Category Archives: Geoff Freeman

Super Bawl

Posted on January 28, 2015 by David McKee

Never mind that it’s one of the biggest weekends in Sin City, the National Football League continues to stick its fingers in its ears when it comes to casinos that dare whisper the words “Super Bowl.” Not only must Las Vegas … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Arizona, Economy, Geoff Freeman, Regulation, Sports, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off

Indian givers in D.C.; Mixed bag for Foxwoods, Mohegan Sun

Posted on January 19, 2015 by David McKee

Arizona‘s congressional delegation continues to single out the Tohono O’odham Nation for being too successful. Sens. John McCain (R) and Jeff Flake (R), and Reps. Trent Franks and Paul Gosar are trying yet again to legislate the Tohono O’odham’s $400 … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Economy, Foxwoods, Geoff Freeman, International, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Regulation, Sports, Tribal | Comments Off

New day at the AGA; Illinois casinos feel the slot-route squeeze

Posted on January 14, 2015 by David McKee

For the first time, a Native American gaming enterprise has become part of the American Gaming Association, as Seminole Hard Rock Gaming has cracked what had been the lobbyist equivalent of a whites-only country club. It’s part of an image … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Economy, Geoff Freeman, Greenwood Racing, Hard Rock International, Illinois, LVCVA, Missouri, Penn National, Slot routes, Tribal | 1 Comment

Caesars’ hand forced; Pick a peck of Packer

Posted on January 14, 2015 by David McKee

Efforts by Appaloosa Management and others to push Caesars Entertainment Operating Co. into an involuntary bankruptcy have lit a fire under Caesars. The company is moving its planned bankruptcy filing up from Jan. 20 to tomorrow. Appaloosa and cohorts Tennenbaum Capital Partners … Continue reading →

Posted in Genting, Geoff Freeman, Harrah's, James Packer, Movies, Philippines, Politics, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

Happy New Year from the AGA

Posted on December 29, 2014 by David McKee

Geoff Freeman, dynamic leader of the American Gaming Association, has a wish list for the new year. It includes a crackdown on illegal, offshore gambling and the eradication of gray-market Internet “sweepstakes” cafes. He’d also like to see the expansion of legal sports … Continue reading →

Posted in Geoff Freeman, Internet gambling, Sports | Comments Off

Sayonara, Sam; Showstopping Steve

Posted on December 17, 2014 by David McKee

When the going gets tough, Sam Nazarian gets the hell out of Dodge, although he’ll try to take some of the revenue stream with him. That’s the moral to be drawn from his withdrawal from any operational role at SLS … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Entertainment, Geoff Freeman, Regulation, Sahara, Sam Nazarian, Steve Wynn, The Mob, Wall Street | Comments Off

Forcible restraint in Massachusetts; The big winners in Philadelphia

Posted on November 19, 2014 by David McKee

As you’ve read here earlier, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission is eyeing the concept of “play management.” It’s a somewhat paternalistic concept wherein players pre-set a loss limit and are rewarded with free-play credits, points or other incentives for staying within … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Foxwoods, Geoff Freeman, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Macau, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Technology, Tomato King Procacci | 1 Comment

Incompatible bedfellows; Freeman seizes the day

Posted on November 17, 2014 by David McKee

Boyd Gaming and MGM Resorts International have gone to bed with bwin.party but may wake up with Anaya Gaming Group. That’s one possible outcome of “preliminary discussions with a number of interested parties” and bwin. “Such discussions may or may not … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Geoff Freeman, Hard Rock Hotel, International, Internet gambling, Iowa, Marketing, MGM Mirage, PokerStars, Regulation, Sports, Warner Gaming | Comments Off

Philadelphia decision tipped; Insolvency on the high seas

Posted on November 11, 2014 by David McKee

While we’ve been focused on Boston and New York, a major casino decision in Philadelphia has been creeping upon us. The second casino license in Philly city limits is to be awarded on Nov. 18 and early intel has it … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cordish Co., Economy, Election, Florida, Geoff Freeman, Greenwood Racing, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Minnesota, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Problem gambling, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Technology, Tomato King Procacci, Tribal, Uncategorized | Comments Off

Freeman strikes again

Posted on October 28, 2014 by David McKee

Here’s the latest chapter in American Gaming Association President Geoff Freeman‘s charm offensive: an election-season ad push targeting a few key markets. One can certainly understand why these spots are running in Boston, even Dover (where the horseracing industry wants … Continue reading →

Posted in Delaware, Geoff Freeman, Indiana, Marketing, Massachusetts, TV | Comments Off

USA Today: Those evil casinos!

Posted on September 26, 2014 by David McKee

With the gaming industry temporarily exhausted from over-expansion and saturation, USA Today has chosen this moment to pounce with an anti-gambling editorial. The graybeards on the USA Today editorial board clearly haven’t been paying close attention — racinos in Delaware, … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Cretins, Delaware, Downtown, Economy, Geoff Freeman, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Neil Bluhm, North Las Vegas, Pennsylvania, Reno, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off

Playing the God card

Posted on September 4, 2014 by David McKee

Well, this is … different. The American Gaming Association wants you to know that gamblers don’t just pray when they’re shooting dice at the craps table.

Posted in Geoff Freeman, Marketing | Comments Off

Massachusetts: A call to action

Posted on June 26, 2014 by David McKee

Casino companies in Massachusetts “could” or “may” team up to fight the repeal effort currently underway. How about “must” or “should”? If ever there were an imperative for joint action, this is it. Perhaps even Wynn Resorts and Mohegan Sun could … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Election, Foxwoods, Geoff Freeman, Horseracing, IGT, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Politics, Steve Wynn | Comments Off

Freeman’s strange plea; Aristocrat on the move

Posted on June 26, 2014 by David McKee

This morning, a strange letter landed upon my cyber-desk, signed by American Gaming Association Senior Vice President of Public Affairs Sara Rayme. However, it’s perfectly congruent with the aggressive tendencies of AGA President Geoff Freeman, so I look upon him … Continue reading →

Posted in Aristocrat, Geoff Freeman, IGT, Internet gambling, Politics, Technology, Texas, Tribal | Comments Off

Massachusetts: The morning after

Posted on June 25, 2014 by David McKee

Although Wynn Resorts is keeping mum on this week’s Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruling, others are not taking it lying down. Faced with a do-or-die referendum on casino gambling in the Bay State, MGM Resorts International promised it was “fully … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Election, Geoff Freeman, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, PokerStars, Politics, Regulation, Sports, Steve Wynn | Comments Off

IGT on the block; AGA: You love gambling

Posted on June 10, 2014 by David McKee

Looking to goose its stock price, International Game Technology has put itself up for sale, according to Reuters. IGT has evidently been able to keep the process top-hush for two months, as it works with Morgan Stanley on constructing a … Continue reading →

Posted in Geoff Freeman, Harrah's, IGT, Wall Street | Comments Off

Adelson winning one-sided war

Posted on June 5, 2014 by David McKee

If it appears that Sheldon Adelson is rolling to victory in his jihad against Internet gambling, it’s primarily because his opposition has gone belly-up. First, MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren called the battle “a fight we cannot win,” then … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Florida, Geoff Freeman, Harrah's, Indiana, International, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, South Carolina, Texas, Tribal | Comments Off

Adelson vs. Loveman: Splitting the difference

Posted on May 30, 2014 by David McKee

“One of the things I’ve learned in this industry is we are extraordinarily competent at shooting at one another.” So said American Gaming Association President Geoff Freeman after getting caught in the crossfire over Internet gambling. So, as the industry … Continue reading →

Posted in Geoff Freeman, Hard Rock Hotel, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Macau, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Technology, The Strip, Warner Gaming, World Series of Poker | 1 Comment

Gunga Geoff; Massachusetts split

Posted on May 21, 2014 by David McKee

Some casino industry bigwigs continue to view Macao as a Chinese-flavored version of Las Vegas, an industry fallacy you would think had been outgrown. Take American Gaming Association President Geoff Freeman, who told a Macanese audience that their city needs … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Entertainment, Geoff Freeman, Macau, Massachusetts, Regulation, The Strip | Comments Off

Freeman defeated; Caesars renders unto Maryland

Posted on May 21, 2014 by David McKee

In a stunning reversal — and a major victory for Sheldon Adelson — American Gaming Association President Geoff Freeman is ending the lobbying group’s support for Internet gambling. Freeman calls it “an issue that the association cannot lead on,” so the … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Geoff Freeman, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Macau, Maryland, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Wall Street | Comments Off