Category Archives: Australia

The allure of Brazil; DraftKings blows a gasket

Posted on July 27, 2017 by David McKee

Jan Jones Blackhurst has really been racking up the frequent-flier miles on behalf of Caesars Entertainment, having made multiple trips to Brazil to assess the potential for casinos down there. She’s narrowed down the possible sites to Brasilia, Sao Paulo, Salvador … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Brazil, Economy, GameCO, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Oklahoma, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off

Play dirty; Ayre beats the rap

Posted on July 24, 2017 by David McKee

One of the great things about Nevada‘s gambling industry is that it’s a free market. If you’ve got the capitalization and qualify for a license, any number can play. (Actually, some have gotten licensed only to be exposed as empty … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Crown Resorts, Culinary Union, Donald Trump, Genting, International, Internet gambling, James Packer, Law enforcement, Nevada, Regulation | Comments Off

Days of wine and roses; SCOTUS to weigh Bradley Act

Posted on June 27, 2017 by David McKee

After seven years of hesitation, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas has committed to a purpose for its top four hotel floors. They’ll be high-roller suites known as the Boulevard Penthouse will be the most expensive hotel rooms known to man. … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Australia, Cosmopolitan, Dining, Harrah's, history, International, Massachusetts, PokerStars, Regulation, Sports, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off

Packer bows out; Adelson puts moves on Brazil

Posted on May 12, 2017 by David McKee

There’s now 100% less “Crown” in Melco Crown Entertainment. Colorful casino baron James Packer has sold his share in the company for $1.2 billion. Reuters describes the move as “ending a fraught offshore expansion and freeing up cash for new … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Australia, Boyd Gaming, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Iowa, James Packer, Japan, Lawrence Ho, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Station Casinos, The Crown 18, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

Trump’s Vegas Castle?; Florida Lege speaks with forked tongue

Posted on March 24, 2017 by David McKee

Just a few months ago, the idea of a Donald Trump-branded casino on the Las Vegas Strip would have seemed like a joke. Trump’s brand equity in gaming had dwindled to zilch and the man himself was out of gaming … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Donald Trump, Economy, Florida, Internet gambling, Macau, Mississippi, Phil Ruffin, Politics, Racinos, Seminole Tribe, The Strip, Transportation | Comments Off

Cool breeze in Singapore; Pennsylvania gets on the sports-betting bandwagon

Posted on February 17, 2017 by David McKee

It seems more unlikely than ever that Singapore will issue casino concessions after gaming revenues laid an egg in 1Q-3Q/16. For the full year, tourism to Singapore reached record heights, but receipts for “sightseeing, entertainment and gaming” dropped 16% in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Dining, Donald Trump, Foxwoods, Idaho, International, James Packer, Law enforcement, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Pennsylvania, Politics, Singapore, South Korea, Sports, The Crown 18, Tribal | Comments Off

Ideas plentiful, funding scarce

Posted on January 23, 2017 by David McKee

Maybe the third try will be the charm. Australian entrepreneur Josh Kearney has announced an $800 million, extreme-sports-themed resort, to arise just northeast of Town Square Mall (built on the grave of the troubled Vacation Village Casino). The Edge, as … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Economy, history, International, James Packer, Law enforcement, Lucky Dragon, Macau, Steve Wynn, The Crown 18, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, Wisconsin | Comments Off

Running the tables in Pennsylvania; MGM woos Georgia (again)

Posted on December 5, 2016 by David McKee

Due to Pennsylvania‘s quirky habit of releasing slot and table game revenue numbers in staggered fashion, we don’t often comment on Keystone State gambling revenues. Fortunately, the Center for Gaming Research at UNLV consolidates the information into one handy-dandy report. … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Aristocrat, Australia, Cosmopolitan, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Georgia, GLPI, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Hooters, Isle of Capri, Macau, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, SLS Las Vegas, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation | Comments Off

Crisis mode in Pennsylvania; Hard Rock unifies the brand

Posted on October 3, 2016 by David McKee

Although Pennsylvania lawmakers theoretically have three months to amend an “incredibly complex” state law that directs casino revenue to host cities and counties, the grim reality is that the Lege has only eight session days in which to get it … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Charity, Eldorado Resorts, Florida, G2E, Greenwood Racing, Hard Rock Hotel, Hard Rock International, International, Macau, Pennsylvania, Politics, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Technology, TV, Wall Street | Comments Off

New obstacle for Icahn; Macao’s loss is Packer’s gain

Posted on September 29, 2016 by David McKee

Could Carl Icahn‘s real plan for Trump Taj Mahal be to close it on Oct. 10, then reopen it as a scab property? Not if state Sen. James Whelan (D) has anything to say about it. He’s advancing a bill … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Australia, Carl Icahn, Glenn Straub, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Unite-Here, Wisconsin | 1 Comment

Analysts not sold yet on Macao recovery; Soggy month for Louisiana

Posted on September 16, 2016 by David McKee

They came, they saw, they were unconvinced. “The re-affirmation that mass is improving was pronounced,” reported Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli, adding that projections were all over the place. “We get the sense that expectations remain low with respect to … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Galaxy Entertainment, GLPI, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Macau, Massachusetts, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, South Korea, Steve Wynn, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off

Packer in a pickle?; Adelson speaks, R-J listens; Big casino sale in Philippines

Posted on August 29, 2016 by David McKee

We haven’t been able to confirm for certain whether or not James Packer‘s latest attempt to conquer Las Vegas, the casino-resort Alon, is definitely kaput. It definitely hasn’t evolved beyond some exquisitely vague, bare-bones documents filed with Clark County. However, we … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Environment, International, Internet gambling, Iowa, James Packer, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Philippines, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Taxes, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal | Comments Off

Cold comfort for Wynn; Nebraska racino initiative crashes and burns

Posted on August 12, 2016 by David McKee

As Wynn Resorts predicted in its last earnings call, it will get more table games from the Macao government after Wynn Palace opens … 50 tables, phased in over two years. That’s a pretty mingy allocation but is in line … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Downtown, Election, Law enforcement, Macau, MGM Mirage, Nebraska, Philippines, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Technology, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Isaacs moves on; 50 years of Laughlin

Posted on August 5, 2016 by David McKee

Gavin Isaacs will be taking it easy, the CEO of Scientific Games is moving up to vice chairman, his CEO’s chair to be filled by former Norwegian Cruise Line executive Kevin M. Sheehan. If anybody’s earned the right to take … Continue reading →

Posted in Aristocrat, Australia, Bally Technologies, Boyd Gaming, Cannery Casino Resorts, Harrah's, history, Illinois, Laughlin, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, North Las Vegas, Philippines, Scientific Games, Sheldon Adelson, Shuffle Master, Slot routes, Steve Wynn | Comments Off

Steve Wynn cuts room rates; What kind of slot would you play?

Posted on August 4, 2016 by David McKee

Wynn Palace is still a few weeks away from opening but it’s already sending mixed signals, in terms of its room rates. Midweek, rooms are listing for $243, down from $256 a night. However, Saturday-night rates have been boosted from … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Australia, IGT, Macau, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Technology, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Nevada’s oldest casino turns 85; Flynt doubles down on Lucky Lady

Posted on August 2, 2016 by David McKee

Contrary to the impression of many, yours truly included, the oldest operating casino in Nevada isn’t the Golden Gate but the 85-year-old Railroad Pass, just outside of Boulder City. It even still has its original vault. New owner Joe DeSimone … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Boulder Strip, California, Entertainment, Galaxy Entertainment, history, International, Macau, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Technology, The Strip | Comments Off

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 15, 2016 by David McKee

“My sense is that they are likely to be quite dangerous devices and they’re certainly not the kind of thing that’s going to attract your high-rollers and exotic gamblers. James Packer is not going to drop into Canberra Casino in … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, James Packer, Technology | Comments Off

The perils of Packer; Straub misses deadline

Posted on June 15, 2016 by David McKee

There’s been another hiccup in the Alon saga, as billionaire James Packer is restructuring his Crown Resorts portfolio “to shield his Australian assets from a prolonged downturn in the Chinese gambling hub” of Macao, according to Bloomberg. Packer’s share of … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Australia, Glenn Straub, International, Internet gambling, James Packer, Law enforcement, Massachusetts, Melco Crown Entertainment, Penn National, Revel | Comments Off

Macao junketeers left holding the bag; Lionel Richie wows the ladies

Posted on April 28, 2016 by David McKee

We could see another shakeout in Macao junket operators. According to Daiwa Securities Group, most of the industry is “struggling just to break even.” Part of that problem is that they’re carrying almost $3,9 billion in bad debt — and you … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Economy, Entertainment, Foxwoods, International, Macau, Marketing, Melco Crown Entertainment, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Planet Hollywood, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, South Dakota, Sports, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

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