Category Archives: California

Rocky Mountain low; Crouching Tiger, hidden ownership

Posted on September 26, 2014 by David McKee

A study by — you guessed — proponents of a racino in Colorado is projecting some hard-to-believe numbers, contingent upon Arapahoe Park being approved for casino gambling in November. They’re predicting $418 million in statewide economic impact, including $114 million … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Colorado, Economy, Election, International, Kazuo Okada, Melco Crown Entertainment, Racinos, Regulation, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off

Bad news in New York and Macao

Posted on September 22, 2014 by David McKee

In a setback for all regions of New York State that are eligible for a casino (or two), the casino-siting board has made it clear it’s taking a serious look at the “up to four” clause in the licensing process. … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Economy, Illinois, Internet gambling, Macau, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off

Inside Sands’ success; Furor in Fresno

Posted on September 19, 2014 by David McKee

The most baccarat tables per casino in the U.S. are to be found at — no kidding — Sands Bethlehem. The casino, which fields 50 baccarat tables grossed $18 million in table game revenue last month, a record amount for … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Election, Greenwood Racing, Marketing, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, New York, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

Cycle of futility; Hard luck in Indian Country

Posted on September 15, 2014 by David McKee

As the casino industry braces itself for Global Gaming Expo, this could hardly be a worse moment to be hawking slot machines. Not only is it undergoing a painful contraction but new markets (like Boston and Washington, D.C.) are a … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally Technologies, California, Economy, G2E, Harrah's, IGT, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Revel, Scientific Games, Station Casinos, Tribal, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off

Cali Tribe goes rogue and other Case Bets

Posted on August 19, 2014 by David McKee

Legislative inaction be damned, the Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel is going ahead with Internet poker. It’s already got a free play site but plans to go live with the real deal perhaps as early as next week. Isn’t that … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, California, Dining, Election, Entertainment, International, MGM Mirage, Transportation, Tribal | 1 Comment

The contradictions of Sam Nazarian

Posted on August 19, 2014 by David McKee

Is Sam Nazarian becoming a legend in his own mind? You have to wonder when you read that he’s had a statue of himself erected in the front of SLS Las Vegas. Sure, Bob Stupak did the same thing at … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Cosmopolitan, Entertainment, Florida, Genting, International, Japan, Marketing, MGM Mirage, New York, Pennsylvania, Sahara, Sam Nazarian, The Strip, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Station’s big quarter; Smoke gets in your slots

Posted on August 13, 2014 by David McKee

Although customers are holding their purse strings tighter, Station Casinos registered noteworthy growth in earnings last quarter. Powered by Graton Resort & Casino in California, Station reported revenue of $55 million, up from $7 million a year earlier. In the … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Dining, Environment, Harrah's, Neil Bluhm, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Station Casinos, Tribal | Comments Off

No gold rush in California

Posted on August 11, 2014 by David McKee

In a huge setback for Internet gambling, California‘s legislature is calling it a day. State Sen. Lou Correa (D) is not only withdrawing his i-gaming bill from consideration, he’s being termed out at the end of the session, so the cause … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, James Packer, Melco Crown Entertainment, Missouri, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off

Terra incognita

Posted on July 15, 2014 by David McKee

Boldly going where no tribe has gone before, the Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel is days from launching PrivateTable.com. In the Iipay Nation’s viewpoint, tribal sovereignty overrides California law, permitting it to go it alone as an i-poker provider. The idea … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Downtown, Internet gambling, Regulation, Slot routes, Station Casinos, Tribal | Comments Off

Soft landing in A.C.; “Nocturne” put to sleep

Posted on July 14, 2014 by David McKee

Internet-gaming revenue continues to slip in New Jersey, down 9% from May. There are only three players of consequence: Borgata (36.5%), Caesars Atlantic City (27%) and Tropicana Atlantic City (18%). Still, Internet gambling continues to provide a cushion for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, California, Cosmopolitan, Current, Entertainment, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Mohegan Sun, Revel, Sam Nazarian, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Wall Street | Comments Off

Atlantic City: And then there were nine …

Posted on July 14, 2014 by David McKee

Scarcely had Gary Loveman opined that a few casinos in Atlantic City needed to close than they began toppling like dominoes — some by his own hand. Headed to the casino graveyard alongside the Atlantic Club and the Showboat is Trump … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Donald Trump, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Mississippi, Penn National, Tourism, Tropicana Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Station’s big hit; Tribal roundup

Posted on July 8, 2014 by David McKee

There’s no doubt that Graton Resort, less than an hour’s driving distance from San Francisco, has been a success for Station Casinos. We just didn’t know how much. In addition to earning a $7.4 million management fee during 1Q14, Station … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Florida, Kansas, Regulation, Station Casinos, Technology, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Reno 2.0; Saturation in Ohio

Posted on July 7, 2014 by David McKee

All roads lead through Reno, more or less, if you’re dealing with Amazon.com. Now the Biggest Little City in the World is hoping to export high-tech instead. A corridor to that purpose, nicknamed “Startup Row” has sprung up downtown. A … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Economy, Harrah's, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Revel | Comments Off

Gearing up for fights in Massachusetts, California and Arkansas

Posted on June 30, 2014 by David McKee

Expect a deluge of dollars to be spent opposing or supporting a casino-repeal ballot question in Massachusetts. Unlike political campaigns, ballot questions have no spending limitation attached to them. So far, the biggest amount spent on a ballot question in … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Bally Technologies, California, Election, Entertainment, Internet gambling, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, Shuffle Master, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off

Hot pursuit for IGT; Players leave good deal on table

Posted on June 17, 2014 by David McKee

It’s a feeding frenzy for International Game Technology. Among those who were quick to pounce on rumors of a sale were lottery king Gtech, Caesars Entertainment co-owner Apollo Management, Ron Perelman-controlled MacAndrews & Forbes Inc. and Carlyle Group, with the … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Cosmopolitan, Harrah's, IGT, Internet gambling, Scientific Games, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

Adelson winning one-sided war

Posted on June 5, 2014 by David McKee

If it appears that Sheldon Adelson is rolling to victory in his jihad against Internet gambling, it’s primarily because his opposition has gone belly-up. First, MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren called the battle “a fight we cannot win,” then … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Florida, Geoff Freeman, Harrah's, Indiana, International, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, South Carolina, Texas, Tribal | Comments Off

Hot air in Iowa, strong talk in Singapore

Posted on June 2, 2014 by David McKee

Despite the decisive, if not vehement rejection of his casino bid, Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett wants another bite of the apple. Why? Because it would a smoke-free casino, which Gov. Terry Branstad (R) supports. It’s Corbett who’s blowing smoke … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Environment, Genting, Iowa, Japan, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Station Casinos, Tribal | Comments Off

Quote of the Day

Posted on May 19, 2014 by David McKee

“That’s up to my tribe as to what they choose to do. There are so many other ways to do economic development rather than just a casino. Now, don’t get me wrong, a casino is the fastest, most-efficient, money-making way.” — Mishewal … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Environment, Tourism, Tribal | Comments Off

Shamelessness at Suffolk Downs

Posted on May 15, 2014 by David McKee

In a ludicrous reversal, the owners of Suffolk Downs offered to end horseracing at the track if the Massachusetts Gaming Commission would, pretty please with cream on top, give them a casino license. Up to that point, Suffolk Downs has … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, California, Cretins, Horseracing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Regulation, Vdara Death Ray, World Series of Poker | Comments Off

Boston gets bounced; Packer K.O.’s Sri Lanka; Cohen’s good deed

Posted on May 9, 2014 by David McKee

It could all wind up in court, further prolonging Wynn Resorts‘ and Mohegan Sun‘s agony, but for now Boston is a surrounding community. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission unanimously struck down Mayor Martin J. Walsh‘s demand for host-community status. Wynn was … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, California, International, James Packer, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Regulation, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Tribal | Comments Off