Category Archives: Connecticut

Small thinking big in Oklahoma; Smoke gets in their lungs

Posted on November 27, 2019 by David McKee

In Oklahoma, Council of Public Affairs President Jonathan Small went to the mat for Gov. Kevin Stitt (R), backing Stitt’s demand for higher—much higher—exclusivity fees. To his credit, Stitt has put sports betting on the table as an incentive. Small … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Connecticut, Environment, Florida, Hard Rock International, Las Vegas Sands, Nevada, Oklahoma, Palms, Problem gambling, Sports betting, Taxes, Technology, Tribal, Virginia | Comments Off

Choo-choo to Springfield; Penn hawks Trop

Posted on November 12, 2019 by David McKee

Don’t despair, MGM Springfield. There’s hope yet. Massachusetts politicians are touting the idea of high-speed rail between Boston and Springfield, as many as six rides per day. (Springfield currently must get by with once-a-day Amtrak service.) Gov. Charlie Baker (R) … Continue reading →

Posted in China, Connecticut, Donald Trump, Downtown, Election, Foxwoods, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New Hampshire, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Sexual misconduct, Sheldon Adelson, Sports betting, The Strip, Transportation, TV, Twin River, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Suncoast for sale?; Downtown, Trump Int’l stuck in 20th century

Posted on October 10, 2019 by David McKee

In a cryptic real estate listing, LoopNet has Suncoast emblazoned across the top of its splash page. However, the company says “This listing is not currently being advertised on LoopNet.com” So what the Sam Hill is it doing there? Is … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Connecticut, Donald Trump, Downtown, Foxwoods, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New York, Real Estate, Resort fees, Taxes, Technology, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal | 2 Comments

Another rap scandal; MGM sues Trump administration

Posted on September 26, 2019 by David McKee

Rappers and Vegas don’t mix too well. The latest exhibit is YG, who The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas finds itself being associated with in an alleged assault and robbery. The Cosmo is being sued by one Benjamin Naderi over a beatdown he … Continue reading →

Posted in Connecticut, Cosmopolitan, Dining, Law enforcement, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off

Hooters out, Ruffin in, Sands up

Posted on September 24, 2019 by David McKee

Keeping its signature Os, Hooters Hotel Casino becomes an OYO Hotel property this week, with a full transformation expected by year’s end. (Gotta be ready for New Year’s Eve.) The changes are subtle at first. Hotel management goes over to Highgate … Continue reading →

Posted in Connecticut, Foxwoods, Hooters, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Paragon Gaming, Phil Ruffin, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Maryland good, Illinois becalmed, MGM furious

Posted on September 9, 2019 by David McKee

Maryland‘s casino industry showed continued health last month, up 5.5%. MGM National Harbor had 40.5% of market share while Maryland Live corralled 34.5% of trade. MGM grossed $62.5 million, with low-tax table games up 10% as opposed to only 4% … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Connecticut, Cordish Co., Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Hard Rock International, Illinois, International, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Raiders, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Lotteries, Macau, Maryland, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Slot routes, South Dakota, Sports, Wall Street, West Virginia | 1 Comment

Sports betting vexed in Massachusetts; Start spreading the news, they’re leaving today—and how!

Posted on August 30, 2019 by David McKee

Don’t expect sports betting in Massachusetts: Not now, maybe never. Why? Two words: Rhode Island. That state counted on $23 million in tax revenue from sports wagers—a ludicrous figure—and got $2 million. Bay State lawmakers are not only sobered by the … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Connecticut, Economy, Environment, Florida, Las Vegas Raiders, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, New York, Politics, Problem gambling, Rhode Island, Sports, Sports betting | Comments Off

A Majestic idea; MGM’s Springfield angst

Posted on August 28, 2019 by David McKee

Anyone remember the Greek Isles? Anybody want to? Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, the Greek Isles site will midwife the $850 million Majestic Las Vegas, designed by Paul Steelman after the style of Paul Revere Williams. It will have … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Arizona, Caesars Entertainment, CityCenter, Connecticut, Dining, Economy, Foxwoods, LVCVA, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New York, Security, Technology, The Strip, Transportation, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Gaming and its discontents

Posted on August 19, 2019 by David McKee

Iowa, Nebraska and Council Bluffs continue to have their collective ass kicked in court by the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska. The latest drubbing occurred in federal district court. The plaintiffs filed motions arguing that, since Judge Stephanie Rose had asked … Continue reading →

Posted in Cambodia, Connecticut, Cordish Co., Foxwoods, Genting, Iowa, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Money laundering, Nebraska, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Sports betting, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Encore vanquishing competition; Newcomers dominate Atlantic City

Posted on August 19, 2019 by David McKee

Encore Boston Harbor, the best-smelling casino on the East Coast, had a crushing month, its first full one of operation. Its $48.5 million in revenue accounted for 60% of all Massachusetts gaming revenues. That breaks down as almost $1.6 million/day … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Connecticut, Detroit, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Foxwoods, Greenwood Racing, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Marketing, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Ocean Resort, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

El Paso, Dayton … Las Vegas?

Posted on August 12, 2019 by David McKee

Las Vegas, if you’ll pardon the pun, dodged a bullet when the FBI apprehended a man bent on killing large numbers of Jews and gay people. Conor Climo, the alleged bomber, has been linked to the white-supremacist netherworld and supposedly … Continue reading →

Posted in Churchill Downs, Connecticut, Current, Downtown, Foxwoods, Full House Resorts, Indiana, Kentucky, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Sports, Sports betting, Wall Street | Comments Off

Maryland just fine; Next stop, Hartford?

Posted on August 7, 2019 by David McKee

Gaming revenues were up 2% last month in Maryland, good for $149 million. $61 million of that was won by MGM National Harbor (+4%). Market share was dominated by MGM (41%) and Maryland Live (33%). The Cordish Gaming property grossed $49 … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Connecticut, Cordish Co., Cretins, Crown Resorts, e-sports, Foxwoods, International, Internet gambling, Macau, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Politics, Problem gambling, Sports betting, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off

MGM stymied Down East; Trade war dings Macao

Posted on August 5, 2019 by David McKee

Hopes for MGM Resorts International in Connecticut may be fading now that lawmakers are proposing a tribally owned casino in Bridgeport, part of an omnibus gaming expansion. The bipartisan Connecticut Jobs & Revenue Act would authorize a casino in Bridgeport owned by … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Connecticut, Downtown, Foxwoods, Golden Gaming, International, Internet gambling, Lotteries, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Money laundering, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sports betting, Tamares Group, Tilman Fertitta | Comments Off

Casino aspirants elbow for advantage; T-Rex derby in Washington

Posted on July 12, 2019 by David McKee

Full House Resorts and Spectacle Entertainment are jostling for position in Terre Haute—provided that Vigo County voters approve a casino for the city. But will it beat nearby Danville to the punch? “Pending a positive outcome on the referendum, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Connecticut, Election, Entertainment, Full House Resorts, Illinois, Indiana, International, Internet gambling, Japan, Mohegan Sun, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Slot routes, Spectacle Entertainment, Taxes, Virginia, Warner Gaming | Comments Off

Connecticut casino push stalls; Chicago casino fast-tracked

Posted on June 11, 2019 by David McKee

Connecticut casino legislation was yet another exercise in futility this session, with the Lege gaveling the end of business without any gaming bills being passed. However, a special session is anticipated, mainly to address an unrelated litigation settlement. Perhaps then … Continue reading →

Posted in Connecticut, Foxwoods, Illinois, Japan, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Politics, Sports betting, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Secret deal in Bridgeport?; Packer/Ho sale threatened

Posted on June 4, 2019 by David McKee

“There is no ‘either/or’ solution when it comes to East Windsor and Bridgeport, and we shouldn’t be playing two Connecticut communities against each other.” That’s what tribal spokesman Andrew Doba said after it was revealed that Bridgeport was flirting with Foxwoods Resort … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, California, Cirque du Soleil, Connecticut, Crown Resorts, e-sports, Entertainment, Foxwoods, Galaxy Entertainment, Las Vegas Sands, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports betting, Stanley Ho, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Illinois agonizes over expansion; Frustration in Connecticut

Posted on May 14, 2019 by David McKee

Always looking for ways to kill the golden goose, Illinois lawmakers are contemplating gambling expansion yet again. Slot route operators are understandably balking at Gov. J.B. Pritzker‘s proposal to raise the current 30% tax rate to a 50/50 split with … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Connecticut, Foxwoods, Illinois, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New Jersey, New York, Politics, Resort fees, Slot routes, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off

Indiana gets it done; Fox puts $$ into sports betting

Posted on May 10, 2019 by David McKee

It’s official. Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) has affixed his signature to a bill that will expand gambling in the Hoosier State by approving two new casinos and permitting sports betting, expected to take off by September. (All-important mobile betting … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Connecticut, Foxwoods, Indiana, Majestic Star, MGM Resorts International, PokerStars, Politics, Spectacle Entertainment, Sports, Sports betting, TV | Comments Off

Macao saves Wynn; Soaked in Missouri

Posted on May 10, 2019 by David McKee

If it were just a question of Las Vegas Strip performance, Wynn Resorts would have very little good news to report. Gross gaming revenue ($166 million) was down 19% in 1Q19, its impact softened by an 11% increase in slot … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Connecticut, Eldorado Resorts, Foxwoods, Macau, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Politics, Sports betting, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Putting problem gaming on notice; Station has a hit

Posted on May 1, 2019 by David McKee

“Whilst the vast majority of our customers enjoy our products responsibly, it is high time that the industry did more to protect its customers from potential harm.” Thus spake GVC CEO Kenny Alexander in a dramatic change of policy. Along … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Connecticut, Foxwoods, Horseracing, International, Kazuo Okada, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New Jersey, Palms, Philippines, Problem gambling, Sports, Station Casinos, TV, Wall Street, William Hill | Comments Off