Category Archives: Harrah's

Wynn shows Adelson up; Schenectady casino opens tonight

Posted on February 8, 2017 by David McKee

Contrary to crude insinuations by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Steve Wynn‘s gift of $7 million in company stock late last year went mainly toward medical research at the University of Iowa’s Wynn Institute for Vision Research ($5 million), while another $1.7 … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Charity, Economy, Harrah's, Iowa, Maine, Marketing, Neil Bluhm, New York, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Tribal | 1 Comment

MGM National Harbor a hit with players; Fertitta talks a good game

Posted on February 7, 2017 by David McKee

Given its high profile, MGM National Harbor had to hit a home run for MGM Resorts International and, judging by the numbers, it’s done just that. Last month it grossed $49 million, which — when the numbers are adjusted to … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Cordish Co., Downtown, GLPI, Golden Gaming, Goldman Sachs, Harrah's, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Neil Bluhm, Nevada, New York, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, Sports, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off on MGM National Harbor a hit with players; Fertitta talks a good game

Wynn-Adelson feud renewed; Caesars readies wrecking ball

Posted on February 3, 2017 by David McKee

Until recently, Sheldon Adelson was the face of Republican Party fundraising. But the GOP’s new fair-haired boy is a certain Steve Wynn and Adelson doesn’t appear to be taking it lying down. His Las Vegas Review-Journal, showed uncharacteristic investigative moxie … Continue reading →

Posted in Charity, Donald Trump, Downtown, Economy, Election, Harrah's, Macau, Marketing, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn | 2 Comments

Adelson out of stadium deal; Tepid December on Strip

Posted on January 31, 2017 by David McKee

It didn’t take long for Sandoval’s Folly, the mooted [your city here] Raiders stadium to blow up in the governor’s face. With characteristic irascibility, Las Vegas Sands CEO Sheldon Adelson withdrew from the project, taking his $650 million with him. … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Cordish Co., Cretins, Downtown, Economy, Foxwoods, GLPI, Harrah's, Horseracing, Japan, Laughlin, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Nevada, North Las Vegas, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, The Strip, Tribal, Virginia, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off on Adelson out of stadium deal; Tepid December on Strip

Maryland: Playing the blame game; Island casinos confront Trump

Posted on January 25, 2017 by David McKee

As might be expected, MGM National Harbor‘s opening strapped a jet pack on Maryland casino revenues for December, which came in at $133.5 million, easily surpassing last May’s then-record $104 million. Wagering — as opposed to win — per slot … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Donald Trump, Economy, Harrah's, Horseracing, Illinois, International, Internet gambling, Macau, Maine, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, Slot routes, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off on Maryland: Playing the blame game; Island casinos confront Trump

Lukewarm Christmas in Louisiana; New casino for Indiana?

Posted on January 20, 2017 by David McKee

Despite an extra weekend in December, Louisiana gaming revenues were only modestly up, +4%, although gambling fever sure gripped Baton Rouge, where casinos won 14% more than last year. New Orleans has fallen to a distant third ($47 million) as … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, California, Churchill Downs, Dan Lee, Florida, Full House Resorts, GLPI, Harrah's, Indiana, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Seminole Tribe, Taxes, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street, West Virginia | Comments Off on Lukewarm Christmas in Louisiana; New casino for Indiana?

Caesars liberated from bankruptcy; Wynn pitches tantrum

Posted on January 19, 2017 by David McKee

It’s not the end, nor the beginning of the end but the end of the beginning for the Caesars Entertainment bankruptcy, to paraphrase Winston Churchill.  So protracted has the bankruptcy been that its quiet resolution comes as an anticlimax.”I’ve never … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Donald Trump, Georgia, Harrah's, International, Japan, Macau, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Politics, South Korea, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Trump: The Fix is In; Battle of Gettysburg III

Posted on January 16, 2017 by David McKee

Gaming executives who are buddies with Donald Trump just got a rude surprise when attorney general nominee Sen. Jeff Sessions (R) said he was “shocked” by the 2011 reinterpretation of the Wire Act, whereby Internet gaming became legal. This sets … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Donald Trump, Economy, Harrah's, history, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Problem gambling, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes | Comments Off on Trump: The Fix is In; Battle of Gettysburg III

Warm December in Atlantic City; Las Vegas stages comeback

Posted on January 13, 2017 by David McKee

Online gambling continues to be a hit with New Jersey players, up 31% to $18 million in December. Resorts Digital‘s market share has eked past Tropicana Entertainment‘s but Golden Nugget is far and away the leader, with 26%. Enjoy it … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Economy, Glenn Straub, Harrah's, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Revel, The Strip, Tourism, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off on Warm December in Atlantic City; Las Vegas stages comeback

Trump vs. Las Vegas; E-sports is big busine$$

Posted on January 12, 2017 by David McKee

“Donald Trump is the most uninformed president the U.S. has ever had.  This is not an opinion.  It is based on the realities of how human beings communicate:  He does not read.  ‘[Trump] said in a series of interviews that he does not … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Atlantic City, Donald Trump, Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Macau, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off on Trump vs. Las Vegas; E-sports is big busine$$

A slight chill in the air

Posted on January 10, 2017 by David McKee

Even allowing for additional weekend in 2016, gaming results last month were a tad frosty,  shall we say? The best market was Missouri, which was merely flat. That was largely due to strength in the St. Louis area, where Pinnacle … Continue reading →

Posted in Affinity Gaming, Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Full House Resorts, GLPI, Harrah's, Indiana, Isle of Capri, Majestic Star, Missouri, Nevada, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Tourism, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on A slight chill in the air

Cheerless Christmas in Illinois; Whitewash at Caesars?

Posted on January 9, 2017 by David McKee

Despite two extra weekend days, gaming revenues in Illinois were down 5% last month. For all we know, gamblers may have been saving up for Christmas but we think this points to the increasing prevalence of slot routes (many owned … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Carl Icahn, Churchill Downs, GLPI, Harrah's, Horseracing, Illinois, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Racinos, Slot routes, Sports, The Strip, Unite-Here | Comments Off on Cheerless Christmas in Illinois; Whitewash at Caesars?

National Harbor boffo for MGM; Icahn keeps them guessing

Posted on January 6, 2017 by David McKee

In its first month, MGM National Harbor has been both good and bad for Maryland. Although the MGM Resorts International property, acclaimed by some as being Las Vegas Strip-caliber, did blockbuster numbers, the rest of the Maryland casino industry was … Continue reading →

Posted in Carl Icahn, Cordish Co., Glenn Straub, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Revel, Slot routes, Taxes, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment, Unite-Here, Wall Street | 2 Comments

2017: Boom or bust?

Posted on January 4, 2017 by David McKee

Vital Vegas, whose predictive skills are superior to ours, recently came out with a blockbuster, forecasting that Las Vegas Sands or MGM Resorts International or Wynn Resorts (or maybe some combination of the above) might be headed into bankruptcy. “Tectonic … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Detroit, Economy, Harrah's, Japan, Macau, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | 1 Comment

A legend passes; Packer flops in Vegas (again)

Posted on December 29, 2016 by David McKee

Before we get back to business, a few brief mentions. First, let us have a moment of silence for Strip icon and former Las Vegas casino owner Debbie Reynolds, victim of a fatal stroke.  Coming as it did a day … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, history, James Packer, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, Melco Crown Entertainment, North Las Vegas, Reno, The Strip, Uncategorized, Wall Street | 2 Comments

What the Lucky Dragon means; National Harbor lifts all boats

Posted on December 9, 2016 by David McKee

The good Dr. David G. Schwartz ponders the significance of Lucky Dragon Casino and begins with one salient milestone: “Lucky Dragon is the first genuinely new property to open in the tourist corridor since The Cosmopolitan six years ago.” That’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Cosmopolitan, Donald Trump, Genting, Harrah's, history, Internet gambling, Japan, Lucky Dragon, Marketing, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Nevada, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off on What the Lucky Dragon means; National Harbor lifts all boats

Racinos lap casinos in Ohio; “Golden Knights” kiboshed

Posted on December 9, 2016 by David McKee

Ohio‘s four main casinos performed weakly last month, with Dan Gilbert‘s Jack Cleveland ($16 million, -4%) and Jack Cincinnati ($15 million, -7%) still not validating their new brand. Ironically, the once-superfluous Thistledown Racino is saving Jack’s bacon, up 13% to … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Cordish Co., Dan Gilbert, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Florida, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Japan, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Seminole Tribe, Sports, Taxes | Comments Off on Racinos lap casinos in Ohio; “Golden Knights” kiboshed

Macao: Big brother is watching; Quandary in Indiana

Posted on December 9, 2016 by David McKee

Just as it looked that Macao was beginning to climb out of one government-created crisis, along comes another. According to a report in the South China Morning Post, the central government was cutting the maximum withdrawal amount from UnionPay ATMs … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Full House Resorts, GLPI, Harrah's, Indiana, Macau, Majestic Star, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off on Macao: Big brother is watching; Quandary in Indiana

Pennsylvania gets a second look; Tioga Downs debuts new casino

Posted on December 6, 2016 by David McKee

Funny that we should have been discussing Pennsylvania yesterday. Fitch Ratings analyst Alex Bumazhny made a field trip to Philadelphia and Bethlehem, and came away impressed by the $164 million expansion of SugarHouse. He concluded that its new features, which … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Economy, Harrah's, Horseracing, Lucky Dragon, Macau, Marketing, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Singapore, Stanley Ho, Taxes, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Running the tables in Pennsylvania; MGM woos Georgia (again)

Posted on December 5, 2016 by David McKee

Due to Pennsylvania‘s quirky habit of releasing slot and table game revenue numbers in staggered fashion, we don’t often comment on Keystone State gambling revenues. Fortunately, the Center for Gaming Research at UNLV consolidates the information into one handy-dandy report. … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Aristocrat, Australia, Cosmopolitan, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Georgia, GLPI, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Hooters, Isle of Capri, Macau, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, SLS Las Vegas, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation | Comments Off on Running the tables in Pennsylvania; MGM woos Georgia (again)