Category Archives: Ameristar

Hooters sold (again); Fat lady sings for Opera House

If someone with deep pockets wants to gamble on a big recovery on the Las Vegas Strip, then Spectrum Group Management would like to have a chat with them. Spectrum holds title to optimistically slugged “Project Jackpot,” just north of … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Dotty's, Genting, Harrah's, Hooters, Isle of Capri, MGM Mirage, Missouri, North Las Vegas, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Adelson vs. lottery; Big weekend at SLS

Proving that gaming is the only taxable udder on which the Nevada Legislature dares tug, Assemblyman Harvey Munford has proposed a state lottery. The purported use of lottery proceeds would be to help senior citizens and support public education. “The … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Entertainment, GLPI, Harrah's, Illinois, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Regulation, Sam Nazarian, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | 1 Comment

Could saturation have peaked?

It’s a banner day when casino revenues in Illinois grow 8.5%. It’s no illusion: In context, $115.5 million is a pretty good haul. A downward spiral in gas prices may already be showing up in slot hoppers and drop boxes. … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Economy, Entertainment, Foxwoods, GLPI, Harrah's, Illinois, Isle of Capri, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street, Warner Gaming | 1 Comment

Rendering unto Caesars’ debtors; Missouri bounces back

Before Caesars Entertainment could file for bankruptcy, second-tier bondholders struck first. They have filed with a U.S. bankruptcy court in Delaware, seeking to supersede Caesars’ prepackaged bankruptcy. At issue are the controversial transfer of highly valuable Caesars assets into subsidiary … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Delaware, Foxwoods, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Massachusetts, Missouri, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Rendering unto Caesars’ debtors; Missouri bounces back

Missouri miracle; Guarded hope in Illinois, Indiana

Finally, there was good news for saturated gaming markets. Missouri was up 2% last month, although the result was a bit lopsided. The St. Louis market rose 3% while the Kansas City area slipped 2%. The latter appears to be … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Donald Trump, GLPI, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, Majestic Star, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Neil Bluhm, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Slot routes, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Missouri miracle; Guarded hope in Illinois, Indiana

REITmania … it’s catching

Pinnacle Entertainment has signaled its intention to follow in the footsteps of Penn National Gaming and convert into a real estate investment trust. It’s somewhat clearer cut than the convoluted Penn/Gaming & Leisure Properties split, with Pinnacle’s property company retaining … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Colorado, Donald Trump, Election, Louisiana, Missouri, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Wall Street | 1 Comment

All’s well at Penn; Casinos wary of Uncle Sam

Helped by better-than-expected performances at M Resort and Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, beating its own estimates, Penn National Gaming exceeded Wall Street’s consensus for 3Q14. Cannibalization of Charles Town has not been as great as was feared and … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Delaware, Election, Harrah's, M Resort, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Regulation, Sports, Tilman Fertitta, West Virginia | Comments Off on All’s well at Penn; Casinos wary of Uncle Sam

Cornrows and casinos

Those who argue that Iowa is saturated with casinos found plentiful ammunition in the latest set of revenue numbers from the state. True, Hard Rock Sioux City is doing far better than its predecessor, Argosy Sioux City. Also, Harrah’s Council … Continue reading

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Ameristar, Bally Technologies, Boyd Gaming, G2E, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Warner Gaming | Comments Off on Cornrows and casinos

Boyd, Pinnacle speak

Both Boyd Gaming and Pinnacle Entertainment met with Wall Street analysts this week, everybody being in town for Global Gaming Expo. Boyd CEO Keith Smith and CFO John Hirsberg said they saw an abatement in negative business trends, now confined … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Arizona, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Downtown, Louisiana, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Boyd, Pinnacle speak

Pinnacle pestered; Penn profits; Pokies pilloried

Orange Capital, calling itself “unsatisfied,” has renewed its pestering of Pinnacle Entertainment to convert itself into a REIT. Orange claims that share value could be increased 60% to 90%. Unfortunately for Pinnacle customers, REITs are required to return 90% of … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Atlantic City, Australia, Indiana, Louisiana, Missouri, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Problem gambling, Racinos, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off on Pinnacle pestered; Penn profits; Pokies pilloried

Indiana struggles, Ohio flourishes

Customers visited 8% in Indiana and spent 4% less. There were some salutary results. Pinnacle Entertainment‘s Ameristar East Chicago was up 2% and Boyd Gaming‘s Blue Chip saw revenues rise 3%. It was a big month for the racinos, with … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Dining, Harrah's, Macau, Maryland, MTR Gaming, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Regulation, Scientific Games, Shuffle Master, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off on Indiana struggles, Ohio flourishes

May challenging for Iowa, disastrous for Illinois

At present, the Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission is mulling whether to put a casino in relatively isolated (see video) Jefferson. While they’re weighing that Wild Rose Entertainment project, here’s something else to ponder: The latest set of revenue numbers … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Current, Economy, Harrah's, Illinois, Iowa, Isle of Capri, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Slot routes | Comments Off on May challenging for Iowa, disastrous for Illinois

Skepticism in Atlantic City; Hope in Schenectady

Hard Rock International has decided to stop being coy about its interest in Revel Resort. It wants it … if the price is right. “We certainly looked at it. We participated in the process,” said Hard Rock CEO James Allen. “The question … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Architecture, Atlantic City, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Louisiana, Neil Bluhm, New York, Pinnacle Entertainment, Revel, Tribal, Trump Entertainment Resorts | 1 Comment

Pinnacle, GLPI impress The Street; Parx beats Pennsylvania

Despite soft performance in its regional markets, Pinnacle Entertainment impressed an analyst or two by exceeding revenue expectations for the past quarter. Pinnacle’s cash flow was $3 million above Wall Street estimates, a feat attributed to fiscal discipline and improved … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Greenwood Racing, Illinois, Louisiana, Marketing, Missouri, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Taxes, Wall Street | Comments Off on Pinnacle, GLPI impress The Street; Parx beats Pennsylvania

The industry speaks, Part Two

Both Penn National Gaming and Pinnacle Entertainment have weighed in at the J.P. Morgan Gaming, Lodging, Restaurant & Leisure Management Access Forum. Penn engaged in a three-bucket division of its casinos. “The first bucket comprises properties in markets where there has … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Indiana, Louisiana, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off on The industry speaks, Part Two

Pinnacle beats The Street; MGM goes electric

Pinnacle Entertainment did a brilliant job of managing Wall Street‘s expectations, its cash flow coming in $5 million above analysts’ consensus, driven by lower operating expenses. J.P. Morgan‘s Joseph Greff called the results “better than feared,” which tells you how … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Environment, Foxwoods, International, Internet gambling, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Ohio, Pinnacle Entertainment, Transportation, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Pinnacle beats The Street; MGM goes electric

Frigid winter for Midwest casinos

Blame it on brutal weather or whatever your like but Midwest casino revenues have been dismal in December and it’s my doleful duty to report them. Missouri dipped 11%. Positive performers, like Pinnacle Entertainment‘s River City (+6%) were few. Of … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Current, Economy, Harrah's, Indiana, Iowa, Isle of Capri, Missouri, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | 2 Comments

All’s well at Pinnacle; Atlantic City’s PR jackpot

So reports J.P. Morgan analyst Joseph Greff, who met with Pinnacle Entertainment brass. The latter characterized their absorption of Ameristar Casinos as “on track.” Part of this is due to five “synergy buckets,” which represent everything from job cuts to … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Atlantic City, Economy, Marketing, Ohio, Pinnacle Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off on All’s well at Pinnacle; Atlantic City’s PR jackpot

St. Louis: Pinnacle out, Icahn in; Cosmo’s death wish

After fielding several offers, Pinnacle Entertainment has liquidated Lumiere Place Casino and its affiliated Four Seasons hotel to … Carl Icahn. Uncle Carl spent $260 million to close the deal. Considering that the book value of Lumiere Place is $401.5 … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Cantor Gaming, Carl Icahn, Cosmopolitan, Culinary Union, Missouri, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Pinnacle’s done deal; Collateral damage from Ho Tram

Federal Trade Commission approval removed the last obstacle to Pinnacle Entertainment‘s takeover of Ameristar Casinos. The acquisition closed straightaway. Pinnacle informed investors that it expects to have a Lumiere Place sale done by autumn, meeting the last of the FTC covenants … Continue reading

Posted in Ameristar, Current, Election, International, Louisiana, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Regulation, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street | 1 Comment