Category Archives: G2E

Escalating war at Hard Rock; New slots flood the market

Posted on September 21, 2017 by David McKee

Leadership of the Culinary Union has gone thermonuclear on the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, filing a National Labor Relations Board complaint against owner Brookfield Asset Management. The latest broadside from the Culinary against Brookfield alleges that “the company has … Continue reading →

Posted in Culinary Union, G2E, GameCO, Hard Rock Hotel, Harrah's, Singapore, Technology | Comments Off on Escalating war at Hard Rock; New slots flood the market

Land of the Sinking Hopes?; MGM hearts McCain

Posted on August 1, 2017 by David McKee

If Japanese casinos must be majority-owned by local companies, that suits Sega Sammy Holdings just fine. The company is challenging the likes of Galaxy Entertainment, Las Vegas Sands and MGM Resorts International for one of the initial casino licenses. Of … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Foxwoods, G2E, Galaxy Entertainment, Geoff Freeman, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Horseracing, International, Japan, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Problem gambling, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Tribal | Comments Off on Land of the Sinking Hopes?; MGM hearts McCain

Stirrings of life on North Strip; Freeman hails Macao

Posted on May 19, 2017 by David McKee

Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli visited Las Vegas this week and saw signs of life on the North Strip: “Despite limited progress, some recent concrete work is evident on the steel structures at Resorts World. We believe the project remains … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Fontainebleau, G2E, Galaxy Entertainment, Genting, Geoff Freeman, IGT, Marketing, Maryland, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Stirrings of life on North Strip; Freeman hails Macao

Macao: Cautious recovery predicted; Straub sets Revel reopening

Posted on December 30, 2016 by David McKee

“Does the fact that Macao has an Eiffel Tower now bring extra people to the market,” asked Union Gaming Group analyst Grant Govertsen rhetorically. “Yes, but their main activity here will still be gaming.” “They” includes players from as far … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, CityCenter, Dining, Economy, G2E, Glenn Straub, Internet gambling, Japan, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Wall Street | 1 Comment

They messed with Texas; Strip hotels have boom month

Posted on October 28, 2016 by David McKee

Tribal casinos are normally pretty tight-lipped about their financial performance. Not so the Alabama Coushatta Tribe of Texas. “It’s a quaint little spot and we’re pretty proud of it,” a tribal member told Houstonia magazine, speaking of Naskila Gaming, a … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, California, Economy, G2E, history, IGT, Marketing, Penn National, Regulation, Texas, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on They messed with Texas; Strip hotels have boom month

Crisis mode in Pennsylvania; Hard Rock unifies the brand

Posted on October 3, 2016 by David McKee

Although Pennsylvania lawmakers theoretically have three months to amend an “incredibly complex” state law that directs casino revenue to host cities and counties, the grim reality is that the Lege has only eight session days in which to get it … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Charity, Eldorado Resorts, Florida, G2E, Greenwood Racing, Hard Rock Hotel, Hard Rock International, International, Macau, Pennsylvania, Politics, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Technology, TV, Wall Street | Comments Off on Crisis mode in Pennsylvania; Hard Rock unifies the brand

Quote of the Day

Posted on September 30, 2016 by David McKee

“What we have found is that the current slot product simply does not appeal. Just taking ‘Call of Duty’ and sticking on a slot machine will not do anything.” — Downtown Grand Chairman Seth Schorr, advocating e-sports and a new approach … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, G2E, Marketing, Technology | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

GameCo hearts the Boardwalk; Internet gambling fails in Pennsylvania

Posted on September 29, 2016 by David McKee

GameCo CEO Blaine Graboyes promised that his company’s first skill-based slots would be rolled out in Atlantic City … and he was as good as his word. While the eyes of the industry were on Las Vegas for Global Gaming … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Downtown, Foxwoods, G2E, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Technology | Comments Off on GameCo hearts the Boardwalk; Internet gambling fails in Pennsylvania

Sheldon’s new errand boy; Caesars: Let’s make a deal

Posted on September 26, 2016 by David McKee

Las Vegas Sands CEO Sheldon Adelson is known to be the Lady Bountiful of the 2016 election, showering promising senatorial candidates with cash. One such hopeful is Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton (R), who has thrown a legislative Hail Mary, attempting … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Donald Trump, Election, G2E, Genting, GLPI, Harrah's, IGT, Illinois, Internet gambling, New York, Penn National, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, Technology, Unite-Here, Warner Gaming | Comments Off on Sheldon’s new errand boy; Caesars: Let’s make a deal

Straub resurfaces; Last casino to Clarksville

Posted on September 2, 2016 by David McKee

In case you’re wondering, “Whatever happened to Glenn Straub?”, the answer is that he’s finally been dragged, kicking and screaming, into applying for a New Jersey gaming license for Revel and is finalizing the paperwork. Huffington Post also reveals than … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Atlantic City, California, Election, Environment, Foxwoods, G2E, Glenn Straub, Internet gambling, Macau, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Oklahoma, PokerStars, Politics, Regulation, Revel, Texas, Tribal | 1 Comment

Missouri is doing just fine, thanks; Cautious hope for Moulin Rouge

Posted on August 10, 2016 by David McKee

Pinnacle Entertainment did a masterful job of managing expectations in its quarterly earnings call, citing disruptive road work around Ameristar St. Charles as a potential setback from the property. Today, Missouri released its July gaming results and — surprise — … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Downtown, Environment, G2E, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Macau, Marketing, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Moulin Rouge, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Sports, Steve Wynn, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Missouri is doing just fine, thanks; Cautious hope for Moulin Rouge

What’s the verdict, Jack, er, Dan?; AGA & NIGA join forces

Posted on July 7, 2016 by David McKee

Cleveland Cavaliers playoff games were good for Dan Gilbert‘s casino businesses. His Jack Cleveland casino was up 13%, to $16 million last month. It’s far too soon for a verdict on the “Jack” (as in “up yours, asshole”) brand, which … Continue reading →

Posted in Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, G2E, Geoff Freeman, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes | Comments Off on What’s the verdict, Jack, er, Dan?; AGA & NIGA join forces

DFS stalls in Illinois; Mississippi casinos rebound

Posted on May 24, 2016 by David McKee

Things were looking up for the daily fantasy sports industry in Illinois, where enabling legislation passed the state Senate 32-22. However, a hold has been put on the bill, which may not make it to the House. Why? Although the legislation … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Delaware, G2E, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Illinois, Internet gambling, Macau, Marketing, Mississippi, Nevada, PokerStars, Politics, Steve Wynn, Tribal | Comments Off on DFS stalls in Illinois; Mississippi casinos rebound

Macao: The 9% solution; It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s Steve Wynn

Posted on May 19, 2016 by David McKee

Supply has overrun demand in Macao, where a wave of impending megaresorts is rolling in on an emaciated marketplace. But optimistic noises are being heard at Global Gaming Expo Asia, amid the robotic croupiers and other new toys. “The sentiments … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, G2E, International, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Taxes | Comments Off on Macao: The 9% solution; It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s Steve Wynn

Top Golf’s impressive debut; Lucky Dragon’s calculated risk

Posted on May 18, 2016 by David McKee

“My only problem is A.D.D.” read the T-shirt of one of the celebrants at last night’s opening of Top Golf, on the MGM Grand campus. He was certainly in the right place. If you are serious about honing your skills, … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Entertainment, Foxwoods, G2E, Geoff Freeman, Illinois, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Lucky Dragon, Macau, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, SLS Las Vegas, Sports, Station Casinos, Technology, The Strip | Comments Off on Top Golf’s impressive debut; Lucky Dragon’s calculated risk

Mad slot skillz; Tribes at war with one another

Posted on October 12, 2015 by David McKee

Skill-based slot games are a long way from deployment but that didn’t discourage The Motley Fool‘s Jeff Hwang from scouting the Global Gaming Expo show floor in search of entertaining product. The games he saw the greatest potential in were … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Economy, G2E, IGT, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, Scientific Games, Technology, Tribal | Comments Off on Mad slot skillz; Tribes at war with one another

So long, Sammy; DFS gets a wakeup call

Posted on October 8, 2015 by David McKee

As predicted here, Sam Nazarian has liquidated his 10% stake in SLS Las Vegas to majority owner Stockbridge Capital Group. He’ll still get some extra cash out of the deal, which licenses his SLS brand to Stockbridge (although you could … Continue reading →

Posted in Aristocrat, G2E, Regulation, Sam Nazarian, SLS Las Vegas, Sports, Wall Street | Comments Off on So long, Sammy; DFS gets a wakeup call

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 5, 2015 by David McKee

“Are you kidding me? I know my kids … These games need to change. The time is now.” — Caesars Entertainment CEO Mark Frissora riling up slot machine makers at Global Gaming Expo by saying he was “shocked” by the retrograde … Continue reading →

Posted in G2E, Harrah's, Technology | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 1, 2015 by David McKee

“Many regulators, many policymakers, are saying that this is a gray area. Well, it’s time to make it black or white. Casinos can either get involved in this business or they can’t.” — American Gaming Association President Geoff Freeman, trying to … Continue reading →

Posted in G2E, Geoff Freeman, Sports | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Catwalk beauties, oysters and organized crime at G2E

Posted on October 1, 2015 by David McKee

Pulchritude on parade was an important subtheme of this year’s Global Gaming Expo, as was showcasing Las Vegas’ many dining options. Chef Daniel Bouloud, by the way, earns our thanks for initiating “Oyster Hour” at db Brasserie in the Venetian. … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Entertainment, G2E, Geoff Freeman, Harrah's, Sheldon Adelson, The Mob | Comments Off on Catwalk beauties, oysters and organized crime at G2E