Category Archives: Election

Positive auguries in New York

Posted on October 29, 2013 by David McKee

Supporters of more casinos in New York State have been a little anxious about sentiment in New York City, where the fate of the constitutional amendment is expected to rest. They may be breathing a sigh of relief today after … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Downtown, Economy, Election, Foxwoods, Macau, Mohegan Sun, New York, Sheldon Adelson, Tamares Group | Comments Off

Isle gets some love; Second chance in New York

Posted on October 28, 2013 by David McKee

“A great pick.” That’s what Seeking Alpha says about Isle of Capri Casinos. Like so many regional operators, it hasn’t been posting lights-out numbers lately but its 16-casino portfolio makes it a bargain play for some. “It’s hard not to … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, history, Isle of Capri, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania, Reno, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

War of words in N.Y.; Double standard in Illinois

Posted on October 25, 2013 by David McKee

After keeping a low profile for most of election season, pro-casino forces sprang into gear, rolling out a bevy of TV ads. In an attempt to neutral potential hostility downstate, one commercial points out that New York City‘s two mayor … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Current, Detroit, Economy, Election, Illinois, New York, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Slot routes, Taxes | Comments Off

What’s Steve Wynn thinking?; Best news of the week

Posted on October 18, 2013 by David McKee

If Steve Wynn is trying to talk himself out of contention in Massachusetts, he’s doing a good job of it. Yesterday, he told the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, “We’re scared to death — not that you won’t pick us, but that … Continue reading →

Posted in ABBA, Alex Yemenidjian, Current, Election, Entertainment, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, New York, Regulation, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 2 Comments

Domino Theory

Posted on October 16, 2013 by David McKee

While sledgehammers were pointlessly falling on a slot machine in Albany (see below), a far more important melodrama was playing out nearby. Bankruptcy lawyer Eric Snyder had sought to block Proposal One, on the grounds that its language is too … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Election, New York | Comments Off

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 16, 2013 by David McKee

“Evoking the spirits of Mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia and Gallagher the Comedian, a small group of antigambling activists demolished a defunct slot machine outside the Capitol on Tuesday in the latest attempt to draw attention to the “No” campaign, … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, New York, Politics | Comments Off

Hey, Big Spender

Posted on October 15, 2013 by David McKee

Pro-gaming lobbyists outnumbered lawmakers in the last Legislature in New York State — with more than three-dozen entities getting into the action. They’ve also dropped an average of $7.4 million a year on lobbying efforts. That’s not much compared to … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Genting, New York, Politics | Comments Off

Freeman flunks; Casino insecurity; Between a Hard Rock and a good deed

Posted on October 8, 2013 by David McKee

It’s a good thing that American Gaming Association President Geoff Freeman hightailed it to Barcelona this week to give a speech. During Global Gaming Expo, his signature achievement was to stake the AGA’s credibility on a Justin Timberlake movie. Freeman … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Atlantic City, Charity, Delaware, Economy, Election, G2E, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Indiana, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Movies, New York, Penn National, Regulation, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off

N.Y. casino expansion in danger; Macao: Full to bursting

Posted on October 3, 2013 by David McKee

A poll on Proposition One, conducted by Parkside Group, shows casino expansion in New York State enjoying a bare majority of 51%. If that doesn’t galvanize Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) and other supporters into action, it ought to — especially … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Election, Macau, New York, Politics, Station Casinos, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

New York: Lies, damned lies and ballot language

Posted on October 1, 2013 by David McKee

Seemingly bereft of urgency, the scrum over gambling expansion in New York State has yet to become a real fight. The Empire State’s Catholic bishops, while deeming gambling “a morally neutral act,” urged parishioners to “very carefully consider” the consequences … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Election, New York, Pennsylvania, Politics, Problem gambling | Comments Off

A good day for Caesars

Posted on September 26, 2013 by David McKee

In a preliminary victory for Caesars Entertainment, the vote on its Suffolk Downs racino proposal will be restricted to the East Boston ward. Sentiment is expected to run more heavily pro-Caesars there than in Boston at large. (The company plans … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Entertainment, Harrah's, Maryland, Massachusetts, Racinos, The Strip | Comments Off

Massachusetts: Victory in Leominster; Mazer makes waves

Posted on September 25, 2013 by David McKee

Cordish Gaming crushed the opposition in Leominster yesterday, winning approval for a slot parlor with 61% of the vote. The campaign was notable for the personal participation of David Cordish, who went door-to-door to drum up support. The whippet-thin senior … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Colony Capital, Cordish Co., Election, Harrah's, IGT, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, New Hampshire, Penn National, Regulation, Rhode Island, Technology, Tilman Fertitta | 1 Comment

N.Y. GOP boss ixnays casinos

Posted on September 24, 2013 by David McKee

“This is not real economic development,” puts New York State Republican Party Chairman Ed Cox, declaring his opposition to the pro-casino question on the Nov. 5 ballot. He buttressed his anti-casino stance by declaring gambling to be “a bust” in … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cordish Co., Election, Harrah's, Massachusetts, New York, Politics, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off

Dangerous complacency in New York

Posted on September 16, 2013 by David McKee

Casino advocates and New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) are making a risky wager regarding November’s ballot question that would dramatically expand gambling in upstate New York. They’re playing it cool, keeping most of their chips off the table. … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Current, Election, Foxwoods, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Politics, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off

Tilman impresses again; N.Y. nudges casino question

Posted on September 12, 2013 by David McKee

You have to hand it to Tilman Fertitta: He keeps reinvesting in his casino properties, unlike some people we could name. (*cough*Gary Loveman*cough*) Although “high roller” and “Laughlin” seem oxymoronic, that hasn’t stopped Fertitta from dropping a bundle on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Election, Laughlin, New York, Tilman Fertitta | 1 Comment

Beantown Brawl: Wynn vs. Menino

Posted on September 5, 2013 by David McKee

It wasn’t exactly a Profile in Courage day for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission yesterday. It told the cities of Everett and Boston to work out their feud over a proposed Steve Wynn casino between themselves. Now what do you think … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Election, Harrah's, Massachusetts, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Tomato King Procacci | 2 Comments

Paging King Solomon

Posted on August 28, 2013 by David McKee

In Wisconsin, Gov. Scott Walker (R) finds himself conducting a tricky balancing act vis-a-vis tribal casino expansion. It’s difficult to decide whether he’s showing restraint or hiding under the mattress. You can make the case for both conclusions. He doesn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Illinois, New York, Politics, Regulation, Tribal | Comments Off

Wynn hearts Atlantic City; A pointless election

Posted on August 22, 2013 by David McKee

Update: Penn National Gaming has been tipped as a potential buyer for disqualified Plainridge Racecourse. The city has already scheduled a Sept. 10 vote on a slot parlor, so Penn would have less than three weeks to negotiate the essential … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colony Capital, Cordish Co., Current, Election, Florida, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Revel, Steve Wynn | 2 Comments

Penn loses yet again; Weirdest story of the year

Posted on August 21, 2013 by David McKee

In a stunning setback, voters in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, have decided they don’t want any part of a Penn National Gaming slot parlor. By a very wide margin, they nixed the project, thereby reducing the field of competitors to three: Raynham … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Current, Election, Foxwoods, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Movies, Penn National, Politics | 1 Comment

Pinnacle’s done deal; Collateral damage from Ho Tram

Posted on August 14, 2013 by David McKee

Federal Trade Commission approval removed the last obstacle to Pinnacle Entertainment‘s takeover of Ameristar Casinos. The acquisition closed straightaway. Pinnacle informed investors that it expects to have a Lumiere Place sale done by autumn, meeting the last of the FTC covenants … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Current, Election, International, Louisiana, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Regulation, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street | 1 Comment