Category Archives: Boyd Gaming

Warm spring for Indiana; Trouble ahead for Packer and Ho

Posted on May 9, 2016 by David McKee

While Illinois casinos were flat last month, the action was livelier next door in Indiana. Admissions declined 4%, meaning that players were spending 9%, as casino revenues rose 5%. The percentage champion was Tropicana Evansville, up 17% on an $11 … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Donald Trump, Full House Resorts, Harrah's, Indiana, International, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Majestic Star, Melco Crown Entertainment, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Fertittas strike it rich(er); Boyd surprises analysts

Posted on April 27, 2016 by David McKee

Red Rock Resorts — aka Station Casinos — split the difference in Wall Street‘s expectations of this week’s IPO, debuting a $19.50 (Street estimates ranged from $18 to $21 a share). Unfortunately, unlike the MGM Growth Partners offering, the goal … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Cannery Casino Resorts, Hawaii, history, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, North Las Vegas, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off

It’s official: Boyd buys Cannery; Massachusetts’ agonizing dilemma

Posted on April 26, 2016 by David McKee

Confirming the worst-kept secret in Las Vegas, suddenly acquisitive Boyd Gaming announced that it was buying out Cannery Casino Resorts. The price ($230 million) was toward the lower end of Wall Street had predicted for the deal and means the … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Cannery Casino Resorts, Downtown, Economy, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, North Las Vegas, Penn National, Regulation, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

Boyd strikes again; Wynn vs. Wynn III

Posted on April 22, 2016 by David McKee

Continuing its thrust into North Las Vegas, a suddenly acquisitive Boyd Gaming has obtained Aliante Casino Hotel & Spa. Unlike its surprise, if still unconfirmed, swoop upon Cannery Casino Resorts, here Boyd is snapping up a property we knew was … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Cannery Casino Resorts, Marketing, MGM Mirage, North Las Vegas, Sahara, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

Boyd to acquire Cannery?; Signs of movement in Atlantic City impasse

Posted on April 21, 2016 by David McKee

Sleeping giant Boyd Gaming is stirring to life, reportedly on the verge of a $225 million-$240 million buyout of Cannery Casino Resorts, according to Reuters. The latter’s Mike Stone says the deal would “give Boyd a strong foothold in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, California, Cannery Casino Resorts, Election, Entertainment, GLPI, Harrah's, James Packer, Pennsylvania, Politics, Reno, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Adelson, master manipulator?; MGM REIT launched

Posted on April 20, 2016 by David McKee

Is Sheldon Adelson the secret string-puller behind Kelden Engel‘s petition drive to have part of the Riviera preserved? John L. Smith hints at that in this morning’s edition of Adelson’s Las Vegas Review-Journal. “If he’s carrying the water for someone who … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Entertainment, Illinois, LVCVA, MGM Mirage, Riviera, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

Save the Riviera!; Soggy March in Louisiana; The blacklist

Posted on April 18, 2016 by David McKee

Local preservationist Kelden Engel is trying to fight the power. He’s seeking 51,000 qualified signatures in a petition drive to halt demolition of the Riviera, currently slated for June. Not only is he racing the clock, he may be fighting … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Eldorado Resorts, Environment, GLPI, Harrah's, history, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, LVCVA, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Reno, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment, TV | Comments Off

Smoke gets in their eyes; Tax breaks all around

Posted on April 14, 2016 by David McKee

Yesterday morning, it looked like Baton Rouge casinos were going to have to brace themselves for a smoking ban. Today, they’re lighting up celebratory cigars in relief: While proponents of the smoking ban on the city council had six votes, … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Environment, GLPI, Harrah's, Louisiana, New York, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Reno, Taxes, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off

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

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

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

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

Penn talks turkey; Celebrity brawl at Aria

Posted on April 11, 2016 by David McKee

Next week Penn National Gaming turns on the Marquee Rewards spigot at the Tropicana Las Vegas. Given some of management’s recent disclosures, it won’t come a day too soon: 85% of Penn’s customer base comes to Sin City but stays … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Cordish Co., Full House Resorts, Harrah's, Indiana, Isle of Capri, Majestic Star, Marketing, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street, West Virginia | 1 Comment

Unhappy Easter in Illinois; Money-laundering mess in Sparks

Posted on April 7, 2016 by David McKee

Easter, if you can believe it, is being blamed for a 2% decline in Illinois casino revenues last month. Argosy Belle continued to be the problem child of the state, down 13% (to $5 million). Slot-route competition continued to do … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Cordish Co., Dan Gilbert, GLPI, Harrah's, Illinois, International, Internet gambling, Laughlin, Law enforcement, Macau, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, Riviera, The Strip, Tourism | 1 Comment

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

Ohio leads the Midwest; Boyd a good neighbor in Iowa

Posted on March 28, 2016 by David McKee

With gaming expansion off the table in all Midwestern states (other than a potential tribal casino in Indiana), Ohio has been making out like a bandit, its gaming revenues up 13% from last year, as the state’s industry is now … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, California, Charity, Economy, Florida, Foxwoods, Idaho, Iowa, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tribal | 1 Comment

Tracks questionable in Kansas, safe in West Virginia

Posted on March 18, 2016 by David McKee

“Wouldn’t we just be taking money from [Kansas Star Casino] and moving it to Mr. Ruffin’s pockets?” So asked state Rep. Mark Kahrs (R) of a controversial bill to permit a Sedgwick County vote on whether to convert Phil Ruffin‘s Wichita … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Australia, Boyd Gaming, Election, Kansas, MGM Mirage, New Hampshire, Phil Ruffin, Politics, Racinos, Slot routes, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, West Virginia | Comments Off

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

Doldrums in Louisiana; Free play imperiled in Pennsylvania

Posted on March 14, 2016 by David McKee

Louisiana gaming revenues, aided by Leap Day, were flat last month, which is pretty surprising because most of the brand names had revenue-negative months. Lake Charles led the state with $74 million. Golden Nugget had a signal month, up 37% … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Eldorado Resorts, Election, GLPI, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Horseracing, Idaho, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Maine, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Taxes, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, West Virginia | Comments Off

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