record, let’s look … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Full House Resorts, GLPI, Harrah's, Indiana, Majestic Star, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sports, Tropicana Entertainment, TV | Comments Off

A slight chill in the air

Posted on January 10, 2017 by David McKee

Even allowing for additional weekend in 2016, gaming results last month were a tad frosty, shall we say? The best market was Missouri, which was merely flat. That was largely due to strength in the St. Louis area, where Pinnacle … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Full House Resorts, GLPI, Harrah's, Indiana, Isle of Capri, Majestic Star, Missouri, Nevada, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Tourism, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off

Macao: Big brother is watching; Quandary in Indiana

Posted on December 9, 2016 by David McKee

Just as it looked that Macao was beginning to climb out of one government-created crisis, along comes another. According to a report in the South China Morning Post, the central government was cutting the maximum withdrawal amount from UnionPay ATMs … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Full House Resorts, GLPI, Harrah's, Indiana, Macau, Majestic Star, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off

Mixed bag in Indiana; Don’t mess with Massachusetts

Posted on November 10, 2016 by David McKee

One less weekend day in October helped depress casino revenues in Indiana, down 3%. However, individual property results were all over the place, making generalizations perilous. For instance, Majestic Star II in Gary was down 9%, to $5 million, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Election, Full House Resorts, Harrah's, Indiana, Law enforcement, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Majestic Star, Marketing, Massachusetts, Melco Crown Entertainment, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Steve Wynn, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off

Straub makes some odd choices; Tiverton still up for grabs

Posted on November 10, 2016 by David McKee

Glenn Straub won one round, lost another in his quest to revive Revel as Ten. On Oct. 18, he received a certificate of occupancy, paving the way for him to reopen the property. (Last spring’s effort was a Chinese fire … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Ameristar, Atlantic City, Election, Glenn Straub, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Isle of Capri, Kansas, Massachusetts, Missouri, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Revel, Rhode Island, Tropicana Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off

Missouri is doing just fine, thanks; Cautious hope for Moulin Rouge

Posted on August 10, 2016 by David McKee

Pinnacle Entertainment did a masterful job of managing expectations in its quarterly earnings call, citing disruptive road work around Ameristar St. Charles as a potential setback from the property. Today, Missouri released its July gaming results and — surprise — … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Downtown, Environment, G2E, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Macau, Marketing, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Moulin Rouge, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Sports, Steve Wynn, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off

Indiana gamblers visit less, play more; Rude surprise at Seminole Hard Rock

Posted on August 9, 2016 by David McKee

Indiana casino customers visited less last month but more than made up for it with increased spending, keeping Hoosier State gaming revenues stable. That even-keel figure conceals some big swings and roundabouts at individual property. Horseshoe Hammond had an unaccountably … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Cirque du Soleil, Dining, Florida, Full House Resorts, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Seminole Tribe, Slot routes, Transportation, Tropicana Entertainment | 1 Comment