Category Archives: Arizona

Patient, heal thyself!; Copperfield’s new crib

Posted on July 7, 2016 by David McKee

Seemingly taking its talking points from Gov. Chris Christie (R), the Wall Street Journal opened a can of whup-ass on Atlantic City. (It also tried to drag casino flip-flopper Hillary Clinton into the argument but that was too much of … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Arizona, Atlantic City, Donald Trump, Economy, Regulation, Taxes, Technology | Comments Off

Strike at the Taj; Macao half-full or half-empty?

Posted on July 1, 2016 by David McKee

While Tropicana Entertainment managed to stave off at the very last minute a strike at its eponymous Atlantic City casino, Trump Taj Mahal was not so fortunate. In a 99% predictable outcome, roughly 1,000 Taj workers walked off their jobs … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Economy, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Macau, Philippines, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Unite-Here, Wall Street | 2 Comments

The end of an era; Aquinnah tribe beats the odds

Posted on June 7, 2016 by David McKee

Free parking on the Las Vegas Strip bit the dust yesterday, as MGM Resorts International starting charging for the privilege of using its casino-hotels, starting with Aria, Vdara, Monte Carlo and New York-New York. Today, parking fees hit the low-rollers … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Columbia Sussex, Kentucky, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, The Strip, Transportation, Tribal | 1 Comment

Freeman rakes Wolf; The delights and dangers of DFS

Posted on April 5, 2016 by David McKee

American Gaming Association President Geoff Freeman is throwing down against Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) and the latter’s desire to tax casino free play. If Wolf’s proposal had been in effect last year, the state would have netted slightly less … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Geoff Freeman, Illinois, International, Internet gambling, Marketing, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, PokerStars, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off

Strong month for the Strip; Tohono O’odham win big-time

Posted on April 1, 2016 by David McKee

February gaming revenues were 8% higher in Nevada (to $990 million), with a 7% increase on the Las Vegas Strip. Locals-casino revenue rose 11%, driven in part by 4% more coin-in and 8% greater table play. Slot revenue on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Boulder Strip, California, Downtown, Economy, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Macau, North Las Vegas, Politics, Reno, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal | 1 Comment

DFS becomes political football; More trouble for PokerStars

Posted on March 28, 2016 by David McKee

Add Yahoo to the list of daily fantasy sports providers that are tiptoeing out of New York State under an accord with state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. The latter has said that if the issue can’t be resolved in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Election, Florida, Harrah's, Indiana, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Oklahoma, PokerStars, Politics, South Korea, Wisconsin | Comments Off

Penn: Glass nearly full

Posted on February 4, 2016 by David McKee

Prior to its conference call with analysts, Penn National Gaming shared some earnings guidance and hints of what is to come. Perceptions of the performance of Plainridge Park Casino have become something of a sore point with Penn execs. While … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Dining, Marketing, Massachusetts, Ohio, Penn National, Racinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

Malice on the Strip; Tribal foes routed

Posted on December 22, 2015 by David McKee

For people with evil in their hearts, the Las Vegas Strip represents a target-rich environment. Most vulnerable are the pedestrians who clog the sidewalks, prey for all manner of harm. Last weekend, it took the form of a rampaging automobile … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Harrah's, International, Lake Las Vegas, Law enforcement, Politics, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal | Comments Off

Gaming expansion in Garden State moving fast; Mashpee Wampanoags challenged

Posted on December 18, 2015 by David McKee

New Jersey lawmakers are wasting no time getting a casino-expansion question onto next year’s election ballot. Enabling legislation fairly shot out of committee in both houses of the Lege. The Assembly version would devote 33% of tax revenue from two gambling … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Genting, Indiana, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off

Quote of the Day

Posted on November 12, 2015 by David McKee

“I hate slots. It’s all up to luck. It’s boring, and I can’t control what happens. The only time I would ever even consider playing is to pretend I am so I could score free drinks.” — Arizona State University student … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Marketing, Technology, Tribal | Comments Off

Tohono O’odham win again; Union tackles REIT craze

Posted on November 12, 2015 by David McKee

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

Adelson sleeping with the enemy

Posted on November 2, 2015 by David McKee

In his mania to ban Internet gaming, Sheldon Adelson has let the worst of anti-gambling zealots to slither into bed with him. Dr. James Dobson-founded Focus on the Family has gotten behind Rep. Jason Chaffetz‘s faltering bill. So-called “social liberal” Adelson … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal | Comments Off

McCheese baffles Wynn; Straub thwarted again

Posted on October 12, 2015 by David McKee

Boston Mayor Martin “McCheese” Walsh has Wynn Everett President Robert DeSalvio “baffled” with his schizoid approach to the hotel-casino. After having an apparently conciliatory meeting with Walsh, DeSalvio was bushwhacked by a McCheese-launched lawsuit to halt construction on Wynn Everett. “We … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, Horseracing, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, New York, Racinos, Revel, Steve Wynn, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

Malaise in Macao; Celebration at G2E

Posted on October 1, 2015 by David McKee

Wall Street analysts having revised their expectations downward well beforehand, Macao‘s 33% decline in gaming revenues hardly came as a surprise. If anything, they expected worse. Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli even noticed some “pre-Golden Week malaise” toward the end … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Economy, Entertainment, G2E, Harrah's, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, New York, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street, Wisconsin | 3 Comments

Tohono O’oh no!; Backlash in Macao

Posted on September 18, 2015 by David McKee

Judge David Campbell accepted the Tohono O’odham Nation‘s assertion that it could make as much money from Class II electronic-bingo machines as it could from conventional slots. And that’s bad news for the tribe. While it can open a Class … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, California, Economy, Macau, Politics, Regulation, Transportation, Tribal | Comments Off

Tribe outfoxes Arizona; Macao is glutted

Posted on September 11, 2015 by David McKee

Rather than continue waiting for Arizona casino czar Daniel Bergin to reverse himself and give them permission to open a Class III casino, the Tohono O’odham Nation has done an end run. It will open with 1,089 Class II electronic … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Culinary Union, Galaxy Entertainment, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Palms, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Tribal, Uncategorized, Wall Street | Comments Off

Atlantic City profits grow; Good and bad news for Caesars

Posted on August 26, 2015 by David McKee

Second-quarter operating profits in Atlantic City were up everywhere except for — you guessed it — Trump Taj Mahal. The Taj swung from a $2 million profit in 2Q14 to a $900,000 loss, another testament to CEO Bob Griffin‘s inspiring leadership. … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Carl Icahn, Genting, Georgia, Harrah's, history, International, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Regulation, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Technology, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off

It’s Galaxy’s turn to take a hit; Tohono O’odham file suit

Posted on August 20, 2015 by David McKee

Add Galaxy Entertainment to the companies taking on the chin in the Macao economy. The casino firm just posted a 46% drop in cash flow for 2Q15. Leading by example, Chairman Lui Che Woo announced a freeze in executive salaries … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Cosmopolitan, Dining, Economy, Galaxy Entertainment, Harrah's, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Philippines, Regulation, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off

Web wagers boost Atlantic City

Posted on July 14, 2015 by David McKee

It was more of the same for Atlantic City last month. Overall gambling revenue slid 9.5%, even as surviving operators experienced individual increases. The headline item is that Internet gaming grew 23%, bringing in almost $12 million. Borgata dominated that … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Mohegan Sun, Revel, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Tropicana Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off

Reprieve for Dotty’s; Straub changes course again

Posted on July 2, 2015 by David McKee

By one vote, Dotty’s eked out a four-month grace period while the Las Vegas City Council ponders whether or not to lower the boom on the newest in this mammoth chain of slot parlors and taverns. Known for its homey, … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Dotty's, Foxwoods, Glenn Straub, Laughlin, Massachusetts, Regulation, Tribal, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off