Category Archives: Geoff Freeman

Executive shuffle at Station; Freeman’s bold agenda

Posted on May 25, 2017 by David McKee

Long-serving (some would say long-suffering) Station Casinos CFO Marc Falcone has had enough and will resign on May 31. He’ll still be at Station’s service thanks to a one-year consulting agreement — read “non-compete.” He’s served Station well, coming aboard … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Donald Trump, Geoff Freeman, Hard Rock International, Law enforcement, Palms, Politics, Regulation, Revel, Sports, Station Casinos, Taxes, Wall Street | Comments Off

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

Freeman: Let my people bet!

Posted on May 11, 2017 by David McKee

Undistracted by the current shenanigans in Washington, D.C., the American Gaming Association‘s Geoff Freeman is staying on course about legalized sports betting. The AGA recently commissioned a Greenberg Quinlan Rosner poll that concluded — surprise! — that most Americans favor legalized … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Baseball, Boyd Gaming, Economy, Foxwoods, Full House Resorts, Geoff Freeman, GLPI, Harrah's, Indiana, Internet gambling, Majestic Star, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, New York, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Sports, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off

Freeman: Sports betting is coming; Second thoughts on Paradise Park

Posted on April 27, 2017 by David McKee

It could be a case of wishing that legalization of sports betting will make it so. Or maybe Geoff Freeman is privy to intelligence that he’s not shared with the rest of us. Either way, he thinks a sports-betting repeal … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Carl Icahn, Dining, Donald Trump, Geoff Freeman, Goldman Sachs, history, Laughlin, Politics, Sports, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Transportation, Tropicana Entertainment | 1 Comment

It’s official: Las Vegas Raiders; Crime on the Strip

Posted on March 27, 2017 by David McKee

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell having slammed the door on Oakland, we’re going to have to follow Adam Schefter‘s lead and get used to saying “Las Vegas Raiders.” Needless to say, this is a huge coup for Sin City, all the bigger … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Geoff Freeman, Harrah's, Law enforcement, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, The Strip, World Series of Poker | Comments Off

Freeman attacks Yucca Mountain; Brawl in Connecticut

Posted on March 20, 2017 by David McKee

Back when Frank Fahrenkopf was its president, the American Gaming Association was little seen or heard, as Fahrenkopf played a flawless defensive game behind the scenes. Washington, D.C., never laid a glove on Big Gaming (although eugenicist and sometime Congressman Steve … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Entertainment, Foxwoods, Geoff Freeman, Harry Reid, history, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, New York, Politics, Problem gambling, South Korea, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Tribal, Westgate LV | Tagged Winnie the Pooh | Comments Off

AGA backs Obamacare; “Messy” quarter for Station

Posted on March 8, 2017 by David McKee

OK, the headline is an oversimplification (as headlines tend to be) but the American Gaming Association found itself in disagreement with congressional Republicans after their overhaul of the Affordable Care Act was found to leave mental-health and substance-use-disorder services out in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Dan Gilbert, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Geoff Freeman, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Lucky Dragon, Marketing, Ohio, Palms, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Problem gambling, Reno, Station Casinos, Wall Street | Comments Off

The case for cannibalization; Hard Rock buys Taj

Posted on March 2, 2017 by David McKee

There’s still a big budget shortfall in Pennsylvania and state Rep. Mike Sturla thinks he has at least part of the answer: slot routes. Casinos can be expected to decry this proposed solution and some already are. But for Sturla … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Economy, Foxwoods, Geoff Freeman, Golden Gaming, Hard Rock International, Harry Reid, Illinois, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Revel, Slot routes, Sports, The Strip, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, West Virginia | Comments Off

AGA sacks NFL; Ten opening on tenterhooks

Posted on February 1, 2017 by David McKee

Yes, we’re coming up on “The Big Game” and the American Gaming Association is as pass-happy as the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons offenses. It’s lobbing bombs anywhere from Eau Claire to Huntsville, from Fox Business Network to CBS Boston, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Entertainment, Geoff Freeman, Glenn Straub, International, Internet gambling, New York, Regulation, Revel, South Dakota, Sports, TV | Comments Off

Plainridge Park defies the odds; Gaming advocate’s conflict unearthed

Posted on January 23, 2017 by David McKee

States with lotteries are loath to let casinos in their borders. It’s an idea that’s D.O.A. in Nevada and Kansas protected its flank by making the casinos the property of the state lottery. However, a study by the Massachusetts Gaming … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Florida, Geoff Freeman, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Kansas, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, Nevada, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Seminole Tribe | Comments Off

MGM’s big rake in Washington; Resort projects power Massachusetts

Posted on January 18, 2017 by David McKee

It should come as no surprise that Washington, D.C., the land of smoke-filled rooms where sleazy deals are made, should be deliver a bumper crop of players to MGM National Harbor‘s 39-table poker room. Even with a truncated month of … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Donald Trump, Geoff Freeman, GLPI, International, Internet gambling, Macau, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Politics, Regulation, Rhode Island, Singapore, Sports, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Tourism, Vietnam, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Freeman gets Christmas wish; Florida lawmakers: Let’s make a deal

Posted on December 30, 2016 by David McKee

American Gaming Association President Geoff Freeman could hardly have asked for a better present, all wrapped in a big, dollar-bill bow: The IRS has abandoned a set of proposed casino-reporting “reforms” that would have been intrusive, onerous and costly. (Of … Continue reading →

Posted in Cosmopolitan, Current, Florida, Geoff Freeman, Harry Reid, MGM Mirage, Politics, Racinos, Seminole Tribe, Taxes, The Strip | 3 Comments

Freeman: All I want for Christmas …

Posted on December 27, 2016 by David McKee

Mid-December is a time when children compose their Christmas letters to Santa Claus. In much the same spirit, American Gaming Association President Geoff Freeman was framing a missive to Donald Trump. After pointing out that the industry was on a … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Arizona, Donald Trump, Economy, Election, Geoff Freeman, Internet gambling, Nevada, Regulation, Taxes, Tourism, Tribal | 2 Comments

Japan goes all in; Adelson, Davis on the outs?

Posted on December 27, 2016 by David McKee

In an uncharacteristic flurry of activity, the normally tortoise-powered Shinzo Abe got casino enabling legislation through both houses of the Japanese Diet prior to adjournment. “To us the opportunity is thoroughly Japanese and thoroughly delicious,” said a lip-smacking Steve Wynn. … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Florida, Geoff Freeman, Japan, Politics, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off

Japan: The impossible happens

Posted on December 5, 2016 by David McKee

Just when even Wall Street analysts were giving up hope — and ahead of schedule — Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe got a casino-legalization bill through the Diet. This isn’t the end of the process, although casinos are now legal, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Cannery Casino Resorts, Donald Trump, Economy, Geoff Freeman, Hard Rock International, Japan, Kazuo Okada, MGM Mirage, North Las Vegas, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Technology, Tourism, Transportation | Comments Off

Ducey: Let’s make a deal; Trump = legal sports betting?

Posted on November 22, 2016 by David McKee

It looks like the State of Arizona may be ready to throw in the towel in its losing fight against the Tohono O’odham Nation over its Desert Diamond casino. Gov. Doug Ducey (R) has inked a new compact with 10 … Continue reading →

Posted in Aristocrat, Arizona, Boulder Strip, Donald Trump, Geoff Freeman, IGT, Lucky Dragon, Marketing, Politics, Regulation, SLS Las Vegas, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal | Comments Off

(Pot) Smoke gets in their eyes; Enter the Lucky Dragon

Posted on November 21, 2016 by David McKee

Just say “No.” That’s what Nevada gaming regulators are advising casinos who might be tempted to take advantage of the new legality of recreational marijuana in the Silver State. Bowing to federal law, the Nevada Gaming Control Board and Nevada … Continue reading →

Posted in Colorado, Cordish Co., Downtown, Environment, Geoff Freeman, Internet gambling, Lucky Dragon, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Nevada, Regulation, Sports, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off

Ivey loses a round; Freeman loses it

Posted on November 15, 2016 by David McKee

Emboldened by a federal court ruling that Phil Ivey and an associate violated the New Jersey Casino Control Act by using “edge sorting” to alter the odds of baccarat in their favor, Borgata is upping its demands against the pair, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Donald Trump, Economy, Geoff Freeman, Law enforcement, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off

Florida: Scott loses, big time; Coup d’etat in Atlantic City

Posted on November 11, 2016 by David McKee

Fourteen more years. That’s how long the Seminole Tribe can have exclusive rights to blackjack in Florida, thanks to a ruling by U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle. It’s a huge win for the Seminoles and not entirely unforeseen, given how … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Donald Trump, Economy, Election, Florida, Geoff Freeman, Georgia, Glenn Straub, Hard Rock International, Japan, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Marketing, Maryland, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Rhode Island, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

Boyd: The big squish; Trump’s double-dip

Posted on November 2, 2016 by David McKee

“Squishy.” That was how JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff described Boyd Gaming‘s third quarter. The soggy verbiage was probably inspired by flooding that has vexed Boyd in Louisiana. The company is also facing stiff, new competition for IP Biloxi on … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Cannery Casino Resorts, Culinary Union, Donald Trump, Economy, Geoff Freeman, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, Regulation, Sports, Station Casinos, Taxes, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Wall Street | Comments Off