Category Archives: Economy

Chicago or bust?; Ocean Resort in deep water

Posted on February 12, 2019 by David McKee

With Illinois gaming revenue stuck at 2006 levels, some sense is finally filtering into legislative discussion of a Chicago casino. Could that idea have passed its sell-by date? The inability of Rivers Casino, however successful, and slot routes to move … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, Atlantic City, Bruce Deifik, Economy, Illinois, Racinos, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Slot routes, Sports, Sports betting, TV, West Virginia | 2 Comments

A change of heart on loco weed; Miller briefs Congress

Posted on February 11, 2019 by David McKee

In a development certain to make Nevada resort owners grind their teeth in envy, cannabis is predicted to be this year’s wellness trend. As you know, Nevada gaming regulators have hung a “Do Not Enter” sign on the recreational-marijuana industry … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, AGA, Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Geoff Freeman, history, Japan, Marijuana, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Taxes | 2 Comments

Bluhm’s big push; Gary dissed; Oscar betting debuts

Posted on February 11, 2019 by David McKee

Neil Bluhm isn’t waiting like some blushing wallflower for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to approve him for a casino in Brockton. He’s spent $430,000 on Beacon Hill to make his $700 million casino project in reality. To put that in … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Architecture, Caesars Entertainment, Cirque du Soleil, Economy, Entertainment, Genting, Indiana, Iowa, Law enforcement, Majestic Star, Massachusetts, Movies, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Rhode Island, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Bluhm’s big push; Gary dissed; Oscar betting debuts

Maryland booms, Illinois frozen out; Resort fees to rise … again

Posted on February 7, 2019 by David McKee

Business continues to boom for MGM National Harbor, which raked in $57 million last month, 12% growth and 41% of the Free State’s $137 million gross gaming revenue. Maryland Live‘s 34% market share translated into a gross of $46 million. Horseshoe … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Colorado, Cordish Co., Detroit, Dining, Economy, Entertainment, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Illinois, Las Vegas Raiders, Louisiana, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, New Jersey, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Resort fees, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Wall Street, West Virginia | 1 Comment

Atlantic City’s glass half-full; New Kentucky casino pitched

Posted on February 7, 2019 by David McKee

First, the good news: Casino-related employment in Atlantic City rose by 5,749 jobs last year, driven by Hard Rock Atlantic City and Ocean Resort, which added 6,927 souls to the work force. The bad news? Hiring remains otherwise stagnant, with Hard Rock … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Bruce Deifik, Economy, Greenwood Racing, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Racinos, South Dakota, Sports betting, Taxes, Tribal | 1 Comment

Sports books take Super Bowl hit

Posted on February 5, 2019 by David McKee

With 75% of bettors wagering on the New England Patriots, plus a “george” 53-1 side bet for in-store credit, FanDuel got taken to the woodshed during Super Bowl LIII, losing $5 million. “All of this combined to leave New England as … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Arizona, Economy, Genting, Illinois, Las Vegas Sands, Marketing, New Jersey, Politics, Problem gambling, Resort fees, Singapore, Sports betting, Taxes, Texas | Comments Off on Sports books take Super Bowl hit

New name, new push for Foxwoods/Mohegan casino; Nevada casinos robust

Posted on February 4, 2019 by David McKee

Tribal Winds. That’s what Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort Casino are going to call their joint venture in East Windsor, Connecticut. The duo has already spent $14 million on the $300 million project. Both of the tribes involved are not … Continue reading →

Posted in Connecticut, Economy, Foxwoods, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, Politics, Sports betting, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wendover | Comments Off on New name, new push for Foxwoods/Mohegan casino; Nevada casinos robust

So long, Total Rewards; MGM goes to Yonkers

Posted on February 1, 2019 by David McKee

Despite one less weekend day than 2017, December was good for the Las Vegas Strip. Visitation was up over 2% and room revenues leapt 16% to an average of $104/room. This was particularly impressive given a 23% decline in convention … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Economy, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, New York, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on So long, Total Rewards; MGM goes to Yonkers

Wynn finishes strong

Posted on January 31, 2019 by David McKee

If Wynn Resorts wanted to change the subject of conversation, at least on Wall Street, away from the damning Nevada Gaming Control Board report on sexual harassment it found a magical elixir in its fourth-quarter report. Net revenue at Wynncore … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Economy, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, Massachusetts, Regulation, Tourism, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Wynn finishes strong

Tunica blues; Monticello racino folds early

Posted on January 24, 2019 by David McKee

“An aquatic center? A practice soccer field? They could have reconstructed this entire neighborhood.” So says Tunica resident Larry James of the misguided priorities that are leaving the county high and dry as the casino boom implodes. It certainly seems … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Economy, Genting, Harrah's, history, Horseracing, Law enforcement, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, New York, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Tribal | 1 Comment

Sands disappoints Wall Street

Posted on January 24, 2019 by David McKee

Las Vegas Sands reported 4Q18 results yesterday and the result wasn’t what Wall Street had been hoping. Take the rapidly morphing reaction of Credit Suisse analyst Cameron McKnight. He went from “Good Read Thru” to “Disappointing 4Q Against Elevated Expectations” … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Singapore, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Transportation, Wall Street | Comments Off on Sands disappoints Wall Street

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 24, 2019 by David McKee

“The importance of experience is that it is protection against the disruption or the obsolescence of the real estate. If it’s a great place-based experience, it is something that Amazon, at least yet, has not figured out how to put in … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Economy, Entertainment | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

AFL goes to A.C.; Majestic Star coming ashore?

Posted on January 22, 2019 by David McKee

In keeping with the new and hard-won sense of prosperity in Atlantic City, the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority hopes to bring arena football to the Boardwalk, specifically to Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall. The early talk is a of three-year public/private partnership … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, DFS, Economy, history, Indiana, Law enforcement, Macau, Majestic Star, Politics, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes | Comments Off on AFL goes to A.C.; Majestic Star coming ashore?

Wall Street says the “R” word; The wrath of Rufus Peabody

Posted on January 17, 2019 by David McKee

Credit Suisse analyst Cameron McKnight has uttered the word most dreaded around Las Vegas: recession. He’s even come up with some projections. “Based on our long-term Strip model, we can see a recession scenario for the Strip in which revenue … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Economy, Indiana, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Politics, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Wall Street says the “R” word; The wrath of Rufus Peabody

Atlantic City: Managing expectations; Prosperity in Pennsylvania, Detroit

Posted on January 15, 2019 by David McKee

Grossing $209 million last month, the Atlantic City casino market continues to grow, up 12% in the dead of winter, even if it was 7% down on a same-store basis. That’s a tradeoff the industry will have to accept, as … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Bruce Deifik, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, CityCenter, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Dining, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Rush Street Gaming, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Maryland impressive but Ohio spectacular

Posted on January 8, 2019 by David McKee

Gaming-revenue growth in Maryland cooled a bit last month, coming in at 5% up for a total of $148 million. It’s basically a two-casino market, with MGM National Harbor controlling 40.5% and Maryland Live at 34% and Horseshoe Baltimore an … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Dan Gilbert, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Golden Gaming, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Ohio, Penn National, West Virginia | 1 Comment

Caesars fights human trafficking; Modified rapture in Macao

Posted on January 4, 2019 by David McKee

“Victims of human trafficking, including those involved in the commercial sex industry, do not choose to participate. Rather, they are manipulated, brainwashed and forced based on unforeseen and, oftentimes, seemingly inescapable circumstances. We are deeply committed to eliminating sex trafficking and all … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, Economy, International, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Regulation, Taxes, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Legitimate deal or scam?

Posted on December 28, 2018 by David McKee

Demystifying Las Vegas timeshares by Jessica Kane It’s well known that Las Vegas is a premier vacation destination for gamblers and risk-takers. But even the most experienced investors need to take caution when investing in Sin City timeshares. According to … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Florida, Hawaii, International, Real Estate, Regulation, South Carolina, The Strip, Westgate LV | 2 Comments

Berman returns; All-star New Year’s Eve

Posted on December 28, 2018 by David McKee

Don’t say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Lyle Berman, 77, who was once in on the ground floor of tribal gaming is now purchasing two companies with the purpose of merging them to form an e-sports major … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Caesars Entertainment, California, Downtown, e-sports, Economy, Entertainment, Genting, International, Lyle Berman, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, PokerStars, Security, Sports, Sports betting, The Strip, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Berman returns; All-star New Year’s Eve

Strip outstrips Nevada; Trouble for Resorts World

Posted on December 27, 2018 by David McKee

Business was booming last month on the Las Vegas Strip. Gaming revenues shot up 10% to $534.5 million. Statewide, the increase was 6.5% to $967 million. Driving those Strip numbers was a mind-boggling 53% explosion in baccarat win on 26% … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boulder Strip, Downtown, Economy, Genting, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Massachusetts, Mesquite, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Reno, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on Strip outstrips Nevada; Trouble for Resorts World