Category Archives: Election

Success story in the Free State; Stalking horses in Nebraska

Posted on August 6, 2014 by David McKee

Correction: According to Caesars Entertainment — and contrary to the Washington Post — Horseshoe Baltimore is not being renamed “The Legend.” That is a misconstrual of an ad slogan: “The Legend is coming!” There’s no need to worry about saturation … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Election, Harrah's, Maryland, Nebraska, Penn National, Racinos | 3 Comments

Packer’s second chance

Posted on August 5, 2014 by David McKee

“You can’t be in the gaming industry and not have a special reverence for Las Vegas — that’s where it all began. While we fell short in past attempts to enter that market, we now have the ideal opportunity.” So said … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Cannery Casino Resorts, Donald Trump, Election, Fontainebleau, Harrah's, James Packer, MGM Mirage, Politics, Sam Nazarian, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | 2 Comments

MGM’s urban renewal; Ruffin rides again

Posted on August 4, 2014 by David McKee

Despite an atmosphere of uncertainty in Massachusetts, executives at MGM Resorts International are putting their faith in a November victory at the ballot box. They’ve closed on the purchase of two tornado-damaged buildings, the Springfield State Armory (shown) and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Economy, Election, Kansas, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Phil Ruffin, Racinos, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off on MGM’s urban renewal; Ruffin rides again

Penny pinchers; Tribal warfare in New Mexico; Who’s tops in Macao?

Posted on July 24, 2014 by David McKee

Although the hold on penny slots in Illinois casinos is grotesquely higher than that for quarter slots/video poker, the imaginary value of penny machines makes them by far the most popular genre in the state. Punters dropped $41 million into … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Illinois, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Technology, Tribal | 1 Comment

Prosperity in Detroit? You bet; Penn’s persistence

Posted on July 18, 2014 by David McKee

Those busy boffins at the American Gaming Association have been crunching data from Detroit and come up with some interesting statistics. The three Motown casinos are a bit lighter in the workforce (down 4%), having lost or laid off 350 … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Election, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Penn National, Regulation, Taxes, Technology, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Prosperity in Detroit? You bet; Penn’s persistence

Quote of the Day

Posted on July 14, 2014 by David McKee

“We have all the ills of it but none of the benefits of it.” — Kentucky gubernatorial candidate Jack Conway (D), on the issue of casino gambling.

Posted in Economy, Election, Kentucky | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Quote of the Day

Posted on July 8, 2014 by David McKee

“I expect there will be for purposes of spending money but I couldn’t wait for them to get their act together, to be candid.” — Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin, on the lack of organized opposition to casino repeal.

Posted in Election, Massachusetts | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

A Grand attempt; The grandson also rises

Posted on July 7, 2014 by David McKee

If Newport, Rhode Island, is the American Riviera (or was once), then casino gambling would seem like a logical amenity. Would-be owner Joseph Paolino and his partners want to add table games to the Newport Grand slot parlor — but … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Michael Gaughan, Rhode Island | Comments Off on A Grand attempt; The grandson also rises

Atlantic City: Tide’s out?

Posted on July 7, 2014 by David McKee

New Jersey can’t add new casino or racino sites until late 2016, per Gov. Chris Christie‘s rescue plan. But lawmakers may not wait that long. A 2015 statewide ballot question to add new gambling jurisdictions is “a very real possibility,” according … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Election, Foxwoods, Massachusetts, Politics, Taxes, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Atlantic City: Tide’s out?

Beat-down in Beantown

Posted on July 2, 2014 by David McKee

It was Boston Mayor Martin Walsh duking it out in a cage match with Revere, Everett, Wynn Resorts and Mohegan Sun, for the edification of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. Walsh tried to frame it as a debate on frugality: “It’s really … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Regulation, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Beat-down in Beantown

What’s in a name?

Posted on July 1, 2014 by David McKee

Quite a lot apparently, if you’re Wynn Boston and you’re going up against local favorite Mohegan Sun. A poll taken by the Center for Policy Analysis at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth found voters split between 48% in favor of Mohegan … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colorado, Delaware, Detroit, Economy, Election, Foxwoods, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, Mohegan Sun, New York, Pennsylvania, Steve Wynn, The Strip | Comments Off on What’s in a name?

Gearing up for fights in Massachusetts, California and Arkansas

Posted on June 30, 2014 by David McKee

Expect a deluge of dollars to be spent opposing or supporting a casino-repeal ballot question in Massachusetts. Unlike political campaigns, ballot questions have no spending limitation attached to them. So far, the biggest amount spent on a ballot question in … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Bally Technologies, California, Election, Entertainment, Internet gambling, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, Shuffle Master, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Gearing up for fights in Massachusetts, California and Arkansas

Boffo May in Vegas; The power of convenience

Posted on June 27, 2014 by David McKee

Wall Street was pleasantly surprised by May’s gambling numbers from Nevada and especially the Las Vegas Strip, which was up 17%. Statewide, revenues rose 8%, reflecting the dilutive effect of an 8% decline in locals gaming revenue. A 3% dip … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Downtown, Economy, Election, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Illinois, Laughlin, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, North Las Vegas, Ohio, Penn National, Problem gambling, Racinos, Regulation, Slot routes, The Strip, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Massachusetts: A call to action

Posted on June 26, 2014 by David McKee

Casino companies in Massachusetts “could” or “may” team up to fight the repeal effort currently underway. How about “must” or “should”? If ever there were an imperative for joint action, this is it. Perhaps even Wynn Resorts and Mohegan Sun could … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Election, Foxwoods, Geoff Freeman, Horseracing, IGT, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Politics, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Massachusetts: A call to action

Massachusetts: The morning after

Posted on June 25, 2014 by David McKee

Although Wynn Resorts is keeping mum on this week’s Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruling, others are not taking it lying down. Faced with a do-or-die referendum on casino gambling in the Bay State, MGM Resorts International promised it was “fully … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Election, Geoff Freeman, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, PokerStars, Politics, Regulation, Sports, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Massachusetts: The morning after

Gentlemen, grab your joysticks; Massachusetts: Another day, another poll

Posted on June 20, 2014 by David McKee

Video-game/slot hybrids have been licensed by the Nevada Gaming Commission and will be on display for your entertainment at the next Global Gaming Expo. The lucky winner was Gamblit Gaming, which is owned by American Capital by way of Hard … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, G2E, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, New York, Regulation, Technology, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Gentlemen, grab your joysticks; Massachusetts: Another day, another poll

Mohegan Sun: It’s us or nobody; Tunica blues

Posted on June 19, 2014 by David McKee

Eastern Massachusetts voters would rather have a Mohegan Sun casino than a Wynn Resorts one. So claims a poll paid for by Mohegan Sun … so draw your own conclusions. It also shows casino-law repeal only getting 35% of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Delaware, Economy, Election, Harrah's, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Steve Wynn, Taxes | Comments Off on Mohegan Sun: It’s us or nobody; Tunica blues

Japan: Promises, promises; Double-standard in Iowa

Posted on June 13, 2014 by David McKee

Democratic Party lawmaker Yosuke Kondo has casino-legalization in Japan legislation wrapped around his pinkie like a piece of string. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe may favor enabling legislation but right now Kondo holds the trump card. The bill is in a … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Election, Iowa, Japan, Politics, Regulation | Comments Off on Japan: Promises, promises; Double-standard in Iowa

Quote of the Day

Posted on June 13, 2014 by David McKee

“We’re probably not getting elected again, any one of us.” — East Greenbush Councilwoman Sue Mangold, after voting to endorse a Saratoga Casino & Gaming/Churchill Downs casino project for the New York town.

Posted in Churchill Downs, Election, New York | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Adelson: Another one bites the dust

Posted on June 12, 2014 by David McKee

If Sheldon Adelson wants to protect America from underage gambling, he might start at his Sands Bethlehem casino. The casino has racked up $305,000 in fines in five years. Six incidents this year have incited the latest fine: $85,000. Casino … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Detroit, Economy, Election, International, Internet gambling, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal | Comments Off on Adelson: Another one bites the dust