Category Archives: Downtown Grand

Control Board buffoonery; Super-Mega-Jottings

Posted on April 11, 2023 by David McKee

Well, it didn’t take Nevada Gaming Control Board member George Assad long to stick his foot in it. No sooner had we prophetically called him a regulatory “doofus” than news surfaced of some most-unbecoming conduct during an NGCB hearing. Specifically, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, Canada, Chicago, Cordish Co., Cretins, Detroit, Diversity, Downtown Grand, DraftKings, FanDuel, Genting, Hard Rock International, Health, history, Illinois, Japan, Jim Murren, Kansas, Kentucky, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Nevada, New York, PointsBet, Politics, Real Estate, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Slot routes, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Technology, Texas, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Almost everyone prospers in Maryland; Broader revival continues

Posted on March 7, 2022 by David McKee

There’s no sign of “normalization” of gaming revenues in Maryland, where February yielded $163 million, a 19% gain over 2019. Horseshoe Baltimore continued to be somewhat sickly, down 14% to $18 million while everyone else climbed. The silver lining was … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Downtown Grand, Entertainment, Fontainebleau, Golden Gaming, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Ohio, Penn National, Scientific Games, Sports betting, The Strip, Tourism, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Illinois slouches; Boyd, Churchill praised; DraftKings assessed

Posted on January 11, 2022 by David McKee

Not even Rivers Casino Des Plaines was spared the impact of Hard Rock Rockford, as the newbie helped take a 4.5% bite out of Rivers’ December casino revenues compared to 2019, for a Des Plaines gross of $43 million, still … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Bally, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Canada, Churchill Downs, Connecticut, Downtown Grand, DraftKings, Election, Florida, Full House Resorts, Hard Rock International, Health, Illinois, Indiana, Internet gambling, Iowa, Isle of Capri, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Mattress Mack, MGM Resorts International, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Regulation, Singapore, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Taxes, Wall Street | Comments Off on Illinois slouches; Boyd, Churchill praised; DraftKings assessed

Strip sux but locals steadfast; Virgin LV loses its virginity

Posted on March 26, 2021 by David McKee

Things simply have to get better on the Las Vegas Strip. Not even a Feb. 15 capacity increase saved some casinos from perdition. Let’s hope February represented a bottoming-out of gaming revenues, as tourists starting flocking back this month. Strip … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, California, Dining, Downtown Grand, Economy, Entertainment, Illinois, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas Raiders, Laughlin, Mesquite, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, North Las Vegas, Penn National, Pennsylvania, PokerStars, Regulation, Reno, Technology, The Strip, Virgin Hotels, Wendover | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on December 9, 2020 by David McKee

“Before Tony [Hsieh] moved his Zappos headquarters to the former Las Vegas City Hall in Downtown Las Vegas the national image of Downtown was loose slots and cheap shrimp cocktail.”—Downtown Grand CEO Seth Schorr on the impact of Hsieh, part … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Downtown Grand, Tony Hsieh | 1 Comment

At long last, Circa; Las Vegas Strip, empty city

Posted on October 29, 2020 by David McKee

Yesterday was Circa Day, the opening of the most-anticipated Las Vegas casino in a long time (yes, even before Aria). Much of that buzz was due to owner Derek Stevens‘ canny mastery of PR but a spiffy new Downtown casino … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Derek Stevens, Donald Trump, Downtown, Downtown Grand, DraftKings, Economy, Entertainment, FanDuel, Golden Nugget, Health, Illinois, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, MGM Resorts International, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Sports betting, Terry Caudill, The Strip, Tourism, Vdara Death Ray, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Barstool buy buoys Penn Nat’l; MGM’s ad blitzkrieg

Posted on September 30, 2020 by David McKee

JP Morgan analysts upped their near- and long-term cash flow estimates for Penn National Gaming, based on regional trends and sports betting. “While we recognize PENN’s impressive share price outperformance, and many sell-side firms have thrown in the towel with … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Dining, Donald Trump, Downtown Grand, DraftKings, FanDuel, Hard Rock International, Health, Illinois, Internet gambling, Iowa, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Problem gambling, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Sahara vs. Roeben, Round Two; Colorado sportsbooks boom

Posted on September 24, 2020 by David McKee

Vital Vegas author Scott Roeben made big news over the weekend with a countersuit against the Sahara for attempting to stifle freedom of the press. If you have a few days to spare, you can read the 111-page filing in … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Meruelo, Archon Corp., Caesars Entertainment, CityCenter, Colorado, Conventions, Culinary Union, Downtown, Downtown Grand, Entertainment, Hooters, Law enforcement, Sahara, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Tamares Group, Technology, Terry Caudill, The Strip, Wynn Resorts | 4 Comments

Louisiana hard hit; Mohegan Sun, Foxwoods tops in U.S.

Posted on September 18, 2020 by David McKee

Slammed by a double-whammy of hurricanes, Louisiana was accordingly unfortunate in gambling revenue, which plunged 32% to $148.5 million. The only market spared was Baton Rouge (-12%). Lake Charles bore the brunt of Hurricane Laura and the numbers reflected it. … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Cosmopolitan, Derek Stevens, Dining, Donald Trump, Downtown Grand, Election, Foxwoods, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock International, Health, Illinois, Indiana, Las Vegas Raiders, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, Ocean Resort, Oklahoma, Penn National, Reno, Sahara, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Tamares Group, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Twin River, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Louisiana hard hit; Mohegan Sun, Foxwoods tops in U.S.

Dark portent for MGM Springfield; Chicago courts casinos

Posted on August 31, 2020 by David McKee

A thousand MGM Springfield employees have been canned, effective today. A skeleton crew of 800 keeps the casino-resort open, as it writhes in pandemic economic throes. Reports the Boston Globe, “State rules to prevent the spread of the coronavirus have … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Canada, Cantor Gaming, Cosmopolitan, Derek Stevens, Dining, Donald Trump, Downtown Grand, Economy, Golden Gaming, Health, Illinois, Las Vegas Raiders, Las Vegas Sands, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Penn National, Phil Ruffin, Regulation, Reno, Sahara, Silverton, Slot routes, Station Casinos, Taxes, Terry Caudill, The Strip, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Casino scandal in D.C.

Posted on June 25, 2020 by David McKee

Massachusetts‘ Mashpee Wampanoag tribe continues to fight on against a Trump administration decertification of their status, in a case that’s sticking to the White House like a tar baby. Whose market share would be most impinged by a Mashpee casino? … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball, Derek Stevens, Dining, Donald Trump, Downtown, Downtown Grand, El Cortez, Election, Florida, Hard Rock International, Health, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Palms, Politics, Sports betting, Tamares Group, The Strip, Tribal, Twin River | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 15, 2020 by David McKee

“Stayed at the D on the 6th of June, was a little taken back by the lack of social distancing and crowded conditions. The D was doing temperature checks of everyone coming through the doors but unlike the other casinos … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Derek Stevens, Dining, Downtown, Downtown Grand, El Cortez, Golden Nugget, MGM Resorts International, Terry Caudill, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Vegas: Welcome to the new normal

Posted on April 30, 2020 by David McKee

Phil Ruffin may have jumped the gun with that May 15 reopening date for Treasure Island. Gov. Steve Sisolak (D), without specifying a quarantine-lifting date, has extended a modified version of the Nevada lockdown into May. “We just have not reached … Continue reading →

Posted in Aristocrat, California, Downtown, Downtown Grand, Health, International, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, Phil Ruffin, Regulation, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Technology, Tribal, TV, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Wynn Resorts defended; Trump stiffs hotel employees

Posted on March 24, 2020 by David McKee

JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff came riding to the aid of Wynn Resorts this week. “COVID-19’s evolving impact has created a lot of share price carnage in the gaming and lodging sector, to state the obvious. Its impact should be … Continue reading →

Posted in China, Current, Donald Trump, Downtown Grand, Economy, Environment, Florida, Health, International, Internet gambling, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Problem gambling, Regulation, The Strip, Tourism, Unite-Here, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Big January for the Strip; Mega-jottings

Posted on February 28, 2020 by David McKee

January was very good for the Las Vegas Strip, up 7.5% to $572 million. Baccarat played a big role, with winnings up 16% on 24% greater wagering. (In fairness, January 2019 was terrible for baccarat.) Other table games didn’t do … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Boulder Strip, Caesars Entertainment, China, Conventions, Downtown, Downtown Grand, Eldorado Resorts, Health, Illinois, International, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, North Las Vegas, Philippines, PokerStars, Regulation, Reno, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Wendover | 2 Comments

This and that

Posted on October 7, 2019 by David McKee

Restaurant checks nationwide rose 3% last year but that didn’t keep Las Vegas out of WalletHub‘s #6 spot for foodies (cue operatic outrage from Sin City restaurant critics). Las Vegas hit the #1 spot for “affordability and accessibility of highly … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Downtown, Downtown Grand, James Packer, Steve Wynn, Terry Caudill, The Strip, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

SJM Fok-ed up; Virginia approves casinos

Posted on February 28, 2019 by David McKee

Lucina Laam may be the most important person in Macao‘s turbulent casino history. As Wife #2 of Stanley Ho she bore Daisy Ho, Pansy Ho, Lawrence Ho and two other daughters not involved in the gaming biz. Now, in an … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, DFS, Donald Trump, Downtown Grand, Environment, history, International, Las Vegas Sands, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Marketing, Maryland, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, New York, Pansy Ho, Pennsylvania, Politics, Singapore, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Stanley Ho, Technology, Tribal, Virginia | Comments Off on SJM Fok-ed up; Virginia approves casinos

King on the rag; Macao mobbed; Sheldon goes green

Posted on February 27, 2019 by David McKee

Better hurry and line up that Circa funding, Derek Stevens: Rep. Steve King (R) is coming after your EB-5 investors. King has introduced a bill, currently little more than a placeholder, to terminate the EB-5 program. In the past we’ve been … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Cirque du Soleil, Cretins, Delaware, Derek Stevens, Downtown Grand, Entertainment, Environment, Genting, Hard Rock International, International, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, South Korea, Sports betting, Terry Caudill, The Strip, Tourism, TV | 1 Comment

Sports betting gearing up in Pennsylvania; Downtown Grand expands

Posted on January 9, 2019 by David McKee

It will be all systems ‘go’ for sports betting at Parx Casino tomorrow if the casino successfully completes a test run today. This would make Parx the fourth Pennsylvania casino to offer sports wagering, preceded by Hollywood Casino, near Harrisburg, Rivers … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Downtown Grand, Genting, Greenwood Racing, International, Midnight Jim Gibbons, New Jersey, Penn National, Pets, Problem gambling, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting | Comments Off on Sports betting gearing up in Pennsylvania; Downtown Grand expands

Hellfire at Caesars; Slugfest on Boardwalk

Posted on August 6, 2018 by David McKee

When I read that two patrons at Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen had been injured, I assumed that the profane restaurateur had gone postal on a couple of his customers. Not so. However, if you’ve not partaken of the Rum Donkey, you’re … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bruce Deifik, Caesars Entertainment, CityCenter, Culinary Union, Derek Stevens, Dining, Downtown Grand, e-sports, Hard Rock International, Sports | Comments Off on Hellfire at Caesars; Slugfest on Boardwalk