Category Archives: Harrah's

Caution at MGM, audacity at Caesars; Cortez crumbles

Posted on May 28, 2014 by David McKee

As the line continues to blur between social gaming and real-money gambling, MGM Resorts International continues to hang back from the latter and favor the former. It’s putting its efforts into a free-play site that offers M Life rewards, as … Continue reading →

Posted in Culinary Union, Downtown, Harrah's, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Tamares Group, Terry Caudill | Comments Off on Caution at MGM, audacity at Caesars; Cortez crumbles

Internet gaming: More light than heat; Fieri in your face

Posted on May 27, 2014 by David McKee

“We are absolutely shocked by the slowness of the market.” Those are the words of 888.com CEO Brian Mattingley, with regard to Internet gambling in New Jersey. How slow is it? So much that 888 is shifting ad dollars from … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Dining, Economy, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Marketing, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | 1 Comment

Leven leaving, Adelson staying

Posted on May 23, 2014 by David McKee

In a less-than-shocking turn of events, Las Vegas Sands President Michael Leven has announced his retirement, effective the end of this year. Let the speculation over his successor commence! President of Global Gaming Operations Rob Goldstein would seem the obvious choice … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Harrah's, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip | Comments Off on Leven leaving, Adelson staying

Skepticism in Atlantic City; Hope in Schenectady

Posted on May 21, 2014 by David McKee

Hard Rock International has decided to stop being coy about its interest in Revel Resort. It wants it … if the price is right. “We certainly looked at it. We participated in the process,” said Hard Rock CEO James Allen. “The question … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Architecture, Atlantic City, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Louisiana, Neil Bluhm, New York, Pinnacle Entertainment, Revel, Tribal, Trump Entertainment Resorts | 1 Comment

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 on Freeman defeated; Caesars renders unto Maryland

More states covet Internet lucre; Steeplechase in New York

Posted on May 20, 2014 by David McKee

Pennsylvania is keeping a  close eye on Internet gambling in New Jersey. That much is clear from recent testimony before the House Democratic Policy Committee. “It can be regulated and controlled and … the existing technology can accurately locate players to prevent … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cannery Casino Resorts, Churchill Downs, Harrah's, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Neil Bluhm, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Texas, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off on More states covet Internet lucre; Steeplechase in New York

And then there were fewer; The Culinary’s empty threats

Posted on May 20, 2014 by David McKee

Scratch two names from the mad scramble for a New York State casino. The vaguely interested Rolling Hills Entertainment is out but it was a long shot. Of greater consequence is Pinnacle Entertainment‘s abandonment of its pursuit of the Albany … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Churchill Downs, Culinary Union, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Harrah's, Illinois, Maryland, New York, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Tamares Group, Taxes, Terry Caudill | Comments Off on And then there were fewer; The Culinary’s empty threats

Keeping with the times; Inside Bally’s palace coup

Posted on May 20, 2014 by David McKee

For people like myself, whose formative experiences of Las Vegas took place 10-plus years ago, it’s important to go with the flow. For instance, the ever-burgeoning and remunerative nightclub business. When SLS Las Vegas opens Life, bottle service will be … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally Technologies, Election, Entertainment, Harrah's, Rhode Island, Sam Nazarian, Shuffle Master, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Keeping with the times; Inside Bally’s palace coup

Cuomo’s gamble and other Case Bets

Posted on May 19, 2014 by David McKee

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D, right) promised constituents that casino gambling would “fundamentally change the trajectory of the Catskills.” But will it? Or will his administration cut the promised economic recovery off at the knees by favoring one of five … Continue reading →

Posted in Cannery Casino Resorts, Economy, Foxwoods, Genting, Harrah's, Iowa, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania | Comments Off on Cuomo’s gamble and other Case Bets

Cosmo: Now comes the hard part

Posted on May 19, 2014 by David McKee

Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas CEO John Unwin is crowing in triumph over Blackstone Real Estate Partners VII‘s staggeringly lavish purchase of the megaresort over which he presides. “This marks the beginning of the next chapter for The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Cosmopolitan, Economy, Harrah's, James Packer, Japan, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Japan fever

Posted on May 15, 2014 by David McKee

As the window slowly closes on casino legalization during the current session of the Japanese Diet, a fever seems to be overtaking the casino industry. Normally reasonable people are suddenly hyper-exaggerating their projections for gambling in the Land of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, Japan, Louisiana, MGM Mirage, Pinnacle Entertainment, Rhode Island, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Japan fever

Full House’s busted flush; GLPI’s big play

Posted on May 14, 2014 by David McKee

In further evidence of saturation in the gaming industry (if more were needed), Full House Resorts wants to be released from a commitment to buy Fitzgerald’s Casino, in Tunica. Seems that Full House can’t find banks who’ll underwrite the deal. … Continue reading →

Posted in Cannery Casino Resorts, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, Harrah's, LVCVA, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Penn National, Racinos, Wall Street | Comments Off on Full House’s busted flush; GLPI’s big play

Good news from Atlantic City; F-blew: This is the end

Posted on May 14, 2014 by David McKee

OK, so the Boardwalk was down 2% last month but, on a same-store basis (i.e., minus Atlantic Club), business was up 3%, given a shove over the top by $11 million in online-casino revenue, which is looking like a difference maker, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Carl Icahn, Churchill Downs, Fontainebleau, Harrah's, Mohegan Sun, New York, Pennsylvania, Tropicana Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Wall Street | 2 Comments

New York: The rush is on; Baloney in Philly

Posted on May 13, 2014 by David McKee

New York State has come out with its required minimum casino investments, which range from $70 million to $350 million, although the reality is a complicated formula too tortuous to unravel here, laden with ‘ifs,’ ‘ands’ and ‘buts.’ (The $350 … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Economy, Genting, Harrah's, Internet gambling, New York, Pennsylvania, Shuffle Master, Technology, Tribal | Comments Off on New York: The rush is on; Baloney in Philly

Wynn’s albatross; Culinary gets wrist slapped

Posted on May 13, 2014 by David McKee

Steve Wynn‘s Everett casino project is getting pinned down by fire from several directions. Boston City Attorney Thomas Frongillo argues that a sale to Wynn Resorts by FBT Everett Realty LLC should be voided because the latter concealed an ownership stake … Continue reading →

Posted in Culinary Union, Environment, Harrah's, Indiana, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Regulation, Steve Wynn | 2 Comments

MGM National Harbor: Icon or overkill? You decide

Posted on May 9, 2014 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International‘s National Harbor project literally hasn’t gotten off the drawing board and yet it’s already stirring controversy. The beef mainly involves five oversized LED screens, the largest of which would be 60 by 100 feet. MGM has similar … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Environment, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Technology | 1 Comment

Loveman utters heresy; Adelson’s sock-puppet theatre

Posted on May 9, 2014 by David McKee

Buried deep in Caesars Entertainments ‘s 1Q14 earnings call was this bombshell from CEO Gary Loveman: “We are looking at all of our options to reduce the cost of doing business here. All the businesses in [Atlantic City] are under tremendous pressure.” That’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cretins, Economy, Florida, Harrah's, Indiana, Louisiana, New Hampshire, Politics, South Carolina, Texas, Wall Street | Comments Off on Loveman utters heresy; Adelson’s sock-puppet theatre

A few minutes with Sheldon Adelson

Posted on May 9, 2014 by David McKee

On Internet gambling: On his fear of the Vegas High Roller: “They don’t care about Sheldon Adelson” COURTESY: Bloomberg News

Posted in Harrah's, International, Macau, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, The Strip | Comments Off on A few minutes with Sheldon Adelson

Up, up and away … slowly

Posted on May 7, 2014 by David McKee

I’ve been putting off writing about riding the Vegas High Roller. Not because it isn’t a powerful new icon for the Las Vegas Strip (it is). Not because the ride isn’t smooth as silk. (It is.) And not because Caesars … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, California, Entertainment, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Up, up and away … slowly

Loveman’s latest dice throw; Delicate talks in Boston

Posted on May 7, 2014 by David McKee

In one of 2014’s least surprising stories, Caesars Entertainment has had to restructure debt. It will replace $1 billion in near-term indebtedness with $1.75 billion in longer-term notes. Bond analysts have been predicting this move for a long time, even … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Harrah's, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Slot routes, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on Loveman’s latest dice throw; Delicate talks in Boston