Category Archives: Canada

Caesars bares all; Midwest flattens; Adelson pledges neutrality

Posted on October 14, 2022 by David McKee

Landing a meeting with Caesars Entertainment CEO Tom Reeg, as well as several top execs, J.P. Morgan analyst Joseph Greff didn’t hear so much as a peep about the mooted Las Vegas Strip asset sale, which he assumes is on … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally, Barstool Sports, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Canada, Century Casinos, Churchill Downs, Derek Stevens, DraftKings, Economy, Election, Full House Resorts, Golden Gaming, Hard Rock International, Illinois, Indiana, Jack Entertainment, Macau, Marketing, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Penn National, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

Killing spree on Strip; Tilman’s newest erection revealed

Posted on October 7, 2022 by David McKee

Alas, today’s top story is of the “If it bleeds, it leads” variety and is written out of sheer necessity, not desire. A thirty-something Latino man, Yoni Barrios, is in custody after going on a knife-wielding spree in front of … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally, Caesars Entertainment, Canada, Chicago, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., CQ Holdings, Florida, Golden Gaming, Indiana, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Penn National, Sports betting, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 9 Comments

Voyage to Vegas, Part Two

Posted on September 27, 2022 by David McKee

Today we conclude our review of Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli‘s recent field trip to Las Vegas. We resume with Station Casinos, which seems to be accelerating its development timetable. Once it gets Durango Station up and running, it will … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Bally, Baseball, Caesars Entertainment, California, Canada, Economy, Golden Gaming, Las Vegas Sands, Laughlin, Macau, Maryland, Maverick Gaming, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Money laundering, Nevada, Phil Ruffin, Scientific Games, Slot routes, Sports betting, Station Casinos, The Strip, TV, Wall Street, Washington State, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

Voyage to Vegas, Part One

Posted on September 26, 2022 by David McKee

Not us. We’re in Vermont, vacationing. But Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli trekked to Sin City and met with representatives of eight companies. We’ll start with MGM Resorts International, which waxed pretty darn upbeat. In Las Vegas, MGM’s strength lies … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Canada, CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, Culinary Union, Election, Fontainebleau, Genting, Hard Rock International, Indiana, Internet gambling, Iowa, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Palms, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Politics, Singapore, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Virginia, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Cosmic quarter at MGM; New name, same old Penn

Posted on August 5, 2022 by David McKee

“No Recession yet, just all time records,” reported Truist Securities analyst Barry Jonas of MGM Resorts International‘s 2Q22 earnings call. Better-than-ever Las Vegas Strip and regional revenues beat the pants off Wall Street‘s expectations, outweighing “weakness” in Macao, where gaming … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Canada, Chicago, China, Churchill Downs, Conventions, Cordish Co., Cosmopolitan, DraftKings, FanDuel, Golden Gaming, Hard Rock International, history, Illinois, International, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, M Resort, Macau, Marketing, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, PointsBet, Scott Butera, Slot routes, Sports, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Virginia, Wall Street, Wyoming | 1 Comment

Vici foresees blue skies; Ruffin + Athletics?; Phil the Shill

Posted on August 2, 2022 by David McKee

Vici Properties is sanguine about the U.S. economy, at least as it pertains to gambling. It can afford to be. Vici owns the real estate of 11 Las Vegas Strip casinos, which are sitting pretty these days. True, Vici lost … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Baseball, Caesars Entertainment, Canada, Colorado, Donald Trump, DraftKings, Economy, Horseracing, Marketing, Maryland, Massachusetts, Phil Ruffin, Real Estate, Regulation, Sports, Sports betting, Star Entertainment, The Strip, Tourism, Vici Properties, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Vici foresees blue skies; Ruffin + Athletics?; Phil the Shill

Peace in Atlantic City; Storm over Vegas

Posted on July 29, 2022 by David McKee

Along with Resorts Atlantic City, the Golden Nugget (seen above in its Trump Marina days) has inked a new labor pact with Unite-Here, bringing to an end any uncertainty about a strike on the Boardwalk. Workers get substantial pay increases, … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Atlantic City, Bally, Caesars Entertainment, Canada, Churchill Downs, Cretins, Current, Derek Stevens, Dining, Downtown, Entertainment, Environment, Gary Goett, Genting, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock International, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Singapore, The Strip, Unite-Here, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Strip sizzles, locals chillier; The Macao trap

Posted on July 28, 2022 by David McKee

Gambling revenues on the Las Vegas Strip last month heated up dramatically, $735 million or +23% from the year previous. Unfortunately for Nevada, the good news pretty much ends there. Locals play continues to decline, with Downtown off 11.5% to … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Canada, China, Cosmopolitan, Downtown, Environment, Golden Nugget, Kazuo Okada, Lake Tahoe, Macau, Massachusetts, Mesquite, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Philippines, Politics, Regulation, Reno, Sports betting, The Strip, Wendover | Comments Off on Strip sizzles, locals chillier; The Macao trap

Atlantic City strong; Station’s demolition derby; De$anti$ hits jackpot; Mega-Jottings

Posted on July 18, 2022 by David McKee

There’s so much news today we almost don’t know where to begin. But we’ll start with Atlantic City, which reported a 2% increase in casino revenue, to $229 million. Internet gambling and sports betting chipped in another $169 million. One … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Canada, China, Donald Trump, Dotty's, Downtown, DraftKings, FanDuel, Genting, George Maloof, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock International, Health, International, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Michael Gaughan, Mohegan Sun, North Las Vegas, Ocean Resort, Pennsylvania, Phil Ruffin, Politics, Real Estate, Regulation, Resorts World LV, Sheldon Adelson, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Texas, The Strip, Tribal, United Kingdom, Wall Street, WInd Creek | 1 Comment

Resorts World sheds a problem; Big Gaming fleeced in N.Y.

Posted on June 3, 2022 by David McKee

With the discreet closure of Tacos El Cabron, splashy Resorts World Las Vegas finds itself down one restaurant—and happy to be so. Evidently in their haste to get everything on line, Resorts World management didn’t fully perform their due diligence … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, Canada, Chicago, China, Dining, DraftKings, FanDuel, Florida, Health, Illinois, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, New York, North Las Vegas, Penn National, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Resorts World LV, Seminole Tribe, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Taxes, Tribal, Unite-Here, Virginia | Comments Off on Resorts World sheds a problem; Big Gaming fleeced in N.Y.

Atlantic City prospers; Inflation vs. gaming: Which prevails?

Posted on May 24, 2022 by David McKee

Liar, liar, pants on fire. That’s what we say to Atlantic City casino executives who predict the coming of the Apocalypse is smoking is banned in their premises. First-quarter gross operating profits were up even by pre-pandemic standards, which hardly … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Atlantic City, Bally, Caesars Entertainment, Canada, Conventions, Dan Lee, Detroit, DraftKings, Economy, Election, Gary Goett, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Iowa, Kansas, MGM Resorts International, Minnesota, Mohegan Sun, Nebraska, New York, Ocean Resort, Peninsula Pacific, Penn National, Philippines, Politics, Sports betting, Taxes, Technology, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

DraftKings spins Wall Street; Penn, Golden post records

Posted on May 9, 2022 by David McKee

That widening chasm between DraftKings‘ revenue projections ($2 billion in 2022) and its elusive profitability may be catching up with Jason Robins‘ company. Red ink from 1Q22 was $468 million, way up from 1Q21’s $346 million. Negative ROI shot up … Continue reading →

Posted in Barstool Sports, California, Canada, Colorado, DraftKings, Golden Gaming, Horseracing, Laughlin, Marketing, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mattress Mack, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Problem gambling, Slot routes, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

MGM beats forecast, makes overseas play; California controversy

Posted on May 3, 2022 by David McKee

According to Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli, the 1Q22 numbers for MGM Resorts International were “better than forecast” in Las Vegas and regionally, nor as bad as expected from Macao. Losses from BetMGM were worse than anticipated. Santarelli predicted cash … Continue reading →

Posted in BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, California, Canada, Card rooms, Cosmopolitan, Dining, Downtown, DraftKings, Economy, Election, Entertainment, FanDuel, Hard Rock International, International, Internet gambling, Japan, Macau, Maine, MGM Resorts International, New York, Pennsylvania, Politics, Resorts World LV, Sports betting, Taxes, The Mob, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Virginia, Wall Street | Comments Off on MGM beats forecast, makes overseas play; California controversy

Casinos in clover nationwide; Mega-Jottings for a Monday

Posted on April 11, 2022 by David McKee

Masters Week has come and gone, and Augusta now sinks back into an 11-month torpor. Which also helps us return to standard-edition S&G. (Seen on the marquee of the church closest to Augusta National: “This is Amen Corner.”) Where to … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Canada, Century Casinos, Chicago, Churchill Downs, Conventions, CQ Holdings, Current, Derek Stevens, Diversity, DraftKings, Economy, FanDuel, Full House Resorts, G2E, Georgia, Hard Rock International, Illinois, Indiana, International, Jack Entertainment, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Nevada, New York, North Las Vegas, Ohio, Palms, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Sahara, Singapore, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Tribal | 1 Comment

Mulligan in Virginia; Caesars makes peace; Labor strife in Vegas

Posted on March 22, 2022 by David McKee

Richmond Mayor LeVar Stoney (D) is going to get his dearest wish: an electoral do-over for the Urban One casino proposal, which voters narrowly nixed at the ballot box last November. A year later, the electorate will get a chance … Continue reading →

Posted in Barstool Sports, Caesars Entertainment, Canada, Culinary Union, Dining, El Cortez, Election, Entertainment, Environment, Health, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nevada, Ohio, Palms, Penn National, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, South Carolina, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Taxes, TV, Unite-Here, Virginia, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Mulligan in Virginia; Caesars makes peace; Labor strife in Vegas

DraftKings flexes its biceps; New names, same players

Posted on March 4, 2022 by David McKee

Probably in reaction to a precipitous plunge in DKNG shares, DraftKings hosted an investor day in which it told Wall Street analysts that everything is coming up roses. Its lead point was that its ‘total addressable market’ (translation: potential bettors) … Continue reading →

Posted in Barstool Sports, Canada, Cordish Co., DraftKings, GLPI, Golden Nugget, Internet gambling, Maryland, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Scientific Games, Sports betting, Wall Street | Comments Off on DraftKings flexes its biceps; New names, same players

MGM boffo; Establishment freaks out over sports betting

Posted on February 14, 2022 by David McKee

“Viva Las Vegas” was the headline on Credit Suisse analyst Ben Chaiken‘s recap of 4Q21 earnings from MGM Resorts International. Wall Street expected $2.8 billion in revenue and $705 million in cash flow. MGM delivered $3.1 billion and $821 million, … Continue reading →

Posted in BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, Canada, Conventions, Cosmopolitan, DFS, Donald Trump, DraftKings, Election, Entertainment, Florida, Hard Rock International, Hawaii, Health, Illinois, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Lotteries, Macau, Marketing, Mattress Mack, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, New York, Problem gambling, Seminole Tribe, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

Station sets revenue records, Penn less fortunate

Posted on February 4, 2022 by David McKee

Having quietly broken ground on $750 million Durango Station, proud papa Station Casinos announced that despite “some headwinds,” the company had achieved record-level cash flow in 4Q21. “The government’s mask mandate across the state of Nevada remained in place and … Continue reading →

Posted in Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, California, Canada, Conventions, Derek Stevens, Downtown, DraftKings, Economy, FanDuel, Hawaii, Health, history, Internet gambling, Louisiana, Marketing, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Palms, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Rush Street Gaming, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Technology, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

Venetian: The fix was in

Posted on February 3, 2022 by David McKee

As usual when billions are on the line, regulators dove under the table regarding the sale of Venelazzo to an unholy alliance of Apollo Management and Vici Properties. Although the Nevada Gaming Control Board cried foul—and rightly so—at the sexual … Continue reading →

Posted in Apollo Management, Architecture, Caesars Entertainment, California, Canada, Card rooms, Conventions, Culinary Union, DraftKings, Economy, Election, FanDuel, Florida, IGT, Las Vegas Sands, Massachusetts, Peninsula Pacific, Politics, Real Estate, Regulation, Reno, Sexual misconduct, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Virginia, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Illinois slouches; Boyd, Churchill praised; DraftKings assessed

Posted on January 11, 2022 by David McKee

Not even Rivers Casino Des Plaines was spared the impact of Hard Rock Rockford, as the newbie helped take a 4.5% bite out of Rivers’ December casino revenues compared to 2019, for a Des Plaines gross of $43 million, still … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Bally, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Canada, Churchill Downs, Connecticut, Downtown Grand, DraftKings, Election, Florida, Full House Resorts, Hard Rock International, Health, Illinois, Indiana, Internet gambling, Iowa, Isle of Capri, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Mattress Mack, MGM Resorts International, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Regulation, Singapore, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Taxes, Wall Street | Comments Off on Illinois slouches; Boyd, Churchill praised; DraftKings assessed