Category Archives: Arizona

Wynn dominates Massachusetts; Scientific disappoints

Posted on February 19, 2020 by David McKee

Massachusetts casinos raked in $80 million last month, 60% of that—or $48.5 million—at Encore Boston Harbor. Holding onto a 26% share was MGM Springfield, grossing $20.5 million, while Plainridge Park won $11 million. That was a 10.5% decline for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Baseball, Economy, Internet gambling, Japan, Massachusetts, Maverick Gaming, MGM Resorts International, Oklahoma, Penn National, Scientific Games, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, Washington State, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

New deadline for Oklahoma; Nevada casinos notch new high

Posted on February 12, 2020 by David McKee

Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy DeGiusti has placed the ball on compact renewal squarely back in Oklahoma‘s court. However, he has—to mix metaphors—split the baby quite fairly. And he’s given everyone a ticking clock to make a deal. Both sides are to … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Dining, Economy, Health, Macau, Maryland, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Nevada, Oklahoma, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Tribal, Virginia | 1 Comment

Eldorado gets one state closer; Banditry in Arizona

Posted on January 20, 2020 by David McKee

Check Louisiana off the list of states giving the thumbs-up to the Eldorado Resorts takeover of Caesars Entertainment. CEO Tom Reeg had to assure regulators that the company would invest $500 million (there goes that highly touted half-billion cost savings) in … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Australia, Caesars Entertainment, California, Carl Icahn, Cretins, Donald Trump, Eldorado Resorts, Japan, Louisiana, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Tribal | 2 Comments

Brandes’ big bet; Skill-based slots catching on

Posted on January 2, 2020 by David McKee

“We think it’s time for Florida to take it out of the shadows and into the sunshine,” said state Sen. Jeff Brandes (R). He was speaking of sports betting which, like daily fantasy sports, is currently illegal in the Sunshine … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Caesars Entertainment, Entertainment, Florida, GameCO, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Phil Ruffin, Politics, Reno, Seminole Tribe, Sports betting, Taxes, Technology, The Strip, Tribal | 2 Comments

Tumult in Atlantic City; Goodell’s exquisite hypocrisy

Posted on December 4, 2019 by David McKee

Atlantic City casinos have had enough with the town’s mayoral office. They want it eliminated in favor of a city manager. Difficult to argue with that one. Except for Don Guardian, we haven’t seen one A.C. mayor we’ve liked. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, China, Dining, Election, Entertainment, history, Indiana, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Oscar Goodman, Politics, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Unite-Here, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Desert Diamond sets debut; Paddock’s grim legacy

Posted on November 20, 2019 by David McKee

Controversial Desert Diamond Casino will finally open on Feb. 19, superseding a “big box” temporary casino on the same site. Pride and joy of the Tohono O’odham Nation, Desert Diamond was the bane of Gov. Doug Doucey‘s existence, as well as … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Canada, Dining, Florida, Internet gambling, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Lotteries, Mandalay Bay Massacre, New York, Philippines, Problem gambling, Sports betting, Tamares Group, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Honeymoon over in Massachusetts; Drive like Elvis

Posted on September 3, 2019 by David McKee

Encore Boston Harbor has been open only two months. MGM Springfield just passed its one-year anniversary. And yet, the Boston Globe is already tossing around the ‘S’ word—saturation. Saying that casino executives might not like hearing it, the paper rejoined, … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Arizona, Caesars Entertainment, California, Economy, Entertainment, history, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Penn National, Rhode Island, Transportation, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Sports betting vexed in Massachusetts; Start spreading the news, they’re leaving today—and how!

Posted on August 30, 2019 by David McKee

Don’t expect sports betting in Massachusetts: Not now, maybe never. Why? Two words: Rhode Island. That state counted on $23 million in tax revenue from sports wagers—a ludicrous figure—and got $2 million. Bay State lawmakers are not only sobered by the … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Connecticut, Economy, Environment, Florida, Las Vegas Raiders, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, New York, Politics, Problem gambling, Rhode Island, Sports, Sports betting | Comments Off

A Majestic idea; MGM’s Springfield angst

Posted on August 28, 2019 by David McKee

Anyone remember the Greek Isles? Anybody want to? Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, the Greek Isles site will midwife the $850 million Majestic Las Vegas, designed by Paul Steelman after the style of Paul Revere Williams. It will have … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Arizona, Caesars Entertainment, CityCenter, Connecticut, Dining, Economy, Foxwoods, LVCVA, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New York, Security, Technology, The Strip, Transportation, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Vegas gets first tribal casino

Posted on June 26, 2019 by David McKee

My doctor says it behooves me to take it easy, so that can mean only one thing … news briefs! If you were waiting for Native American tribes to put down roots in Las Vegas, wait no longer. Virgin Hotels … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Meruelo, Animals, Arizona, Boyd Gaming, Downtown, Entertainment, Florida, Hard Rock Hotel, Law enforcement, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Movies, Sahara, SLS Las Vegas, Sports, Tamares Group, The Strip, Transportation | Comments Off

The wrath of Icahn

Posted on June 11, 2019 by David McKee

Investment bankers BidaskClub aren’t buying Caesars Entertainment. Literally. In an almost-unheard-of development in gaming, Bidask put a “sell” recommendation on low-priced CZR shares. Perhaps this reflects caution over Caesars’ still-massive debt overhang or of the additional debt that would be … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, DFS, Eldorado Resorts, Illinois, Lotteries, Mandalay Bay Massacre, MGM Resorts International, Regulation, Resort fees, Sports betting, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off

Plaza gets a refresh; MGM covets Vegas locals

Posted on June 6, 2019 by David McKee

Congratulations to Plaza Hotel CEO Jonathan Jossel. He’s persuaded tight-fisted Tamares Group to invest in a 112-room renovation of the Downtown dowager. The casino is reportedly coming off its best April ever and this has evidently helped Tamares to see its … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Arizona, Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Derek Stevens, Dining, Downtown, Dubai, e-sports, Entertainment, Japan, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Tamares Group, Transportation, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Eldorado strong, Penn stronger; Caesars screws you

Posted on May 3, 2019 by David McKee

Were it not for inclement weather, Eldorado Resorts would have exceeded Wall Street’s consensus $172 million cash-flow prediction by $8 million for 1Q19, not come up $5 million short. For instance, Reno (pictured) had snow in 24 of February’s 28 days … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Colorado, Cordish Co., Cretins, Culinary Union, Detroit, Dining, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Florida, Hard Rock International, Illinois, Internet gambling, Iowa, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Regulation, Reno, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Tribal, Wall Street, West Virginia, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Tunnel travel in Vegas?; Icahn raises the ante

Posted on March 12, 2019 by David McKee

As the Las Vegas Convention Center expands to proportions once seemingly unimaginable (two miles in length), the governing authority is looking for new methods to get conventioneers around it — especially to their parked cars. The Las Vegas Convention & … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, Law enforcement, LVCVA, The Strip, Transportation | Comments Off

Sports books take Super Bowl hit

Posted on February 5, 2019 by David McKee

With 75% of bettors wagering on the New England Patriots, plus a “george” 53-1 side bet for in-store credit, FanDuel got taken to the woodshed during Super Bowl LIII, losing $5 million. “All of this combined to leave New England as … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Arizona, Economy, Genting, Illinois, Las Vegas Sands, Marketing, New Jersey, Politics, Problem gambling, Resort fees, Singapore, Sports betting, Taxes, Texas | Comments Off

Aguilera to hit the Strip; Arizona mulls sports betting

Posted on January 29, 2019 by David McKee

It’s a big week for announcements at Caesars Entertainment. While I admit I’d completely forgotten who Christina Aguilera is, she’s got enough pop-culture cachet to justify a Las Vegas residency, starting May 31 at the Zappos Theater (an improvement on … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Caesars Entertainment, Entertainment, history, International, Japan, Planet Hollywood, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off

Caesars diversifies; Crazy rich Asians

Posted on January 29, 2019 by David McKee

In another pure, non-gaming play, Caesars Entertainment has disclosed plans to build a hotel at Scottsdale Fashion Square, in Arizona. “The 11-story glass structure, with 266 guest rooms, will be called Caesars Republic Scottsdale and will be the company’s first … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Caesars Entertainment, Entertainment, Lawrence Ho, Marketing, Movies, Palms, Pansy Ho, Stanley Ho, Station Casinos, Technology, Tourism | Comments Off

Super Bowl generates heavy action; Hard Rock marquee finds retirement home

Posted on January 28, 2019 by David McKee

$325 million. That’s the legal handle that PlayUSA.com is predicting will be wagered on Super Bowl LIII. Nevada will have the plurality of bets, some $160 million, with New Jersey seeing $100 million in action, including online wagers. The nascent … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Arizona, CityCenter, Entertainment, Hard Rock Hotel, history, International, Internet gambling, Mississippi, Movies, New Jersey, New Mexico, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Sports, Sports betting, Tourism, West Virginia | Comments Off

Stabbed in the back

Posted on December 24, 2018 by David McKee

In a colossal act of betrayal, the NFL, Major League Baseball and the PGA Tour have turned on their new gaming ‘partners’ and betrayed them by getting into bed with Sen. Chuck Schumer (D) and his dreadful bill to push … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Internet gambling, Japan, Law enforcement, New Jersey, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Sports betting, Taxes, Tourism | Comments Off

Station loses again; Starwood data raided

Posted on November 30, 2018 by David McKee

Station Casinos continues to be at cross-purposes with the National Labor Relations Board. Its latest misstep was stonewalling the Culinary Union with regard to labor talks at Green Valley Ranch. NLRB Chairman John Ring ruled, “By failing and refusing since … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Culinary Union, Donald Trump, Economy, Macau, Station Casinos, Taxes, Technology, Transportation, Tribal, Wall Street, Wisconsin | 1 Comment