Category Archives: Current

Deal or no deal?; Two-face Trump; Good news for Adelson

Posted on July 3, 2013 by David McKee

This just in: Poker Stars has announced an agreement to offer Internet gambling in New Jersey via Mohegan Sun-run Resorts Atlantic City. This enables Rational Group to get a U.S. foothold without the inconvenience of buying a physical casino. Colony Capital … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colony Capital, Current, Donald Trump, Economy, Internet gambling, Macau, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Tourism, Tribal | 1 Comment

Case Bets: Crystals, Baltimore, Mohegan Sun, Macao

Posted on June 27, 2013 by David McKee

Somebody’s finally found a good use for Crystals: as a museum. Daniel Liebeskind‘s design of the property would be more conducive to viewing art than to shopping and it never has trouble drawing lookie-lous. (Customers, eh, not so much.) Somebody … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, CityCenter, Current, Entertainment, Harrah's, Macau, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal | 2 Comments

Jumped, pushed or just fed up?

Posted on June 26, 2013 by David McKee

All of a sudden there’s a spate of turnover in the gaming industry. The ongoing verbal meltdown of Paula Deen was going to have to force Caesars Entertainment to take some form of action, particularly if it wants to preserve … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Cretins, Current, Dining, Florida, Genting, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, International, Mississippi, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Shifting Sands; Happy birthday, Hollywood Aurora

Posted on June 25, 2013 by David McKee

(Update: J.P. Morgan analyst Joseph Greff vented frustration to investors over yet another “self-inflicted negative headline,” while remaining upbeat on LVS stock. He did not relate Kay’s departure to “any negative event … We note that Mr. Kay worked for … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Harrah's, Illinois, Macau, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn | 1 Comment

History in the making; Mohegan Sun: Go fly a balloon

Posted on June 25, 2013 by David McKee

Soon, the North Fork Rancheria Band of Mono Indians is expected to become not only California‘s 63rd gaming-enabled tribe but the first with an off-reservation casino. The medium-sized (2,000 slots, 200 hotel rooms) facility would be 36 miles off the … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Cordish Co., Current, Entertainment, Massachusetts, Mesquite, Station Casinos, Tribal | Comments Off on History in the making; Mohegan Sun: Go fly a balloon

Shocking! Just shocking!; Riviera: Choy gets the chop

Posted on June 24, 2013 by David McKee

Andrew Breibart heir Matthew Boyle has his bloomers in a twist over the fact that Nevada Sens. Harry Reid (D) and Dean Heller (R) have tweaked the immigration bill currently before the Senate to include an indefinite extension of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Current, Economy, Genting, Harry Reid, Politics, Riviera, Tourism | Comments Off on Shocking! Just shocking!; Riviera: Choy gets the chop

Wynn Everett a slam dunk?; Caesars In(ter)active

Posted on June 21, 2013 by David McKee

It’s looking that way. Amounts donated by Wynn Resorts and Wynn affiliates toward this weekend’s referendum: $465,000. Amount spent in opposition: $0. That’s right, nothing. Steve Wynn has also been careful not to stir up potential anti-casino ire by avoiding media … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Election, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, Regulation, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Wynn Everett a slam dunk?; Caesars In(ter)active

Revel gets the memo; Sheldon Adelson knows what’s good for you

Posted on June 21, 2013 by David McKee

Wall Street really hates it when casinos buy business with “promotional allowances” (read: comps) but sometimes — and especially when you’re Revel Hotel-Casino — there’s no choice. In marketing policies as new as its expanded nomenclature, Revel is acknowledging its … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cantor Gaming, Current, Economy, Environment, Harry Reid, International, Internet gambling, Marketing, Politics, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal | 1 Comment

New bosses at Hooters; Caesars: If it worked for Obama … ?

Posted on June 21, 2013 by David McKee

While nobody wants to buy or even lease the Hooters Hotel, current owners Canyon Capital Realty Advisors at least have found some new gaming expertise for the property. In this case, “new” is a relative term, as the familiar faces … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Delaware, Harrah's, Hooters, Marketing, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Taxes, The Strip, West Virginia | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 20, 2013 by David McKee

“… casino ‘taxes’ are really more accurately described as profit-sharing arrangements, making states in effect business partners in gambling operations, a recipe for crony capitalism, favoritism for politically connected businesses, and, now, to no one’s great surprise, bailout considerations … … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Delaware, Economy, Politics, Racinos, Taxes | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Galaxy fights back

Posted on June 20, 2013 by David McKee

What do you do if you’re Galaxy Gaming CEO Robert Saucier? A judge in California has called you “evasive and … intentionally dishonest.” (Or, in plain English, “Liar, liar, pants on fire!”) You’re under scrutiny for a laundry list of … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Current, Regulation, Technology, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Galaxy fights back

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 18, 2013 by David McKee

“It reminds me of an Applebee’s.” — remark overheard during the media rollout of Pub 1842, newest restaurant at MGM Grand, a Michael Mina “gastropub.“ Whoever’s in charge of the myriad TVs needs to be told that there are other … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Dining, MGM Mirage, The Strip | 3 Comments

Vegas: Bullishness is back; Getting high at the Trop

Posted on June 18, 2013 by David McKee

While we’re still a few years from seeing Resorts World Las Vegas come to fruition, in the meantime, Genting Group would like to tease our interest. It’s asking Clark County for permission to build a couple of “preview centers” on … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Colorado, Current, Economy, Entertainment, Fontainebleau, Genting, Harrah's, International, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Tourism | 1 Comment

Nazarian’s secret weapon?; Vegas still equals value

Posted on June 17, 2013 by David McKee

It’s Monday, so it must be time for another worshipful Sam Nazarian profile in the Los Angeles Times. Sure enough. If you can endure the usual LAT fawning, one will glean some useful facts and inferences — plus a reminder … Continue reading →

Posted in Colony Capital, Current, Entertainment, Genting, MGM Mirage, New York, Politics, Racinos, Sam Nazarian, The Strip, Tourism | 1 Comment

Pinnacle folds; Kansas City rebounds

Posted on June 17, 2013 by David McKee

Wow. I am stunned. Despite defiant proclamations that he would fight the Federal Trade Commission in court, Pinnacle Entertainment CEO Anthony Sanfilippo capitulated in swift order. This morning, J.P. Morgan reported that Pinnacle had reached an agreement in principle to … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Current, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Missouri, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation | 2 Comments

Tilman Fertitta, stiff; PokerStars’ desperation; Parrotheads in Shreveport;

Posted on June 14, 2013 by David McKee

I can visit the Fremont Street Experience anytime I want, for free. So can guests at any Downtown hotel … except the Golden Nugget. In a vile new variation on the “resort fee” phenomenon, owner Tilman Fertitta is now tacking … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Colony Capital, Current, Downtown, Indiana, Internet gambling, Louisiana, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Tropicana Entertainment | 2 Comments

Wynn gets serious in Massachusetts; Little racino bests Caesars

Posted on June 14, 2013 by David McKee

Steve Wynn is engaging a multi-pronged effort to clinch the favor of voters in Everett. Of course, if the Massachusetts Gaming Commission takes time off from generating paperwork to stop and be impressed by Wynn’s campaign, so much the better. Wynn’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Current, Dan Gilbert, Harrah's, Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Tribal | 1 Comment

Pinnacle: First the good news …; Cuomo strikes again

Posted on June 13, 2013 by David McKee

Pinnacle Entertainment has lined up $2.9 billion in financing for its takeover of Ameristar Casinos. (Wouldn’t it have been awkward if Wall Street had said, “No thanks”?) In case you’re wondering, the deal values Ameristar at 8X cash flow, a … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Current, Harrah's, Louisiana, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, New York, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Taxes, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

For sale: One mall, slightly used; Sheldon’s big buyback

Posted on June 6, 2013 by David McKee

Buried at the bottom of a J.P. Morgan analyst rep0rt on meetings with MGM Resorts International executives was a real corker: “[W]we would not be surprised to see MGM look to monetize some of CityCenter’s asset base, for example Crystals, … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Current, Economy, Entertainment, International, Macau, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off on For sale: One mall, slightly used; Sheldon’s big buyback

Adelson’s troubles mount; Rage at Wynncore

Posted on June 5, 2013 by David McKee

Las Vegas Sands has been losing one court case after another, whether in Macao or at home in Las Vegas. But the sands really hit the fan today with the revelation that Sheldon Adelson‘s company is under the scrutiny by … Continue reading →

Posted in Cretins, Current, International, LVCVA, Macau, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 1 Comment