Category Archives: Election

About-face in Florida; Fear and litigation in Las Vegas

Posted on October 3, 2018 by David McKee

While it’s a little early for S&G to be making political endorsements in 2018, we’ve had a change of heart regarding Voters in Charge, a constitutional amendment that would strip the Florida Legislature of its power to control gambling expansion … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Donald Trump, Economy, Election, Law enforcement, Nevada, Sexual misconduct, Taxes, The Strip, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

New kink at Linq; Casino clash in Arkansas

Posted on September 11, 2018 by David McKee

That Vegas High Roller thing didn’t work out so well for Caesars Entertainment, so now it’s going to try shooting tourists down the Linq Promenade on a 114-foot-high zipline. This quick thrill will be priced at $20-$30 in the daytime … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Charity, Election, Entertainment, Horseracing, Phil Ruffin, Politics, Sports, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off

Resort fees rethought; Yokohama rejects casinos

Posted on September 6, 2018 by David McKee

Congratulations, Scott Roeben. Analyst Cameron McKnight of Credit Suisse is a Vital Vegas reader and cites it in his latest investor note. He also mentions a publication with which I’m not familiar, LV Locally, when writing “that several Las Vegas … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Economy, Election, Indiana, Japan, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, Politics, Resort fees, Sexual misconduct, The Strip, Transportation, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

MGM Springfield impresses; The case of the disappearing chairman

Posted on August 27, 2018 by David McKee

It seems Springfield has a tornado to thank for MGM Resorts International‘s interest in the city, the beginning of a seven-year quest that climaxed with the Budweiser Clydesdales leading a parade to the new megaresort. CEO Jim Murren was window-shopping … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Dining, Election, history, International, Marketing, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, Penn National, Philippines, Station Casinos | Comments Off

Election special

Posted on August 23, 2018 by David McKee

A constitutional amendment to disempower Florida‘s Legislature from handling gambling expansion and put it solely to matters of popular vote was on the topics debated by Democratic candidates jockeying to replace outgoing Gov. Rick Scott (R). Their Republican counterparts did … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Election, Florida, G2E, Illinois, MGM Resorts International, Politics, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Wisconsin | Comments Off

Horseplay in Nebraska; High art in Springfield

Posted on August 21, 2018 by David McKee

It’s early days for the 2020 election but the Ho-Chunk Nation is partnering with The Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association on a petition drive to get racinos onto that election-year ballot. As many as six tracks could be affected. One of the, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Election, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Nebraska, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Rush Street Gaming, Sports betting, Tribal, West Virginia | Comments Off

Take that, Philippines!; NY casino out-brews rivals

Posted on August 8, 2018 by David McKee

Think you’ve got a casino, Landing International? Guess again. Ground had scarcely been broken on a $1.5 billion megaresort, which had been making headlines across the Pacific Rim, when Philippines despot Rodrigo Duterte unilaterally canceled the project. A flunky said Landing … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Dining, Election, Entertainment, Genting, Hard Rock International, Las Vegas Sands, New York, Penn National, Philippines, Rhode Island, Singapore, Technology, Tourism, Tribal | Comments Off

More woes for Wynn; Unlucky 13 in Macao

Posted on August 3, 2018 by David McKee

Update: All charges in this case were dismissed, as the alleged rape was found to be a fabrication. Wynn Las Vegas‘ status as the poster child for sexual assault on the Las Vegas Strip just got another boost. SoCal dentist Poria … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Caesars Entertainment, Dining, Economy, Election, Georgia, Iowa, Law enforcement, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, Politics, Sexual misconduct, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Taxes, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

MGM, Boyd make sports-betting pact; Win-win for Dover Downs

Posted on July 31, 2018 by David McKee

“We are in an envious position when it comes to this growth opportunity. Few companies can match our 40 plus years of experience in sports wagering, our significant sports betting infrastructure here in Nevada and our growing geographical footprint across … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Election, Greenwood Racing, Illinois, Indiana, Internet gambling, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Missouri, Neil Bluhm, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Regulation, Rhode Island, Sports betting, Taxes, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Culinary loses sense of decency; Inhumanity in Macao

Posted on July 27, 2018 by David McKee

Terry Caudill and the Culinary Union have come to terms on labor pacts for Binion’s Gambling Hall and the Four Queens. The agreement awaits ratification by the 650 employees affected. In the meantime, the Culinary stepped way over the line … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Architecture, Culinary Union, Downtown, Election, Internet gambling, Macau, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Pets, Philippines, Regulation, Station Casinos, Terry Caudill, Tribal, Washington State | Comments Off

MGM lawsuit clarified; Circumspect Caesars

Posted on July 19, 2018 by David McKee

Contrary to what early press reports led us to believe, MGM Resorts International‘s counterclaim against victims of the Mandalay Bay Massacre does not affect any of the active cases now moving forward against the casino giant. The Associated Press says, “The … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Election, Mandalay Bay Massacre, MGM Resorts International, Sports betting, Tribal | Comments Off

Casa Shenandoah closes; Culinary escalates tactics

Posted on July 12, 2018 by David McKee

Call it a day for another Wayne Newton business venture. Mr. Las Vegas is closing Casa Shenandoah to the public, no reason given (although a recent break-in might have influenced the decision). “It is the Applicant’s intent that the property revert … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Culinary Union, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Downtown Grand, Election, history, Horseracing, Idaho, Indiana, Minnesota, Penn National, Phil Ruffin, Regulation, SLS Las Vegas, Sports betting, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Wayne F. Newton, Westgate LV | 1 Comment

MGM: Time to buy; Arkansas casinos one step closer

Posted on July 11, 2018 by David McKee

As of today, Hard Rock Rocksino, in Ohio, is official part of MGM Growth Properties. However, until MGP finds a new tenant, Hard Rock International will continue to run the place. It’s a win-win for Hard Rock and MGP. For … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Atlantic City, Dining, Election, Genting, Hard Rock International, history, Las Vegas Sands, Macau, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Ohio, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 27, 2018 by David McKee

“The casino proposal is not dead. It’s just in a very deep state of hibernation.” — White Earth Nation casino opponent Ty Dayton on a gaming proposal that may be about to taken off life support, following a tribal election … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Minnesota, Tribal | Comments Off

“Cashless casinos” in China; Keeping score in Louisiana

Posted on June 20, 2018 by David McKee

Could Chinese players go for gambling if the winnings aren’t monetary? That’s the wager resort owners on the island of Hainan plan to make if the central government gives them a much-hoped-for exception. Just as players wager for trinkets in … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, DFS, Election, Harrah's, Horseracing, International, Japan, Louisiana, Macau, Marketing, Politics, Problem gambling, Racinos, Regulation, Singapore, Slot routes, Taxes, Tourism | Comments Off

Let them skate; Sheldon’s new brainstorm

Posted on May 22, 2018 by David McKee

Nevada State Treasurer Dan Schwartz, the man who would be governor, is a refreshingly impolitic and heterodoxical candidate. He’s made a frequent campaign point that the Silver State has the worst schools in the nation and needs to re-orient its … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, e-sports, Election, Macau, Marketing, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports, Taxes, The Strip, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Song and dance; Musical chairs at Scientific

Posted on May 21, 2018 by David McKee

Apparently the Culinary Union‘s secret-ballot election is so secret that it is off-limits to members of the media. Instead, the Culinary will stage a pair of dog-and-pony shows tomorrow at which interviews and b-roll filming will be possible. I don’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Culinary Union, Election, Internet gambling, Scientific Games, The Strip, Transportation | Comments Off

Connecticut tribes eye Japan; Adelson’s youth movement

Posted on May 18, 2018 by David McKee

Bridgeport lawmakers wasted no time after the adjournment of the Legislature to announce that they’d be back with another bill to open Connecticut to rival casino bids (really a Trojan Horse for MGM Resorts International, not that anyone is fooled). … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Foxwoods, International, Japan, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off

“Ready to roll”

Posted on May 18, 2018 by David McKee

That’s what the leading gaming powers in California are now that the Supreme Court has scotched the Bradley Act. If National Indian Gaming Association Chairman Ernest Stevens is correct, Internet gaming is so yesterday in the Golden State and sports … Continue reading →

Posted in California, DFS, Election, International, Japan, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Politics, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports, Taxes, Technology, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Vici Properties strikes again; Mohegan Sun pitches Japan

Posted on May 15, 2018 by David McKee

They came, they saw, they bought. Yes, Vici Properties has struck again, inking a bargain-price deal to acquire the Octavius Tower of Caesars Palace and Harrah’s Philadelphia. On paper, Vici is paying $507.5 million and $241.5, respectively, for the two assets. … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Florida, Galaxy Entertainment, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Japan, Louisiana, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Oklahoma, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Problem gambling, Seminole Tribe, Sexual misconduct, Société des Bains de Mer, South Korea, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off