Category Archives: Hard Rock International

Pot comes to casinos, sorta; Terrible February in Illinois

Posted on March 7, 2018 by David McKee

In a deft bit of regulatory jujitsu, the Nevada Gaming Association has ruled that casinos can hold marijuana-related conferences, provided that they refrain from doing business with the marijuana industry (a somewhat vague directive, admittedly) nor directly involve themselves in … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, California, Environment, Hard Rock International, Illinois, Marijuana, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Nevada, Ohio, Penn National, Regulation | Comments Off

Hard Rock makes sweeping pledge; Wynn dodges a bullet

Posted on February 27, 2018 by David McKee

Having expanded the old Trump Taj Mahal concert venue by over 25%, Hard Rock International is promising the Boardwalk “more live music than Atlantic City has ever seen.” We’re talking 200 live events in Year One. “When’s the first time someone has … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Dining, Entertainment, Environment, Geoff Freeman, Hard Rock International, International, Japan, Macau, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Politics, Regulation, Revel, Sexual misconduct, The Strip, Transportation, Wynn Resorts | 3 Comments

Adelson subsidizes foreign policy; Packer’s comeback

Posted on February 23, 2018 by David McKee

Sheldon Adelson‘s at it again. This time, in the cause of escalating Mideast tensions, he’s putting his money where his mouth is. The toupee-crowned supermogul is reported to be offering to foot the bill for at least some of a … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Meruelo, Atlantic City, Australia, Donald Trump, Glenn Straub, Greenwood Racing, Hard Rock International, International, Internet gambling, James Packer, Lucky Dragon, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Revel, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Crown 18, The Strip | Comments Off

Showboat to sail again?; The plague of resort fees

Posted on February 22, 2018 by David McKee

Although Caesars Entertainment may have thought it removed a competitor from the board when it stripped the Showboat of its gaming entitlement, think again. Owner Bart Blatstein has taken the opening steps toward returning the Showboat to the gambling seas. … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Cordish Co., Environment, Genting, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, International, Maryland, Revel, The Strip | 1 Comment

MGM’s sincerity challenged; Probe continues at Wynncore

Posted on February 13, 2018 by David McKee

“Is this legislature capable of setting a course and sticking with it?” That’s the very legitimate question posed by the editorial board of The Day, with regard to the Lege’s rather addled behavior on whether to stand by the satellite casino … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Foxwoods, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, International, Japan, Macau, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Singapore, Taxes, Wynn Resorts | Comments Off

Life after Wynn

Posted on February 8, 2018 by David McKee

There may not be much, according to a feature in the New York Times. Wall Street analysts are already circling Wynn Resorts like buzzards. “Elvis has left the building. Mr. Wynn’s value to the company is unarguably profound as its chief visionary … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, Hard Rock International, Macau, Massachusetts, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Regulation, Sexual misconduct, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Macao is back; Steelman predicts the future

Posted on February 1, 2018 by David McKee

Gross gaming revenues in Macao blew away Wall Street analysts’ estimates of 19% growth, posting a 36.5% gain. Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli still advised caution for the near future, writing, “While [Chinese New Year] generates a lot of hype, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Galaxy Entertainment, Genting, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Macau, Massachusetts, Revel, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street | Comments Off

Beauregard the Buzzkill; Arkansas tries for casinos

Posted on January 9, 2018 by David McKee

Attorney General Jefferson Beauregard Sessions has detected that Americans are enjoying themselves and it’s got to stop, forthwith. He’s declared war on marijuana-friendly laws across this great land, misguidedly making loco weed his department’s top law-enforcement priority. Beauregard is flying … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Boyd Gaming, Colorado, Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, Election, Hard Rock International, Law enforcement, Macau, Marijuana, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Nevada, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Sports, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off

Revel sold (again); Freeman slams Indiana bill

Posted on January 9, 2018 by David McKee

Glenn Straub wins our Liar Liar Pants on Fire Award hors concours for dissembling about any intentions to sell Revel while negotiating a deal to do precisely that. Give him credit, though, for raising the defunct megaresort’s value: The $200 … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Economy, Geoff Freeman, Glenn Straub, Hard Rock International, Indiana, Iowa, Mandalay Bay Massacre, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Revel, Sports, The Strip, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Exit the Dragon

Posted on January 5, 2018 by David McKee

In a story broken yesterday by VitalVegas, the Lucky Dragon Casino has abruptly shuttered its casino and restaurants. It will attempt to limp along for six months of ‘reorganization,’ sustained by hotel revenues. Were the Consumer Electronics Show not in … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Dining, Economy, Genting, Golden Gaming, Hard Rock International, Lucky Dragon, Marketing, Movies, Penn National, SLS Las Vegas, Station Casinos, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Strip’s Thanksgiving turkey; Sports betting overhyped?

Posted on December 29, 2017 by David McKee

Despite a neutral calendar (i.e., same number of weekend days) and a 2% increase in baccarat wagers, the Las Vegas Strip managed to plummet 25% in table game win, pulling overall revenue 6% downward. Had it not been for that game, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Delaware, Donald Trump, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Lucky Dragon, LVCVA, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Regulation, Reno, Sports, Tribal, Trump Entertainment Resorts, TV | 1 Comment

Wynn’s new frontier

Posted on December 14, 2017 by David McKee

Wynn Resorts made it official last night: It had paid just under $335 million for the old New Frontier site, which it is taking over from James Packer. The deal makes a fool of Packer, who paid $570 million for … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cretins, Current, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Donald Trump, Florida, Genting, Hard Rock International, James Packer, Lucky Dragon, LVCVA, MGM Mirage, Minnesota, Penn National, Phil Ruffin, Riviera, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

Malaise in Illinois, optimism in Ohio; Frissora’s smooth move

Posted on December 8, 2017 by David McKee

Illinois casinos have never recovered from the double-whammy of the Great Recession and a smoking band, and now they have to contend with slot routes. Last month they were down 2.5% statewide($108.5 million). Taking a closer look, two riverboats were … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, International, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off

Sports betting makes its case

Posted on December 5, 2017 by David McKee

Yesterday saw the much-anticipated oral arguments in the case of Christie v. NCAAA, the legal joust that could lead to the downfall of the Bradley Act and open up the land to legalized sports betting. The arguments made before the … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Downtown, Florida, Geoff Freeman, Hard Rock International, Racinos, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Sports | Comments Off

Favorable forecast for 2018; New look at Cosmo

Posted on November 29, 2017 by David McKee

Good news for casinos: “2018 is set to be a good year for gaming operators and suppliers globally amid a strong economic backdrop and a relatively benign new supply environment,” says Fitch Ratings analyst Alex Bumazhny, one of the more circumspect … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, Economy, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Macau, MGM Mirage, New York, Sheldon Adelson, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Ohio defies the calendar; Pennsylvania vote pricks Adelson’s balloon

Posted on November 8, 2017 by David McKee

Ohio gaming revenues powered up 5.5% last month despite a supposedly “unfavorable” calendar (one less weekend day). Except for a flat outcome at Thistledown Racino ($9.5 million), everyone was revenue positive for the month. Even Jack Cleveland snapped out of … Continue reading →

Posted in Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, Genting, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Japan, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, South Korea, Tourism | Comments Off

Major casino expansion mooted for Pennsylvania; Big wins for Florida, Wisconsin tribes

Posted on October 27, 2017 by David McKee

Gaming expansion is creeping forward in Pennsylvania. The state Senate has passed and sent to the House a bill that would add 10 satellite casinos to the Keystone State. Eldorado Resorts‘ Presque Isle Downs would be juiced in for one … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Eldorado Resorts, Florida, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Reno, Seminole Tribe, Slot routes, Station Casinos, Taxes, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off

Culinary clashes with Fertittas (again), girds for Caesars labor talks

Posted on October 16, 2017 by David McKee

Always keeping the pressure on Station Casinos, longtime adversary the Culinary Union has rolled out a new Web site, FertittaMoneyWatch.org. Although its principal mission is to keep tabs on a nascent investment fund, Fertitta Capital, the site also promotes the … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colony Capital, Culinary Union, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Japan, Mandalay Bay Massacre, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Rhode Island, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

Warm September for Atlantic City

Posted on October 13, 2017 by David McKee

Things continue to look up for the Boardwalk. Last month, Atlantic City casinos showed a 2.5% revenue increase on a same-store basis. Toss the dead weight of Trump Taj Mahal out of the year/year comparison and the growth is an … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Entertainment, Glenn Straub, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Revel, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Wall Street | Comments Off

Case Bets: Ohio and Indiana

Posted on October 11, 2017 by David McKee

Penn National Gaming had a bonny September in Ohio, up 11% across its four properties. Hollywood Toledo ($16 million) rose 10.5%, Hollywood Columbus ($18 million) gained 9%, Hollywood Dayton ($8 million) was up 12% and Hollywood Mahoning Valley (pictured, $9 million) … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, Full House Resorts, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Indiana, Majestic Star, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off