Category Archives: Ameristar

New casinos propel Iowa; Cal Neva goes bankrupt

We don’t report Iowa casino results very much, partly because the market overwhelmingly consists of small casinos with grosses to match. Given their modest grosses, a minor fluctuation can be magnified. Even so, last month’s 5% bounce is worth discussing. … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, Election, Harrah's, Iowa, Isle of Capri, Lake Tahoe, Massachusetts, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Reno, Scientific Games, Wall Street, Warner Gaming | Comments Off on New casinos propel Iowa; Cal Neva goes bankrupt

Indiana celebrates 20 years of casinos; Racinos gain traction in Nebraska

“I read that one of the steel plants is closing more lines. We have 70 jobs open right now,” says Horseshoe Hammond General Manager Dan Nita, alluding to the resiliency of the Indiana casino industry, which is celebrating 20 years. … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Don Barden, Donald Trump, Economy, Election, Entertainment, Genting, Harrah's, Indiana, Iowa, Majestic Star, Marketing, Minnesota, Nebraska, Pinnacle Entertainment, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Tribal, Warner Gaming | Comments Off on Indiana celebrates 20 years of casinos; Racinos gain traction in Nebraska

Indiana market battered; Foxwoods branches out

One less weekend of business hit Indiana casinos fairly hard last month. The state’s industry was down 7%, to $186 million. Patrons were spending more — a heartening metric — but foot traffic was off nearly 12%. However, even less … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Full House Resorts, Georgia, GLPI, Harrah's, Indiana, Majestic Star, Mississippi, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Texas, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Poker Stars changes Atlantic City landscape; MGM budges (slightly) on parking fees

An extra month helped Atlantic City post a banner April, up 6%. Citywide, 5% higher slot handle produced a corresponding increase in revenue, while 4.5% table-game wagering translated into 10% more winnings for the house. Borgata ($56 million) was up … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Iowa, Isle of Capri, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Pinnacle Entertainment, PokerStars, Racinos, Sports, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment, Warner Gaming | Comments Off on Poker Stars changes Atlantic City landscape; MGM budges (slightly) on parking fees

Balmy spring for Ohio, Missouri; Pinnacle beats estimates

Ohio had a particularly good April, with gaming revenue up 9%. Coin-in rose 8% at the slots while table game revenue was up 5% despite 3% less wagering. Penn National Gaming, Caesars Entertainment and Pinnacle Entertainment all posted revenue-positive months, … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, Golden Gaming, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Missouri, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off on Balmy spring for Ohio, Missouri; Pinnacle beats estimates

Station snapping up Palms?

Just when you thought Station Casinos was taking a nap, it up and surprises you. According to LVA sources, Station has purchased the Palms, bringing it nearer the Strip than ever and lending an extra cachet of hipness to the … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Columbia Sussex, George Maloof, history, North Las Vegas, Palms, Station Casinos, The Strip | Comments Off on Station snapping up Palms?

Warm spring for Indiana; Trouble ahead for Packer and Ho

While Illinois casinos were flat last month, the action was livelier next door in Indiana. Admissions declined 4%, meaning that players were spending 9%, as casino revenues rose 5%. The percentage champion was Tropicana Evansville, up 17% on an $11 … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Donald Trump, Full House Resorts, Harrah's, Indiana, International, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Majestic Star, Melco Crown Entertainment, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Sexcapade case closed; GLPI/Pinnacle deal a certainty

Followers of jurisprudence will be denied one of the more prurient evidentiary hearings in history now that Vegas High Roller sexpot Chloe Scordianos has decided to plead guilty to disorderly conduct rather than face trial for committing sex acts in … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Architecture, Entertainment, Environment, GLPI, Harrah's, history, Illinois, Law enforcement, Missouri, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Riviera, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Sexcapade case closed; GLPI/Pinnacle deal a certainty

Penn talks turkey; Celebrity brawl at Aria

Next week Penn National Gaming turns on the Marquee Rewards spigot at the Tropicana Las Vegas. Given some of management’s recent disclosures, it won’t come a day too soon: 85% of Penn’s customer base comes to Sin City but stays … Continue reading

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Cordish Co., Full House Resorts, Harrah's, Indiana, Isle of Capri, Majestic Star, Marketing, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street, West Virginia | 1 Comment

Christie takes sides in casino fight; Healthy month in Missouri

“I can’t say it won’t ever happen, but by 2018, New York will have approved a casino in Staten Island. It needs to be now because we have the opportunity now.” Thus spake New Jersey State Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D), … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Atlantic City, Georgia, Harrah's, Illinois, Isle of Capri, Massachusetts, New York, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Unite-Here | Comments Off on Christie takes sides in casino fight; Healthy month in Missouri

Illinois down, Indiana up

While surrounding states prosper at their casinos, Illinois‘ continue to suffer, especially now that they must compete with slot routes. Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli crunched the numbers and found that even though bettors were wagering 2% more, there was … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Dan Lee, GLPI, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Illinois down, Indiana up

Rage against DFS; Iowa stays stable

“FanDuel and DraftKings are optimized for power players to rape and pillage regular players over and over again.” So says daily fantasy sports podcaster Gabriel Harber, in the course of a lengthy New York Times expose of the DFS industry. … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Economy, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Iowa, Isle of Capri, Massachusetts, Nevada, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation | Comments Off on Rage against DFS; Iowa stays stable

No misery in Missouri; Packer’s Vegas venture in question

November was a tranquil month for Missouri casinos, exemplified by Penn National Gaming‘s Argosy Riverside, in Kansas City, dead even with last year. Statewide, foot traffic was down 5% and spending up 6%, particularly at table games, where winnings rose … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Florida, GLPI, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, James Packer, Missouri, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Seminole Tribe, The Strip, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Indiana: Visiting less, spending more

That’s the verdict of Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli, who reports that foot traffic at Indiana casinos was 11% down last month, implying a 7% spending increase. If free play is counted, casino revenues fell 5%, with the southern tier … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Full House Resorts, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Slot routes, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Tohono O’odham win again; Union tackles REIT craze

Forces opposed to the Tohono O’odham Nation‘s attempts to build a casino (due to open Dec. 20) suffered yet another defeat — the 18th, by the tribe’s count — when the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals tossed out a particularly … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Arizona, GLPI, Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Tribal | Comments Off on Tohono O’odham win again; Union tackles REIT craze

Catastrophe for DFS; Strong month for Missouri

Daily fantasy sports’ house of cards continued to topple yesterday when New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman ordered FanDuel and DraftKings to cease and desist from taking bets in the Empire State, home to 500,000 DFS players. According to the … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Current, Regulation | Comments Off on Catastrophe for DFS; Strong month for Missouri

Big players accentuate the positive

Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli has been a busy man these past few days, meeting with the top companies in gaming. In no special order … Boyd Gaming took the usual line on REIT conversion and acquisitions, basically saying, “If … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Colorado, Downtown, Economy, Florida, GLPI, Illinois, International, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Sports, Steve Wynn, Texas, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street | Comments Off on Big players accentuate the positive

Midwest shakes off malaise

Yes, there was an extra weekend day this year but let’s look at the glass half-full, as regional gaming markets shook off their malaise. Illinois was up 2% despite mild weakness in the St. Louis market. Empress Joliet (+10%) was … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Dan Gilbert, Economy, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Horseracing, Illinois, Indiana, Isle of Capri, Majestic Star, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Neil Bluhm, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Wall Street | Comments Off on Midwest shakes off malaise

Around the Midwest

Iowa was as flat as much of its landscape last month. Amidst the prevailing revenue stasis (sign of a perfectly sized market) there were a few significant movers. Isle of Capri Casinos‘ three properties were up a collective 2%, while … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Dan Gilbert, Full House Resorts, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Isle of Capri, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Warner Gaming | Comments Off on Around the Midwest

Steady in Indiana

Gaming revenues were flat in Indiana last month, especially in the south, and this is a good thing. Why? Because it means that the Hoosier State is absorbing the impact of competition from Ohio. Operators can also, thanks to Gov. … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Dan Lee, Harrah's, Indiana, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Steady in Indiana