Category Archives: Atlantic City

Atlantic City revisited; Oscars: Year of The Dog

Bally’s Atlantic City and Golden Nugget traditionally jockey for last place in Atlantic City monthly gaming grosses. Indeed, a midweek visit to Bally’s by our East Coast correspondent found the place practically deserted (and in need of more capex $$). … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, Caesars Entertainment, Chicago, DraftKings, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock International, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Movies, Ocean Resort, Rush Street Gaming, Tribal | 1 Comment

Slow times at Bally’s Atlantic City

It’s difficult to keep track of the mixed messages coming from Bally’s Corp. Chairman Soo Kim. He’s promised to make a Chicago casino the “flagship” of his company. But he’s also talking about razing the Tropicana Las Vegas and building … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, Chicago, The Strip | 2 Comments

New boss at F-blue; Station: Five white guys; Atlantic City blitzed

Yes, Tom Brady has retired but there’s actually other news happening today. For starters, Fontainebleau has a new president. And not just any prexy but “a visionary leader for our next-generation luxury resort.” He’s Cliff Atkinson, late of Luxor. If … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, CityCenter, Colorado, Culinary Union, Dining, Diversity, Fontainebleau, Hard Rock International, Horseracing, Illinois, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, MGM Resorts International, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Real Estate, Singapore, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal | 2 Comments

Adios, Tropicana?; New York sports betting tops $1 billion easily

Visit the Tropicana Las Vegas while yet you can. Why? Because Bally’s Corp. Chairman Soo Kim is seriously weighing the possibility of “knocking it down and starting over.” Yes, Kim would rebrand the place as Bally’s Las Vegas and then … Continue reading

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Atlantic City, Bally, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, Chicago, Columbia Sussex, Conventions, DraftKings, e-sports, Economy, Election, FanDuel, GLPI, Health, history, Laughlin, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Peninsula Pacific, Penn National, Politics, Rush Street Gaming, Sahara, Sports betting, Taxes, Texas, The Strip, Virginia | Comments Off on Adios, Tropicana?; New York sports betting tops $1 billion easily

Bally’s we hardly knew ye; IGT bets big on lotteries

Shares of Bally’s Corp. sprang to $36.76 apiece yesterday on the news that the company’s largest stockholder wants to take Bally’s private for $2 billion. Hedge fund Standard General—founded by Bally’s Chairman Soo Kim—is offering $38/share for the mini-major and … Continue reading

Posted in Arizona, Arkansas, Atlantic City, Bally, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, DraftKings, Economy, Entertainment, FanDuel, Hard Rock International, Hawaii, IGT, International, Japan, Lotteries, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Ocean Resort, Regulation, Rhode Island, Rush Street Gaming, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Sports betting claims first casualty; “Scam” at Caesars?

Online sports betting has evidently proven too rich for Wynn Resorts‘ blood. The New York Post reports that Wynn “is looking to unload its online sports-betting business at a steep discount as the fledgling niche faces painful losses from stiff … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, Cretins, Culinary Union, DraftKings, Entertainment, Hard Rock International, Health, International, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Minnesota, Movies, New York, Penn National, Regulation, Sports betting, Station Casinos, United Kingdom, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

Warm breeze in Atlantic City; Indiana heats up

December brought an acceleration in most forms of New Jersey gambling revenue. Atlantic City casinos managed a 1.5% increase over the end of 2019 but sports betting revenue dropped 11% year/year, blamed on low hold. Sticking close to home, Internet … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Australia, Bally, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Cordish Co., Crown Resorts, DraftKings, Entertainment, FanDuel, Full House Resorts, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock International, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New Jersey, New York, Ocean Resort, Peninsula Pacific, Penn National, PointsBet, Politics, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Sports betting, Taxes, Tribal, Virginia, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Meet the new National Harbor boss, same as the old boss

Maryland closed out 2021 hot, up 16% from 2019 with a gross of $173 million in December. As usual, MGM National Harbor was in the lead with $74.5 million. Maryland Live booked $62.5 million for a 20.5% gain and 36% … Continue reading

Posted in Alex Meruelo, Arizona, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Churchill Downs, Dining, DraftKings, Economy, FanDuel, Golden Gaming, Health, Idaho, Indiana, Las Vegas Raiders, Louisiana, Macau, Marketing, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Rush Street Gaming, Sahara, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Technology, Tennessee, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street, World Series of Poker | Comments Off on Meet the new National Harbor boss, same as the old boss

Doldrums in Macao; “Love” in jeopardy; Mega-Jottings

There’s an Eeyore sweatshirt that says, “Could be worse. Not sure how, but it could be.” That pretty much sums up the situation in Macao, which finished 2021 44% ahead of 2020 when it comes to gambling revenue … but … Continue reading

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Cirque du Soleil, Colorado, Cordish Co., Economy, Florida, Galaxy Entertainment, GLPI, Health, IGT, International, Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas Raiders, Las Vegas Sands, Laughlin, Law enforcement, Macau, Maryland, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, North Carolina, Politics, Real Estate, Regulation, Sports betting, Taxes, Tribal, Wall Street, Washington State, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Doldrums in Macao; “Love” in jeopardy; Mega-Jottings

Borgata behaving badly; Headless body in topless car

On the “george” side of the ledger we find Bally’s Atlantic City, which is offering room rates starting at $29/night through February 28, albeit on “select nights.” Hey, it’s a terrific way to raise awareness of the new-look Bally’s. As … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, Entertainment, Hard Rock International, history, Las Vegas Raiders, Law enforcement, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Morris Bailey, Sports, Sports betting, The Rio | 2 Comments

Mixed signals in Pennsylvania; Atlantic City casinos get their wish

Despite fewer weekends than in 2019, Pennsylvania casino revenues nudged up 3% last month, albeit not a same-store comparison, what with three new casinos having opened in the interim (that would make it -9%). Slots won $185.5 million and table … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Canada, Card rooms, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., DraftKings, FanDuel, Health, Las Vegas Raiders, Michigan, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Tribal, WInd Creek | Comments Off on Mixed signals in Pennsylvania; Atlantic City casinos get their wish

Chicago dog-and-pony show; Raiders get punted by Covid

All three developers jockeying for a Chicago casino trotted out their proposals Thursday “replete with soaring promises of economic jolts, job creation and jackpots for the city’s future casino tax revenue coffers, which are earmarked for its depleted police and … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Bally, Chicago, Florida, Hard Rock International, Health, Illinois, Indiana, Las Vegas Raiders, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes | 1 Comment

Atlantic City stutters; Shocker in New Orleans; Palms changes hands today

Casinos in Atlantic City grossed $207 million last month, an 8% declivity from 2019, as players tightened their purse strings. Overall, slot revenues were down 1% on a commensurately lower amount of coin-in. The house played unluckily at the tables, … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, CQ Holdings, DraftKings, Election, FanDuel, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock International, Health, Internet gambling, Iowa, Louisiana, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Mohegan Sun, North Carolina, Ocean Resort, Palms, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Philippines, PointsBet, Rush Street Gaming, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Technology, Tribal | 1 Comment

Everybody wins in Massachusetts; Makeover for The Mirage

Massachusetts casinos bagged $88 million last month, a 12% boost over 2019. Encore Boston Harbor, predictably, was way, way out in front with $55 million, up 16.5%. Win was fairly even divided between slots ($30 million) and tables ($25 million), … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Australia, Cirque du Soleil, Cosmopolitan, Crown Resorts, Downtown, DraftKings, Election, Failsinos, FanDuel, Florida, Hard Rock International, Health, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, New York, Penn National, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Sports betting, Station Casinos, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

MGM enjoys reversal of fate; From the police blotter; Raiders sunk

How the wheel of fortune has turned for MGM Resorts International. Where Macao was once the grand prize among its casino trophies, it is now an albatross around the company’s neck, provoking a guarded outlook from Fitch Ratings. But MGM’s … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, China, Cordish Co., Cretins, Delaware, GLPI, Health, International, Las Vegas Raiders, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Macau, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, New York, North Las Vegas, Peninsula Pacific, Politics, Real Estate, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Texas, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Unite-Here, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on MGM enjoys reversal of fate; From the police blotter; Raiders sunk

Playing politics with sports betting … and casinos

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot (D) has really put her foot in it this time. Not only are Windy City aldermen balking at five stadium-area sports books in addition to a billion-dollar casino, fearing cannibalization, but Lightfoot threw gasoline on the … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Barstool Sports, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Chicago, Churchill Downs, Dan Lee, DraftKings, FanDuel, Full House Resorts, Hard Rock International, Health, Illinois, Jack Entertainment, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, PointsBet, Politics, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Tribal, TV, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Cordish cashes in; Scare tactics in Atlantic City; Illinois slumps

Succumbing to the siren song of REITmania, Cordish Gaming has sold the real estate of three of its casinos to Gaming & Leisure Properties Inc. for a grand total of $1.8 billion. The affected casinos are Philadelphia Live, Pittsburgh Live … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Chicago, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., DraftKings, GLPI, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock International, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Real Estate, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Wall Street | 2 Comments

MGM resurgent in Maryland; More Mega-Jottings

November was another terrific month for Maryland casinos, as revenues picked up a bit from October, accumulating 14% more than in November 2019.. (If inflation is so bad, where do Marylanders find all this money with which to gamble, one … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Australia, Caesars Entertainment, California, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Crown Resorts, Economy, Election, Entertainment, Florida, Golden Gaming, Hard Rock International, Japan, Las Vegas Raiders, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Macau, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Movies, Nevada, Penn National, Planet Hollywood, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, South Korea, Sports, The Rio, The Strip, Virgin Hotels, Virginia, West Virginia, World Series of Poker, Wynn Resorts | 4 Comments

Atlantic City still booming; Churchill Downs wins in Terre Haute

It was another bonanza month for the Boardwalk, as casinos grossed $237.5 million in October, 17% above 2019. Slot win was up 22% on 19% more coin-in and tables won 6% on 9% higher wagering and despite lower hold. Borgata … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., DraftKings, FanDuel, FoxBet, Full House Resorts, Golden Nugget, Greenwood Racing, Hard Rock International, Indiana, International, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Money laundering, Ocean Resort, Penn National, Pennsylvania, PointsBet, Rush Street Gaming, Sports betting, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Atlantic City: Does it pay to improve?; Bicycle Casino’s flat tire

New Jersey giveth, New Jersey taketh away. The priority of the Lege’s lame-duck session will not be ending smoking in Atlantic City casinos but something much nearer and dearer to casino executives’ hearts: Revising the PILOT (Payment In Lieu of … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, Caesars Entertainment, California, Card rooms, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock International, Law enforcement, MGM Resorts International, Money laundering, Morris Bailey, New Jersey, Ocean Resort, Taxes | 2 Comments