Category Archives: California

Case Bets: California, Florida, Minnesota, Macao

Posted on April 28, 2016 by David McKee

In a dramatic development, the six-tribe coalition that opposed letting PokerStars into California stood aside, clearing the path to unanimous approval by the Assembly Governmental Organization Committee of a bill by state Rep. Adam Gray that would legalize online poker in … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Election, Florida, Galaxy Entertainment, history, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Macau, Minnesota, PokerStars, Politics, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off on Case Bets: California, Florida, Minnesota, Macao

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

Ethnic insensitivity in Oregon; Penn’s last stand in Iowa

Posted on April 20, 2016 by David McKee

A TV ad campaign for Oregon state-sponsored VLTs has riled up the Coquille Indian Tribe, not least because it depicts the Lewis & Clark Expedition happening upon video gaming in wilderness that has been ethnically cleansed of Native Americans. Coquille Chairman … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Delaware, Economy, Internet gambling, Iowa, Macau, Marketing, Penn National, Regulation, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Warner Gaming | Comments Off on Ethnic insensitivity in Oregon; Penn’s last stand in Iowa

Reversal in Jersey City; Tables buoy Pennsylvania grosses

Posted on April 19, 2016 by David McKee

Shoe mogul Paul Fireman‘s plan to build a $4.6 billion megaresort in Jersey City is losing the support of Mayor Steve Fulop (D). New Jersey State Building & Construction Trades Council President William T. Mullen was sent into a howl of … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, GLPI, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes | Comments Off on Reversal in Jersey City; Tables buoy Pennsylvania grosses

Icahn promises little, gets OK’d anyway; Tribal generosity in California

Posted on April 14, 2016 by David McKee

Carl Icahn is officially the owner of Trump Taj Mahal, having received the blessing of the New Jersey Casino Control Commission. The OK was given despite Icahn’s having reneged on his promise of a $100 million capex infusion into the … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Atlantic City, California, Carl Icahn, Donald Trump, Genting, International, Penn National, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Icahn promises little, gets OK’d anyway; Tribal generosity in California

Strong month for the Strip; Tohono O’odham win big-time

Posted on April 1, 2016 by David McKee

February gaming revenues were 8% higher in Nevada (to $990 million), with a 7% increase on the Las Vegas Strip. Locals-casino revenue rose 11%, driven in part by 4% more coin-in and 8% greater table play. Slot revenue on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Boulder Strip, California, Downtown, Economy, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Macau, North Las Vegas, Politics, Reno, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal | 1 Comment

Penn accentuates the positive

Posted on March 29, 2016 by David McKee

“Wait ’til next year” seems to be Penn National Gaming‘s mantra for the Tropicana Las Vegas. At present, the company is still installing Marquee Rewards, replacing older slot machines and getting out of any leased-game arrangements. It doesn’t expect any … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Cordish Co., Dan Gilbert, Economy, Harrah's, Illinois, Internet gambling, Marketing, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, PokerStars, Slot routes, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off on Penn accentuates the positive

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

Trump: The art of failure, Part II

Posted on March 25, 2016 by David McKee

Donald Trump‘s current ubiquity is causing the spotlight to fall upon his many setbacks in the gaming industry. “If you look at anything that guy has done in this industry, he has a lead thumb — it’s the opposite of a golden touch,” … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Donald Trump, Foxwoods, Harrah's, history, Indiana, The Mob | 1 Comment

That impersonal touch; Big day for MGM

Posted on March 18, 2016 by David McKee

What is almost completely missing from this commercial? Caesars Entertainment guests are lengthily shown drinking, dining, riding the High Roller (which could use the traffic) and — as a very brief afterthought — gambling. So the company’s definitely on the … Continue reading →

Posted in California, CityCenter, Detroit, Dubai, Genting, Harrah's, International, LVCVA, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Penn National, Regulation, Riviera, Taxes, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on March 15, 2016 by David McKee

“California’s hypocrisy on gambling policy is appalling. The state arbitrarily condemns and prohibits some forms of gambling, while permitting other forms in Indian casinos and card rooms, and even actively promoting it through the California Lottery. Some may gamble irresponsibly, … Continue reading →

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

Hang up for MGM National Harbor; Dances with insolvency

Posted on March 11, 2016 by David McKee

If a July opening of MGM National Harbor, in Maryland, sounded too good to be true, it was. The company says “things got more and more real” and the Washington Post reports that MGM executives told it the target “was … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Movies, New York, Philippines, Regulation, South Dakota, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Hang up for MGM National Harbor; Dances with insolvency

DFS’ stormy seas; Glimmer of hope for Macao

Posted on March 4, 2016 by David McKee

By charging blindly into uncharted waters, the daily fantasy sports industry has made a shipload of trouble for itself. Case in point, defunct (or at least comatose) DFS site FantasyUp. The latter pulled the rug out from under its customers, … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Environment, Harry Reid, Internet gambling, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Transportation, Wall Street | Comments Off on DFS’ stormy seas; Glimmer of hope for Macao

Crystals sold; Struggles in California

Posted on March 2, 2016 by David McKee

This morning, Real Estate Alert published a story saying that MGM Resorts International and Dubai World had liquidated Crystals, the high-end retail mall at CityCenter, to Simon Property Partnership. The transaction was valued at $1.1 billion and change, which means … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, California, CityCenter, Dubai, Horseracing, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Technology, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Crystals sold; Struggles in California

Seminole Christmas tree in Florida; Free money for California ponies

Posted on February 22, 2016 by David McKee

Pot or gambling? That’s the choice Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) faces in newly discovered documents from 2014, in which the Poarch Band of Creek Indians seeks a casino on a one-acre parcel near Pensacola in return of $1 billion … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, California, Dining, Downtown, Entertainment, Florida, Internet gambling, Politics, Tourism, Tribal | Comments Off on Seminole Christmas tree in Florida; Free money for California ponies

If at first you don’t succeed …

Posted on February 18, 2016 by David McKee

… try, try, try, try, try again. That’s the New Hampshire Lege, making its umpteenth attempt to legalize casino gambling. State Sen. Lou D’Allesandro (D) has crafted a bill that would bring VLTs and table games to Salem. The bill … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, California, Georgia, Harrah's, Horseracing, International, MGM Mirage, New Hampshire, Penn National, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal | Comments Off on If at first you don’t succeed …

The 7% solution; Grief in Texas

Posted on January 26, 2016 by David McKee

Woe betide the “Borgata Babe” who loses or gains more than 7% of her body weight. Do it and you’re out the door. This archaic — to say nothing of sexist — policy was passively reaffirmed when the New Jersey … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, California, Delaware, Election, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sports, Texas, Vermont | Comments Off on The 7% solution; Grief in Texas

Another card room busted; Station becomes Red Rock

Posted on January 22, 2016 by David McKee

Scarcely was the ink dry on the American Gaming Association‘s proclamation of improved anti-money-laundering compliance than a plea-bargaining agreement was revealed involving the Normandie Casino, a venerable Gardena, California, card room. According to the Los Angeles Times, the Normandie “failed … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Economy, Geoff Freeman, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Another card room busted; Station becomes Red Rock

Big contract from Wynn; Parking debate continues

Posted on January 19, 2016 by David McKee

Wynn Resorts bought locally in its search for a Wynn Everett general contractor. It has let the $1 billion construction contract to Suffolk Construction, biggest in Massachusetts. By choosing a Boston company for this seven-figure deal (plus 4,000 jobs), perhaps … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Florida, GLPI, International, Iowa, Lawrence Ho, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal | 2 Comments

Ground shifts on i-gaming in California; T-Mobile’s new trophy

Posted on January 7, 2016 by David McKee

California took one step forward and one step back in the field of Internet gambling. A bill to legalize online poker was scratched from yesterday’s legislative agenda. If it makes you feel any better, the opposition of six major California … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Cosmopolitan, Dining, Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Planet Hollywood, PokerStars, Politics, Sam Nazarian, Sports, The Strip | Comments Off on Ground shifts on i-gaming in California; T-Mobile’s new trophy