Category Archives: Harrah's

Connecticut casino faces uncertain future; Japanese cities protest casino process

Posted on May 26, 2017 by David McKee

Connecticut‘s controversial satellite casino has been voted through the state Senate. This prompted a swift response from the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation, which promised a lawsuit (probably financed by MGM Resorts International). Gov. Dannel Malloy (D) threw his support behind the satellite … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Economy, Foxwoods, Harrah's, Japan, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Transportation, Tribal | Comments Off on Connecticut casino faces uncertain future; Japanese cities protest casino process

SLS to get new owner; Boyd outlines strategy

Posted on May 26, 2017 by David McKee

Having failed to reinvent the north end of the Las Vegas Strip as the new place to party heartily, the owners of $415 million SLS Las Vegas are giving up and selling it to a relatively minor player: Meruelo Group. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Cannery Casino Resorts, Environment, Harrah's, Louisiana, Lucky Dragon, Marketing, Mississippi, North Las Vegas, Palms, Reno, Sam Nazarian, SLS Las Vegas, Station Casinos, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Sands Bethlehem sale fizzles; Packer peddles Alon acreage

Posted on May 25, 2017 by David McKee

For the second time, Las Vegas Sands has decided that Sands Bethlehem was too valuable to sell, especially after it set a state record for table game revenue. (Earlier, Sands was bruited to be in talks with Tropicana Entertainment to … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Charity, Eldorado Resorts, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Iowa, Isle of Capri, James Packer, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, Phil Ruffin, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Sands Bethlehem sale fizzles; Packer peddles Alon acreage

Caesars pages The Hoff; Riviera sign lives again

Posted on May 22, 2017 by David McKee

Enjoy the fountains and shrubbery in front of Caesars Palace while you still can. Caesars Entertainment CEO Mark Frissora plans to celebrate the company’s emergence from bankruptcy by monetizing 90 acres of Las Vegas Strip frontage. To be fair to … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Harrah's, history, International, Japan, Marketing, Problem gambling, Riviera, South Korea, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Caesars pages The Hoff; Riviera sign lives again

Tables buoy Pennsylvania; Oregon poker rooms in peril

Posted on May 19, 2017 by David McKee

It was table games to the rescue in Pennsylvania, in a record-setting performance, which saw casino winnings up 10% last month at the tables, while slots were down 1.5%. State leader was, as usual, Parx Casino, grossing $49 million for … Continue reading →

Posted in Eldorado Resorts, GLPI, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, history, Isle of Capri, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, Oregon, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Transportation | Comments Off on Tables buoy Pennsylvania; Oregon poker rooms in peril

Setback for MGM, advance for Gamblit

Posted on May 18, 2017 by David McKee

In an important win for Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort Casino, the Interior Department said that its position regarding the tribes’ compact with the State of Connecticut remains unchanged. To wit: A third, offsite casino won’t breach the tribes’ obligation … Continue reading →

Posted in Foxwoods, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Taxes, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Setback for MGM, advance for Gamblit

Pelican Brief; Miami Beach bans casinos

Posted on May 16, 2017 by David McKee

Despite having one less weekend day this year, April was a good month for Louisiana, as gambling revenue rose 5%. The growth was especially dramatic in the Pelican State market, up 19%. By contrast, Shreveport/Bossier City was down 3%. The increase … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Eldorado Resorts, Galaxy Entertainment, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Japan, Louisiana, MGM Mirage, Oklahoma, Pinnacle Entertainment, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Technology, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, TV, Wall Street | Comments Off on Pelican Brief; Miami Beach bans casinos

Borgata keeps Atlantic City afloat; No slots for Wichita

Posted on May 15, 2017 by David McKee

Atlantic City had a bit of adversity in April, down 3.5%. However, when last year’s Trump Taj Mahal grosses are removed from the comparison, the Boardwalk was up 4%. Market leader, by an astonishing margin, was Borgata, garnering $58.5 million, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Harrah's, Indiana, Japan, Kansas, Majestic Star, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Problem gambling, Racinos, Taxes, Technology, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Borgata keeps Atlantic City afloat; No slots for Wichita

Packer bows out; Adelson puts moves on Brazil

Posted on May 12, 2017 by David McKee

There’s now 100% less “Crown” in Melco Crown Entertainment. Colorful casino baron James Packer has sold his share in the company for $1.2 billion. Reuters describes the move as “ending a fraught offshore expansion and freeing up cash for new … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Australia, Boyd Gaming, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Iowa, James Packer, Japan, Lawrence Ho, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Station Casinos, The Crown 18, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Packer bows out; Adelson puts moves on Brazil

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 on Freeman: Let my people bet!

Higher taxes mooted for Atlantic City; Trump into Philippines?

Posted on May 10, 2017 by David McKee

Someone has belatedly noticed that Atlantic City is, in essence, a tax haven for casino operators. They pay 9.25%, compared to Pennsylvania‘s 55% on slots, for instance, or Maryland‘s patchwork of tax rates, which top out at 60%. That’s not … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Donald Trump, GLPI, Harrah's, Lake Tahoe, Law enforcement, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Maryland, Melco Crown Entertainment, Missouri, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Taxes, Technology | Comments Off on Higher taxes mooted for Atlantic City; Trump into Philippines?

Big month in Maryland; Kentucky Derby sets record

Posted on May 9, 2017 by David McKee

MGM National Harbor took the top spot in Maryland last month, grossing $50 million to Maryland Live‘s $45 million. “We view this as positive/encouraging for MGM, as it shows the property’s momentum has sustained into April,” wrote JP Morgan analyst … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Galaxy Entertainment, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Horseracing, Illinois, Japan, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off on Big month in Maryland; Kentucky Derby sets record

Analysts: Station underperforms; Miami Beach bans casinos

Posted on May 5, 2017 by David McKee

Station Casinos reported revenue yesterday and the Palms is on track for 6% ROI this year. So there’s some work to be done. Management is already off to a good start by closing the world’s largest Hooters, victim of sagging … Continue reading →

Posted in Colony Capital, Columbia Sussex, Dining, Donald Trump, Florida, Genting, George Maloof, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, history, IGT, International, MGM Mirage, PokerStars, Seminole Tribe, Sports, Station Casinos, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Nevada is #1; Atlantic Club plans dashed

Posted on May 2, 2017 by David McKee

Congratulate yourself, Nevadans. Your state has been deemed “most fun” by WalletHub. This is despite only mediocre rankings in movie theaters and amusement parks per capita (27th and 28th, respectively). Nevada was tops in casinos — big surprise, I know … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Donald Trump, Entertainment, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Law enforcement, Nevada, Philippines, Sports, Steve Wynn, Technology, Tribal | Comments Off on Nevada is #1; Atlantic Club plans dashed

REITs meet the Street; Martinez wins in New Mexico

Posted on April 28, 2017 by David McKee

REITs Gaming & Leisure Properties and MGM Growth Properties both checked in with Wall Street yesterday, and further acquisitions were on the mind of both. In the case of MGM, its next target of opportunity is MGM National Harbor (“on … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Economy, GLPI, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on REITs meet the Street; Martinez wins in New Mexico

Big bounce in Louisiana; Poker and booze go better together

Posted on April 19, 2017 by David McKee

Compared with a flood-plagued March of 2015, business was booming  at Louisiana casinos, up 10%, especially Baton Rouge (+20.5%), although New Orleans was flat. JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff is predicting less salubrious results in April, blaming the Easter Bunny, among … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Foxwoods, Genting, GLPI, Harrah's, IGT, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Regulation, South Korea, Taxes, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off on Big bounce in Louisiana; Poker and booze go better together

Adelson buys Trump; Caesars, MGM stiff players

Posted on April 19, 2017 by David McKee

We always knew Sheldon Adelson was fundamentally shameless — remember when he would gush with praise of Red China? — and this photo of him cuddling up to sometime anti-Semite Steve Bannon just proves it. What’s newsworthy, though, is why Adelson may have … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Harrah's, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | Comments Off on Adelson buys Trump; Caesars, MGM stiff players

Saturation in Ohio; Japan: Go big or go home

Posted on April 17, 2017 by David McKee

Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) leveled the playing field when he allowed third-party racinos to join the juiced-in Penn National Gaming and Caesars Entertainment casinos in the Buckeye State. The question now is how level a playing field is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Detroit, Economy, Genting, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Iowa, Japan, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Technology, Wall Street | Comments Off on Saturation in Ohio; Japan: Go big or go home

Bellagio is burning; Parking valets stiffed

Posted on April 14, 2017 by David McKee

Remember the Monte Carlo fire and how it was fueled by construction foam? It was much the same story last night when the south “arm” of Bellagio caught on fire, a blaze which raged for 25 minutes. “You can smell that sulfur,” said … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Cosmopolitan, Cretins, Economy, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Monte Carlo fire, Planet Hollywood, Technology, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on Bellagio is burning; Parking valets stiffed

Atlantic City runs the table; Next, the “Osaka Strip”?

Posted on April 13, 2017 by David McKee

It’ll take a lot more than an extra weekend day to account for a 7% spike in Atlantic City‘s gaming revenue. When you subtract the corpse of Trump Taj Mahal from the body count, the year over year comparison is … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Japan, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, PokerStars, Problem gambling, Sports, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street | Comments Off on Atlantic City runs the table; Next, the “Osaka Strip”?