Category Archives: California

Culinary, Caesars clash; Resort fees repel visitors

Posted on May 3, 2018 by David McKee

It’s collective-bargaining time in Las Vegas and the Culinary Union is dickering with Caesars Entertainment through the media. “Having rooms with a ‘Do Not Disturb’ on for days makes me shaky. I am constantly going into a room that staff hasn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, California, CityCenter, Culinary Union, Election, Harrah's, Horseracing, LVCVA, Mandalay Bay Massacre, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, New York, Palms, Resort fees, Security, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

Looking for change in Illinois; Copperfield goes “Poof!”

Posted on April 19, 2018 by David McKee

Grand Victoria is such small potatoes in the MGM Resorts International portfolio that the Elgin riverboat’s management used to be farmed out to co-owner Hyatt Gaming (since succeeded by the Pritzker family’s RBG). The Elgin City Council is hoping that … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, California, Charity, Donald Trump, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Environment, Illinois, MGM Mirage, Slot routes, Taxes, Transportation, Tribal | Comments Off on Looking for change in Illinois; Copperfield goes “Poof!”

Caesars branches out; Atlantic City’s apron strings loosened

Posted on April 18, 2018 by David McKee

Caesars Entertainment CEO Mark Frissora is beginning to put his stamp on the company (unless you count imposing parking fees and that was just copying MGM Resorts International.) Caesars has announced a joint venture with Meras Holding to build and … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Atlantic City, California, Dubai, Environment, Harrah's, International, Politics, Tribal | 2 Comments

Las Vegas: Whales to the rescue

Posted on March 30, 2018 by David McKee

Las Vegas Strip gaming revenues far overshot projections for last month, finishing 11.5% higher, grossing $603.5 million. This is in large part due to baccarat revenues, a cosmic 82.5% higher on a staggering 59% increase in wagering, “likely reflecting some … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, California, Culinary Union, Downtown, Economy, Genting, Lake Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, Mesquite, New York, North Las Vegas, Reno, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Las Vegas: Whales to the rescue

Quote of the Day

Posted on March 29, 2018 by David McKee

“The state seems to have this Faustian bargain with the card rooms—if you provide jobs and taxes, we will not fund an appropriate regulatory environment, and you can open up a great many additional sources of revenue. I always was … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Regulation | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Vegas soccer no sure thing; Scientific Games wins thrice over

Posted on March 16, 2018 by David McKee

A perspicacious gentleman named Steven R. Brown wrote the following on Facebook in response to my reportage of the apparent shelving of Wynn Paradise Park: “Steve Wynn‘s creativity can be outlandish at times (Like his idea back in the early … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Arizona, California, Charity, Detroit, Downtown, Environment, Florida, International, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Ohio, Scientific Games, Sports, Steve Wynn, Texas, The Strip, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Pot comes to casinos, sorta; Terrible February in Illinois

Posted on March 7, 2018 by David McKee

In a deft bit of regulatory jujitsu, the Nevada Gaming Association has ruled that casinos can hold marijuana-related conferences, provided that they refrain from doing business with the marijuana industry (a somewhat vague directive, admittedly) nor directly involve themselves in … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, California, Environment, Hard Rock International, Illinois, Marijuana, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Nevada, Ohio, Penn National, Regulation | Comments Off on Pot comes to casinos, sorta; Terrible February in Illinois

Penn out of Jamul; Fuzzy math on the Strip

Posted on March 2, 2018 by David McKee

Casino companies rarely admit defeat but Penn National Gaming is bagging it where Hollywood Casino Jamul, near San Diego, is concerned. Hollywood Jamul’s debut was disastrous and Penn’s “essentially exiting” its management contract (as Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli put … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Economy, Genting, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Penn out of Jamul; Fuzzy math on the Strip

Eldorado sells down; Vegas tourists stay home

Posted on March 1, 2018 by David McKee

Churchill Downs continues to grow as a casino operator, cutting a deal with Eldorado Resorts to buy Presque Isle Downs in Erie, Pennsylvania, and Lady Luck Vicksburg Casino in Mississippi for $229.5 million. That’s an above-average valuation for gaming assets … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Churchill Downs, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off on Eldorado sells down; Vegas tourists stay home

MGM to jack up resort fees; Boyd braces for Four Winds impact

Posted on February 21, 2018 by David McKee

Looking for a bargain in casino stocks? JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff nominates MGM Resorts International, which he says “remains cheap.” He bases this, in part, on strong Las Vegas Strip performance driven by “two jewels” Bellagio and MGM Grand. … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, California, Cannery Casino Resorts, Hawaii, Indiana, Louisiana, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Missouri, North Las Vegas, Penn National, Resort fees, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on MGM to jack up resort fees; Boyd braces for Four Winds impact

Nevada: A sinful state of affairs

Posted on February 21, 2018 by David McKee

Nevada had better look to its laurels. The Silver State has been ranked only as the third most sinful in America. That’s probably because we’re down at #30 in the “hatred and anger” category, a good place to be. We’re … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Florida, Law enforcement, Maine, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Nevada, TV, Vermont | Comments Off on Nevada: A sinful state of affairs

Steve Wynn makes his case; Gambling stalemate in Florida

Posted on February 5, 2018 by David McKee

It’s no longer enough for employees of Wynn Resorts to reflect well upon the company. No, now Steve Wynn wants their gratitude. His confidential pep rallies have had all the watertight integrity of a colander. By reminding workers that the … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Detroit, DFS, Dining, Donald Trump, Election, Entertainment, Florida, Galaxy Entertainment, Genting, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Macau, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Movies, Politics, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Sexual misconduct, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Bumpy December in Louisiana; Paddock mystery deepens

Posted on January 23, 2018 by David McKee

Louisiana gaming receipts ($227 million) were flat last month, although there were a number of little dramas being played out behind that bland façade. Lake Charles was up 7% and Baton Rouge casinos plunged 17%. L’Auberge du Lac was flat, … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, California, Churchill Downs, Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Mesquite, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Regulation, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Unite-Here | Comments Off on Bumpy December in Louisiana; Paddock mystery deepens

Case Bets: Maryland, Illinois, New Jersey, The Strip, etc.

Posted on January 8, 2018 by David McKee

MGM National Harbor goes from strength to strength. Last month, it captured 40% of Maryland market share en route to a $56.5 million gross (for a property record of $1.8 million gross gaming revenue per day). Maryland Live, hanging onto … Continue reading →

Posted in Aristocrat, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, California, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Dining, Economy, Entertainment, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Illinois, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Politics, Sports, Station Casinos, The Strip, West Virginia | Comments Off on Case Bets: Maryland, Illinois, New Jersey, The Strip, etc.

Pennsylvania towns shun casinos; Macao mobbed up

Posted on January 5, 2018 by David McKee

Mini-casinos are as popular in Pennsylvania as an outbreak of typhus. Some 936 towns have ixnayed the idea of hosting slot parlors in their back yards. Extant casino operators will have to bid at least $7.5 million (and have a site … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, California, Charity, Churchill Downs, Economy, Foxwoods, Genting, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, LVCVA, Macau, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, Regulation, South Korea, Sports, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Mob, Tourism, Tribal, TV | Comments Off on Pennsylvania towns shun casinos; Macao mobbed up

Revel bought? Straub says no; R.I.P., Keely Smith

Posted on December 19, 2017 by David McKee

Revel/Ten may have yet another name soon, now that wannabe buyer Bruce Defik has done what Glenn Straub wouldn’t: apply for a New Jersey gaming license. Straub continues to assert that there is no deal in place but “a court … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, California, Detroit, Dining, Entertainment, Glenn Straub, history, Internet gambling, James Packer, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Revel, Station Casinos, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Revel bought? Straub says no; R.I.P., Keely Smith

Indiana, Missouri see happy days; Don’t count on Millennials

Posted on December 11, 2017 by David McKee

It looks like Penn National Gaming is picking a good time to acquire Pinnacle Entertainment, to judge by the healthy performance of the Missouri and Indiana markets (though it must be kicking itself for having missed the loophole that allowed … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Ameristar, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, California, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Florida, Full House Resorts, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Marketing, Maryland, Missouri, North Las Vegas, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Tourism, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Indiana, Missouri see happy days; Don’t count on Millennials

A taxing topic … but mostly good for gaming

Posted on December 5, 2017 by David McKee

As the Trump administration’s tax bill heads into the reconciliation process, it could spark a new era of fiscal responsibility. That’s if corporations behave as they are predicted to do in this analysis. It forecasts that, with the slashing of … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Current, Economy, Harrah's, Illinois, Macau, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Nevada, Palms, Pennsylvania, Station Casinos, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off on A taxing topic … but mostly good for gaming

Senators have hissy fit; Vegas: Back to normal or not?

Posted on December 4, 2017 by David McKee

With Pennsylvania having joined the roster of Internet-gambling jurisdictions, Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D) and Lindsey Graham (R) are pushing the panic button, hard. In a concession to the reality that the Senate won’t be able to rewrite the Wire Act, … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Donald Trump, Economy, Entertainment, Foxwoods, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Japan, Lawrence Ho, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, Politics, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip | Comments Off on Senators have hissy fit; Vegas: Back to normal or not?

Quote of the Day

Posted on November 9, 2017 by David McKee

“The Tribe is not like a corporation in that it can pick up and move to another county, another state. The Tribe is very anchored here, and it’s a very important part of their values to give back to the community … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Economy, Tribal | Comments Off on Quote of the Day