Category Archives: Economy

Strip returns to form; Caesars nixes buffets, free play

Last month Nevada raced ahead of 2019 gambling-revenue benchmarks, up 11% to just over $1 billion. Locals-derived winnings ($245 million) jumped 18%, despite operating at 80% capacity. (Locals casinos saw 15% higher slot win 18% greater handle and 35.5% more … Continue reading

Posted in Australia, Boulder Strip, Caesars Entertainment, Connecticut, Crown Resorts, DFS, Dining, Donald Trump, Downtown, Economy, Election, Foxwoods, G2E, Health, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Maryland, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Mesquite, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Regulation, Reno, Sports betting, Stanley Ho, Station Casinos, Taxes, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Wendover | 1 Comment

Caesars, MGM lead Vegas recovery; Florida compact dicey

Let’s start with some good news. JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff laid out a series of benchmarks for a Las Vegas comeback across the second half of 2021 (one year earlier than anticipated). “We think these data points are indicative … Continue reading

Posted in Arizona, Barstool Sports, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Conventions, Dining, Economy, Florida, Hard Rock International, Health, Illinois, Indiana, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, LVCVA, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Slot routes, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Transportation, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Hard Rock, Ocean drub Borgata; Caesars massacres shows

Casinos in Atlantic City grossed $189.5 million last month, 9% behind their 2019 pace. Slots were off 5% and tables 17%. Regular top-grosser Borgata had a terrible month, falling 28%, spurring by lackluster table-game winnings (-34%), with slots tumbling 25%. … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Conventions, DraftKings, Economy, Entertainment, FanDuel, FoxBet, Full House Resorts, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock International, Health, Indiana, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, New Jersey, Penn National, PointsBet, Rush Street Gaming, Silverton, Spectacle Entertainment, Sports, Sports betting, The Rio, The Strip, Wayne F. Newton, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

Station: No more buffets, less free play; Covid? What Covid?

Said JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff “not to worry, money losing buffets are not coming back” to Station Casinos. We can take this as gospel, since he got it from CEO Frank Fertitta III, Vice Chairman Lorenzo Fertitta and CFO … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Australia, Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Boyd Gaming, California, Colorado, Crown Resorts, Dining, DraftKings, Drugs, Economy, Entertainment, FanDuel, Health, Internet gambling, Kentucky, Lotteries, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Palms, Penn National, Real Estate, Regulation, Reno, Silverton, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Taxes, Tribal | 3 Comments

MGM dumps Springfield; Gaming recovery a proven fact

MGM Resorts International isn’t quitting Springfield but it’s taking a bath on its eponymous casino in order to reduce its exposure to the (disappointing) market. MGM spent $960 million on the resort, which has never performed up to expectations, and … Continue reading

Posted in AGA, Atlantic City, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, Cordish Co., Dining, DraftKings, Economy, Entertainment, FanDuel, Golden Gaming, Hard Rock International, Health, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Ocean Resort, Pennsylvania, Real Estate, Regulation, Resort fees, South Dakota, Sports, Sports betting, Tennessee, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Illinois’ surprise; Scandal at Churchill Downs; Palms complications

Gambling revenue of $108 million out of Illinois last month looks pallid at first glance. But consider this: It was only 6% off April 2019’s pace, when casinos were at full capacity and last month they did it at 50% … Continue reading

Posted in Bally, Barstool Sports, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Conventions, Culinary Union, Dining, Diversity, DraftKings, Drugs, Economy, FanDuel, history, Horseracing, Indiana, Iowa, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, MGM Resorts International, Missouri, Palms, Penn National, PointsBet, Rush Street Gaming, Slot routes, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Las Vegas rates rebound; Kentucky Derby brings out crowds

In another sign of a faster-than-expected Las Vegas comeback, room rates on the Strip for the May 23-29 period are reported to be flat with 2019. Midweek numbers are mildly down (-17%) but counterbalanced by higher weekend rates (+18%) than … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Australia, China, CityCenter, Conventions, Crown Resorts, Dining, Dubai, Economy, Entertainment, Genting, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock Hotel, Health, Horseracing, Illinois, International, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts International, Palms, Pennsylvania, Plaza, Real Estate, Regulation, Singapore, Sports, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Taxes, Tennessee, The Strip, Tribal, Virginia, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

MGM “roaring back”; LV recovery accelerates

That’s what Credit Suisse analyst Ben Chaiken had to say about MGM Resorts International, citing strength in regional casinos, Las Vegas and sports betting (in that order). First-quarter cash flow exceeded 2019 levels, aided in part by “strong demand reaching … Continue reading

Posted in BetMGM, Charity, Colorado, Conventions, Dining, Economy, Entertainment, Health, history, Macau, Marijuana, Marketing, Maryland, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Movies, Nevada, Resorts World LV, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation | 2 Comments

Sands blitzes Texas; Las Vegas “swarming” with tourists; Oscars suck

Starting last week, Las Vegas Sands has been blanketing the Texas airwaves with a barrage of pro-casino ads. Faced with a loss of traction in the Lege, Sands is turning to the court of public opinion. Going in drag as … Continue reading

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Brothels, Caesars Entertainment, China, Cosmopolitan, Derek Stevens, Diversity, Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, Hawaii, Health, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Macau, Movies, Nevada, New York, Ocean Resort, Oklahoma, Pahrump, Politics, Singapore, Texas, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Tribal | 2 Comments

BetMGM “very credible”; Recovery at Sands “gradual”

That’s how JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff described an evidently persuasive virtual meeting with BetMGM covering the latter’s recent results and strategic objectives. “To us, this was a credible presentation (particularly with its customer acquisition and retention objectives and operating … Continue reading

Posted in Alabama, Atlantic City, Bally, California, Canada, China, Cosmopolitan, Culinary Union, Dotty's, DraftKings, Economy, FanDuel, Illinois, Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands, Louisiana, Macau, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ocean Resort, Politics, Regulation, Singapore, Slot routes, Texas, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off on BetMGM “very credible”; Recovery at Sands “gradual”

Michigan sports betting, i-gaming surge; AGA chases renegade slots

Say what you like about Michigan, it’s giving New Jersey and Pennsylvania a literal run for their money in Internet gambling. Win/day is just over $3 million, close behind the Keystone State’s $3.15 million and challenging the Garden State’s $3.65 … Continue reading

Posted in AGA, Arizona, Atlantic City, Barstool Sports, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, Dining, DraftKings, Economy, FanDuel, Florida, FoxBet, Hawaii, Health, Illinois, Indiana, Internet gambling, Kansas, Las Vegas Sands, Lotteries, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, PointsBet, Problem gambling, Regulation, Reno, Resorts World LV, Rhode Island, Rush Street Gaming, Slot routes, South Dakota, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Tribal, Wall Street, William Hill, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Vegas: green shoots galore; Seminoles saluted

Against all odds, it appears that Las Vegas‘ recovery is taking place faster than anticipated (save by a very few). A CNN feature is vaguely euphoric but it does cite several new must-see attractions. For the all-important convention business, which … Continue reading

Posted in Colorado, Derek Stevens, Economy, Entertainment, Hard Rock International, Louisiana, LVCVA, Marijuana, Mohegan Sun, Regulation, Resorts World LV, Seminole Tribe, Tamares Group, The Strip, Tourism, Virgin Hotels | 5 Comments

Vegas hears wedding bells; Sahara upscales; Mega-Jottings

All-important Baby Boomer customers are ‘trickling‘ back to Las Vegas, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. That’s the latest positive augury for Sin City. Better still, the destination-wedding biz is “bursting,” per Forbes, and what place is more synonymous with … Continue reading

Posted in Alex Meruelo, Barstool Sports, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, China, Dining, Downtown, DraftKings, Economy, Entertainment, FanDuel, Greenwood Racing, Health, Illinois, Japan, Macau, Maryland, Mohegan Sun, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Real Estate, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, The Rio, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Illinois improves but Ohio sets record; Is Cuomo on crack?

Criticizing Illinois‘ casino performance is usually like tripping a dwarf: much too easy. But the Land of Lincoln posted some surprising results last month. Yes, it out performed March 2020 (+122%) but we’re comparing a full month of business with … Continue reading

Posted in Bally, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs, CQ Holdings, Detroit, Dining, DraftKings, Economy, Hard Rock International, Illinois, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Sports betting, Taxes, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Maryland has best month ever; Rio reopens

Even with capacity restrictions still in place at MGM National Harbor and Horseshoe Baltimore, the Free State enjoyed an epic March with casinos posting an all-time-record $169 million. On March 12, MGM and Horseshoe were bumped up to 50% capacity … Continue reading

Posted in Aristocrat, Caesars Entertainment, China, Churchill Downs, Connecticut, Cordish Co., Economy, Entertainment, Golden Gaming, Health, International, MGM Resorts International, Penn National, Politics, Shuffle Master, Sports betting, The Rio, West Virginia | Comments Off on Maryland has best month ever; Rio reopens

Caesars looking good; Amtrak covets Vegas; Bally’s underwhelms

Joseph Greff and his fellow JP Morgan analysts looked at recent trends in Las Vegas and any place not named Atlantic City, and liked what they saw, raising their price target on the stock five bucks to $101/share. Positive factors … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, Caesars Entertainment, California, Cosmopolitan, Dining, Economy, Golden Nugget, Harry Reid, Health, Indiana, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Michigan, Nevada, Oklahoma, Regulation, Reno, Station Casinos, Technology, Texas, The Rio, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Wall Street, William Hill, World Series of Poker, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Massachusetts gaming a success; Cuomo gains upper hand in NY

A University of Massachusetts Amherst panel led by respected academic Rachel Volberg has been studying casino gambling in Massachusetts and likes most of what it finds. It concluded that Bay State dollars had been significantly repatriated from neighboring states (the … Continue reading

Posted in AGA, Arizona, Barstool Sports, Baseball, California, Cordish Co., Derek Stevens, Diversity, DraftKings, Economy, FanDuel, Georgia, Health, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Problem gambling, Rush Street Gaming, Sports, Sports betting, Taxes, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Circa picketed; Sundry green shoots in Vegas; Sports book busted

If you cruise by Circa, you’re liable to see members of Teamsters Local 986 walking a picket line on behalf of the ‘Circa Seven,’ a group of unfortunate warehouse workers. The seven were employed by Derek Stevens‘ Three Corners company, … Continue reading

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally, Caesars Entertainment, Cordish Co., Derek Stevens, Dining, Downtown, Economy, Florida, Golden Nugget, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Money laundering, Ocean Resort, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Sports, Sports betting, Tennessee, The Strip, TV, Virgin Hotels, Virginia, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

Strip sux but locals steadfast; Virgin LV loses its virginity

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

Demand, prices way up on the Strip; Big casino push in Texas

Emboldened by a combination of new, 50% capacity limits in Nevada and $1,400 stimulus checks, visitors poured into Las Vegas and resorts were quick to profiteer, er, monetize the nascent demand. The Strat more than tripled room rates, from $50/night … Continue reading

Posted in Alabama, Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, California, China, Cordish Co., Cosmopolitan, Donald Trump, Economy, Election, Golden Gaming, Harry Reid, Health, history, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Lotteries, Macau, Marketing, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Rush Street Gaming, Sahara, Sheldon Adelson, Sports betting, Taxes, Tennessee, Texas, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Virginia, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment