Category Archives: Foxwoods

Election Special: No surprise in New York, big surprise in Massachusetts

Posted on November 6, 2013 by David McKee

Massachusetts may not be ready for casino gambling (unless Steve Wynn is building it). Voters said no and again no yesterday, in a series of referendums. Mohegan Sun is — quite understandably — asking for a recount. Its casino proposal … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Current, Election, Foxwoods, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, New York, Politics, Regulation, Steve Wynn, World Series of Poker | 2 Comments

Election Day!; Mad Max; Deadpan humor in Wisconsin

Posted on November 5, 2013 by David McKee

Today’s a big day for casino-related votes in New York State and Massachusetts. In the former, New York City holds the key to the outcome. The Five Boroughs are expected to represent for 42% of statewide voting. Mind you, NYC wouldn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Current, Economy, Election, Foxwoods, Harrah's, history, Horseracing, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, New York, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off

Good news, bad news for Suffolk Downs; Wynn shaken down

Posted on October 31, 2013 by David McKee

Congratulations, Suffolk Downs. You’ve been approved as a casino bidder — but the voters might nix the whole shebang. Although Suffolk Downs is bereft of an operator, having given Caesars Entertainment the heave-ho. (The latter remains in deep water, financially, making noises … Continue reading →

Posted in Foxwoods, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, Oklahoma, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Tribal | Comments Off

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

MGM’s, Wynn’s odds worsen in Massachusetts

Posted on October 28, 2013 by David McKee

Did anyone envision a scenario whereby all three of Massachusetts‘ casinos could be tribally owned? It could happen. Leaving aside the chance of expanded gambling in Connecticut, the prospect that MGM Resorts International will be weighed in the balance and … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Entertainment, Foxwoods, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Pansy Ho, Penn National, Regulation, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal | Comments Off

Strike two for Foxwoods, shadow play at Suffolk

Posted on October 4, 2013 by David McKee

In a development that caught the eye of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, former Mashantucket Pequot tribal treasurer Steven Thomas has pleaded out on theft charges one day after resigning from the tribal council. His brother, Michael Thomas, has already been … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Foxwoods, Harrah's, Macau, Massachusetts, Regulation | Comments Off

Busted!; Crystals off the block; Rumble in Macao

Posted on September 27, 2013 by David McKee

Archie Karas (real name Anargyros Karabourniotis), high roller and reputed casino cheat is cooling his butt in a Las Vegas jail cell right now. The advantage player is facing extradition on charges that he bilked Barona Casino out of eight grand … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Current, Economy, Foxwoods, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off

Great idea, little hope; Another Palms flop

Posted on September 27, 2013 by David McKee

“I grew up playing Atari and Nintendo, and I want to believe my skill in these games has some effect on the outcome.” So says American Gaming Association President Geoff Freeman, lending his support to a new line of skill-based … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally Technologies, Dining, Foxwoods, G2E, Horseracing, IGT, Mohegan Sun, Palms, Technology | 1 Comment

This is a joke, right?

Posted on September 17, 2013 by David McKee

Joseph “Tomato King” Procacci‘s casino bid in Philadelphia is fast becoming the clown car at the circus. Every time he opens its door, a zillion putty-nosed faces come tumbling out. His newest gambit has been to announce a vast theme … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Donald Trump, Economy, Foxwoods, Mohegan Sun, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Tomato King Procacci | 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

Motivated in Massachusetts; Naked at Horseshoe

Posted on September 12, 2013 by David McKee

If there’s anything to be learned from this week’s Hard Rock International face-plant in West Springfield, it’s not to take anything for granted. HRI made the mistake of believing its own poll, indeed, venerating it like holy writ, and got a … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Foxwoods, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Regulation, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off

I’m shocked, shocked!

Posted on September 4, 2013 by David McKee

If you thought Pennsylvania‘s casino-selection process was more than a bit fishy, you’re not alone. Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. Ralph Periandi (ret.) tried to probe whether then-Gov. Ed Rendell (D) and “members of his administration and others in state … Continue reading →

Posted in Don Barden, Foxwoods, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Politics, The Mob, Tribal | Comments Off

Foxwoods: Mo’ money; Hard Rock brings it on; Wishful thinking at Cosmo

Posted on September 3, 2013 by David McKee

Caved, shaken down, outfoxed: Take your choice of term as Foxwoods Massachusetts has seemingly capitulated to Milford selectmen and raised its downpayment from $18 million to $34 million. All it took was a few grumblings from the aforementioned selectmen and … Continue reading →

Posted in Cosmopolitan, Dining, Economy, Entertainment, Foxwoods, Hard Rock International, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn | Comments Off

More turmoil at Sands; Pensions want a bigger slice of Caesars

Posted on September 3, 2013 by David McKee

David Sisk, the COO of Sands China, has resigned — the latest casualty of high executive turnover in Sheldon Adelson‘s fiefdom. You’d think that such instability in the upper ranks would give Wall Street an ulcer. But when Sands is … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Foxwoods, Harrah's, Macau, Rhode Island, Sheldon Adelson, Wall Street | Comments Off

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 30, 2013 by David McKee

“It certainly impacts my line of thinking in terms of what these licenses are worth.[Foxwoods] needs to package the best deal possible and, right now, they’re third in the list of three.” — Milford Board of Selectman Chairman William Buckley, … Continue reading →

Posted in Foxwoods, Harrah's, Massachusetts, Steve Wynn | Comments Off

Loveman, Loveman everywhere

Posted on August 29, 2013 by David McKee

Racetrack owner Richard Fields and Caesars Entertainment are wrapping up their deals with Boston and Revere with dispatch. And the latter are making out like bandits. In their zeal to close deals, Fields and Loveman may be overpaying for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Entertainment, Foxwoods, G2E, Harrah's, Massachusetts, Racinos, Rhode Island, Steve Wynn, Tribal | Comments Off

Suffolk Downs a near-done deal

Posted on August 27, 2013 by David McKee

Boston has reached an agreement with the owners of Suffolk Downs. It would be the most “george” deal in eastern Massachusetts. Where Foxwoods Massachusetts would pony up $18 million in advance, Caesars Entertainment and Richard Fields offer $33 million, along … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Foxwoods, Harrah's, Massachusetts, Regulation, Steve Wynn | Comments Off

Case Bets: Seneca scandal; Atlantic City brings on the girls; Still no help for Mashpee

Posted on August 27, 2013 by David McKee

Well, that didn’t take long. Scarcely was the ink dry on New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo‘s deal with the state’s gaming-enabled tribes than the Seneca Indian Nation stepped right into a scandal. $5 million of an $8 million development deal … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Entertainment, Foxwoods, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, New York, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tribal, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off

Atlantic City: Half-full or half-empty?; Crosby tips his hand

Posted on August 23, 2013 by David McKee

It depends on which newspaper you read. The Press of Atlantic City took the half-full route, focusing on the profits made by eight of the city’s dozen casinos. The Associated Press pointed to the narrowing margin of aforesaid gross-operating profitability. … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Donald Trump, Economy, Foxwoods, Harrah's, International, James Packer, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Pennsylvania, Problem gambling, Regulation, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 1 Comment

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