Category Archives: G2E

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

Illinois’ blues; G2E revisited; Ohio, one year later

Posted on October 7, 2013 by David McKee

Illinois‘ casinos got kicked in the pants last month, as revenues and foot traffic were down 9% each. The lone bright spot was Caesars Entertainment, which beat expectations, up 1%. True, Harrah’s Metropolis was off 22% but strong numbers at … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Economy, G2E, Harrah's, Illinois, New York, Ohio, Penn National | Comments Off on Illinois’ blues; G2E revisited; Ohio, one year later

Quote of the Day

Posted on September 30, 2013 by David McKee

“When some casinos say that they are in the gaming industry and not really in the business of providing financial services, I get the impression that they are saying that they should not have as much responsibility in the [anti-money … Continue reading →

Posted in G2E | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

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

Quote of the Day

Posted on September 27, 2013 by David McKee

“When a television show goes off the air, it only has the longevity or staying power that is commensurate with the charm, intelligence, humour and great acting ability and the principal character.” — Adam West, wryly promoting Aristocrat Technologies new … Continue reading →

Posted in Aristocrat, G2E, Technology, TV | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Somebody sent us this

Posted on September 26, 2013 by David McKee

Aria is sending the message loud and clear that it’s all about The Pretty. You and I need not apply. Let’s face it, there are new target demographics and middle-aged Americans aren’t it. My spy at G2E has been checking … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Current, G2E, Marketing, Technology | Comments Off on Somebody sent us this

Wall Street comes to the Strip, meets the big boys

Posted on September 24, 2013 by David McKee

Investment firms like J.P. Morgan and Deutsche Bank have been sending emissaries to Las Vegas this week, to meet with all the major gaming firms during Global Gaming Expo. Since the latter is being held at Sands Expo Center, perhaps … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, G2E, Isle of Capri, Japan, Macau, Marketing, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off on Wall Street comes to the Strip, meets the big boys

Quote of the Day

Posted on September 24, 2013 by David McKee

“With respect to domestic gaming markets, management’s comments were frank. [Pinnacle Entertainment] believes that domestic gaming markets have become saturated and are no longer a novelty for domestic consumers.” — Carlo Santarelli, reporting on an investor presentation by Pinnacle executives.

Posted in Economy, G2E, Pinnacle Entertainment, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Better times are here

Posted on September 16, 2013 by David McKee

Las Vegas remains lumbered with journalistic dinosaur Sherman Frederick, a grumbling, blogging old fussbudget who predicts doom and gloom as he tucks into his stewed prunes every morning. I’ve never run across anybody who rooted against their home town so … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Current, Economy, Entertainment, G2E, Hard Rock Hotel, Harrah's, International, MGM Mirage, Morgans Hotel Group, Phil Ruffin, The Mob, The Strip | 1 Comment

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 on Loveman, Loveman everywhere

Exit Fahrenkopf, enter … ?

Posted on January 7, 2013 by David McKee

After a long (17 years) and eventful tenure at the top of the American Gaming Association, President Frank J. Fahrenkopf is calling it a day. On June 30, he hands over the reins to a successor as yet to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Australia, Boyd Gaming, Current, Florida, G2E, Internet gambling, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Tribal | 2 Comments

Boyd Gaming: Stardust memories

Posted on October 23, 2012 by David McKee

Shortly before Global Gaming Expo, I had a chance to sit down with Boyd Gaming CEO Keith Smith and query him on the company’s growth strategy, which will soon plant the Boyd flag in Kansas and Iowa. While many casino … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally Technologies, Boyd Gaming, Economy, G2E, Iowa, Kansas, Sheldon Adelson, Technology, The Strip | 5 Comments

Seen at G2E …

Posted on October 22, 2012 by David McKee

No, not Russian hookers (you have to go to Macao for those) but Interblock‘s virtual casino dealers. The Slovenian company unveiled these robo-lovelies under high-security conditions that the Las Vegas Sun likened to Marquee “on a busy weekend night” … … Continue reading →

Posted in Cosmopolitan, Entertainment, G2E, Technology | Comments Off on Seen at G2E …

One born every minute

Posted on March 16, 2012 by David McKee

Wall Street‘s appetite for risk knows no bounds. True, year-end numbers from MGM Resorts International contain cause for confidence, including 8% higher domestic gambling revenue and 10% improved room revenues. However, MGM’s still sitting atop a $13.5 billion powder keg … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Culinary Union, Current, Dubai, G2E, Harrah's, Macau, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Politics, Racinos, Taxes, Wall Street | Comments Off on One born every minute

Caesars IPO: It’s baaaaaack! Adelson: I’ll take Taiwan

Posted on February 3, 2012 by David McKee

In a pathetically underwhelming announcement, Caesars Entertainment is planning to float an IPO of 1.8 million shares, priced to move at a modest $8-$10 per share. Which means, best-case scenario, that CEO Gary Loveman will raise $18 million, tops, from … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Current, G2E, Harrah's, International, Macau, Maryland, Massachusetts, Ohio, Penn National, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Meet Virginia McDowell, Part I

Posted on January 13, 2012 by David McKee

What are your plans for Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, in Pennsylvania? We’re still waiting for the appeal process to wind its way through the courts. The original plan called for to build on an existing facility on the Nemacolin property, which … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, Florida, G2E, Iowa, Isle of Capri, Marketing, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Station Casinos, Taxes, Technology, Texas, Tourism, Tribal | 3 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on November 9, 2011 by David McKee

“The era of government-granted casino monopolies is over. Many of our markets are now oversaturated with commercial and tribal casinos. In some states, licenses are even being left untaken. The era of limitless capital is over. Between huge commercial casino … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, G2E, Harrah's, Regulation, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

ColSux: They’re outta here!; Accord in Motown; Murren changes course

Posted on October 20, 2011 by David McKee

Those last few remnants of Columbia Sussex CEO William J. Yung‘s former casino empire continue to topple about him. The Kentucky-based oligarch, whose properties are notorious for their poor working conditions and even worse maintenance, has been reaping a gargantuan … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Columbia Sussex, Culinary Union, Dan Lee, Detroit, Donald Trump, Economy, Environment, G2E, Harrah's, International, Lake Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, Louisiana, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Pets, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Sports, Texas, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on ColSux: They’re outta here!; Accord in Motown; Murren changes course

What if they gave a casino and no one came?

Posted on October 18, 2011 by David McKee

Such been the plight of Maryland, a state that’s experienced the curious predicament of having more casino licenses than applicants. It’s much the same as Kansas, where things have gone awful quiet. Now, Kansas is like a corn-fed Macao: You … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Current, Donald Trump, Economy, G2E, Harrah's, International, Isle of Capri, Kansas, Macau, Maryland, Ohio, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, Taxes, West Virginia | 1 Comment

What’s said in Vegas …

Posted on October 18, 2011 by David McKee

Confronted with a bunch of mossbacked codgers (the Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial board) and a backwater newspaper whilst warming up for his Venetian gig tonight, Mitt Romney must have figured he had the luxury of thinking aloud. What happens here, … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Election, G2E, Lake Las Vegas, LVCVA, Sheldon Adelson, Tourism, TV | 2 Comments