Category Archives: Atlantic City

Icahn promises little, gets OK’d anyway; Tribal generosity in California

Posted on April 14, 2016 by David McKee

Carl Icahn is officially the owner of Trump Taj Mahal, having received the blessing of the New Jersey Casino Control Commission. The OK was given despite Icahn’s having reneged on his promise of a $100 million capex infusion into the … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Atlantic City, California, Carl Icahn, Donald Trump, Genting, International, Penn National, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Icahn promises little, gets OK’d anyway; Tribal generosity in California

Internet gaming backstops Atlantic City; Swordplay in Vegas

Posted on April 13, 2016 by David McKee

Traditional casino revenue fell 2% last month in Atlantic City but online winning were up 18%. The entry of PokerStars wasn’t immediately felt, as Resorts Digital‘s market share stood at 12%. behind Borgata ($4 million, 28%), Caesars Interactive (20%), Golden … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Carl Icahn, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, history, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, PokerStars, Reno, Revel, Riviera, Sheldon Adelson, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Internet gaming backstops Atlantic City; Swordplay in Vegas

Lobbyists win in Atlantic City fight; Untimely reprimand for Bluhm

Posted on April 12, 2016 by David McKee

As Atlantic City fights to maintain its monopoly on casino gambling in New Jersey, it’s getting a lot of help from casino companies themselves — and lobbyists are making out like bandits. The biggest spender to date has been Caesars … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Australia, Boyd Gaming, Downtown, Election, Entertainment, Genting, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Illinois, LVCVA, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal | Comments Off on Lobbyists win in Atlantic City fight; Untimely reprimand for Bluhm

Good year for Atlantic City; Sands slapped with fine

Posted on April 12, 2016 by David McKee

Free market forces did what governmental intervention and flashy marketing campaigns could not: They steadied Atlantic City‘s casino economy. With the dead weight of four casinos — Revel, Showboat, Atlantic Club and Trump Plaza — jettisoned, profits not only steadied, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Carl Icahn, Dining, Economy, Environment, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Macau, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, PokerStars, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Steve Wynn, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off on Good year for Atlantic City; Sands slapped with fine

DFS dealt twin setbacks; Stalemate over Atlantic City

Posted on April 11, 2016 by David McKee

“As attorney general, it is my duty to uphold Alabama law, including the laws against illegal gambling. Daily fantasy sports operators claim that they operate legally under Alabama law. However, paid daily fantasy sports contests are in fact illegal gambling … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Downtown, Economy, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, Politics, Sports, Steve Wynn, Taxes | Comments Off on DFS dealt twin setbacks; Stalemate over Atlantic City

Wynn vs. Wynn; ‘Believe’ gets a new name, focus

Posted on April 4, 2016 by David McKee

More details of Elaine Wynn‘s lawsuit against Wynn Resorts, CEO Steve Wynn and General Counsel Kim Sinatra are emerging. She barrages the three with a litany of complaints, one of which seems to imply that her ex got a company … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cirque du Soleil, Election, Entertainment, Harrah's, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, New York, Politics, Regulation, Steve Wynn, The Strip | Comments Off on Wynn vs. Wynn; ‘Believe’ gets a new name, focus

Complications at the Riviera; PokerStars a hit in New Jersey

Posted on April 1, 2016 by David McKee

Implosion of the Riviera could occur as early as June, so doesn’t hesitate to have your  picture taken in front of it. However, the timeline could be extended by a number of complications. Now that a demolition firm has been … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Internet gambling, LVCVA, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Oklahoma, Penn National, Regulation, Riviera, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Complications at the Riviera; PokerStars a hit in New Jersey

Trump: The art of failure, Part II

Posted on March 25, 2016 by David McKee

Donald Trump‘s current ubiquity is causing the spotlight to fall upon his many setbacks in the gaming industry. “If you look at anything that guy has done in this industry, he has a lead thumb — it’s the opposite of a golden touch,” … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Donald Trump, Foxwoods, Harrah's, history, Indiana, The Mob | 1 Comment

Setback for Penn; New problem for Atlantic City

Posted on March 24, 2016 by David McKee

It was Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission 1, Penn National Gaming 0 in an Iowa appellate court. Penn had been trying to get the license of its Belle of Sioux City reinstated, claiming it was deprived of due process. That … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Iowa, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, New York, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Taxes, Wall Street, Warner Gaming | Comments Off on Setback for Penn; New problem for Atlantic City

Showdown on the Boardwalk; Lies, damned lies and poll numbers

Posted on March 24, 2016 by David McKee

It’s war to the knife and knife to the hilt between Carl Icahn and Unite-Here Local 54 President Robert McDevitt over the labor situation at Trump Taj Mahal. (For the record, Donald Trump is now affiliated with the casino in … Continue reading →

Posted in ACEP, Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Carl Icahn, Colony Capital, Election, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Laughlin, LVCVA, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Regulation, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Unite-Here | Comments Off on Showdown on the Boardwalk; Lies, damned lies and poll numbers

Quote of the Day

Posted on March 22, 2016 by David McKee

“‘You don’t know anything! Your guys suck! I promote Mike Tyson! I promote heavyweight fights!’ And I notice the three shtarkers he’s with, in trench coats, two of them are putting on gloves and the other one is putting on … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Donald Trump, history | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Adelson’s $10 billion bet; PokerStars comes to Atlantic City

Posted on March 22, 2016 by David McKee

Sheldon Adelson is desperate to get into South Korea. He doesn’t need to articulate it: Las Vegas Sands‘ actions say as much. The company has vowed to do “whatever it takes” to penetrate the market. “Anything” includes raising the prospective … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Economy, Genting, Internet gambling, Japan, Macau, Mohegan Sun, PokerStars, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, South Korea, Tourism | Comments Off on Adelson’s $10 billion bet; PokerStars comes to Atlantic City

Freeman slags Guardian; The truth remains out there

Posted on March 22, 2016 by David McKee

In a risky move, American Gaming Association President Geoff Freeman lashed out at Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian, after the latter reiterated his opposition to northern New Jersey casinos in a spirited public debate. Hizzoner wasn’t the only skeptic: Resorts … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Downtown, Geoff Freeman, Harrah's, Law enforcement, Politics, Texas | Comments Off on Freeman slags Guardian; The truth remains out there

Quote of the Day

Posted on March 21, 2016 by David McKee

“In 1976, casinos were approved for Atlantic City. It was a monopoly that existed for many, many years; many people benefited. But conditions change, and when conditions change and you don’t adapt, you become a dinosaur and you become extinct.” — … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Economy, Politics | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

New Jersey sticks it to Atlantic City; No payday for Suen

Posted on March 15, 2016 by David McKee

Life just got a little more difficult for Atlantic City. Casino owners will have to dig into their pockets in order to defeat a ballot initiative to end their monopoly on casino gambling. The referendum mustered the necessary supermajorities to … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Election, Glenn Straub, Macau, Massachusetts, Penn National, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal | Comments Off on New Jersey sticks it to Atlantic City; No payday for Suen

Atlantic City has a big month

Posted on March 14, 2016 by David McKee

Reports of Atlantic City‘s demise have been greatly exaggerated. The city’s casinos posted a 13% revenue increase (over an admittedly weak February 2015) and Internet gambling revenue was up 42%, to $15 million. In the latter department, Borgata (29% of … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Harrah's, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Atlantic City has a big month

Rosy prospects for Boyd; Victories in Indian Country

Posted on March 10, 2016 by David McKee

Top Boyd Gaming executives sat down with JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff and sketched out their program for the coming year, with includes new restaurant concepts at 12 casinos (including 20 new restaurants this year) and 167 hotel rooms at … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Election, history, Illinois, International, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Nevada, Philippines, Taxes, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Vietnam War logic in New Jersey; Tribal corruption in Florida

Posted on March 8, 2016 by David McKee

New Jersey will no longer have the distinction of possessing the second-lowest casino tax rate if Assemblyman Ralph Caputo (D, left) gets his way. He’s talking about imposing at least a 40% levy on proposed north New Jersey casinos, perhaps … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Florida, Hard Rock International, Horseracing, International, Mississippi, New York, Politics, Regulation, Taxes, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Vietnam War logic in New Jersey; Tribal corruption in Florida

New peril at Taj; Packer puts the brakes on Alon

Posted on March 3, 2016 by David McKee

Trump Taj Mahal will have to continue limping forward on life support, as Carl Icahn is welshing on his promises of financial rescue. Uncle Carl now says that the promised $100 million reinvestment is on hold, pending the outcome of a … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Election, James Packer, Maine, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | 1 Comment

A Revel by any other name; Hard Rock thinks globally; Hard times for Boyd

Posted on March 2, 2016 by David McKee

What’s in a name? That’s the question confronting Glenn Straub, for whom the days are counting down until he can reopen the hotel portion of his casino with a new name. We don’t agree that Revel is a meaningless word, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Glenn Straub, Hard Rock International, Illinois, International, Iowa, Japan, Politics, Revel, Slot routes, Tourism, Vietnam, Warner Gaming | Comments Off on A Revel by any other name; Hard Rock thinks globally; Hard times for Boyd