Category Archives: Election

Sports betting: A new era

Posted on May 15, 2018 by David McKee

Yesterday, the Supreme Court handed down its much anticipated ruling in Murphy v. NCAA and it was pure win for states and casinos itching to offer legalized sports betting, although there was some predictable disapproval. As Arizona Attorney General Mark … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Delaware, DFS, Eldorado Resorts, Election, Geoff Freeman, Harrah's, IGT, Illinois, Law enforcement, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Nevada, New York, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Rhode Island, Scientific Games, Sports, Texas, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off

This just in

Posted on May 11, 2018 by David McKee

House Republicans are counting on Sheldon Adelson to deliver salvation this year. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R) made his pitch last week, then left the room so former senator Norm Coleman could hit Adelson up for seven figures. Whatever … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Politics, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off

Lame nag; Frissora overpaid?

Posted on May 4, 2018 by David McKee

It’s Kentucky Derby time and all that ‘run for the roses’ b.s. can’t hide the stench of decomposition that comes from the Sport of Kings. It’s also a reminder that tracks in many states are hanging in there by the … Continue reading →

Posted in Delaware, Election, Georgia, Harrah's, Horseracing, Kentucky, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Politics, Racinos, Taxes, Unite-Here | Comments Off

Culinary, Caesars clash; Resort fees repel visitors

Posted on May 3, 2018 by David McKee

It’s collective-bargaining time in Las Vegas and the Culinary Union is dickering with Caesars Entertainment through the media. “Having rooms with a ‘Do Not Disturb’ on for days makes me shaky. I am constantly going into a room that staff hasn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, California, CityCenter, Culinary Union, Election, Harrah's, Horseracing, LVCVA, Mandalay Bay Massacre, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, New York, Palms, Resort fees, Security, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

On vacation

Posted on May 1, 2018 by David McKee

There will be considerably less blogohrrea this week, since I’m in the great state of Florida, learning how to snorkel. (If all goes well, I’ll fill you in on the details later.) At the moment, I’m in Jacksonville, overlooking the … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Election, Florida, Hard Rock International, Politics, Seminole Tribe | Comments Off

Elaine Wynn, power player; Hard Rock’s big splash

Posted on April 20, 2018 by David McKee

Who thought the day would come that Elaine Wynn was the largest single shareholder in Wynn Resorts? She’s flexing her newfound muscles by demanding an all-but-clean sweep of the board of directors (we sympathize). Lest this be seen as a … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Atlantic City, Elaine Wynn, Election, Entertainment, Hard Rock International, Massachusetts, Steve Wynn, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Harrah’s wins in Big Easy; Could Wynn Resorts beat Boston rap?

Posted on April 2, 2018 by David McKee

Harrah’s New Orleans is a step away from a major makeover, now that the Louisiana House of Representatives cast a veto-proof vote in favor of a 30-year license extension, a new hotel tower and an expansion of the hotel-casino’s amenities. … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Cretins, DFS, Dining, Elaine Wynn, Election, Harrah's, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Sports, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Strip weak, locals strong, Reno supercharged; Stanley Ho’s empire crumbles

Posted on February 28, 2018 by David McKee

January got the Las Vegas Strip off to a less-than auspicious start, with revenues dropping 9% from 2017. Locals casinos, meanwhile, were living it up, as revenue rose 8%, thanks in part to New Year’s Eve weekend slot drop being … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Boulder Strip, Colony Capital, Columbia Sussex, Downtown, Economy, Election, Foxwoods, Galaxy Entertainment, Harrah's, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Lucky Dragon, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Mesquite, MGM Mirage, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 2 Comments

MGM’s sincerity challenged; Probe continues at Wynncore

Posted on February 13, 2018 by David McKee

“Is this legislature capable of setting a course and sticking with it?” That’s the very legitimate question posed by the editorial board of The Day, with regard to the Lege’s rather addled behavior on whether to stand by the satellite casino … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Foxwoods, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, International, Japan, Macau, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Singapore, Taxes, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Caesars seeks to transform New Orleans skyline

Posted on February 7, 2018 by David McKee

Harrah’s New Orleans was built on the presumption that it would have neither hotel rooms nor restaurant, thereby not sapping the businesses around it. Through some clever — one might even say Machievallian — maneuvers by then-CEO Phil Satre, both … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Harrah's, history, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Tribal | Comments Off

Steve Wynn makes his case; Gambling stalemate in Florida

Posted on February 5, 2018 by David McKee

It’s no longer enough for employees of Wynn Resorts to reflect well upon the company. No, now Steve Wynn wants their gratitude. His confidential pep rallies have had all the watertight integrity of a colander. By reminding workers that the … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Detroit, DFS, Dining, Donald Trump, Election, Entertainment, Florida, Galaxy Entertainment, Genting, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Macau, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Movies, Politics, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Sexual misconduct, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Steve Wynn: Time’s up

Posted on January 27, 2018 by David McKee

Yesterday, the penny dropped on Steve Wynn, as multiple reports of sexual predation made the news. According to the Wall Street Journal, we’re not talking about one or two accusers but “dozens,” over a period of decades. Without diminishing the … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, CityCenter, Current, Dennis Gomes, Donald Trump, Election, Harrah's, Japan, Lucky Dragon, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Nevada, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street, Wisconsin | 2 Comments

New York-New York boosts thrill quotient; Seminoles play with fire

Posted on January 23, 2018 by David McKee

As rollercoaster rides go, New York-New York‘s is reassuringly tame. Perhaps in recognition of that, MGM Resorts International is going to kick things up a notch with digital augmentation. According to the Los Angeles Times, “The 3½-minute virtual reality experience … Continue reading →

Posted in Charity, Donald Trump, Election, Florida, Genting, International, Internet gambling, Japan, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Politics, Problem gambling, Seminole Tribe, Taxes, Technology, The Strip | 1 Comment

Disney teams with casino owners; Tribes on the march

Posted on January 11, 2018 by David McKee

In the strangest coalition I have ever seen, the anti-casino Disney empire has joined with the Seminole Tribe to author a proposal that would take casino approval out of the hands of the Legislature (which hasn’t done a great job, … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Dan Gilbert, Election, Florida, history, Indiana, New York, Ohio, Racinos, Technology, Tribal | 2 Comments

Beauregard the Buzzkill; Arkansas tries for casinos

Posted on January 9, 2018 by David McKee

Attorney General Jefferson Beauregard Sessions has detected that Americans are enjoying themselves and it’s got to stop, forthwith. He’s declared war on marijuana-friendly laws across this great land, misguidedly making loco weed his department’s top law-enforcement priority. Beauregard is flying … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Boyd Gaming, Colorado, Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, Election, Hard Rock International, Law enforcement, Macau, Marijuana, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Nevada, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off

Solons press for Connecticut clarity; Macao mulls casino renewal

Posted on November 15, 2017 by David McKee

Today’s news takes us straight back to Washington, D.C., where Sens. Chris Murphy (D) and Richard Blumenthal (D) are demanding that the Bureau of Indian Affairs get off the fence and clarify its stance regarding the $300 million East Windsor … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Economy, Election, Entertainment, Foxwoods, Macau, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal | Comments Off

Bumpy ride in Missouri; Scott vaporized in Maine

Posted on November 13, 2017 by David McKee

Missouri casinos dipped 3% last month (4% in the St. Louis area), a figure that seems bigger than the “unfavorable calendar” excuse covers. Pinnacle Entertainment took a 7.5% haircut at River City ($18 million) while its Ameristar St. Charles was off … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Ameristar, Eldorado Resorts, Election, Harrah's, International, Isle of Capri, Maine, Missouri, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Regulation, Sam Nazarian, SLS Las Vegas, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Vietnam | Comments Off

Green Valley Ranch unionizes; Downtown shuttle dinged

Posted on November 10, 2017 by David McKee

Properties in the Station Casinos empire continue to topple like dominoes before Unite-Here. Yesterday Green Valley Ranch became the fourth Station-owned or -managed casino to vote for unionization, with a 78% mandate. “Over the course of organizing, I’ve picketed, protested, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Culinary Union, Downtown, Election, Station Casinos, Technology, Transportation, Unite-Here | Comments Off

MGM: The lion roars; Station doubles down

Posted on November 8, 2017 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International, so long in the headlines due to bad news, made some good news this week. In the third quarter room revenues were up 4% along the Las Vegas Strip and table game hold was substantially higher, both … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Election, IGT, Macau, Mandalay Bay Massacre, MGM Mirage, Palms, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Station Casinos, The Strip, Wall Street | 3 Comments

It’s about time; Pols attack Atlantic City

Posted on October 24, 2017 by David McKee

Twelve years after Hurricane Katrina, Midwest and Bible Belt states still require casinos to be built on the water. Exceptions have been made for casinos on Mississippi‘s Gulf Coast and one of Mike Pence‘s latter acts as governor of Indiana … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Election, history, Indiana, Louisiana, Mandalay Bay Massacre, MGM Mirage, New York, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Sports, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off