Category Archives: Florida

Train shows promise; Culinary sabotages Station

Posted on September 25, 2019 by David McKee

* We’re hearing a bit more on the Virgin Trains USA electric railway to Las Vegas. The first shovels are to go into the ground in 2023 and the route will mainly hew to the I-15 median. Completion is expected … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, California, Churchill Downs, Culinary Union, Dining, Florida, history, Horseracing, Illinois, Kentucky, Marketing, Nevada, Palms, Racinos, Station Casinos, Transportation, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Police blotter; Brockton gets shut out

Posted on September 24, 2019 by David McKee

Hawaii is one of the last two bastions of anti-gambling in America. Naturally, in such an environment, illegal gambling is going to flourish. Last week federal authorities indicted 15 individuals (seven of whom are on the lam) and seized 60 … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, Charity, Florida, Hard Rock International, Hawaii, Illinois, Law enforcement, Marijuana, Massachusetts, Money laundering, Neil Bluhm, Racinos, Regulation, Taxes, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Terrorism at Trump; Police blotter

Posted on September 5, 2019 by David McKee

Trump International finally made it back into the news, although not in a good way. WSOP player Kenneth Strauss was arrested there on July 27 after allegedly tweeting terroristic threats, among other malfeasances. Strauss’ reign of error began at Red … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball, Donald Trump, Florida, Genting, Internet gambling, Japan, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, MGM Resorts International, New York, Ohio, Philippines, Sports betting, Station Casinos, The Strip, Vietnam, Wall Street, World Series of Poker | 1 Comment

Sports betting vexed in Massachusetts; Start spreading the news, they’re leaving today—and how!

Posted on August 30, 2019 by David McKee

Don’t expect sports betting in Massachusetts: Not now, maybe never. Why? Two words: Rhode Island. That state counted on $23 million in tax revenue from sports wagers—a ludicrous figure—and got $2 million. Bay State lawmakers are not only sobered by the … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Connecticut, Economy, Environment, Florida, Las Vegas Raiders, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Nevada, New York, Politics, Problem gambling, Rhode Island, Sports, Sports betting | Comments Off

Two trains running

Posted on August 28, 2019 by David McKee

In a flurry of recent developments, Las Vegas has gone from no viable prospects for train service to two. And since they would use different tracks, they are not mutually exclusive. One project that appears to be dead and buried … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Florida, Harry Reid, North Las Vegas, Politics, Tamares Group, The Strip, Transportation | Comments Off

Gambling’s Wild Wild East; Wynn minimizes Hong Kong unrest

Posted on August 13, 2019 by David McKee

China is calling for the Philippines to crack down on its gambling industry, which Beijing considers a lawless enterprise, rife with human trafficking and worse. “It said citizens’ rights were being violated and dozens were kidnapped, tortured and physically abused … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Crown Resorts, Florida, International, Law enforcement, Macau, Massachusetts, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Philippines, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Stanley Ho, Tribal, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Arkansas casino a ladder out of poverty; Rodio confesses resort-fee addiction

Posted on August 8, 2019 by David McKee

Arkansas‘ evolution into a casino state is coming with surprisingly few growing pains. Which is not to say there isn’t a burden of expectations on the new properties. $350 million Saracen Casino Resort will be expected to alleviate the woes … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Arkansas, Caesars Entertainment, Economy, Florida, Illinois, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Resort fees, The Strip, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off

Encore cheating suit revived; Racism in Vegas

Posted on July 26, 2019 by David McKee

‘We’ll see you in court.’ That was, in effect, attorney Joshua Garick‘s response to Encore Boston Harbor after the latter was exonerated of alleged cheating by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. Garick is irked that the MGC’s investigation lasted all of a … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Architecture, Cretins, Diversity, Florida, Hard Rock International, Massachusetts, Movies, Pets, Philippines, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Atlantic City: It’s not just for daytrippers anymore

Posted on July 24, 2019 by David McKee

In an in-depth feature, the New York Times comes to the Boardwalk not to scorn but to celebrate Atlantic City and what it truly has to offer. How so? Consider that of twelve principal stops, only one (Ocean Casino Resort) … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Eldorado Resorts, Florida, Hard Rock International, International, New York, Ocean Resort, Seminole Tribe, Sports betting, Taxes, Tourism, Tribal | 2 Comments

California: Child brides and gambling don’t mix

Posted on July 17, 2019 by David McKee

One of the weirdest gaming stories ever is playing out in California. Both Ted Kingston and Joseph Kingston, 95% owners of Lake Elsinore Casino, are tied to the Kingston Group, a polygamist sect that the Southern Poverty Law Center has … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, California, Florida, Law enforcement, Nevada, New Jersey, Sports, Sports betting, The Mob | 1 Comment

Ohio prospers, others don’t; Labor trouble at Eldorado

Posted on July 11, 2019 by David McKee

Maryland continues to show signs of casino saturation. Revenue ($143 million) was down 4% last month. Not even MGM National Harbor ($57 million) was immune, off 4%. Slots were up 10% but table games got walloped, down 19%. Still, MGM … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Culinary Union, Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, Election, Florida, Full House Resorts, Indiana, Isle of Capri, Maryland, MGM Resorts International, Ohio, Penn National, Spectacle Entertainment, Station Casinos, Tropicana Entertainment, Unite-Here, West Virginia | 1 Comment

Second City uncertainty; Wyoming can’t cowboy up

Posted on July 5, 2019 by David McKee

Chicago‘s permanent casino could take “months or years” to achieve, even if Mayor Lori Lightfoot (D) says “I’m hoping we can get [the site selection] done relatively soon, so we can start the process.” Casino booster Sen. Terry Link (D) is also … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Detroit, Entertainment, Florida, Hard Rock International, Illinois, International, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Rush Street Gaming, Seminole Tribe, Taxes, William Hill, Wynn Resorts, Wyoming | Comments Off

Eldorado backpedals; Casinos for Nebraska in 2020?

Posted on July 3, 2019 by David McKee

While the consummation of the Eldorado Resorts/Caesars Entertainment marriage has yet to occur, already Eldorado CEO Tom Reeg is walking back some of his prenuptial promises. “I think that there’s more Strip exposure than we would need to accomplish our goals … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Carl Icahn, Dining, Eldorado Resorts, Election, Florida, Hard Rock International, Iowa, Japan, Macau, Missouri, Nebraska, Ocean Resort, Planet Hollywood, Seminole Tribe, The Strip, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Genting’s been working on the railroad; California solons pitch sports betting

Posted on July 3, 2019 by David McKee

Genting Group evidently hasn’t given up on its casino aspirations in south Florida. The company is teaming with BYD Motors of China to propose a monorail between downtown Miami and Miami Beach. Genting owns waterfront real estate in Miami it has … Continue reading →

Posted in Caesars Entertainment, California, Florida, Genting, Japan, Macau, Pokergeddon, Politics, Problem gambling, Security, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports betting, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, TV, World Series of Poker, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Vegas gets first tribal casino

Posted on June 26, 2019 by David McKee

My doctor says it behooves me to take it easy, so that can mean only one thing … news briefs! If you were waiting for Native American tribes to put down roots in Las Vegas, wait no longer. Virgin Hotels … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Meruelo, Animals, Arizona, Boyd Gaming, Downtown, Entertainment, Florida, Hard Rock Hotel, Law enforcement, Marketing, MGM Resorts International, Mohegan Sun, Movies, Sahara, SLS Las Vegas, Sports, Tamares Group, The Strip, Transportation | Comments Off

Ho renews ‘Dancing Water’; Florida hits high-water mark

Posted on June 14, 2019 by David McKee

Succeeding where Cirque du Soleil failed, Melco Resorts & Entertainment has extended the contract of aquatic spectacle House of Dancing Water. The production show, which premiered in 2010, was originally set to run 10 years but will last for an … Continue reading →

Posted in AGA, California, Cirque du Soleil, Cordish Co., Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Florida, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Pennsylvania, Rush Street Gaming, Tribal | 1 Comment

Wire Act reversal reversed; China scare for Las Vegas

Posted on June 10, 2019 by David McKee

A federal judge dealt a major defeat to the Justice Department in its efforts to reinterpret the Federal Wire Act as a ban on Internet gambling. Nope, only sports betting ruled Judge Paul Barbadoro. The ruling is a boon to … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Entertainment, Florida, Hard Rock International, Indiana, International, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Lotteries, Marketing, Mohegan Sun, Ocean Resort, Palms, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Tourism, Tribal, Unite-Here, Wall Street, World Series of Poker | Comments Off

Don’t mess with the Seminoles

Posted on May 16, 2019 by David McKee

Well, the feckless Florida Lege courted disaster—and got it. The Seminole Tribe, lacking a new compact, is cutting off revenue-sharing payments to the Sunshine State. We’re talking serious dollars: $321 million last fiscal year. The Seminoles have enormous economic clout and … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Florida, Galaxy Entertainment, Greenwood Racing, Las Vegas Sands, Law enforcement, Macau, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Politics, Rush Street Gaming, Seminole Tribe, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports betting, Taxes, Wall Street, Wynn Resorts | 1 Comment

Wynn balks at Beantown penalty

Posted on May 6, 2019 by David McKee

Although it was willing to pay at least $20 million to remain licensed in Nevada, it appears that Wynn Resorts is unwilling to take its $35 million dose of castor oil in Massachusetts. “We are in the process of reviewing … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Charity, Cirque du Soleil, Crown Resorts, Downtown, Entertainment, Florida, Illinois, Internet gambling, Macau, Massachusetts, Movies, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Resort fees, Seminole Tribe, Sports betting, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Eldorado strong, Penn stronger; Caesars screws you

Posted on May 3, 2019 by David McKee

Were it not for inclement weather, Eldorado Resorts would have exceeded Wall Street’s consensus $172 million cash-flow prediction by $8 million for 1Q19, not come up $5 million short. For instance, Reno (pictured) had snow in 24 of February’s 28 days … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment, Colorado, Cordish Co., Cretins, Culinary Union, Detroit, Dining, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Florida, Hard Rock International, Illinois, Internet gambling, Iowa, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts International, Mississippi, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Regulation, Reno, Sports betting, Station Casinos, Tribal, Wall Street, West Virginia, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off