Category Archives: Chicago

Caesars hedges on NYC; Buyer’s remorse in Ohio

Posted on February 22, 2023 by David McKee

Although he currently has the frontrunner for a Manhattan casino, Caesars Entertainment CEO Tom Reeg is waffling a bit. Potentially ceding momentum to deep-pocketed rivals like Wynn Resorts and Las Vegas Sands, Reeg said Caesars wouldn’t get into an “arms … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, Chicago, Detroit, DraftKings, FanDuel, Illitch Family, Indiana, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mattress Mack, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Texas, The Strip, Virginia, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Big Bally’s shakeup; Smoking swatted; Mega-Jottings

Posted on February 13, 2023 by David McKee

Back on Jan. 25, we wrote that Bally’s Corp. CEO Lee Fenton was “possibly laying the groundwork for his own exit,” when he said, The pandemic boosted our business and we continued to hire at full pelt. I now can … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Chicago, Cretins, DFS, Dining, Donald Trump, DraftKings, FanDuel, Genting, Health, Horseracing, International, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Minnesota, Mohegan Sun, New Jersey, New York, Penn National, PointsBet, Politics, Real Estate, Regulation, Rhode Island, Rush Street Gaming, South Korea, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, TV, United Kingdom, Vici Properties, Virginia, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

A peek at Penn; DraftKings retreats, Aruze tumbles

Posted on February 2, 2023 by David McKee

Wall Street analysts got an early look at Penn Entertainment‘s 4Q22 earnings, which were mildly adverse and poorer than The Street expected, and which point to a flat trajectory going forward through the early summer. Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally, Baseball, Chicago, DraftKings, FanDuel, Hawaii, Illinois, International, Kazuo Okada, Marketing, Mattress Mack, New York, Penn National, Politics, Sports betting, Taxes, Wall Street | Comments Off

Atlantic City focus

Posted on January 11, 2023 by David McKee

Since we’re heavily occupied today with “Question of the Day” submissions, Sports Betting Operator features, a CDC Gaming Reports story and Casino Life page proofs, we’ll turn most of the S&G space over to our East Coast bureau, who has … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Bally, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, Chicago, Dining, DraftKings, Entertainment, FanDuel, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock International, Marketing, Movies, Ocean Resort, Security, Sports betting, Wayne F. Newton | Comments Off

New F-blue CEO; Illinois mostly upbeat, Missouri not

Posted on January 10, 2023 by David McKee

Who in the world is Brett Mufson? Well, he’s the new president and CEO of Fontainebleau Las Vegas. Other than that, Jeffrey Soffer‘s company ain’t tellin’ much. We are informed that “Mufson’s instrumental leadership helped steer the company’s re-acquisition of … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Canada, Century Casinos, Chicago, Churchill Downs, Cosmopolitan, Dining, DraftKings, Economy, FanDuel, Florida, Fontainebleau, Hard Rock International, history, Illinois, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Mandalay Bay Massacre, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Penn National, Regulation, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Vici Properties, Wynn Resorts, Wyoming | 1 Comment

NFL bettors sacked; Strip resort folds; Caesars plan panned

Posted on January 5, 2023 by David McKee

Life at S&G HQ is seriously clouded by the critical illness of a beloved fur baby. Nevertheless, we shall endeavor to gather our thoughts, starting with the consequences for bettors of the life-threatening Damar Hamlin injury on Monday Night Football. … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Chicago, Derek Stevens, DraftKings, Economy, Entertainment, Failsinos, FanDuel, Florida, Genting, Georgia, Hard Rock International, Horseracing, International, Las Vegas Sands, LVCVA, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, PointsBet, Politics, Racinos, Riviera, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, TV, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Christmas wishes

Posted on December 23, 2022 by David McKee

It’s time to reward those who have been nice and offer appropriate gifts to the naughty. So, without further ado, we play Santa Claus to the casino industry …

Posted in AGA, Alabama, Alex Meruelo, Atlantic City, Bally, Barstool Sports, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Card rooms, Chicago, China, Crown Resorts, Culinary Union, Dan Lee, Derek Stevens, Downtown, DraftKings, Fontainebleau, Full House Resorts, Genting, Georgia, Hard Rock International, James Packer, Japan, Kazuo Okada, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Massachusetts, Mattress Mack, MGM Resorts International, Michael Gaughan, Missouri, Moulin Rouge, Movies, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Pahrump, Palms, Penn National, Phil Ruffin, Politics, Real Estate, Regulation, Resort fees, Resorts World LV, Sahara, Scott Butera, Sports betting, Star Entertainment, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Rio, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta | Comments Off

Massachusetts leaps; Holiday season in A.C.; Apollo’s new toy

Posted on December 14, 2022 by David McKee

November was good for casinos in Massachusetts, up 6% from last year to a gross of $93 million. Encore Boston Harbor led the way with $59.5 million, an 8% gain. MGM Springfield chipped in $22 million, up 2% despite an … Continue reading →

Posted in Apollo Management, Atlantic City, Bally, Barstool Sports, Chicago, Dining, Hard Rock International, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Ocean Resort, Penn National, Real Estate, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, Vici Properties, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Indiana flat, Missouri down; Bally’s happy talk; Miller loses it

Posted on December 13, 2022 by David McKee

Casinos in Indiana kept pace with 2021 last month, grossing $196 million. No prizes for guessing who was tops—Hard Rock Northern Indiana with $35.5 million, a 14% leap from the previous November. Horseshoe Hammond fell 16% but hung in there … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Australia, Bally, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Century Casinos, Chicago, China, Colorado, Conventions, DFS, DraftKings, Economy, FanDuel, Genting, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock International, Indiana, International, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Macau, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Penn National, Regulation, Sports betting, Star Entertainment, Station Casinos, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal | Comments Off

Strip flattens, LV locals rebound; Hyatt’s Vegas Dream

Posted on November 29, 2022 by David McKee

That great Las Vegas recovery on the Strip suddenly flattened in October but new signs of vitality were evident in the local-gambler sphere. Las Vegas Strip casinos grossed $706 million, almost dead-even with the year before. Locals-derived win, meanwhile, surged … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally, Boulder Strip, California, Chicago, Downtown, Gary Goett, International, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, LVCVA, Macau, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mesquite, North Las Vegas, Resorts World LV, Sports betting, The Strip, Transportation, Warner Gaming, Wendover | Comments Off

Report from Chicago; Gray Lady in high dudgeon

Posted on November 22, 2022 by David McKee

If you have a bridge in Brooklyn or perhaps some swamp land in Florida, then Oak Street Real Estate Capital would like to hear from you. It just paid $200 million for the site of Bally’s Chicago and $300 million … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Atlantic City, Bally, Barstool Sports, California, Chicago, Diversity, DraftKings, FanDuel, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Health, Illinois, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Marketing, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Las Vegas, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Real Estate, Regulation, Rhode Island, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Virginia, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Atlantic City slumps; Adele hell

Posted on November 21, 2022 by David McKee

Dateline: O’Hare International Airport, land of crappy wi-fi. We’re not back at the office yet but there’s so much news it just can’t wait. Let’s start in Atlantic City, where casino revenues slumped 7% to $220.5 million last month. Everybody … Continue reading →

Posted in Apollo Management, Atlantic City, Bally, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Century Casinos, Chicago, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., CQ Holdings, Detroit, DraftKings, Economy, Entertainment, FanDuel, Genting, Golden Gaming, Greenwood Racing, Hard Rock International, Illitch Family, International, Internet gambling, Louisiana, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Mohegan Sun, Ocean Resort, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, The Rio, The Strip, United Kingdom, Virginia, WInd Creek, Wynn Resorts | 7 Comments

Caesars Strip-tease; Slot flea swatted; Biden targets resort fees

Posted on November 2, 2022 by David McKee

In the end, all that talk of Caesars Entertainment selling a Las Vegas Strip asset was just a sham. The company probably couldn’t find any takers for the Flamingo at CEO Tom Reeg‘s preposterous asking price (ditto his equally preposterous … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Bally, Baseball, Caesars Entertainment, Chicago, Churchill Downs, Conventions, Cordish Co., Hard Rock International, Indiana, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Louisiana, Michigan, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, Planet Hollywood, Politics, Real Estate, Resort fees, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Virginia, Wall Street, Washington State | 4 Comments

Atlantic City beat; MGM Cotai padlocked; Adelson buys Abbott

Posted on October 31, 2022 by David McKee

“Did Bally’s open a casino in Atlantic City and forget to tell anyone about it?” So asks our East Coast correspondent. “This is Bally’s yesterday (Sunday). A few casinos here would have more customers during a snow storm than this.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, Chicago, China, Dining, Election, Entertainment, Golden Nugget, Health, Illinois, Macau, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Ocean Resort, Penn National, Texas, United Kingdom, Vermont | 2 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

George of Georges; Bally’s crumbling; Indiana dips

Posted on September 13, 2022 by David McKee

Before we go any further, bravo, bravo, arcibravo to Hard Rock International to laying some serious bread on its salaried workers. As of now, the base salary for non-tipped employees at Hard Rock casinos goes from $18/hour to $21. Hard … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Australia, Bally, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Chicago, Dining, DraftKings, Economy, Entertainment, FanDuel, Full House Resorts, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, Tribal, United Kingdom, Virginia, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Gaming levels off at high altitude; More Chicago shenanigans

Posted on September 9, 2022 by David McKee

Casino receipts are in for a quartet of states and they tell a similar tale: That gamblers are reining in their 2022 spending … but are still wagering (and losing) way more than three years ago. Hardly a picture of … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally, Baseball, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Chicago, Churchill Downs, Dan Lee, DraftKings, Full House Resorts, Golden Gaming, Hard Rock International, Health, Illinois, Iowa, Jack Entertainment, Kansas, Louisiana, Macau, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, North Las Vegas, Ohio, Penn National, Politics, Sports betting, Station Casinos, TV | 4 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

Louisiana plummets; Cool front disrupts summer gaming

Posted on July 22, 2022 by David McKee

A “cruel, cruel summer” for regional casinos was predicted by Truist Securities analyst Barry Jonas and it’s already arrived in Louisiana, where gambling revenues fell 10% last month. It’s not even keeping pace with go-go 2019 any longer. The statewide … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Bally, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Chicago, Churchill Downs, Conventions, CQ Holdings, Dining, Economy, Environment, Golden Gaming, Golden Nugget, Health, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, North Las Vegas, Penn National, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Bally’s Chicago stirs skepticism; Vegas locals cooling

Posted on July 13, 2022 by David McKee

It’s not just us who are leery of Bally’s Corp. and its ability to do something unprecedented in its history—swing a $1.7 billion casino in Chicago. The company’s corner-cutting “improvement” of Bally’s Atlantic City does not inspire confidence. Nor does … Continue reading →

Posted in Aristocrat, Atlantic City, Australia, Bally, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Chicago, Churchill Downs, DraftKings, Economy, FanDuel, Florida, Full House Resorts, Genting, Golden Gaming, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock International, Indiana, Mohegan Sun, New York, Palms, Penn National, Pennsylvania, PointsBet, Rhode Island, Rush Street Gaming, Seminole Tribe, Silverton, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Tribal, Unite-Here, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments