Category Archives: Colorado

National Harbor rules; #VegasAmnesia anyone?

Posted on November 7, 2017 by David McKee

Last week I was saying that anyone who thinks the Washington, D.C.-Baltimore corridor can absorb another casino doesn’t have their head screwed on right. Well, the latest numbers are in and S&G feels more validated than ever. Maryland Live ($46 … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Colorado, Cordish Co., GLPI, Harrah's, Louisiana, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Slot routes, Tourism, Wall Street, West Virginia | 1 Comment

Clean slate at Caesars; Heresy at G2E; Another Revel mystery

Posted on October 9, 2017 by David McKee

“Twenty-five years ago Caesars [Entertainment] was the premier name internationally but they dropped the ball,” said C.G. Anderson Partners analyst Greg Bousquette of the company that must find a way to become relevant after spending years snarled in debt, then in … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colorado, Economy, Entertainment, G2E, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, Iowa, Japan, Macau, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Neil Bluhm, New York, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Revel, Singapore, South Korea, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

Eldorado: Small is beautiful; Fire sale in the Philippines

Posted on September 14, 2017 by David McKee

Eldorado Resorts CEO Tom Reeg just had a sit-down with Joseph Greff and his JP Morgan colleagues, and clued them into Eldorado’s plans. “We came away encouraged by management’s upbeat tone and positive commentary on Reno trends … and long-term plan … Continue reading →

Posted in Colorado, Dining, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Florida, Harrah's, Indiana, Isle of Capri, Kazuo Okada, Louisiana, Marketing, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, New York, Philippines, Regulation, Reno, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 15, 2017 by David McKee

“Mr. President — we must call evil by its name. These were white supremacists and this was domestic terrorism.” — Sen. Cory Gardner (R) on the tragic events in Charlottesville.

Posted in Colorado, Current, Donald Trump | Comments Off

Business as usual at Boyd; Pinnacle looks to expand

Posted on March 3, 2017 by David McKee

* Top brass at Boyd Gaming met with J.P. Morgan analyst Joseph Greff and reported a relatively unruffled start to 2017, although the delayed mailing of income-tax refunds (about three weeks later than usual) was retarding results a bit. Still, … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, California, Cannery Casino Resorts, Colorado, Current, Economy, Louisiana, Marketing, MGM Mirage, North Las Vegas, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Wall Street, West Virginia | 1 Comment

(Pot) Smoke gets in their eyes; Enter the Lucky Dragon

Posted on November 21, 2016 by David McKee

Just say “No.” That’s what Nevada gaming regulators are advising casinos who might be tempted to take advantage of the new legality of recreational marijuana in the Silver State. Bowing to federal law, the Nevada Gaming Control Board and Nevada … Continue reading →

Posted in Colorado, Cordish Co., Downtown, Environment, Geoff Freeman, Internet gambling, Lucky Dragon, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Nevada, Regulation, Sports, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off

Caesars dips toe in skill-based slots; MGM National Harbor snares Dylan

Posted on September 12, 2016 by David McKee

Caesars Entertainment is going on the road, as it were, to test-drive its first foray into skill-based slots. It’s going to install six Gamblit Gaming slot carousels at Harrah’s Rincon, with 36 slated for Las Vegas deployment next year. The … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Colorado, Cordish Co., Downtown, Environment, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Hooters, IGT, Internet gambling, Kansas, Maine, Marketing, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Scientific Games, Sheldon Adelson, South Dakota, Sports, Technology, The Strip, Tribal, TV, West Virginia, Westgate LV, Wisconsin | 2 Comments

Louisiana gets hammered; Three states legalize DFS

Posted on June 20, 2016 by David McKee

As we’ve noted before, May was hard on Midwest casino operators, nowhere more so than in Louisiana, where gambling revenue was down 13%. This marks seven months of same-store decline for the Pelican State, an exceptional slump, with the usually … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, California, Churchill Downs, Colorado, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Sports, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Penn has big plans for Trop; DFS sites feel the heat

Posted on June 14, 2016 by David McKee

High rollers aren’t spending as much as they used to at Penn National Gaming casinos, reports JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff, after meeting with CEO Tim Wilmott. Overall, Penn says its springtime revenues have been tracking with its expectations. Greff … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Colorado, Dining, Economy, Election, Florida, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Stanley Ho, Technology, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Freeman rakes Wolf; The delights and dangers of DFS

Posted on April 5, 2016 by David McKee

American Gaming Association President Geoff Freeman is throwing down against Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) and the latter’s desire to tax casino free play. If Wolf’s proposal had been in effect last year, the state would have netted slightly less … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Geoff Freeman, Illinois, International, Internet gambling, Marketing, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, PokerStars, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off

Caesars: Frissora gets the nod; Rocky Mountain high point

Posted on March 3, 2016 by David McKee

Caesars Entertainment CEO Michael Frissora is one step away from a Nevada gaming license, having been unanimously approved by the Nevada Gaming Control Board. Frissora left the meeting grinning from ear to ear, as well he might. Since he comes … Continue reading →

Posted in Carl Icahn, Colorado, Economy, Harrah's, Kansas, Oklahoma, Regulation, Tribal | 1 Comment

Does Gilbert know Jack?; Caesars’ big finish

Posted on February 24, 2016 by David McKee

Will a Horseshoe by any other name earn as much? We’re going to find out because Rock Gaming owner Dan Gilbert is going to rebrand his casinos under the Jack Entertainment banner, presumably a tip of the hat to … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colorado, Dan Gilbert, Florida, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Marketing, Maryland, Mississippi, Ohio, Penn National, Regulation, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

All Adelson, all the time; Full House on the move

Posted on December 18, 2015 by David McKee

(Update: The Adelson-influenced meddling has already begun.) Now that Sheldon Adelson owns the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the paper’s prime topic of coverage has become … itself. There’s no shortage of entrail-reading, as pundits try to parse the casino mogul’s intentions. … Continue reading →

Posted in Colorado, Dan Lee, Harrah's, Harry Reid, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Macau, MGM Mirage, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn | 1 Comment

The ubiquitous Packer; The 27% solution

Posted on December 2, 2015 by David McKee

James Packer has already missed his 2015 deadline for breaking ground on Alon and once again he is taking his eye off the Las Vegas ball. He and his Nobu co-investor, Robert DeNiro, have cut a deal with Antigua and … Continue reading →

Posted in Colorado, Dan Gilbert, Economy, Full House Resorts, International, James Packer, Kentucky, MGM Mirage, Politics, Racinos, Riviera, The Strip | Comments Off

Bad week for DFS

Posted on October 26, 2015 by David McKee

“What it’s doing is calling fantasy sports what it is. Do you pay money to get into the contest, and do you get money back when you win? And if so, that’s gambling.” So says South Point attorney Barry Leibermann of … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Internet gambling, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michael Gaughan, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Politics, Technology | Comments Off

Dan Lee’s Colorado lode; The Caranos take Reno

Posted on October 5, 2015 by David McKee

Since overthrowing the leadership of Full House Resorts, new CEO Dan Lee has been chock-full of initiatives. His latest is to drop $30 million to acquire Bronco Billy’s Casino & Hotel, in Cripple Creek, Colorado. The move comes as Colorado … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colorado, Dan Lee, Delaware, Dining, Eldorado Resorts, Full House Resorts, International, Internet gambling, Marketing, MGM Mirage, PokerStars, Reno, Scientific Games | Comments Off

Big players accentuate the positive

Posted on September 29, 2015 by David McKee

Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli has been a busy man these past few days, meeting with the top companies in gaming. In no special order … Boyd Gaming took the usual line on REIT conversion and acquisitions, basically saying, “If … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Colorado, Downtown, Economy, Florida, GLPI, Illinois, International, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Sports, Steve Wynn, Texas, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street | Comments Off

Isle trends upward; Free the Texas ponies!

Posted on September 2, 2015 by David McKee

Add Isle of Capri Casinos to the list of companies enjoying a positive turn in their fortunes. It reported an operating profit of $57.5 million, a 15% increase. The biggest cash cow was Isle Pompano Park, hauling in $42 million, … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Horseracing, IGT, Iowa, Isle of Capri, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Technology, Texas, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Mohegan Sun’s eastern inspiration; Bumper crop in Colorado

Posted on July 1, 2015 by David McKee

You’d never know Mohegan Sun has been experiencing financial difficulties on the home front to judge by the scale and expense of its South Korean partnership with Incheon International Airport Corp. The two sides have finalized conceptual plans for Inspire … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Colorado, Economy, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, Regulation, South Korea, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | Comments Off

Macao casinos squeezed again; Isle’s clean sweep

Posted on February 25, 2015 by David McKee

First, it was the corruption crackdown. Now, the Chinese government is reviewing visitation levels to Macao. As Macanese Secretary for Social Affairs & Culture Alexis Tam put it, “[T]oo many tourists impact residents’ quality of life.” That’s not music to casinos’ ears and … Continue reading →

Posted in Colorado, Florida, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Missouri, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off