Category Archives: Bally Technologies

Wynn: Most happy fella

Posted on July 30, 2014 by David McKee

We’ve gotten to inured to headlines that say such-and-such a quarter was “rescued by Macao” that I did a double-take today. The lead item on a newsletter was “Wynn Resorts Q2 results boosted by Las Vegas.” It’s nice that the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally Technologies, IGT, International, Internet gambling, Macau, Scientific Games, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

Goodbye IGT, hello Gtech

Posted on July 16, 2014 by David McKee

Early this morning, International Game Technology announced it had been acquired by Gtech, an Italian company specializing in lotteries. The terms of the deal include the assumption of $1.7 billion in debt and the payment of $4.7 billion in cash. … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally Technologies, Current, Economy, GTECH, IGT, Scientific Games, Shuffle Master, Wall Street, WMS Industries | Comments Off

Gearing up for fights in Massachusetts, California and Arkansas

Posted on June 30, 2014 by David McKee

Expect a deluge of dollars to be spent opposing or supporting a casino-repeal ballot question in Massachusetts. Unlike political campaigns, ballot questions have no spending limitation attached to them. So far, the biggest amount spent on a ballot question in … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Bally Technologies, California, Election, Entertainment, Internet gambling, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, Shuffle Master, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off

May in Macao; Brave new slots

Posted on June 5, 2014 by David McKee

Given “softer than expected” numbers out of Macao, expect Wall Street analysts to dial down their expectations for the balance of the year. Gaming revenues rose ‘only’ 9% instead of the expected double digits and there was a surprise leader … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally Technologies, Boulder Strip, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Technology, Wall Street | Comments Off

Keeping with the times; Inside Bally’s palace coup

Posted on May 20, 2014 by David McKee

For people like myself, whose formative experiences of Las Vegas took place 10-plus years ago, it’s important to go with the flow. For instance, the ever-burgeoning and remunerative nightclub business. When SLS Las Vegas opens Life, bottle service will be … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally Technologies, Election, Entertainment, Harrah's, Rhode Island, Sam Nazarian, Shuffle Master, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

Shooting at Palms; Palace coup at Bally

Posted on May 16, 2014 by David McKee

Las Vegas‘ gradual devolution took another step last night when a man was mortally wounded in a Fantasy Tower suite at the Palms. Actually, we’re fortunate there weren’t more fatalities, as 40 to 50 partygoers were on the scene. Despite … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally Technologies, Palms | Comments Off

Itchy trigger fingers in Massachusetts; Boyd besieged

Posted on March 12, 2014 by David McKee

After moving with extreme deliberation on terrestrial casinos, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission suddenly has a fire under its butt to do something about Internet gambling. “The time is now … We can’t wait any longer, even though we’re still in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally Technologies, Boyd Gaming, Hawaii, Horseracing, IGT, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Regulation, Wall Street | Comments Off

Wranglers find new home; Riding El Loco

Posted on February 19, 2014 by David McKee

Having been turfed out of The Orleans, the Las Vegas Wranglers hockey team has been bereft of a home. But they’ve paired up with Tamares Gaming in an unusual move. The Wranglers — rink, stands, zamboni and all — will … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally Technologies, Boyd Gaming, Downtown, Entertainment, MGM Mirage, New York, Racinos, Sports, Tamares Group, Technology, The Strip | Comments Off

Super Bowl hits Vegas jackpot; Hope for Caesars overseas

Posted on February 3, 2014 by David McKee

“It was embarrassing, humiliating and unbearable,” but when the Super Bowl was over, Nevada sports books had cleaned up … except for that safety on the first play from scrimmage, costly for the Denver Broncos and the books alike. Heavy … Continue reading →

Posted in Aristocrat, Atlantic City, Bally Technologies, Boyd Gaming, Harrah's, International, LVCVA, MGM Mirage, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off

Just when …

Posted on January 20, 2014 by David McKee

You thought Atlantic City had taken its lumps for January, but here comes an additional indignity. Borgata was forced to cancel part of its Winter Poker Open in mid-tourney. Casino surveillance detected the insinuation of fake chips into the tournament’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally Technologies, Macau, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Technology, Wall Street | Comments Off

They burn the Monte Carlo, don’t they?; Cantor gets slammed

Posted on January 14, 2014 by David McKee

Yes, there’s been another fire at the Monte Carlo. This one was confined to the Double Barrel Saloon and there was only one injury, most importantly. That place has some rough luck, doesn’t it? It doesn’t matter what Cantor Gaming … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally Technologies, Cantor Gaming, Current, Horseracing, MGM Mirage, Monte Carlo fire, Regulation, The Strip | Comments Off

Case Bets: Britney, Bally, Sheldon & O’Shea’s

Posted on December 27, 2013 by David McKee

Tonight’s a big night for Planet Hollywood, as it debuts its new, Britney Spears headliner show. However, judging from public disinterest in Spears’ recent TV special, Caesars Entertainment may be drawing to a weak hand. “Bally Technologies Inc. received some … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally Technologies, Entertainment, Harrah's, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | Comments Off

Optimism in Boston; Sands is #1

Posted on December 26, 2013 by David McKee

What are the chances that Suffolk Downs could become the most profitable casino in the Western Hemisphere? Not good, you’d think, but Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority is willing to bet on it. If annual revenue reaches $1 billion, then Revere … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally Technologies, Churchill Hill, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, New York, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Wall Street | Comments Off

Dancing at the Downs; Sheldon Adelson, Luddite

Posted on December 3, 2013 by David McKee

Suffolk Downs isn’t going to have to perform the limbo to bring its casino project into zoning conformity but some fancy footwork will be required. Instead of one structure, there will have to be two. Non-gaming amenities will be clustered … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally Technologies, Current, Harrah's, IGT, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Regulation, Sam Nazarian, Sheldon Adelson, Technology | Comments Off

Changing of the Guard at Bally; Whence Mecca?

Posted on November 25, 2013 by David McKee

Now that the Bally Technologies takeover of Shuffle Entertainment is a done deal, there’s a bit of musical chairs to be played. Senior Vice President for Law & Government Mark Lerner will be eased out, in favor of Shuffle’s general counsel, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally Technologies, Downtown, Economy, Macau, Planet Hollywood, Shuffle Master, Tamares Group | Comments Off

Semi-failure to launch; Crackdown in Illinois

Posted on November 22, 2013 by David McKee

It’s not just Obamacare that’s having Web site glitches in its launch. The same goes for New Jersey‘s ‘Net-betting system. Test player Joseph Brennen attempted logging in from within Atlantic City but kept getting error messages. “It’s frustrating knowing you’re … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally Technologies, Economy, IGT, Illinois, International, Internet gambling, Regulation, Slot routes, Technology | Comments Off

Great idea, little hope; Another Palms flop

Posted on September 27, 2013 by David McKee

“I grew up playing Atari and Nintendo, and I want to believe my skill in these games has some effect on the outcome.” So says American Gaming Association President Geoff Freeman, lending his support to a new line of skill-based … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally Technologies, Dining, Foxwoods, G2E, Horseracing, IGT, Mohegan Sun, Palms, Technology | 1 Comment

New look for IGT; Bally thinks small; Why see Britney?

Posted on September 24, 2013 by David McKee

There’s a new logo in town and it belongs to International Game Technology. That futuristic type you see is emblematic of the slot-machine company’s ongoing reinvention of itself into an online-gaming provider. The firm may be rolling out new machines … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally Technologies, Entertainment, IGT, Illinois, Internet gambling, Scientific Games, Shuffle Master, Slot routes, The Strip, Wall Street, WMS Industries | Comments Off

Next Stop: Sri Lanka; Terra incognita

Posted on September 12, 2013 by David McKee

Launching a pre-emptive strike on the Indian subcontinent, the government of Sri Lanka has gone into casino gambling in a big way. It’s approved a $350 million “mixed development” (that’s what casino-hotels are called over there) by James Packer‘s Crown … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally Technologies, IGT, International, Internet gambling, James Packer, Phil Ruffin, Regulation, Scientific Games, Taxes, Wall Street | Comments Off

Gather ye dividends while ye may

Posted on August 16, 2013 by David McKee

Bally Technologies almost hit the $1 billion mark in revenue ($997 million) during the last fiscal year, which earns it our congratulations. Good work, folks. “We made enormous progress in many different ways, including continued growth in wide-area progressive units, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally Technologies, California, Illinois, International, Regulation, Shuffle Master, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off