Category Archives: Economy

Strip lags Nevada

Silver State gaming revenues were down 22% last month, largely retarded by the Las Vegas Strip (-39%), while locals revenues showed remarkable strength, rising 10%—particularly impressive given the high level of unemployment in Nevada. The statewide gross was $743 million: … Continue reading

Posted in Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Economy, Lake Tahoe, Mesquite, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Reno, Station Casinos, The Strip, Wall Street, Wendover | Comments Off on Strip lags Nevada

Vegas’ mixed message; China puts the squeeze on Macao

Is the Las Vegas Strip coming back? Yes and no, to judge by hotel rates for the October 18-24 period. They’re 50% 0ff last year’s but with a severe dichotomy between weekdays and weekends. For instance, Las Vegas Sands (even … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Barstool Sports, Caesars Entertainment, China, Conventions, Economy, Health, Kazuo Okada, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Planet Hollywood, Problem gambling, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Sports betting, The Strip, Tourism, Virgin Hotels, Wall Street, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Has Las Vegas jumped the shark?

Global Gaming Business, hardly a canary in a coalmine, must think the Covid-19 pandemic is pretty horrendous for it to blast a special report today that Las Vegas Strip casinos are “barely surviving” at the moment. No conventions, scant air … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Conventions, Dining, Economy, Entertainment, G2E, Health, history, Reno, The Strip | 3 Comments

Quote of the Day

“I think it will help to accelerate the return of jobs to North America.”—Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross on Covid-19, Jan. 30, 2020.

Posted in Economy, Health, history | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Massachusetts strong; Housekeepers under threat

Gambling win was down only 17% in Massachusetts last month for a statewide gross of $71 million. Plainridge Park posted $10 million for an average of $273/win/slot/day (it was $325 the previous August), dropping 16% on 16% less coin-in. So … Continue reading

Posted in Columbia Sussex, Economy, El Cortez, Environment, Health, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Penn National, Unite-Here, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Sands low on Vegas, Boyd upbeat, mixed signals from Station

Yesterday it was Las Vegas Sands‘ turn with JP Morgan gaming analysts and the company was full of surprises. Little of its commentary had to do with the Las Vegas Strip, about which it was “downbeat,” what with conventioneers and … Continue reading

Posted in Boyd Gaming, China, Downtown, Economy, FanDuel, Hawaii, Health, International, Macau, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Palms, Real Estate, Singapore, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Station hearts Reno; Caesars sued

In a speedy flip-flop, Station Casinos has recommitted to the Reno market. Its two parcels in that city (one opposite the convention center) popped up on a real estate-listing site Sept. 5. Less than a week later, Station had yanked … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Boulder Strip, Caesars Entertainment, California, Economy, Health, history, Nevada, New Jersey, Palms, Reno, Station Casinos, Tribal | Comments Off on Station hearts Reno; Caesars sued

Derby Day a dud; Bank cools on Resorts World LV

Seems that Churchill Downs was blowing smoke up Wall Street‘s keister about how well a delayed, spectator-less Kentucky Derby would perform. Last weekend’s Run for the Roses saw betting handle of $79.5 million, down 49% from last year. All races … Continue reading

Posted in Churchill Downs, Dining, Donald Trump, DraftKings, Economy, Election, FanDuel, G2E, Genting, Hard Rock International, Health, Horseracing, Kentucky, Las Vegas Raiders, LVCVA, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, New York, Penn National, Rush Street Gaming, Security, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Sports, Sports betting, The Rio, The Strip, Tourism, TV, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Macao moots casino closures; Stevens vs. William Hill

Here it comes. Again. The government of Macao is taking a zero-tolerance policy toward Covid-19. Although there hasn’t been a case in four months (good for them), the enclave is floating the idea of shutting down any casino where a … Continue reading

Posted in Arizona, Caesars Entertainment, Derek Stevens, DraftKings, Economy, Hawaii, Internet gambling, Japan, Macau, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Oklahoma, Sports betting, Tribal, Wall Street, West Virginia, William Hill | 1 Comment

Dark portent for MGM Springfield; Chicago courts casinos

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

Bad news and more bad news

Strip gaming revenue, ‘meh’ though it was, actually looks good in the context of Las Vegas visitation in July, which plummeted 61%. There hasn’t been a convention since April, which certainly hurts. Air travel was horrible, down 64%, while drive-in … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Dining, Downtown, e-sports, Economy, Failsinos, Hard Rock International, MGM Resorts International, Oklahoma, Penn National, Politics, Sports betting, Steven Witkoff, Technology, The Strip, Tribal, TV | 2 Comments

New York game-changer; MGM sticks it to servers

What Jim Murren and Sheldon Adelson couldn’t do, New York state Sen. James Skoufis (D) just might. With four upstate casinos still closed and the state budget pummeled by the economic effects of Coronavirus, Skoufis is proposing that the state … Continue reading

Posted in Australia, Caesars Entertainment, Cretins, Economy, Election, Environment, Health, International, Jim Murren, Louisiana, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Unite-Here, Virginia | Comments Off on New York game-changer; MGM sticks it to servers

Locals salvage Nevada results; Prez betting odds tighten

July revenue numbers are in for Nevada (-26% statewide) and the Strip is expectedly poor, down 39% ($330 million) and locals play is unexpectedly strong, off only 8% from last year. The statewide gross was $757 million and locals slot … Continue reading

Posted in Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Conventions, Downtown, Economy, Election, Health, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Mesquite, Pennsylvania, Reno, Security, Station Casinos, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street, Wendover | Comments Off on Locals salvage Nevada results; Prez betting odds tighten

Quote of the Day

“In February 2020, my estimation was that I might be able to start regional travel safely around October. Based on the global situation, I have revised this expectation to February 2021. Short intercontinental business travel will remain unrealistic and unpractical … Continue reading

Posted in Economy, Health, Tourism | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Mega-Jottings for a Monday

Churchill Downs got its second-worst-case scenario for the Kentucky Derby: The September 5 race will have to be held without spectators, a major economic blow to the Louisville area. At least the race will be run and undoubtedly garner much … Continue reading

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Churchill Downs, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, Environment, GLPI, Health, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Louisiana, Macau, MGM Resorts International, New Mexico, Penn National, Reno, Sigma Derby, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, Virgin Hotels | 1 Comment

Dispatch from Louisiana; Generosity at Wynncore

Gaming revenue was down 11% last month, not bad considering. The gross was $177.5 million. Lake Charles was easily the most popular market, with $72 million overall. Golden Nugget snared $27.5 million of that (-1%), followed by L’Auberge Lake Charles‘ … Continue reading

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Economy, GLPI, Golden Nugget, Louisiana, Penn National, Twin River, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Holy Toledo!; Sigma Derby needs you

Ohio casinos didn’t just outperform the Midwest during July, they had their best month ever. What gives? Well, Detroit was still off-limits (redounding to the considerable benefit of Hollywood Toledo) and discretionary capital was clearly plentiful. The four non-racinos hadn’t … Continue reading

Posted in California, Dan Gilbert, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, history, Marketing, North Las Vegas, Ohio, Penn National, Sigma Derby, Transportation, Tribal | 1 Comment

Covid tourism at Bally’s; College football conundrum

When Bally’s Las Vegas announced that the Real Bodies exhibit would be adding “Covid-19 Content” we admittedly feared the worst: corpses of Coronavirus victims on display. While cashing in on Covid-19 is in questionable taste, Real Bodies seems to be … Continue reading

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, China, Dining, Diversity, Economy, Election, FanDuel, Health, Las Vegas Raiders, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, Regulation, Slot routes, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Transportation, Westgate LV, William Hill | 3 Comments

Miller dares Adelson; Room rates reel

Late last week American Gaming Association President Bill Miller did something radical about Internet gambling. He discussed it. On a conference call. With reporters. Unprompted. You have to understand that ‘Net betting has been a no-fly zone for the AGA … Continue reading

Posted in AGA, Caesars Entertainment, Card rooms, Economy, Geoff Freeman, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Maverick Gaming, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Rush Street Gaming, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street, Washington State, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Miller dares Adelson; Room rates reel

Storm warnings

Our beloved Postal Service has advised people (quietly) that it may not be able to continue as a going concern: “However, the Postal Service remains concerned that this measure will be insufficient to enable the Postal Service to withstand the … Continue reading

Posted in California, Colorado, Economy, Election, Entertainment, Health, Maryland, Sports betting, The Mob, Transportation, TV | 3 Comments