Category Archives: Dining

Caesars in hot water

Posted on March 16, 2016 by David McKee

Caesars Entertainment could be on the hook from anywhere between $3.6 billion to $5.1 billion in damages, thanks to a series of transactions that lessened the viability of subsidiary Caesars Entertainment Operating Co. That’s the conclusion of court-appointed examiner Richard … Continue reading →

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The party’s over; DFS sniffs at Nevada regulation

Posted on March 8, 2016 by David McKee

It’s no party for two executives at Bwin.Party. The Austrian government has leveled charges of corruption, “breach of trust” and money laundering at Bwin’s Norbert Teufelberger and Manfred Bodner. The indictment was filed two months ago but is only now … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Dining, Donald Trump, International, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Regulation | Comments Off on The party’s over; DFS sniffs at Nevada regulation

Seminole Christmas tree in Florida; Free money for California ponies

Posted on February 22, 2016 by David McKee

Pot or gambling? That’s the choice Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) faces in newly discovered documents from 2014, in which the Poarch Band of Creek Indians seeks a casino on a one-acre parcel near Pensacola in return of $1 billion … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, California, Dining, Downtown, Entertainment, Florida, Internet gambling, Politics, Tourism, Tribal | Comments Off on Seminole Christmas tree in Florida; Free money for California ponies

Penn: Glass nearly full

Posted on February 4, 2016 by David McKee

Prior to its conference call with analysts, Penn National Gaming shared some earnings guidance and hints of what is to come. Perceptions of the performance of Plainridge Park Casino have become something of a sore point with Penn execs. While … Continue reading →

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Quote of the Day

Posted on January 14, 2016 by David McKee

“Moms altered into purchasing their children unhealthy food, study states.” — CNN, as channeled by ArchyNewsy.com. And into what were these mothers altered? Stepford Wives maybe?

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Atlantic City: Better than expected

Posted on January 13, 2016 by David McKee

As much as one hates the term “rightsizing” or endorsing the closure of four casinos, with all the job losses those entail, the numbers say that Atlantic City‘s casino market has been reduced to optimal size. December’s revenues were down … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Dining, Harrah's, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, PokerStars, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Ground shifts on i-gaming in California; T-Mobile’s new trophy

Posted on January 7, 2016 by David McKee

California took one step forward and one step back in the field of Internet gambling. A bill to legalize online poker was scratched from yesterday’s legislative agenda. If it makes you feel any better, the opposition of six major California … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Cosmopolitan, Dining, Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Planet Hollywood, PokerStars, Politics, Sam Nazarian, Sports, The Strip | Comments Off on Ground shifts on i-gaming in California; T-Mobile’s new trophy

DFS advances in Iowa, regroups in Illinois

Posted on December 31, 2015 by David McKee

Legalization of daily fantasy sports got halfway to the goal line in the 2015 Iowa Legislature. State Rep. Jake Highfill (R) hopes to get into the endzone in 2016 with a revised version of a bill that already cleared the … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Dining, Entertainment, Glenn Straub, Illinois, Internet gambling, Iowa, MGM Mirage, New York, Regulation, Revel | Comments Off on DFS advances in Iowa, regroups in Illinois

When you wish upon a star

Posted on December 21, 2015 by David McKee

Despite a shakeup by Gov. Greg Abbott (R, below), the Texas Racing Commission still has a death wish when it comes to “instant racing.” When, in keeping with Abbott’s wishes, the TRC held a vote to repeal the VLT gambling, … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Dining, history, Horseracing, New York, Racinos, Regulation, Texas | Comments Off on When you wish upon a star

GLPI gets a racino; Reckless casino rhetoric

Posted on December 16, 2015 by David McKee

After over a year of litigation, Gaming & Leisure Properties has come to terms with Cannery Casino Resorts over the sale of Meadows Racetrack, near Pittsburgh. (Next step for GLPI, find an operator. Penn National Gaming? Pinnacle Entertainment?) Considering that … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Cannery Casino Resorts, Dining, Election, GLPI, Harrah's, Maryland, Movies, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Crisis point in Atlantic City; Alabama casino bill abandoned

Posted on December 7, 2015 by David McKee

Atlantic City‘s immediate future is teetering over whether it can persuade Boyd Gaming and MGM Resorts International to parcel a $161 million tax refund over an extended period of time. If not, warns Mayor Don Guardian (R), the city will … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Dining, Harrah's, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Politics, Regulation, Steve Wynn, The Strip | Comments Off on Crisis point in Atlantic City; Alabama casino bill abandoned

Holiday season in Vegas

Posted on December 2, 2015 by David McKee

An extended Thanksgiving Day weekend allowed my wife and I to partake of some random Sin City fare — helped greatly by her superior comp-getting abilities. Last Sunday, we spent the night at the Downtown Grand (not our first stay … Continue reading →

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No Great Pumpkin for Las Vegas; Further woe for Macao

Posted on December 1, 2015 by David McKee

It was Las Vegas Strip casinos’ bad luck to have Oct. 31 fall on a Saturday, meaning that revenues (particularly from slots) from that weekend won’t be reported until the end of November. Consequently, Strip revenues fell 5% in October, … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Dining, Downtown, Economy, Galaxy Entertainment, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Law enforcement, Macau, Maryland, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, North Las Vegas, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Regulating DFS; So long, Harrah’s Tunica

Posted on November 3, 2015 by David McKee

Although he doesn’t think state government ought to “impede one’s enjoyment of fantasy sports,” New Jersey state Sen. James Whelan (D, right) thinks it’s time for the Garden State to regulate daily fantasy sports. In a letter to the Division of … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Atlantic City, Dining, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Politics, Regulation, Sports, Tribal | 1 Comment

Illinois to act on DFS

Posted on October 27, 2015 by David McKee

Today, a bill is anticipated to be put in the hopper of the Illinois Legislature to regulate daily fantasy sports. The brainchild of Rep. Mike Zalewski (D), “it would create standards for auditing daily fantasy companies that want to do business … Continue reading →

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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 on Dan Lee’s Colorado lode; The Caranos take Reno

Catwalk beauties, oysters and organized crime at G2E

Posted on October 1, 2015 by David McKee

Pulchritude on parade was an important subtheme of this year’s Global Gaming Expo, as was showcasing Las Vegas’ many dining options. Chef Daniel Bouloud, by the way, earns our thanks for initiating “Oyster Hour” at db Brasserie in the Venetian. … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Entertainment, G2E, Geoff Freeman, Harrah's, Sheldon Adelson, The Mob | Comments Off on Catwalk beauties, oysters and organized crime at G2E

Quote of the Day

Posted on September 28, 2015 by David McKee

“I wouldn’t be surprised if, in 15 years, this looks a lot more like Las Vegas.” — Wolfgang Puck, making one of the most spectacularly wrong predictions in Atlantic City‘s history.

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China is the watchword; Atlantic City rebounds

Posted on September 16, 2015 by David McKee

Builders of $135 million Lucky Dragon Casino, across Sahara Avenue from the former Circus Circus RV park, are fast-tracking the project for a mid-2016 opening. Financed with EB-5 visa contributions, Lucky Dragon hopes to be a one-stop shop for Chinese players … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Atlantic City, Culinary Union, Dining, Election, Lucky Dragon, Macau, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, SLS Las Vegas, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off on China is the watchword; Atlantic City rebounds

Gural doubles down; Royal brouhaha

Posted on September 11, 2015 by David McKee

Jeffrey Gural wants a casino in New York State so bad he can taste it — or at least invest $82 million of his own money in it. It’s refreshing when a developer makes that kind of equity commitment. Gural’s … Continue reading →

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