Category Archives: Cordish Co.

Big business in Maryland; Pricey New York-New York goof

Posted on July 6, 2018 by David McKee

The gap between the haves and have-nots in Maryland widened last month, as the state’s gaming revenue boomed 14% upward. The good news is that every casino had a revenue-positive month. MGM National Harbor, of course, led the pack, grossing $59 … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Cordish Co., Culinary Union, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Penn National, The Strip, Tribal, West Virginia | Comments Off on Big business in Maryland; Pricey New York-New York goof

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 6, 2018 by David McKee

“In gaming, everyone plays blackjack the same way, they all have the same odds, everyone has a roulette wheel. The difference is what’s around it.” — Cordish Cos. Chairman David S. Cordish, stating an obvious but too often unremarked fact … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Cordish Co., Maryland | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Sports betting: Winners and losers; MGM mulls more Strip buys

Posted on June 6, 2018 by David McKee

According to gaming-law expert I. Nelson Rose, the Supreme Court‘s ruling on sports betting goes far, far beyond gambling: “For the first time in American history, the U.S. Supreme Court expressly held that the federal government cannot order states, or … Continue reading →

Posted in Churchill Downs, CityCenter, Cordish Co., DFS, Dubai, Fontainebleau, Genting, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Law enforcement, Marijuana, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Penn National, Sports, West Virginia | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on May 16, 2018 by David McKee

“Basically, towns are courting Stadium Casino in an effort to win a competition akin to The Bachelor. In the end, the casino chooses one winner and scores of dejected runners-up are left to weep in the proverbial limo.” — description of … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Greenwood Racing, Pennsylvania | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Ohio good, Maryland better; The mystery of Carrot Top

Posted on May 8, 2018 by David McKee

Last month found the State of Maryland in good health when it came to gaming revenue, up 6%. Most of this was driven — one is tempted to say “of course” — by MGM National Harbor, vaulting 15.5% for an … Continue reading →

Posted in Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Dan Gilbert, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Environment, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Macau, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Taxes, The Strip, Transportation, West Virginia | Comments Off on Ohio good, Maryland better; The mystery of Carrot Top

MGM owns Maryland; Rumble in Deadwood

Posted on April 5, 2018 by David McKee

MGM National Harbor continues to devour the Maryland market, hitting a record 40% market share last month, along with a best-ever $1.95 million/day in gross gaming record, for an overall gross of $60.5 million. Less pleasing for MGM execs: Slots … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Louisiana, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Oklahoma, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, South Dakota, Sports, Taxes, Tribal, West Virginia | 2 Comments

Slots rule in Maryland, retreat in Pennsylvania

Posted on March 6, 2018 by David McKee

MGM National Harbor continued its domination of Maryland last month, with a 39% market share and $53 million gross. Less reassuring for MGM execs, high-tax slots are starting to pull away from low-tax table games, two categories which used to … Continue reading →

Posted in Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Economy, Genting, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off on Slots rule in Maryland, retreat in Pennsylvania

Showboat to sail again?; The plague of resort fees

Posted on February 22, 2018 by David McKee

Although Caesars Entertainment may have thought it removed a competitor from the board when it stripped the Showboat of its gaming entitlement, think again. Owner Bart Blatstein has taken the opening steps toward returning the Showboat to the gambling seas. … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Cordish Co., Environment, Genting, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, International, Maryland, Revel, The Strip | 1 Comment

Mohegan Sun strikes again; Magic 8s in Pennsylvania

Posted on February 12, 2018 by David McKee

Even as Steve Wynn was on his way out at Wynn Resorts, the casino he bested for the Boston-area gaming concession, Mohegan Sun, was launching a legal counterattack. It demanded that Wynn Resorts’ license be pulled and the project awarded to Mohegan … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Cordish Co., Greenwood Racing, International, Macau, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Sexual misconduct, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Mohegan Sun strikes again; Magic 8s in Pennsylvania

Illinois anemic; MGM flexes pecs in Maryland, Washington, D.C.

Posted on February 6, 2018 by David McKee

Thank God. There is nothing new about Steve Wynn in this morning’s headlines, so we can talk about some good, old-fashioned gambling. Illinois last month saw a 5.5% drop-off for a somewhat anemic gross of $105 million. Foot traffic was … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Cordish Co., Donald Trump, Economy, Foxwoods, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Illinois, Marketing, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, West Virginia | Comments Off on Illinois anemic; MGM flexes pecs in Maryland, Washington, D.C.

Adelson: Big is more; MGM misses important deadline

Posted on January 26, 2018 by David McKee

Wall Street analysts expected Las Vegas Sands to post cash flow of $718 million last quarter but it blew through the ‘stop’ sign and checked in with $731 million. Even though recovering from three cracked ribs, CEO Sheldon Adelson had … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Architecture, Cordish Co., Galaxy Entertainment, GLPI, Greenwood Racing, Illinois, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Tropicana Entertainment | 1 Comment

Lion attempts to devour Caesar; Louisiana casinos to come ashore?

Posted on January 19, 2018 by David McKee

That proposed takeover of Vici Properties by MGM Growth Properties looks stranger by the day. Since it would be a transaction between two landlords, it would not require Nevada regulatory approval. But it would not, contrary to its initial appearance, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cordish Co., Genting, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Lake Tahoe, Louisiana, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Reno, Sports, Station Casinos, Taxes, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Case Bets: Maryland, Illinois, New Jersey, The Strip, etc.

Posted on January 8, 2018 by David McKee

MGM National Harbor goes from strength to strength. Last month, it captured 40% of Maryland market share en route to a $56.5 million gross (for a property record of $1.8 million gross gaming revenue per day). Maryland Live, hanging onto … Continue reading →

Posted in Aristocrat, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, California, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Dining, Economy, Entertainment, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Illinois, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Politics, Sports, Station Casinos, The Strip, West Virginia | Comments Off on Case Bets: Maryland, Illinois, New Jersey, The Strip, etc.

MGM National Harbor rules; Beating the eye in the sky

Posted on December 6, 2017 by David McKee

MGM National Harbor dominated Maryland yet again, garnering 39% of market share and grossing $50.5 million. The balance of revenue continues to creep toward the (punitively taxed) slot side of the casino, so MGM won’t be completely thrilled with November’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Cordish Co., Donald Trump, Golden Gaming, Japan, Law enforcement, Lawrence Ho, Maryland, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Mirage, New York, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, Sports, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip | Comments Off on MGM National Harbor rules; Beating the eye in the sky

MGM rebounds; Harvey victims have mystery casino benefactor

Posted on November 10, 2017 by David McKee

Commercials practically begging people to patronize the Las Vegas Strip after the Mandalay Bay massacre turn out to have been needless. The company most affected, MGM Resorts International, reports that hotel bookings are “almost back to normal.” “I’m happy to … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball, Charity, Cordish Co., Cosmopolitan, Galaxy Entertainment, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Macau, Mandalay Bay Massacre, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Steve Wynn, Texas, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on MGM rebounds; Harvey victims have mystery casino benefactor

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

Examining slot addiction; Dealers win in Baltimore

Posted on October 23, 2017 by David McKee

Researchers at the University of Waterloo‘s Gambling Research Lab are trying to wean gamblers off slot machines, or at least create a more-educated player. They’re focusing on “losses disguised as wins” or LDWs. That’s when you wager $2 and “win” $1.50 … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Golden Gaming, Harrah's, International, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Problem gambling, The Strip, Unite-Here | Comments Off on Examining slot addiction; Dealers win in Baltimore

Case Bets: Cosmo, Penn, California, Caesars, Boyd, etc.

Posted on August 15, 2017 by David McKee

It’s reinvention time at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, where management is investing $100 million-plus into upgrades of most of its rooms. If you don’t constantly reinvest in your resort project, you end up with Imperial Palace, er, Linq. (Given … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, California, Cordish Co., Cosmopolitan, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Indiana, International, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Technology, The Strip, Tribal | 1 Comment

Cuomo’s experiment disappoints; Caesars sweet on Japan

Posted on August 14, 2017 by David McKee

Whatever marketing studies drove the conclusion that upper New York State was ripe for gambling expansion have proven to be have been seriously off the mark. Gov. Andrew Cuomo‘s three-casino addition to upstate gaming options are disappointing Albany with their … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Genting, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Japan, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, New York, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, TV, Vietnam | 1 Comment

Slippage in Illinois; MGM carries Maryland

Posted on August 7, 2017 by David McKee

One less weekend day than last year proved costly for casinos in Illinois, where gaming revenue fell 2.5% in July. (It had been flat in 2016.) True, the creeping effect of slot routes may have played a role but speculation … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Cordish Co., GLPI, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Illinois, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Racinos, The Strip, Tourism, West Virginia | Comments Off on Slippage in Illinois; MGM carries Maryland