Category Archives: Caesars Entertainment

Tilman covets Roman empire; Bellagio turns 20

Posted on October 18, 2018 by David McKee

Tilman Fertitta is the maverick among mavericks in the casino industry, beating veteran operators at their own game and doing it as some one who entered the industry as a novice and immediately began to strike gold. More recently, he’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Dan Gilbert, Dining, Economy, history, Internet gambling, MGM Resorts International, New Jersey, Sheldon Adelson, Texas, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta | 3 Comments

Doing the right thing

Posted on October 16, 2018 by David McKee

Bravo to Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming for stepping up to partner with Clean the World (which was covered in this space last week) to help victims of Hurricane Michael. According to CasinoBeats.com, “An immediate donation of 30,000 containers … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Charity, Cretins, Dining, Eldorado Resorts, Environment, Florida, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, New Jersey, Racinos, Seminole Tribe, Sports betting, The Strip | Comments Off on Doing the right thing

Punishing month in Atlantic City

Posted on October 15, 2018 by David McKee

Gross-gaming revenues (not counting Internet play) were up 8% in Atlantic City last month, to $232 million. However, the prosperity wasn’t citywide, with same-store revenues down 11%. We’re still a long way from agreeing with Roger Gros‘ doom-and-gloom-and-doom prediction that two … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Bruce Deifik, Caesars Entertainment, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Eldorado Resorts, Genting, Greenwood Racing, Hard Rock International, International, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Rush Street Gaming, Sports betting, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Indiana fails to impress; Big setback for non-smokers

Posted on October 12, 2018 by David McKee

It’s too soon to say that regional gaming’s economic honeymoon is over but Indiana was down 4% last month, grossing $177.5 million. (It was up 6% this time last year.) Penn National Gaming‘s Hollywood Lawrenceburg took a 15% header, grossing … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Colony Capital, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Environment, Full House Resorts, G2E, Indiana, Louisiana, Majestic Star, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Technology, Wall Street, West Virginia, Westgate LV | Comments Off on Indiana fails to impress; Big setback for non-smokers

Ohio up, Missouri down and Caesars tries harder

Posted on October 10, 2018 by David McKee

Although it will forever be a mystery why Caesars Entertainment evacuated Ohio, now that gaming revenues in the Buckeye State are on the upswing, it’s understandable that CEO Mark Frissora would want to get back in. Last month, gross gaming … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Dan Gilbert, Dining, Donald Trump, Eldorado Resorts, Hard Rock International, history, Isle of Capri, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Tribal | Comments Off on Ohio up, Missouri down and Caesars tries harder

Wisdom from G2E; Sisolak lights up

Posted on October 10, 2018 by David McKee

This week’s Global Gaming Expo gives Wall Street analysts plenty of time to sniff around the big gaming operators and manufacturers, trying to suss out trends. Credit Suisse analyst Cameron McKnight, the new kid on the block, says that 3Q18 … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Election, G2E, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Illinois, Indiana, Isle of Capri, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Marijuana, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Nevada, Palms, Penn National, Sports, Station Casinos, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off on Wisdom from G2E; Sisolak lights up

Maryland & other case bets

Posted on October 8, 2018 by David McKee

Growth in Maryland continued last month, if not at the spectacular rates we’ve seen previously. Gaming revenue rose 7% to $144 million. The leader, of course, was MGM National Harbor, jumping 10% to $54.5 million, which translates to $1.8 million/day. … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, California, Charity, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Florida, Golden Gaming, Macau, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New York, Penn National, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Technology, Tribal, West Virginia | Comments Off on Maryland & other case bets

Illinois stumbles; Kimmel returns to Vegas roots

Posted on October 5, 2018 by David McKee

It would take more than an extra weekend day to account for a 7% slippage in Illinois gaming revenues, which were positive year/year in 2017. Nobody had a revenue-positive month, not even Rivers Casino, down 5% despite a state-leading $34 … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Delaware, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Galaxy Entertainment, GLPI, Greenwood Racing, International, Internet gambling, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Movies, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Rush Street Gaming, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, TV, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Illinois stumbles; Kimmel returns to Vegas roots

Mohegan Sun shines

Posted on October 1, 2018 by David McKee

Congratulations to Mohegan Sun on being named ‘Best Hotel’ by readers of USA Today. I’ve never stayed there but would reckon this is quite a coup and shows yet again that tribal casinos don’t yield the palm to private-sector ones … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Meruelo, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, CityCenter, Derek Stevens, Dining, Downtown, Economy, Foxwoods, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New York, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Reno, Resort fees, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Tamares Group, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Report from Pennsylvania

Posted on September 27, 2018 by David McKee

Lady Luck Nemacolin continues its losing ways, passing up on Internet gambling licenses. Lady Luckless already balks at paying the fee that would open its casino to non-guests and this latest non-move smacks of the same boneheaded mentality that makes … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, DFS, Eldorado Resorts, Greenwood Racing, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Rush Street Gaming | 1 Comment

MGM: Riding out the storm

Posted on September 24, 2018 by David McKee

As Golden Week nears in Macao, hotel rooms are sold out at all Wynn Macau properties. MGM Grand Paradise has one night open while struggling MGM Cotai has three nights of vacancies (and this without its full complement of rooms). … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Downtown, Environment, Hard Rock International, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Marijuana, MGM Resorts International, Ohio, Oklahoma, Taxes, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Louisiana heats up; Pilgrimage to Plains

Posted on September 24, 2018 by David McKee

Louisiana gamblers were living large in August, leaving 9% more than last year in the slots and on the tables, some $212 million in total. This was especially good for Caesars Entertainment (+12%) and even more so for Boyd Gaming … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Eldorado Resorts, Environment, Georgia, GLPI, history, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Regulation, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Louisiana heats up; Pilgrimage to Plains

Boyd captures Valley Forge; An historic first at the Plaza

Posted on September 19, 2018 by David McKee

Boyd Gaming is officially in the Pennsylvania market, having closed its $280.5 million purchase of Valley Forge Casino Resort. The company now gets to grapple for a piece of the crowded Philadelphia market. And don’t think Harrah’s Philadelphia won’t tout … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Charity, Dan Gilbert, Downtown, Greenwood Racing, Internet gambling, Iowa, Las Vegas Sands, Marketing, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Sports betting, Tamares Group, Technology, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Talking Stick mystery solved, sorta

Posted on September 18, 2018 by David McKee

Talking Stick is finally speaking, after having kept mum about a power failure that kept the casino closed for over a month and cost it god knows how many millions in revenue. It will reopen on Sept. 24 and promotions … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Entertainment, Indiana, Japan, Kentucky, Nevada, Problem gambling, Regulation, Technology, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Talking Stick mystery solved, sorta

The mystery of Talking Stick; Okada strikes again

Posted on September 17, 2018 by David McKee

On August 11, the latest in a series of monsoons wiped out the primary and backup generators at Talking Stick Resort. The casino was expected to reopen later last month but hasn’t, leaving some asking questions. Talking Stick Resort Public Relations … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Caesars Entertainment, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, International, Kazuo Okada, Ohio, Philippines, Technology, Tribal | Comments Off on The mystery of Talking Stick; Okada strikes again

MGM cuts the cheese; Adelson has a heart

Posted on September 14, 2018 by David McKee

Earlier this week MGM Resorts International made a flatulent public-relations move. It offered, in lieu of siccing process servers on some 1,000 Mandalay Bay Massacre victims, that it would donate $500 each to charity. That’s right: A company that made … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Caesars Entertainment, Charity, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Mandalay Bay Massacre, MGM Resorts International, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | 1 Comment

Atlantic City booms

Posted on September 13, 2018 by David McKee

Casino revenues in Atlantic City were up an astounding 21% in August, with only a 2% decrease in revenue at the incumbent gambling houses. Sports betting was also a hit, grossing $95 million. (Some predict it could surpass Las Vegas … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bruce Deifik, Caesars Entertainment, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Greenwood Racing, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Resort fees, Rush Street Gaming, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Suicide squeeze in Macao; Is Atlantic City ready for some football?

Posted on September 12, 2018 by David McKee

Most of Macao‘s casinos are playing a game of chicken with the local government, daring it to enforce its smoking ban. Only 12 of 47 casinos have installed smoking lounges. Personally, I wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Environment, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports, Sports betting, Texas, Tribal, Virginia | 1 Comment

Hot in August

Posted on September 12, 2018 by David McKee

Regional casinos were the big story last month, with four crucial jurisdictions all posting gains. (So, too, did Iowa but we rarely cover it in S&G because so few of the innumerable casinos make major amounts of revenue.) Maryland hopped … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Ameristar, Caesars Entertainment, Cordish Co., Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, Full House Resorts, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Hard Rock International, Indiana, Iowa, Majestic Star, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Rush Street Gaming, Taxes, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment | 1 Comment

New kink at Linq; Casino clash in Arkansas

Posted on September 11, 2018 by David McKee

That Vegas High Roller thing didn’t work out so well for Caesars Entertainment, so now it’s going to try shooting tourists down the Linq Promenade on a 114-foot-high zipline. This quick thrill will be priced at $20-$30 in the daytime … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Charity, Election, Entertainment, Horseracing, Phil Ruffin, Politics, Sports, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on New kink at Linq; Casino clash in Arkansas