Category Archives: Hard Rock International

Atlantic City: Sweeney wins … or does he?

Posted on January 12, 2016 by David McKee

In the end, New Jersey‘s two houses of the Legislature came together on casino expansion and we have to say that Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto (D) blinked first, from where we sit. (In the peanut gallery, natch.) But was state … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Fontainebleau, Glenn Straub, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, New York, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, Tilman Fertitta, Trump Entertainment Resorts | 2 Comments

Penn owns Ohio; Adelson expands R-J

Posted on January 7, 2016 by David McKee

Gaining 19% last month, Hard Rock Rocksino reclaimed its top spot in Ohio, grossing almost $19 million and edging aside Horseshoe Casino Cleveland by one decimal point. The latter saw an 11% slippage revenues, while ThistleDown Racino continues to look like … Continue reading →

Posted in Cosmopolitan, Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Penn owns Ohio; Adelson expands R-J

Reid delivers for REITs; Packer calls it quits

Posted on December 22, 2015 by David McKee

Sen. Harry Reid (D) may not see as well as he used to, but he’s still got plenty of ‘juice’ on Capitol Hill. He delivered an early Christmas present for campaign donor (and Caesars Entertainment co-owner) David Bonderman, in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Australia, Boyd Gaming, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Harry Reid, James Packer, MGM Mirage, Politics, Taxes, The Strip | Comments Off on Reid delivers for REITs; Packer calls it quits

‘Jubilee’ axed; DFS banned and reprieved

Posted on December 14, 2015 by David McKee

It was probably a mercy to Ffolliott “Fluff” LeCoque that the Las Vegas showbiz legend died two days before Caesars Entertainment buried a dagger in the heart of Jubilee. LeCoque had been part of the original cast and went on to … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Florida, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, history, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, New York, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal | 1 Comment

Racinos under siege in Texas; Seminole compact no sure bet

Posted on December 9, 2015 by David McKee

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) wanted the Texas Racing Commission to repeal its approval of ‘historical racing’ at Lone Star State tracks. Rather than put it on the agenda, commission Chairman Robert Schmidt handed in his gavel, exchanging the chairmanship … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Hard Rock International, Horseracing, Massachusetts, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Seminole Tribe, Taxes, Technology, Texas, Tribal | Comments Off on Racinos under siege in Texas; Seminole compact no sure bet

Ohio: Caesars effects a turnaround; Heightened scrutiny for MGM Springfield

Posted on December 7, 2015 by David McKee

Although it’s got one foot out the door in Ohio, the management half of Rock Gaming Caesars, i.e.,  Caesars Entertainment, is starting to shore up the recent decline of its casinos in the Buckeye State. Horseshoe Cincinnati and Horseshoe Cleveland … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Dan Gilbert, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Regulation, Rhode Island | Comments Off on Ohio: Caesars effects a turnaround; Heightened scrutiny for MGM Springfield

Georgia on their minds; DFS regulation gathers speed

Posted on November 4, 2015 by David McKee

There’s a new suitor in the crowd of casino companies eager to extend their brands into Georgia: the Seminole Tribe. It wants to build a Hard Rock International casino in 2018, opposite Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where the Atlanta Falcons will play. Hard … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Georgia, Hard Rock International, Illinois, Internet gambling, Minnesota, New York, Problem gambling, Regulation, Seminole Tribe, Taxes | Comments Off on Georgia on their minds; DFS regulation gathers speed

Buckeye bounce; Macao’s woes a secret benefit?

Posted on October 7, 2015 by David McKee

Casino and racino revenues in Ohio were up nicely last month, +6.5%. We’re still at least a month away from having a full set of year/year comparisons but Gov. John Kasich‘s decision to supersize a four-casinos-only constitutional amendment into four casinos … Continue reading →

Posted in Dan Gilbert, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Macau, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Buckeye bounce; Macao’s woes a secret benefit?

Ohio: Dan Gilbert’s downfall; Icahn meets Randy the Rat

Posted on September 9, 2015 by David McKee

Ohio‘s slot hoppers have been emptied for August and it was a month marked by some dramatic swings of fate. Belterra Park‘s $6 million haul won’t blow anybody away but, at $145/slot/day, it’s doing an acceptable average and improved 41% … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Carl Icahn, Dan Gilbert, Eldorado Resorts, Environment, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, International, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Unite-Here | Comments Off on Ohio: Dan Gilbert’s downfall; Icahn meets Randy the Rat

The Strip is all right

Posted on August 28, 2015 by David McKee

A 2% decline in July revenues on the Strip may not seem like good news but the casinos were competing against the anniversary of a very good month for baccarat last year. By comparison, this July saw players drop 35% … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Downtown, Economy, Hard Rock International, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Marketing, MGM Mirage, North Las Vegas, Reno, Seminole Tribe, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on The Strip is all right

Midwest shakes off malaise

Posted on August 10, 2015 by David McKee

Yes, there was an extra weekend day this year but let’s look at the glass half-full, as regional gaming markets shook off their malaise. Illinois was up 2% despite mild weakness in the St. Louis market. Empress Joliet (+10%) was … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Dan Gilbert, Economy, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Horseracing, Illinois, Indiana, Isle of Capri, Majestic Star, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Neil Bluhm, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Wall Street | Comments Off on Midwest shakes off malaise

Around the Midwest

Posted on July 8, 2015 by David McKee

Iowa was as flat as much of its landscape last month. Amidst the prevailing revenue stasis (sign of a perfectly sized market) there were a few significant movers. Isle of Capri Casinos‘ three properties were up a collective 2%, while … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Dan Gilbert, Full House Resorts, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Isle of Capri, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Warner Gaming | Comments Off on Around the Midwest

Atlantic City fights back; Packer a good bet again

Posted on June 23, 2015 by David McKee

  After seemingly being in shock from the stampede to put casinos in northern New Jersey, civic leaders of Atlantic City are starting to put up a fight. The terms of battle vary, with some dead-set against a breaking of … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Economy, Hard Rock International, Internet gambling, James Packer, Macau, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, New York, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Atlantic City fights back; Packer a good bet again

Penn powers Ohio; Emanuel’s big bet

Posted on June 8, 2015 by David McKee

May was another good month for the Ohio market, even if Dan Gilbert‘s two casinos continue to slump. Perhaps they are suffering the post-bankruptcy malaise that affects nearly all regional casinos managed by Caesars Entertainment. Hard to say. Horseshoe Cleveland … Continue reading →

Posted in Dan Gilbert, Economy, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, history, Illinois, Neil Bluhm, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Taxes, Wall Street | Comments Off on Penn powers Ohio; Emanuel’s big bet

Hard Rock, Resorts World put their chips on the table

Posted on June 8, 2015 by David McKee

While New Jersey politicians bicker over the timing of a constitutional referendum for adding northerly casinos, Hard Rock International unveiled a detailed picture of its plans for its desired Meadowlands casino (a site favored by 73% of voters polled, although … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, CityCenter, Economy, Election, Genting, Glenn Straub, Hard Rock Hotel, Hard Rock International, Horseracing, Macau, New York, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on Hard Rock, Resorts World put their chips on the table

Straub puts Revel back in play; Hard Rock heads for Meadowlands

Posted on June 5, 2015 by David McKee

Glenn Straub‘s helter-skelter regime at Revel will continue at least a while more. He’s talking about reopening the HQ nightclub in July and evicting ACR Energy Partners from Revel’s power plant, getting one monkey off his back. He did and … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Glenn Straub, Hard Rock Hotel, Hard Rock International, Indiana, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Revel, Tourism, Tribal, Warner Gaming | Comments Off on Straub puts Revel back in play; Hard Rock heads for Meadowlands

Christie’s change of mind; Caesars creditors thwarted

Posted on May 29, 2015 by David McKee

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) is already throwing in the towel on his five-year plan for Atlantic City. If lawmakers want to put a statewide expansion of casino gambling on this fall’s ballot, Christie would “have absolutely no problem … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Election, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Horseracing, Massachusetts, New York, Racinos, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Taxes | Comments Off on Christie’s change of mind; Caesars creditors thwarted

Straub faces reality; Chinese players prefer Vegas

Posted on May 27, 2015 by David McKee

Reality continues to sink in at Revel, where Glenn Straub has thrown in the towel on reopening this summer — raising the prospect of a grand-reopening in the cold-weather months. Not very auspicious, that. Labor Day is the target date … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Genting, Glenn Straub, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Macau, MGM Mirage, Revel, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Wall Street | Comments Off on Straub faces reality; Chinese players prefer Vegas

Penn “upbeat” about future; Connecticut tribes closer to new casino

Posted on May 20, 2015 by David McKee

Penn National Gaming CEO Tim Wilmott recently broke bread with J.P. Morgan analyst Joseph Greff, who found Penn management “positive and primarily focused on PENN’s robust development pipeline,” which it thinks will produce improved cash flow even before the Tropicana … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, California, Florida, Foxwoods, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Racinos, Rhode Island, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Penn “upbeat” about future; Connecticut tribes closer to new casino

Ohio: Racinos get a leg up; Pro b-ball for Vegas?

Posted on May 11, 2015 by David McKee

Business is booming for Penn National Gaming in the Buckeye State. Not only are its two casinos up 5.5% from last year — 4% at Hollywood Toledo and 7% at former underachiever Hollywood Columbus — but it continues to get … Continue reading →

Posted in Dan Gilbert, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Maryland, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Sports | Comments Off on Ohio: Racinos get a leg up; Pro b-ball for Vegas?