Category Archives: Caesars Entertainment

Heavy action prophesied for March Madness; Death at Bellagio

Posted on March 19, 2019 by David McKee

“Unlike any other sporting event in the country, March Madness attracts millions who fill out brackets, make casual bets with friends or wager at a legal sports book, which Americans can now do more than ever before.” With those words … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Current, Dining, Downtown, Entertainment, history, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, New Jersey, Ocean Resort, Palms, Security, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Tourism | 1 Comment

Gaming speaks: Penn, Boyd, Eldorado, Churchill Downs

Posted on March 15, 2019 by David McKee

One of the few CEOs to grace JP Morgan‘s hotel-and-leisure forum was Penn National Gaming‘s Tim Wilmot. He reported that the “regional consumer remains solid and trends are largely consistent with that seen 2018.” Furthermore, Penn is “seeing good growth … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Horseracing, Illinois, Japan, Kentucky, Marketing, Nevada, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Reno, Sports betting, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off on Gaming speaks: Penn, Boyd, Eldorado, Churchill Downs

Gaming speaks: Wynn, Sands, Scientific

Posted on March 15, 2019 by David McKee

Wynn Resorts exuded overconfidence in a meeting with JP Morgan analysts. It’s already booking revenue from Encore Boston Harbor without knowing it’s going to hang onto the license. It also expects new revenue to be driven by the debut of … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, Illinois, International, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Scientific Games, Singapore, South Korea, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Gaming speaks: Wynn, Sands, Scientific

Meet the REITs; Station’s full platter

Posted on March 15, 2019 by David McKee

JP Morgan analysts met with MGM Growth Properties CEO James Stewart and CFO Andy Chien, whose assured them that MGP had a full pipeline of deals. (Could MGM Resorts International inoculate itself against the Federal Trade Commission by running a … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, CityCenter, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Raiders, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, New Jersey, Palms, Reno, Station Casinos, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

MGM covets Caesars; Rio up for grabs … again

Posted on March 14, 2019 by David McKee

As Carl Icahn continues to up his stake in Caesars Entertainment, the already-tortuous saga has developed some new complexities. For one, outgoing CEO Mark Frissora has revealed he wasn’t jumped, he was pushed. “The board has stated that they would like … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, e-sports, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, LVCVA, Marijuana, MGM Resorts International, New Mexico, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sports betting, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Atlantic City rallies, Pennsylvania snoozes

Posted on March 14, 2019 by David McKee

Given that a certain amount of cannibalization was inevitable with the debuts of two new casinos on the Boardwalk, a 5% February decline in same-store gambling revenue has to considered a pretty good result. The market overall was up a … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Eldorado Resorts, Genting, Greenwood Racing, Hard Rock International, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Ocean Resort, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Rush Street Gaming, Sports betting, Tilman Fertitta, William Hill | 4 Comments

Midwest report; Icahn caps his bet; Churchill Downs grows

Posted on March 13, 2019 by David McKee

Missouri was down 4% last month, no explanation given, with a statewide gross of $134 million. The decline was driven by lower slot play, as table-game revenues ($20 million) were up 7%. Penn National Gaming had a good result at … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, Churchill Downs, Eldorado Resorts, Internet gambling, Iowa, Isle of Capri, Kansas, Law enforcement, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Sports, Sports betting | Comments Off on Midwest report; Icahn caps his bet; Churchill Downs grows

Quote of the Day

Posted on March 12, 2019 by David McKee

“Caesars [Entertainment] would be a great opportunity for certain investors who have already expressed interest, and I’m glad the board will explore these opportunities. Independent of strategic alternatives, I believe Caesars should also be focused on leadership succession, disciplined capital allocation, … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, Wall Street | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Tunnel travel in Vegas?; Icahn raises the ante

Posted on March 12, 2019 by David McKee

As the Las Vegas Convention Center expands to proportions once seemingly unimaginable (two miles in length), the governing authority is looking for new methods to get conventioneers around it — especially to their parked cars. The Las Vegas Convention & … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, Law enforcement, LVCVA, The Strip, Transportation | Comments Off on Tunnel travel in Vegas?; Icahn raises the ante

Business as usual

Posted on March 8, 2019 by David McKee

Ohio casinos grossed $155 million last month, a 5.5% increase. Hollywood Toledo was 2.5% to $16 million and Hollywood Columbus rose 3% to $19 million. Hollywood Dayton was also up 3% to $9 million. Hollywood Mahoning Valley leapt 7% to $10 … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Animals, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Cantor Gaming, Churchill Downs, Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, Full House Resorts, Horseracing, Indiana, Japan, M Resort, Macau, Majestic Star, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Movies, Ohio, Penn National, Regulation, Sports betting, The Strip, Wall Street, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Business as usual

MGM: No robots here; Resort fees fester

Posted on March 8, 2019 by David McKee

Our post yesterday about “robot” bartenders coming to MGM Resorts International properties on the Las Vegas Strip struck a nerve in the lion’s den. Understandably concerned with the mental image of customers expecting to get their drinks from a Cylon, … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, CityCenter, Culinary Union, Downtown, Economy, history, M Resort, MGM Resorts International, Penn National, Resort fees, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Illinois: Sunken treasure; Maryland finally maxes out

Posted on March 7, 2019 by David McKee

Like February 2018, last month was bad for Illinois casinos, sliding another 6.5% into the maw of slot routes. One outlier should be noted: Harrah’s Metropolis was and remains closed due to flooding, causing a 32% precipice in revenue, grossing … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Cordish Co., Eldorado Resorts, Illinois, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Penn National, Rush Street Gaming, Slot routes, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off on Illinois: Sunken treasure; Maryland finally maxes out

Caesars: Icahn’s web of influence

Posted on March 5, 2019 by David McKee

We continue to learn more about Caesars Entertainment‘s capitulation to Carl Icahn. In addition to having the prerogative of naming his own CEO, if that fails, Icahn can add a fourth member to the Caesars board of directors. One of … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, Eldorado Resorts, G2E, Macau, Technology, Wall Street | Comments Off on Caesars: Icahn’s web of influence

More Tamares tomfoolery; MGM evicts Hard Rock brand

Posted on March 4, 2019 by David McKee

Tamares Group has been up to its usual shenanigans, using the Plaza Hotel as a stalking horse. The latter slapped a quickie eviction notice on the Beauty Bar, citing multiple incidents involving repeated calls to Las Vegas Metro as the … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Architecture, Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, Election, Entertainment, Hard Rock International, International, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Palms, Sports betting, Station Casinos | 1 Comment

Adelson ailing; Coup d’etat at Caesars

Posted on March 1, 2019 by David McKee

Last night, KTNV-TV reported that James Jimmerson, an attorney for Sheldon Adelson, had declared the mogul’s condition to be “dire.” Subsequently it was disclosed that Adelson has been diagnosed with cancer and hasn’t been to his office since Christmastime. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball, Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, Current, Entertainment, International, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on Adelson ailing; Coup d’etat at Caesars

Bowing to Wynn; Mixed views on Las Vegas

Posted on February 28, 2019 by David McKee

Today the Massachusetts Gaming Commission meets to finalize its disgraceful prostration, er, litigation settlement with Steve Wynn and presumably to lay the groundwork for levying some manner of fine on Wynn Resorts now that Nevada has set a $20 million … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Caesars Entertainment, California, Carl Icahn, Donald Trump, Economy, Environment, Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas Raiders, Laughlin, Massachusetts, Mesquite, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Phil Ruffin, Regulation, Reno, Sexual misconduct, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wendover, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

SJM Fok-ed up; Virginia approves casinos

Posted on February 28, 2019 by David McKee

Lucina Laam may be the most important person in Macao‘s turbulent casino history. As Wife #2 of Stanley Ho she bore Daisy Ho, Pansy Ho, Lawrence Ho and two other daughters not involved in the gaming biz. Now, in an … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, DFS, Donald Trump, Downtown Grand, Environment, history, International, Las Vegas Sands, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Marketing, Maryland, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, New York, Pansy Ho, Pennsylvania, Politics, Singapore, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Stanley Ho, Technology, Tribal, Virginia | Comments Off on SJM Fok-ed up; Virginia approves casinos

MGM, Eldorado, Churchill Downs looking up

Posted on February 28, 2019 by David McKee

Credit Suisse‘s Cameron McKnight flew out to San Francisco to meet with MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren. The biggest headline item would be the eccentricity of Murren choosing to meet in Frisco rather than at MGM HQ in Las … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, DFS, Eldorado Resorts, history, Horseracing, Illinois, Internet gambling, Louisiana, Marketing, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, MTR Gaming, Neil Bluhm, Ocean Resort, Resort fees, Rush Street Gaming, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

King on the rag; Macao mobbed; Sheldon goes green

Posted on February 27, 2019 by David McKee

Better hurry and line up that Circa funding, Derek Stevens: Rep. Steve King (R) is coming after your EB-5 investors. King has introduced a bill, currently little more than a placeholder, to terminate the EB-5 program. In the past we’ve been … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Cirque du Soleil, Cretins, Delaware, Derek Stevens, Downtown Grand, Entertainment, Environment, Genting, Hard Rock International, International, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, South Korea, Sports betting, Terry Caudill, The Strip, Tourism, TV | 1 Comment

Caesars dominates Louisiana; Steve Wynn wins in Beantown

Posted on February 22, 2019 by David McKee

Gaming revenue in Louisiana was flat last month, with strength in Shreveport and New Orleans making up for weakness in (mainly) Baton Rouge and Lake Charles. It’s difficult to account for the 3% dip in Lake Charles, aside from the … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Internet gambling, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Penn National, PokerStars, Politics, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, West Virginia | Comments Off on Caesars dominates Louisiana; Steve Wynn wins in Beantown