Category Archives: China

Florida: Phhhhht …; Crackdown in Macao; Scandal at Parx

Posted on January 31, 2022 by David McKee

That hissing sound you hear is the air going out of DraftKings‘ and FanDuel‘s electoral balloon. Florida Education Champions, their front group for bringing online sports betting to the Sunshine State, folded its hand, conceding that it can’t get enough … Continue reading →

Posted in China, DraftKings, Election, Entertainment, FanDuel, Florida, Greenwood Racing, Horseracing, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Macau, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Movies, Pennsylvania, Sports betting | 1 Comment

MGM enjoys reversal of fate; From the police blotter; Raiders sunk

Posted on December 13, 2021 by David McKee

How the wheel of fortune has turned for MGM Resorts International. Where Macao was once the grand prize among its casino trophies, it is now an albatross around the company’s neck, provoking a guarded outlook from Fitch Ratings. But MGM’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, China, Cordish Co., Cretins, Delaware, GLPI, Health, International, Las Vegas Raiders, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Macau, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, New York, North Las Vegas, Peninsula Pacific, Politics, Real Estate, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Texas, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Unite-Here, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on MGM enjoys reversal of fate; From the police blotter; Raiders sunk

Chicago reveals all; Rumblings from Macao; Riot in Vegas

Posted on November 22, 2021 by David McKee

The City of Chicago unveiled the applications for its casino license late Friday, effectively burying it at the end of a news cycle, in another triumph for Mayor Lori Lightfoot (D) and her administration. The five submissions “are in line … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Bally, Barstool Sports, Chicago, China, Cretins, Entertainment, Genting, Golden Gaming, Hard Rock International, Health, IGT, Illinois, Las Vegas Raiders, Macau, Maryland, Mattress Mack, Neil Bluhm, New Jersey, New York, Problem gambling, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, Tourism, Transportation | 5 Comments

Wynn drops bombshells; Portnoy’s complaint

Posted on November 10, 2021 by David McKee

Wynn Resorts CEO Matt Maddox is leaving the building, effective Jan. 31. This shockeroo, which inspired a banner headline in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, was trundled out just minutes before the 3Q21 earnings call. Maddox will be succeeded by veteran … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Arizona, Atlantic City, Bally, Barstool Sports, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, China, Diversity, Economy, GLPI, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock International, Health, International, Internet gambling, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Movies, New York, Ocean Resort, Oklahoma, Penn National, Politics, Sexual misconduct, Sheldon Adelson, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Rockin’ hard; Miller gives anti-smokers hope; Packer’s wrist slapped

Posted on October 29, 2021 by David McKee

Hard Rock International CEO Jim Allen (left) is bullish on the New York City market, if not downright aggressive. In maybe the highlight to come out of the East Coast Gaming Congress, Allen asserted his company’s interest in a New … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Animals, Atlantic City, Australia, Caesars Entertainment, China, Crown Resorts, Election, Genting, Golden Gaming, Greenwood Racing, Hard Rock International, Health, Illinois, Indiana, James Packer, Kentucky, Laughlin, Law enforcement, Lotteries, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Money laundering, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Pahrump, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Scientific Games, Slot routes, Sports betting, Taxes, The Crown 18, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Sands: From bad to worse; Musk subway system approved for Vegas

Posted on October 21, 2021 by David McKee

Wall Street analysts were frankly underwhelmed by Las Vegas Sands‘ third quarter. Now that the company is wholly reliant upon the afflicted Macao and Singapore markets that’s hardly surprising. JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff was pretty blunt, calling Macanese cash … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, China, Cordish Co., Downtown, Economy, Election, Entertainment, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock International, Health, Illinois, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Marketing, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Singapore, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Technology, The Strip, Transportation, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Sands: From bad to worse; Musk subway system approved for Vegas

Disaster at Ocean; Ready when you are, CB; Gruden gone

Posted on October 12, 2021 by David McKee

In a development that portends nothing but ill for Atlantic City, the CEO of Ocean Casino Resort, Terry Glebocki has resigned. She also leaves the Casino Association of New Jersey rudderless, no doubt to be replaced in both roles by … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Australia, China, Cretins, Crown Resorts, Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas Raiders, LVCVA, Money laundering, Ocean Resort, Real Estate, Riviera, Sports, Star Entertainment, Station Casinos | 3 Comments

Cosmo finds pigeons; Scientific sheds sports betting

Posted on September 28, 2021 by David McKee

Reflecting the irrational exuberance surrounding the Las Vegas Strip, it’s a done deal at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. The $3.9 billion resort’s physical assets sold for $4 billion, albeit to a cloudy “group of buyers that includes a Blackstone … Continue reading →

Posted in Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, China, Churchill Downs, Colorado, Cosmopolitan, Donald Trump, DraftKings, Environment, Florida, Full House Resorts, Hard Rock International, Health, Indiana, Lotteries, Louisiana, Macau, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Pennsylvania, Real Estate, Rush Street Gaming, Scientific Games, Seminole Tribe, Sports, Sports betting, Tennessee, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Cosmo finds pigeons; Scientific sheds sports betting

Macao fears overdone?; Dispatches from Atlantic City

Posted on September 27, 2021 by David McKee

After a long bout with the flu, we’re back with our usual persiflage. One of the stocks that was on the sickbed last week was Las Vegas Sands, bedridden from proposed new restrictions on Macao casinos. Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Bally, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, China, Dining, DraftKings, FanDuel, FoxBet, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock International, Health, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, New Jersey, Palms, PointsBet, Politics, Regulation, Rhode Island, Rush Street Gaming, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Tribal, Virginia, Wall Street | 1 Comment

China kicks sand in Big Gaming’s face; Penn lobbies for special status

Posted on September 15, 2021 by David McKee

You could say that getting into bed with Red China was a devil’s bargain and Satan has come to collect. Or that Beijing has finally decided to show everyone who’s boss. Either way, the central government played Big Gaming for … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Australia, Bally, China, Crown Resorts, G2E, Galaxy Entertainment, Health, Illinois, Louisiana, Macau, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Rhode Island, Taxes, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on China kicks sand in Big Gaming’s face; Penn lobbies for special status

Wall Street meets Vegas, likes what it hears

Posted on September 14, 2021 by David McKee

JP Morgan analysts, led by Joseph Greff, are touring Las Vegas ahead of Global Gaming Expo and seem to like what they’re hearing. For instance, they met with Station Casinos CFO Steven Cootey and were told that demand continues to … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, California, Canada, China, Conventions, Economy, Health, Internet gambling, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, M Resort, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Las Vegas, Palms, Penn National, Problem gambling, Resorts World LV, Singapore, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Taxes, Texas, Tribal, Wall Street, Westgate LV | 3 Comments

LV Sands overpromises, underdeliver; Court to Station: Unionize!

Posted on July 22, 2021 by David McKee

Shares of Las Vegas Sands traded down yesterday after the company missed its second-quarter estimates. Wall Street expected cash flow of $290.5 million and LVS delivered $244 million, a significant shortfall. (Mind you, Sands no longer reports earnings from Venelazzo.) … Continue reading →

Posted in China, Culinary Union, Florida, Health, Internet gambling, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Seminole Tribe, Singapore, Station Casinos, Texas, Tourism, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Nevada conventions healthy, Nevadans not so much

Posted on July 12, 2021 by David McKee

Tourism to Las Vegas in May was 12% higher than April and June should continue the climb, even if long-awaited World of Concrete was a flop (one-sixth of the expected attendance). Next up was the Nightclub & Bar Show, which … Continue reading →

Posted in China, Conventions, Dining, Donald Trump, Health, history, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, MGM Resorts International, New York, Phil Ruffin, Politics, Reno, Seminole Tribe, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wisconsin, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Case Bets

Posted on July 6, 2021 by David McKee

Crown Resorts is in the soup again. Businessman and fugitive from justice Michael Gu allegedly used Crown Melbourne as a sieve through which to strain $8 million in Ponzi scheme money. “Authorities believe he conned clients by claiming he was … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Barstool Sports, Caesars Entertainment, China, Crown Resorts, DraftKings, FanDuel, Illinois, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts International, Money laundering, Penn National, PointsBet, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Sports betting, The Strip, Tourism, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Louisiana up again; DraftKings hit hard

Posted on June 18, 2021 by David McKee

Casinos in Louisiana weren’t quite as phat last month as in April but still nudged up 5% overall. In New Orleans, the leader was Harrrah’s New Orleans with $27 million (+1%), followed by Boomtown New Orleans, leaping 21% to $12.5 … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, China, Churchill Downs, CQ Holdings, DraftKings, FanDuel, Golden Nugget, Greenwood Racing, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Wall Street | Comments Off on Louisiana up again; DraftKings hit hard

Maryland heats up; Vegas restaurants rebound; Rivers is george

Posted on June 7, 2021 by David McKee

Casinos in the Free State jetted 13% above 2019 levels, grossing $172 million, a new record. MGM National Harbor led with $68.5 million (+16%) and 40% market share. Maryland Live was up 15% to $61.5 million for 35.5% market share, … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Caesars Entertainment, China, Churchill Downs, Colorado, Cordish Co., Cretins, Culinary Union, Dining, Economy, Golden Gaming, Health, Horseracing, Lotteries, Macau, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Resorts World LV, Rush Street Gaming, Tribal, Virgin Hotels, Wall Street, West Virginia, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Steve Wynn, international man of mystery

Posted on May 28, 2021 by David McKee

“Foreign agent.” That’s who Steve Wynn is, according to the Justice Department, which is prepared to sue the disgraced casino mogul if he doesn’t register as an aegis of Red China‘s government. Seems that Steve was carrying water for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, California, Canada, Card rooms, Century Casinos, China, Cretins, Detroit, Donald Trump, Economy, Election, Health, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, LVCVA, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, North Carolina, Ocean Resort, Phil Ruffin, PointsBet, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Sports betting, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Wisconsin, Wynn Resorts | 4 Comments

Las Vegas rates rebound; Kentucky Derby brings out crowds

Posted on May 3, 2021 by David McKee

In another sign of a faster-than-expected Las Vegas comeback, room rates on the Strip for the May 23-29 period are reported to be flat with 2019. Midweek numbers are mildly down (-17%) but counterbalanced by higher weekend rates (+18%) than … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Australia, China, CityCenter, Conventions, Crown Resorts, Dining, Dubai, Economy, Entertainment, Genting, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock Hotel, Health, Horseracing, Illinois, International, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts International, Palms, Pennsylvania, Plaza, Real Estate, Regulation, Singapore, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Taxes, Tennessee, The Strip, Tribal, Virginia, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Sands blitzes Texas; Las Vegas “swarming” with tourists; Oscars suck

Posted on April 23, 2021 by David McKee

Starting last week, Las Vegas Sands has been blanketing the Texas airwaves with a barrage of pro-casino ads. Faced with a loss of traction in the Lege, Sands is turning to the court of public opinion. Going in drag as … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Brothels, Caesars Entertainment, China, Cosmopolitan, Derek Stevens, Diversity, Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, Hawaii, Health, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Macau, Movies, Nevada, New York, Ocean Resort, Oklahoma, Pahrump, Politics, Singapore, Texas, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Tribal | 2 Comments

BetMGM “very credible”; Recovery at Sands “gradual”

Posted on April 22, 2021 by David McKee

That’s how JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff described an evidently persuasive virtual meeting with BetMGM covering the latter’s recent results and strategic objectives. “To us, this was a credible presentation (particularly with its customer acquisition and retention objectives and operating … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Atlantic City, Bally, California, Canada, China, Cosmopolitan, Culinary Union, Dotty's, DraftKings, Economy, FanDuel, Illinois, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Macau, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ocean Resort, Politics, Regulation, Singapore, Slot routes, Texas, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on BetMGM “very credible”; Recovery at Sands “gradual”